Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos Lawyer Threatens Legal Action Against NYSC Over Corps Members’ Posting to Insecure States
Festus Ogun cites rising kidnappings, demands NYSC review deployment policy as agency keeps silent on controversy
Festus Ogun cites rising kidnappings, demands NYSC review deployment policy as agency keeps silent on controversy
Human rights lawyer, Barrister Festus Ogun, has threatened to drag the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to court over the continued posting of corps members to states considered unsafe across Nigeria. The move, coming amid a surge in kidnapping and insecurity incidents, has renewed national debate about the safety of young graduates deployed under the federal scheme.
Ogun, who is based in Lagos, raised his concerns on Wednesday, highlighting that many corps members are sent to high-risk areas in the North-West and North-Central zones despite persistent reports of kidnappings and attacks on highways. He argued that this practice exposes graduates to unnecessary danger and may violate their constitutional right to life and safety.
The NYSC scheme was established in 1973 to foster national unity by sending graduates from universities and polytechnics to serve in different parts of the country. However, recent years have seen repeated cases where corps members became victims of violence or abduction while travelling to or serving at their places of primary assignment. Civil society organisations have also called attention to these risks, urging authorities to prioritise the welfare of participants.
Ogun stated that he is considering legal action compelling NYSC to review its posting policy, especially for states where security conditions have worsened. “It is unacceptable that corps members are made to risk their lives travelling through dangerous routes just because of a national assignment,” he said. As at press time, NYSC has not issued any official statement in response to Ogun’s threat or addressed public concerns over the deployment process.
Stakeholders say the potential court case could force NYSC to adopt stricter safety protocols—such as more rigorous security assessments before postings or restricting deployment to volatile areas. However, supporters of the programme maintain that NYSC remains crucial for promoting unity and exposing graduates to diverse cultures across Nigeria. While no formal suit has been filed yet, Ogun’s position has intensified calls for urgent reforms to safeguard corps members nationwide.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Low Voter Turnout Hits Ilawe-Ekiti as BVAS Glitch Disrupts Ado-Ekiti Polling Unit
Technical issues with Bimodal Voter Accreditation System raise concerns over election credibility and voter participation in Ekiti State
Technical issues with Bimodal Voter Accreditation System raise concerns over election credibility and voter participation in Ekiti State
The governorship election in Ekiti State on Saturday witnessed low voter turnout in Ilawe-Ekiti, while a malfunction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) disrupted proceedings at a major polling unit in Ado-Ekiti. The incidents were observed as residents across the state headed to polling centres on 20 June to elect a new governor.
In Ilawe-Ekiti, South-West Nigeria, electoral officials reported sparse attendance at several voting points, with many ballot boxes remaining largely empty hours after accreditation began. Meanwhile, voters and officials at one of Ado-Ekiti’s prominent polling units experienced delays due to BVAS failure, which temporarily stalled the accreditation and voting process until technical support arrived.
The low turnout and technical hitches have heightened concerns about the effectiveness of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) preparations for the election. In recent cycles, INEC has promoted BVAS as a solution to electoral fraud and multiple voting, but technical breakdowns have repeatedly cast doubt on its reliability. Many voters expressed frustration at the delays, with some leaving before casting their ballots.
INEC officials on ground acknowledged the challenges but assured that efforts were underway to resolve all technical issues. “We are working with our technical team to ensure every eligible voter is accredited and can vote,” one official stated at the affected Ado-Ekiti polling unit. No official statement had been released by opposition parties as at press time regarding the day’s disruptions.
With voting scheduled to continue across Ekiti State into the afternoon, attention now turns to whether turnout will improve and if further technical issues can be avoided. The outcome of this election is seen as critical for both APC and PDP in consolidating their positions ahead of the next general elections.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Ekiti Observers Raise Alarm as BVAS Fails to Recognise Elderly Voters in Governorship Poll
Technical hitches with biometric system spark concern over disenfranchisement; INEC faces calls for urgent review
Technical hitches with biometric system spark concern over disenfranchisement; INEC faces calls for urgent review
Election observers have expressed serious concern after the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) failed to recognise several elderly voters during the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election on Saturday, 20 June 2026. Reports from multiple polling units across the state indicated that some senior citizens were unable to complete accreditation as the BVAS devices repeatedly rejected their fingerprints and facial recognition attempts.
The malfunction was observed in different local government areas, with officials confirming that affected voters were mostly elderly persons whose biometric data could not be captured by the machines. While some polling officers attempted manual intervention, many of the older voters left frustrated, unable to cast their ballots.
This incident has raised fresh questions about the reliability of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process, especially in rural communities where access and technical know-how remain limited. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) introduced BVAS to curb multiple voting and enhance transparency, but similar glitches were recorded during previous elections, prompting calls for improvement ahead of the high-stakes Ekiti poll.
An observer group monitoring the election described the situation as worrisome and urged INEC to provide alternative accreditation procedures for vulnerable groups. “We have seen several elderly voters unable to vote because BVAS could not recognise them,” one observer stated. “INEC must urgently address this to avoid widespread disenfranchisement.”
As at press time, INEC officials said efforts were ongoing to resolve technical issues at affected polling units. The commission is expected to conduct a review after the election and consider recommendations from stakeholders on improving biometric verification for subsequent polls.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Trump Distances Himself from Netanyahu over Iran Deal, Insists ‘I Call All the Shots’
US president warns Israeli leader against actions that could derail ongoing Iran talks amid rising diplomatic tensions
US president warns Israeli leader against actions that could derail ongoing Iran talks amid rising diplomatic tensions
A sharp division has emerged between United States President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a proposed deal with Iran, as the US administration intensifies efforts to broker an agreement aimed at ending months of conflict in the Middle East. The development comes as Trump, speaking from Washington on 20 June, urged Israel not to take steps that could undermine negotiations with Tehran.
The disagreement was laid bare after reports revealed Trump cautioned Netanyahu against retaliating following an Iranian missile strike earlier in June, insisting diplomatic channels were close to delivering results. Trump reportedly told Netanyahu during a phone call, “We are close to doing something good in terms of a deal,” while also making it clear in conversations with US officials and the media that he alone determines the direction of negotiations. “I call the shots. I call all the shots,” Trump said in comments to Financial Times, adding that Netanyahu “won’t have any choice” but to accept the outcome.
Netanyahu has long advocated for military pressure on Iran and was said to be dissatisfied with news that a deal might be imminent. According to sources familiar with discussions, the Israeli prime minister had hoped that coordinated US-Israeli military action would further weaken Tehran’s leadership and improve his own political standing ahead of elections in Israel’s Knesset. However, Israel’s recent airstrike in Beirut reportedly drew Trump’s ire, with US officials indicating frustration over moves that could jeopardise months of diplomatic work.
Despite speculation about a possible rift, both countries remain close allies. US officials maintain that any final agreement will address longstanding concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional influence. Opposition figures within Israel have called for greater transparency from Netanyahu regarding his strategy towards Iran and relations with Washington. Meanwhile, there is no indication that the US intends to withdraw support for Israel or seek political change in the country.
For now, attention remains focused on whether Trump and Netanyahu can find common ground as talks with Tehran progress. The fate of the proposed deal—and its impact on Middle East stability—continues to be closely watched by policymakers and analysts across the region.
Low Voter Turnout Hits Ilawe-Ekiti as BVAS Glitch Disrupts Ado-Ekiti Polling Unit
Ekiti Observers Raise Alarm as BVAS Fails to Recognise Elderly Voters in Governorship Poll
Trump Distances Himself from Netanyahu over Iran Deal, Insists ‘I Call All the Shots’
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