Opposition parties demand INEC publicly disclose uncollected voter cards, warn against electoral malpractice in South-West state

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord Party have jointly accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of making attempts to obtain unclaimed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Osun State ahead of the 15 August governorship election. The allegation was made on Saturday in Osogbo by PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi and Accord Party Chairman Pastor Victor Akande, who called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist any pressure to release the cards outside the approved legal process.

According to a joint statement signed by both party leaders, the opposition parties claimed they received credible information that the APC was pressuring INEC officials to hand over thousands of uncollected PVCs for alleged use by individuals described as “imported illegal voters”. The parties insisted that all distribution of voter cards must strictly follow provisions in Nigeria’s Electoral Act to prevent irregularities.

The controversy comes at a time when political tension is rising in Osun, South-West Nigeria, as parties prepare for a closely watched poll. Both PDP and Accord referenced concerns from the recent Ekiti governorship election, alleging that unclaimed PVCs were misused during that exercise. They stated their intention to monitor INEC’s handling of PVCs closely in Osun and warned that any deviation could undermine public trust in the electoral process.

“We task the commission not to succumb to such illegal conduct, as distribution of PVCs has a template which should be observed to the letter,” Bisi and Akande said. They further called on INEC to publicly announce the number of uncollected PVCs once collection resumes and pledged to independently verify any figures provided. According to them, transparent accounting is essential for maintaining confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.

As at press time, neither INEC nor APC had issued an official response to these allegations. However, APC previously dismissed other claims by Accord Party—including accusations about planned violence—as false and politically motivated. The issue of unclaimed PVCs remains a sensitive one nationally, with stakeholders warning that improper handling could violate electoral laws and impact election outcomes.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/osun-pdp-accord-allege-apc-unclaimed-pvcs-inec-2026062212182907124

Adenike Daramola’s viral video reignites debate on housing affordability in Lagos amid minimum wage gap and rising inflation

A prominent Nigerian travel vlogger, Adenike Daramola, has sparked heated discussions after highlighting steep rent costs in Lagos compared to Malaysia, describing Nigeria’s commercial capital as ‘extremely ridiculously expensive.’ Daramola made her comments on Saturday via a social media post documenting her stay in a serviced apartment in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital.

Daramola gave a tour of her fully furnished studio apartment in Kuala Lumpur, stating that it cost about $27 (roughly ₦40,000) per night and came with amenities such as a bed, mattress, wardrobe, television, refrigerator, air conditioning, microwave and Wi-Fi. She noted that tenants also enjoy access to communal facilities like a rooftop swimming pool, gym, co-working spaces and 24-hour security—features rarely included in similar-priced rentals within Lagos.

‘In Kuala Lumpur you can rent a studio for between 1,000 and 1,500 Ringgit per month—about $250 to $350—which comes to around ₦4.2 million yearly,’ Daramola said. She emphasised that these apartments are usually fully furnished and located at the city centre. By contrast, she argued that many Lagos residents pay upwards of ₦6 million per annum for smaller, unfurnished flats lacking basic appliances or modern facilities. ‘An agent will take you to a tiny empty apartment in Lagos and confidently tell you it is ₦6 million per annum,’ she added.

Daramola further questioned why rental costs remain so high despite Nigeria’s much lower minimum wage. ‘The official minimum wage in Malaysia is about ₦600,000 monthly while here it is just ₦70,000. Yet tenants are expected to pay nearly 1,000 percent of their minimum wage on rent,’ she stated.

Nigerians have increasingly expressed frustration over soaring rents in Lagos and other major cities as inflation and foreign exchange pressures push up construction costs. Many social media users echoed Daramola’s complaints about landlords demanding millions for unrenovated properties while failing to provide adequate facilities. The federal government has yet to announce new measures addressing the affordability gap despite calls from housing rights advocates.

Industry stakeholders say unless urgent reforms are introduced—including stricter regulation of agent fees and incentives for affordable housing—the cost of living crisis may worsen for urban dwellers. Debate continues online as more residents share their experiences with the widening disconnect between earnings and accommodation expenses in Nigeria’s largest city.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/the-more-i-travel-the-more-i-realise-lagos-is-ridiculously-expensive-travel-vlogger-compares-rent-prices-in-lagos-and-malaysia-2026062212511330665

Company’s annual report for 2025 shows significant profit surge linked to strategic investments in oil and gas sector

Aradel Holdings Plc, a Lagos-based indigenous energy firm, has announced a 192 percent increase in its annual profit for the 2025 financial year, attributing the surge to recent acquisitions involving ND Western and Renaissance Africa. The disclosure came in the company’s latest audited financial statements released on Monday.

According to Aradel, the remarkable growth was primarily driven by increased earnings following its stake acquisitions in key oil and gas assets managed by ND Western and Renaissance Africa. The company noted that these investments delivered significant returns, helping to offset sector-wide challenges such as foreign exchange volatility and operational disruptions experienced during the reporting period.

Industry analysts say the robust results underline a shifting landscape in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, where indigenous companies are playing a more prominent role. The sector has been under pressure due to fluctuating naira rates and production uncertainties, but Aradel’s performance suggests that targeted investments can yield positive outcomes for shareholders. “This development shows local firms can compete effectively if they leverage the right opportunities,” an energy consultant familiar with the matter said.

Aradel’s management expressed optimism about sustaining growth amid ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s energy policies. The company stated it would continue seeking strategic partnerships to expand its asset base. Efforts to reach officials from ND Western and Renaissance Africa for comment were not immediately successful as at press time.

With global oil prices remaining volatile and domestic reforms still underway, market watchers believe Aradel’s strategy could serve as a model for other Nigerian energy players seeking resilience. The company is expected to provide further updates on its investment plans at its upcoming annual general meeting.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/889795-aradels-annual-profit-surges-192-as-nd-western-renaissance-africas-acquisitions-lift-earnings.html