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12 Killed, Dozens Hurt as Wildfires Sweep Through Algeria

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12 Killed, Dozens Hurt as Wildfires Sweep Through Algeria

Wildfires in northern Algeria have killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more.

Interior Minister, Said Sayoud said on Wednesday nite that 54 people had been injured with burns, six of them in intensive care.

Civil protection authorities said dozens of fires tore through several provinces along the country’s northern coast.

Sayoud said five people were killed in Jijel province, four in Bejaia and three in Tizi Ouzou.

Sayoud went with Algerian Health Minister Mohamed Messaoudene to Bejaia to “assess” the local firefighting and evacuation efforts.

The deaths come as northern Africa suffers a scorching heatwave, with Tunisia and Algeria particularly affected.

Many homes in Bejaia and Jijel have been evacuated, civil protection agency and local media say.

Firefighters were fighting 69 fires across the country, the civil protection agency said earlier Wednesday evening.

Three years ago, fires swept through forest and farmland in the Bejaia region, killing 30 people.

In July alone, crews battled more than 2,000 blazes across Algeria, with officials reporting at least six deaths last month.

Although Algeria frequently encounters forest fires near the summer months, climate change has exacerbated and aggravated recent wildfires in the country.

Extreme heat is now the norm in North Africa, one of six subregions of Africa (the other five are Central, East, West, Southern and the whole continent) which has experienced the fastest warming of 0.43C per decade from 1991 to 2025, said the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

A recent study has shown that rising heat and water shortages have resulted in an increase in camel deaths during summer heatwaves in Algeria.

Nigerian Army Chief Calls for Stronger Strategic Leadership Among Commanders

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Nigerian Army Chief Calls for Stronger Strategic Leadership Among Commanders

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu has said the effectiveness of the Nigerian Army would largely depend on the quality of leadership given by its commanders.

This was stated by General Shaibu in Kaduna at the opening ceremony of the Second Senior Command and Leadership Seminar 2026, which took place at the Headquarters of the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army.

Themed “Strategic Leadership for Effective Command in an Evolving Security Environment”, the seminar brought together senior commanders and other stakeholders to discuss contemporary security challenges.

The COAS said that the seminar has evolved as an important professional forum for the senior Army leadership to introspect on the changing demands of command, share operational experiences and enhance leadership competencies.

Read Also: Premier League: Three Matches That Could Change Early Perceptions

The changing character of warfare, he said, requires commanders to continuously learn, unlearn and relearn, while adapting leadership approaches to emerging realities.

“Equipment, technology and force structure are still key components of military capability, but leadership is the final determinant in how effectively such capabilities are employed,” he said.

The COAS said terrorism, insurgency, banditry, transnational organized crime, cyber assaults, disruptive technologies and information warfare were challenges reshaping military operations.

He called on commanders to be intellectually agile, operationally innovative, morally courageous and able to make sound decisions in uncertainty.

“Strategic leadership is more than wielding power; it means commanders must influence organizational culture, grow future leaders, foresee change, maintain institutional credibility and synchronize tactical actions with national objectives,” the COAS stated.

General Shaibu also highlighted the increasing threat of misinformation and malign influence operations, explaining that adversaries may try to undermine the military by eroding public confidence and distorting perceptions of its activities.

The COAS stressed the need for timely, accurate and credible communication. Military actions must remain professional, lawful, properly documented and capable of withstanding scrutiny.

He further stressed the need for discipline, respect for human rights, the protection of civilians and strict observance of the rules of engagement, pointing out that tactical conduct can have strategic implications.

The COAS directed senior commanders to convert the newly formed formations into credible fighting organizations by maintaining high standards, nurturing leaders, fostering professionalism and building institutional resilience.

The Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, said earlier that the seminar offered a robust platform for capacity building and strengthening the competencies of commanders at operational and strategic levels.

He said the Department of Army Training would continue working with corps, formations and training institutions to ensure that realistic, progressive and mission-oriented training was tailored to contemporary operational environments.

Premier League: Three Matches That Could Change Early Perceptions

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Premier League: Three Matches That Could Change Early Perceptions

The first matchweek of the 2026-27 Premier League remains underway, but plenty of heavyweight fixtures already have some useful evidence behind them. Arsenal started the defense of their title with a 3-0 win over Coventry City on August 21 and Manchester United were beaten 2-0 at promoted Hull City the next day. Manchester City then came back late to beat Bournemouth 2-1, and Liverpool needed a stoppage-time penalty to secure a 2-2 draw at Newcastle. One football game never defines a season, but those first performances change the baseline for the games to follow.

Arsenal-Chelsea precedes table settling
Arsenal face Chelsea on September 6, less than three weeks after Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard all found the net against Coventry. The defending champion also comes into the season after an 85-point campaign in which it allowed only 27 league goals. 10th-placed Chelsea switched coaches and starts 2026-27 under Xabi Alonso. The last league meeting at the Emirates saw a 2-1 Gunners victory on March 1, 2026, although the xG was very similar at 1.09 to 1.07. That gap between result and chance quality is more useful than the score.

The Manchester Derby Has Already Rewritten Its Script Twice Times
Manchester United vs Manchester City, September 13 The derbies of 2025-26 are a warning against viewing recent history as a straight line. City had won 3-0 at the Etihad in September 2025 thanks to two goals from Erling Haaland, before United responded with a 2-0 win at Old Trafford in January under Michael Carrick. If a punter downloads the Melbet GH app for Android and plays pre-match markets, the useful comparison is United’s current chance creation against City’s ability to control territory, not the derby tag alone. Hull’s 2-0 opening-weekend win over United and City’s late 2-1 comeback against Bournemouth also make lineup news and short-term form relevant before any favorite is taken.
Liverpool-City Typically Punishes Lazy Assumptions
Liverpool vs Manchester City, October 11 This game comes after both clubs have had time to create a statistical profile for the 2026-27 season. Liverpool finished fifth last season but opened this campaign with a 2-2 draw at Newcastle as Dominik Szoboszlai scored a penalty in the ninth minute of added time; City were second in 2025-26 and began the new campaign with another late comeback Erling Haaland netted 27 Premier League goals last season, so his availability and service is a direct input into totals and scorer markets. Price still matters.

Past meetings need their tactical context
Head-to-head data is most useful when the people and coaching philosophies are similar. Arsenal beat Chelsea in March with only 41.1 percent of the ball, but Chelsea had more of it and created fewer shots, nine to Arsenal’s 12. Manchester City and United played two derbies in 2025-26, sharing them 3-2 on aggregate with the winner differing by venue and coaching context. So a useful sports prediction is not only who wins, but how they win.

The team sheet should have market-moving potential
Big games lead to big betting menus, but more markets do not make the underlying forecast any more certain. A bettor on Melbet Ghana can compare match-winner, totals and handicap prices using confirmed lineups, recent shot data and venue splits instead of relying on a broad favorite tag. Melbet is named as a licensed sports-betting operator for 2026 by Ghana’s Gaming Commission, with the current operator’s materials detailing mobile access to pre-match and live markets. If a primary creator or a center back is missing, the probability should be recomputed before the bankroll allocation is decided.

Early Forecasts to be Tested in November
The fixture list gets heavier later in the autumn: Liverpool v Arsenal on November 1, Liverpool v Manchester United on November 21 and Arsenal v Manchester City on November 28. By now, first impressions from opening weekend should have been replaced by several weeks’ worth of goals, xG, injuries and home-away data. The strongest view before a match is usually the one that changes as the evidence changes. Reputation can be put off.

Police Invite VeryDarkMan for Questioning Over NBA Conference Remarks

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Police Invite VeryDarkMan for Questioning Over NBA Conference Remarks

The Nigeria Police Force has invited social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, otherwise known as VeryDarkMan, to provide evidence for a statement he made while delivering a speech at the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, conference in Port Harcourt.

VeryDarkMan was a panelist at the 66th Annual General Conference of the NBA on Tuesday where he made allegations against officers of the NPF.

He said that police officers manning checkpoints on major highways across the country are passing information on the identities and movements of travelers to kidnappers and bandits.

The activist said the officers’ actions have been facilitating abductions for ransom across the nation.

Responding, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, denied the allegation in a statement on Thursday.

The police said personnel deployed to checkpoints and other locations across the country were there to prevent crime, detect criminal activity and protect citizens, not to facilitate kidnapping.

Read Also: NIBSS Reports Strong Growth in BVN Enrolment, Approaches 70m

In fact , the very criminals who are said to be the recipients of such information are regularly challenged by these same police officers .

“Thus, the Nigeria Police Force hereby invites Mr. Martins Vincent Otse to immediately bring forth the evidence upon which he made these damning allegations, including any evidence that police personnel at checkpoints do profile wealthy individuals and subsequently relay information about them to kidnappers for the purpose of facilitating their kidnap.

Any such information will be treated as urgent and investigated fully.

“We would encourage any member of the public with credible evidence of officer misconduct to come forward through these channels rather than public allegations only, so appropriate action can be taken,” he said.

NIBSS Reports Strong Growth in BVN Enrolment, Approaches 70m

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NIBSS Reports Strong Growth in BVN Enrolment, Approaches 70m

The growing demand among Nigerians for enhanced digital identity protection has spurred Bank Verification Number (BVN) enrollments to reach 69,972,475 as of August 23, nearing the 70 million threshold and highlighting the increasing significance of biometric authentication in the banking sector.

Data obtained from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) website on Wednesday, showed that BVN enrollments rose from 69,789,193 recorded on August 3, adding nearly 183,000 new registrations in three weeks.

That is a significant acceleration from the 63,336 increase recorded between July 27 and August 3, indicating that the uptake of biometric identification within the financial industry is gaining pace rather than tapering off.

The acceleration is in line with the general upward trend in Nigeria’s BVN database, which stood at 69.55 million in early July 2026 and grew steadily in the following weeks. The trend indicates further growth of Nigeria’s identity infrastructure when banks and customers are increasingly concerned about account security, cyber fraud and the compromise of traditional authentication tools like passwords and personal identification numbers.

In an ever more digital banking environment, biometrics has become a more trusted layer of verification, especially for access to sensitive financial services and personal information.

The BVN system, set up by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and run by NIBSS, has been a critical tool in curbing fraud and bolstering the integrity of the banking ecosystem.

By connecting customer biometric data to their bank records, the system makes it easier for banks to verify identity, track duplicate accounts, and reduce the use of false credentials.

For most financial institutions, BVN is now central to customer onboarding, compliance checks, and transaction security.

The climb toward 70 million suggests that more Nigerians are still being drawn into the formal banking system, with the recent uptick in weekly enrollments hinting at renewed urgency around identity verification.

The latest data also underscores the durability of the biometric framework as banks continue to push digital services across mobile, internet and agency banking channels.

The need for reliable identity verification has become more pronounced as more transactions move online. NIBSS said biometric authentication is increasingly being seen as a practical answer to the weaknesses of traditional security methods.

“Passwords can be forgotten, stolen or guessed, while PINs can be compromised via phishing, social engineering or device intrusion. Biometrics, in contrast, relies on physical traits like fingerprints or facial features, which makes it more difficult to access without permission. That benefit has made biometric systems more attractive to banks, regulators and fintech operators looking to cut operational and security risks,” the central infrastructure body said.

Read Also: Electricity Distribution Companies Failed to Recover N669.5bn in 2025 – NERC

A stronger identity framework can help bring more people into the banking system, by making account opening and verification easier, faster and more reliable. For rural and underserved populations, biometric identity can also help lower documentation barriers that have historically constrained access to formal financial services. In that sense, BVN is not just a fraud-prevention tool but an infrastructure platform for expanding access.

At the same time, the increase in BVN enrollments may further bolster confidence in the banking system. When customers have the perception that their identity and money are better protected, they are more likely to trust digital channels. That trust is crucial for mobilizing savings, payments adoption, and broader financial sector stability.

As banks digitize, biometric authentication’s effectiveness could be a differentiator. In the face of increasing digital fraud risks, biometric authentication is no longer an optional upgrade for the banking industry, but a core requirement.

If the current growth rate is maintained, Nigeria’s BVN database could exceed the 70 million mark in the coming weeks, signifying a symbolic milestone in the nation’s efforts to advance a more secure and inclusive digital identity framework.

Electricity Distribution Companies Failed to Recover N669.5bn in 2025 – NERC

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Electricity Distribution Companies Failed to Recover N669.5bn in 2025 – NERC

Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies (DisCos) may be unable to collect N669.49 billion from electricity bills issued to customers in 2025, raising fresh concerns about the financial health of the power sector.

In its 2025 Annual Report, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said the DisCos sold electricity worth N3.68 trillion in the year but billed customers N2.99 trillion.

However, out of the amount billed, only N2.32 trillion was collected, leaving N669.49 billion unpaid.

This translated to a collection efficiency of 77.60 per cent, NERC said.

The commission said the DisCos billed electricity consumers N2,988.30 billion but collected only N2,318.81 billion, translating to a collection efficiency of 77.60 percent.

The figures imply that the DisCos collected about N77.60 for every N100 they bill customers, leaving about N22.40 uncollected. The number of unpaid bills also grew significantly from the previous year.

NERC said the DisCos failed to collect N536.95 billion in 2024. This rose to N669.49 billion in 2025, indicating an increase of N132.54 billion, or 24.7 per cent, in one year.

The regulator’s report found that the problem wasn’t simply that customers weren’t paying their bills. The DisCos provided a lot of electricity, which wasn’t billed to customers in the first place.

The N3.68 trillion worth of electricity supplied during the year by the NERC translated to a gross billing efficiency of 81.14 per cent, the Commission said. This means electricity worth about N694.80 billion was supplied but unbilled.

The combination of poor billing and collection continued to pressure the finances of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), the commission said.

Read Also: Yusuf Usman Accuses Politicians of Offering Northerners N500 and Noodles

“The inefficiencies are ‘weakening the financial liquidity’ of the industry and restricting its ability to support new investments,” it said.

The financial difficulties also affected the DisCos’ payments to other market participants in the electricity market.

The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) and the Market Operator, NERC stated, gave out N1.72 trillion gross invoices to the DisCos in 2025 for the cost of energy and administrative services.

The DisCos paid N1.63 trillion, representing 94.80 per cent of their obligations, with a shortfall of N89.58 billion.

The regulator called the amount an underpayment and attributed it to market participants.

The situation highlights one of the big problems facing Nigeria’s power sector: it’s one thing to generate and distribute electricity, it’s another to collect the money owed for the power supplied.

When DisCos are unable to collect enough revenue, they have fewer funds to meet their financial obligations and invest in infrastructure.

This can impact their ability to maintain distribution networks, replace faulty equipment, expand their networks, and upgrade the supply of electricity to consumers.

The latest figures also come against a backdrop of continuing problems with metering and accurate billing. A large number of electricity customers are still unmetered and disputes over estimated bills and complaints about inaccurate billing have been frequent.

NERC has been calling for measures to improve metering, billing and revenue collection, as well as strengthening consumer protection.

The commission has also taken regulatory action against DisCos for poor performance and non-compliance with its rules. In one recent case, NERC took over the regulation of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company after it discovered serious financial and operational weaknesses.

The Nigerian electricity regulator said Kaduna Disko had a collection efficiency of 46.69 per cent in 2025 and its billing efficiency was 61.56 per cent.

The problem is still acute across the wider sector and the annual figures for the latest year show the continuing reforms have yet to address it.

The Electricity Act 2023 introduced reforms for increased competition, investment and access to electricity including allowing more participation from states and private investors in the electricity market.

But NERC’s latest figures suggest improving DisCos’ financial performance remains critical to achieving the broader goals of the reforms.

For consumers the revenue problem is directly related to the quality of electricity services that they are receiving. If DisCos are unable to recoup enough money from the electricity they supply, it limits their ability to invest in better infrastructure and provide more reliable service.

The N669.49 billion that remained uncollected in 2025 is, therefore, more than just unpaid bills. That is money that could have been used to strengthen the electricity distribution system and to support investment throughout the sector.

NERC’s figures show that without reducing billing gaps, improving metering and ensuring more customers pay for the electricity they consume, it will be difficult to address the financial issues plaguing Nigeria’s power sector.

Yusuf Usman Accuses Politicians of Offering Northerners N500 and Noodles

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Yusuf Usman Accuses Politicians of Offering Northerners N500 and Noodles

Yusuf Usman, former chairman of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has condemned the deployment of 30,000 security personnel to Osun State during its gubernatorial election.

He said the move was an attempt to intimidate voters and was unnecessary.

Usman is reported to have spoken about his thoughts on Wednesday during an appearance on DCL’s show.

He urged the electorate to learn from the recent political developments in Osun State and appreciate the power of their votes.

He said the people of Osun State were not cowed by the security presence and still exercised their right to vote.

“Even with that, the people of Osun were not intimidated by the presence of security agents in their state, they were there to assist them to vote.

They sent more than 30,000 security agents to Osun State to intimidate the people. 30,000. “If you send 30,000 to Zamfara, all the insecurity in Zamfara will be gone,” Usman said.

“How is it possible to deploy so many security personnel for an election, when insecurity still ravages parts of northern Nigeria?” he wondered.

“But no, the people, the lives of our people, are not as important as you fixing the ballot election,” he said.

The former NHIS boss also accused politicians of spending billions of public money to influence voters in elections.

“Number two is they buy votes. They spend billions of our money, people’s money, to buy votes. “People do get the money, yes,” he said.

Read Also: Benue Political Shift: More Than 1,000 Join Labour Party in Ogbadibo

Usman urged the northern voters to consider the short-term benefits dangled before them during elections against the long-term consequences of their political decisions.

“And our voters in the north, the lesson you need to learn from Osun is that in Osun they gave them ₦30,000, ₦40,000, ₦50,000, but here in the north they give you ₦500 and noodles to grab your lives for the next four years,” he said.

Usman said voters in the north should know they have the power to choose who governs them through the ballot.

We have a lot to learn in the north to tell you that we have power. We elect this government. We can choose who we want to choose,” he said.

He also criticized the persistence of the use of religious arguments to mobilize voters, especially appeals for endorsement of a Muslim-Muslim political ticket.

“And now they are bringing in these religious leaders back to you again to tell you to vote Muslim-Muslim, which I said from the beginning is nothing but a scam. “It has nothing to do with Islam,” he said.

He said religious identity should not be used as a substitute for good governance and tackling the challenges facing Nigerians.

“It is just to get votes for him. And then what has happened in the last four years? He asked, “What happened to the Muslims in the north?”

Benue Political Shift: More Than 1,000 Join Labour Party in Ogbadibo

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Benue Political Shift: More Than 1,000 Join Labour Party in Ogbadibo

The Labor Party, LP, has recorded another major boost in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State following the defection of over 1,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, All Progressives Congress, APC, African Democratic Congress, ADC and other political parties.

The latest mass defection took place in Orokam District on Wednesday and was part of a wave of political realignments across Ogbadibo, which includes Orokam, Owukpa and Otukpa districts, ahead of the 2027 general election.

The defectors, made up of political stakeholders, community leaders and supporters, were formally received into the Labor Party at a ceremony attended by the leaders of the party at the state and local government levels.

Hon. E.E. Justice, a former House of Assembly aspirant on the platform of the ADC, who spoke for the defectors, said their decision to join the LP was due to the party’s commitment to inclusive leadership, development and grassroots participation.

Justice also said the leadership and representation of the member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Hon. Philip Agbese, popularly known as Okanga 1 of Enone Kingdom, was a major factor in their decision.

Some defectors publicly discarded symbols of their former political parties before they were presented with Labor Party flags and membership materials.

The new members were received by the Benue State Chairman of the Labor Party, Hon. Williams Ochonu Okefie and the party’s Ogbadibo Local Governmentd Chairman, Hon. Peter Enejor who promised equal opportunities to them in the party.

Agbese, who also welcomed the defectors, said their decision was a reflection of the growing acceptance of the Labor Party across Ogbadibo.

The federal lawmaker felicitated the new members into the LP and charged them to work with the existing members to strengthen the party at the grassroots.

He promised them there would be no discrimination between old and new members and stressed that everyone would be given a chance to contribute to the growth of the party.

Agbese, who is seeking re-election to the House of Representatives in 2027, has been at the core of the Labor Party’s increasing political activities in Enone Federal Constituency since his joining the party.

He won the LP ticket for the constituency earlier this year.

UEFA May Back Down On Boycott Threat Amid FIFA Crisis

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UEFA May Back Down On Boycott Threat Amid FIFA Crisis

European football nations look set to back down from their threat to boycott FIFA competitions after reportedly receiving assurances from the world governing body.

The development is expected to end an immediate standoff between UEFA and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, after a controversial proposal which had sparked strong opposition from European football officials.

Last month, it was reported that UEFA had threatened to withdraw European teams from FIFA competitions over concerns raised about Infantino’s plan to sell shares in a commercial venture linked to the World Cup to private investors.

Infantino eventually dropped the proposal but UEFA said that European teams would need assurances that no similar attempts to change the structure of the game would happen again.

Sky News says the assurances have now been given and are expected to be discussed at meetings in Monaco on Thursday.

The development means England and other European countries are expected to participate in the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland next week as planned.

Their presence will finally put an end, at least for the time being, to the danger of a European boycott of FIFA tournaments.

The tournament will be the first FIFA event since a row over Infantino’s proposed commercial deal plunged his leadership into one of its biggest political crises.

UEFA has been prominently involved in attempts to challenge Infantino’s leadership, with reports suggesting some FIFA vise presidents from Asia, Europe and North America have also backed the push.

The U-20 Women’s World Cup will also give Infantino a chance to make a public appearance as FIFA president, despite the ongoing divisions within the organization.

It has been reported that the next major FIFA tournament will be the Women’s World Cup in June 2027. But the tournament will follow the FIFA election of a president, scheduled for March next year.

Infantino has yet to state his view on the election, and potential candidates have until November to gather support from at least five football associations to stand.

APC Reopens Online Membership Registration Portal, Appeals To Members

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APC Reopens Online Membership Registration Portal, Appeals To Members

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that it will re-open its membership electronic registration portal nationwide on Monday, August 31. The party is urging both old and new members to register ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The National Publicity Secretary of the ruling party, Felix Morka, stated that while existing members are expected to validate their membership, new and intending members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family.

Read Also: Falana, Others Urge Stronger Support For Entertainers Beyond Public Donations

The requirements were given by the party’s spokesperson, who told the registrants that they must be 18 years and above with a valid National Identification Number (NIN).

He added that the purpose of the e-registration exercise was to digitize the party’s membership register to ensure the integrity of membership records and improve efficient access to membership data for future planning.

“We call on all party stakeholders, supporters and members, old and new, to participate in the APC membership electronic-registration exercise. The exercise will be conducted in all the wards of the country.

“Existing members are expected to validate their membership while new and intending members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family. The applicant must be 18 years and above and must possess a valid NIN.

“The e-registration exercise is aimed at digitizing the party’s membership register, ensuring the integrity of membership records, enhancing efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions, promoting internal democracy and strengthening the party’s commitment to democratic innovation in Nigeria,” the party said.

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