The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians that the commission remains committed to conducting credible elections in which every valid vote will count.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), in Minna, Niger State, Amupitan said despite the pressures facing the commission, it would ensure that the will of the electorate prevailed.

“Our determination is to see ordinary Nigerians go out and vote with confidence that their votes will be counted and reflected in the outcome of elections,” he said.

In his remarks, Abdulsalami called on Nigerians to support INEC in its efforts to deliver credible elections, saying sustained public confidence in the electoral process is vital to the country’s democracy.

Meanwhile, INEC on Sunday concluded it’s nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ahead of the 2027 general election, urging eligible Nigerians who participated to await the display of the register.

The commission had fixed July 26, 2026, as the deadline for the exercise, which covered fresh voter registration, transfer of registration, correction of personal details and replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

In a reminder issued on Sunday, INEC urged eligible Nigerians to complete their registration before the close of the exercise.

“Time is running out, but there’s still an opportunity to make your vote count. Register to vote or update your voter information before the close of the Continuous Voter Registration today,” the commission said.

The electoral body had earlier extended the registration by two weeks to enable more eligible Nigerians to register ahead of the 2027 elections.

The CVR began with online pre-registration in August 2025 before physical registration commenced later that month.

INEC said the first phase, which ended in December 2025, recorded 2,572,054 completed registrations, comprising 1,503,832 online registrations and 1,068,222 physical registrations.

The second phase, which ran from January 5 to April 17, 2026, added 3,748,704 new registrations nationwide, while the third and final phase ended on Sunday.

The United States has condemned the killing of members of the family of Plateau-based cleric, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, describing the attack as horrific and urging Nigerian authorities to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

In a statement shared on X on Thursday, the US Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs expressed condolences to the victims’ families and called for stronger measures to prevent further attacks on vulnerable communities across Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

“The United States strongly condemns the horrific killing of members of Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo’s family in Plateau State, Nigeria. The continued violence targeting Christian communities and other vulnerable populations in Nigeria’s Middle Belt is deeply alarming,” the bureau said

The US said it had already engaged Nigerian officials on the worsening security situation, stressing that urgent action was needed to curb recurring attacks and hold perpetrators accountable.

“As I discussed last week with Nigerian officials, we must do more to prevent violent acts. The perpetrators must be held accountable, and urgent action is needed to strengthen security and protect Christians and other vulnerable communities,” the statement added.

The bureau reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to working with the Nigerian government to combat terrorism and violent extremism, stressing that Christians and other Nigerians should be able to practise their faith without fear of violence.

The statement followed the July 12 attack on Kum community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, where nine members of Rev. Dachomo’s extended family, including a two-month-old baby, were killed.

According to the cleric, the attackers, believed to be armed Fulani militias, asked for him by name before opening fire on his relatives.

Dachomo, who serves as Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, said his family had repeatedly been targeted because of his outspoken criticism of the violence in Plateau State.

He recalled that his grandmother and an uncle were also killed in previous attacks, adding that days after burying his relatives, he received a written death threat from the same group, warning that he would be their next target.

The Anambra State Government has clarified that its indefinite ban on graduation ceremonies applies to all kindergarten, primary and secondary schools across the state, except for students completing Senior Secondary School (SS3).

The clarification was contained in a press statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Law Mefor, following what the government described as public enquiries and concerns over the directive.

According to the government, Governor Chukwuma Soludo ordered the suspension of graduation ceremonies to reduce the financial burden imposed on parents by schools.

“The essence is to reduce the financial burden on parents,” the commissioner said.

The government explained that the ban covers all forms of graduation-related events, including “passing out,” “cross over,” and any similar ceremonies organised by schools.

Mefor further stated that the directive applies to both public and private schools operating in Anambra State.

However, he noted that students graduating from Senior Secondary School (SS3) are exempted from the ban.

The commissioner stressed that graduation ceremonies for SS3 students remain optional and, where organised, must not involve any levies or financial demands on students or their parents.

“Graduation ceremonies for students exiting Senior Secondary School are optional and, where carried out, must be conducted without any form of levy or financial demand on students and parents,” he said.

The state government also warned that school proprietors and administrators who violate the directive would face severe consequences.

“Any school management found in violation of this directive will face serious sanctions, which may include the closure of such school,” Mefor stated.

The clarification followed widespread reactions after the state government announced the suspension of graduation ceremonies, with many parents and school owners seeking details on the categories of schools affected and whether any exceptions would be allowed.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo, in October 2025, banned graduation ceremonies and Christmas parties in schools across the state as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden on parents and guardians.

The governor said the policy was designed to make education more affordable and equitable for families while discouraging unnecessary expenses associated with school activities.

Expressing concern over what he described as avoidable financial pressure on parents, Soludo had also directed schools to discontinue the use of textbooks designed for pupils to write in.

“This is to owners and administrators of government, private, and mission schools in Anambra: we have set out some basic standards to ensure that the poor are not made to spend so much just because their children are in school.

“One of the measures includes discontinuing the use of textbooks designed for students to write in. This practice forces parents to buy new textbooks annually.

“Once a child finishes a class, he should be able to pass on his textbooks to his younger siblings,” the governor had said.