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Tag: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

  • Osun guber election: INEC to employ over 15,000 ad-hoc staff

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun said it would employ over 15,000 ad-hoc staff for the conduct of the Sept. 22 governorship election.

    Mr Olusegun Agbaje, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun, made the disclosure on Thursday during a stakeholders meeting with political party leaders in Osogbo.

    Read Also:National Assembly to reconvene for INEC’s budget

    He told the stakeholders that the commission would do everything possible to conduct a free and fair election in the state.

    Agbaje said the commission it had already recruited over 14,000 out of the over 15,000 ad-hoc staff needed for the election.

    He said the commission had engaged different ad-hoc staff sources such as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), federal establishments and tertiary institutions in the state.

    ‘‘As we speak, we have sourced over 90 per cent of the ad-hoc staff that would participate in the conduct of the election.

    ‘‘NYSC management promised us over 8,000 of their youth corps, which will form the large chunk of our ad-hoc staff.

    ‘‘The Obafemi Awolowo University has provided us with 3,000 personnel/students, while Federal Polytechnic, Ede has assured us of 2,000 personnel plus students out which 1,500 has been received.

    ‘‘The over 70 other federal establishments in the state would also be providing us with 1,000 of their members who will participate in the conduct of the election,’’ he said.

    Agbaje, however, implored the 48 political parties that would take part in the election to advise the electorate to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for the election.

    He said the commission had been carrying out voter education and public enlightenment campaigns, stressing that many PVCs were yet to be collected by registered voters.

    He said about 540,658 PVCs were still with the commission and enjoined voters in the state to come out and collect their PVCs.

    NAN

     

  • 2019: INEC meets NASS leadership over budget 

    The controversy surrounding the passage of the budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2019 general elections may soon be over, it was learnt.

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu led INEC management Wednesday met with the leadership of the National Assembly, where the budget issue was discussed.

    Besides, the commission has no other source of funding for the 2019 election, which makes it imperative for the quick passage of the budget.

    Read Also:Kashamu counters PDP, tells INEC, Police to disregard PDP expulsion

    Confirming the meeting to our correspondent Wednesday vie email, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi stated that the meeting between the management of INEC and the leadership of the NASS was fruitful.

    He also hinted of the possibility of a quick resolution of the issue.

    He stated, “Only today, the INEC Chairman led a team to brief the leadership of both the House of Representatives and the Senate on the election budget. It was a productive meeting. INEC has enjoyed a very cordial relationship with the National Assembly and we are hopeful that the budget issues will be resolved soon.

    “INEC does not have any other source of funding than the federal budget. The Commission is confident that the budget issues will soon be resolved.”

    Oyekanmi also confirm the possibility of knew political parties springing up before the 2019 general election.

    There are 68 registered political parties in the country as of today, this he however said may go up to between 80-85.

    Oyekanmi who was responding to a question on the possibility of emergence of new political parties ahead of next year’s poll said, “Yes. There are 68 registered political parties at the moment and we have over 130 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties. Our projection is that we might end up with between 80 and 85 political parties before the 2019 general elections.”

    Prof. Yakubu had in a recent briefing hinted that the commission was processing 136 request from associations seeking registration as political parties.

    He said out of this figure, 74 have failed the initial assessment of the suitability of their names and logos while 62 have passed the initial assessment. Nine (9) associations have undergone verification of their offices and proposed leadership while 16 are either awaiting verification or yet to supply supporting documents.

    On the ruling of a Federal High Court in Abuja calling for the arrest of the commission’s chairman, the media aide to INEC boss said the commission will not be joining words with the presiding Judge.

    He however stated that the commission had appealed the earlier ruling.

    “The Commission will not join issues with the Hon. Justice Pam. However, the INEC Chairman had already filed an appeal against his previous ruling and the Court’s attention was drawn to this fact,” he stated.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Pam on Wednesday  ordered the Inspector General of Police to arrest and produce INEC chairman in Court on August 14, 2018.

    On the latest issue of vote buying, he said despite the powers granted the commission by the electoral Act, it will be difficult to check the menace without the involvement of all the stakeholders.

    According to him, “Indeed, Section 124 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) identifies “Bribery and Conspiracy” as an offence and those who contravene it are liable upon conviction to 12 months imprisonment or a fine of N500,000 or both. However, INEC does not have the power to arrest offenders. But INEC wants all stakeholders to get involved in tackling this Voter Buying and Selling phenomenon. In any case, it is not a new thing, it only seems to be getting worse. Indeed, it is a threat to our democracy but it should not be INEC’s responsibility alone to tackle it.”

     

  • Prosecute Fayose for electoral offences, lawyer tells INEC

    A Lagos based lawyer, Mr. Kabir Akingbolu, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prosecute Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose and his Deputy, Prof Kolapo Olusola Eleka, for alleged electoral offences.

    Akingbolu alleged that Fayose and Eleka, alongside the Acting Chairman of the Ekiti State Broadcasting Corporation, Mr. Lere Olayinka, committed at least 10 electoral offences during the June 14 governorship election in Ekiti State.

    Read Also:Fayose’s deputy files 700-page petition against Fayemi

    He made the claims in an August 6 letter to INEC chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, polled 197,459 votes in the election to beat Eleka of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 178,121 votes.

    The lawyer urged INEC to prosecute the trio in line with Section 150 of the Electoral Act, 2010 as this “will go a long way to curb official impunity during elections.”

    Akingbolu noted that because Fayose and Eleka had constitutional immunity from prosecution until their tenure expires in October, investigation of the “serious electoral offences” ought to commence without delay.

    He threatened to apply to the Federal High Court for an order of Mandamus to compel INEC to carry out its “statutory duty forthwith”, if it “fails or refuses to commence the investigation of the serious electoral offences disclosed in the petition before August 15.

    Akingbolu said: “Throughout the campaign the trio campaigned against Dr. Kayode Fayemi and urged voters not to vote for him in contravention of Section 129(c) of the Electoral Act.

    “The campaign of the trio was tainted with abusive language, which injured religious, ethnic and sectional feelings contrary to Section 95(1) of the Electoral Act.

    “The trio threatened to make use of force and violence in contravention of Section 131(a) of the Electoral Act.”

    According to him, the trio prevented all government aspirants apart from Prof Eleka the free use of the Ekiti State Radio and Television station in contravention of Section 131(d) of the Electoral Act.

    In another instance, he claimed that Fayose paid the sum of N3, 000 to every civil servant on Friday June 13; with intent that such money shall be expended on bribing voters to vote for Prof Eleka.

    Akingbolu added: “The Governor campaigned for Professor Kolapo Eleka in the Governor’s lodge on June 14, 2018 within 24 hours prior to the polling day in contravention of Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010.

    “They prevented the Ekiti State Broadcasting Corporation from allotting equal coverage and conspicuity to all political parties in contravention of Section 100 (5) of the Electoral Act 2010.

    “In the morning of June 14, 2018 they assembled a crowd at the Ekiti State Governor’s Lodge where they prayed and persuaded voters to vote for Professor Kolapo Eleka

    “They caused the Ekiti State Broadcasting Corporation to broadcast news which opposed the candidature of Dr. Kayode Fayemi in contravention of Section 101(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010.

    “Before the official declaration of the results of the governorship election by the Returning Officer they announced an election result which they knew to be false and thereby declared Professor Kolapo Eleka as the Governor Elect of Ekiti State on June 15, 2018 in contravention of Section 123(4) of the Electoral Act.”

     

  • 2019: Cleric charge Christians to obtain PVCs

    Pastor Moses Oyedele of the Living Faith Church, Durumi in the FCT has called on eligible voters among Christians to obtain their Permanent Voter cards (PVCs).

    Oyedele, who made the call on Sunday in a sermon to the congregation, said this was to enable them elect leaders of their choice in the 2019 general elections.

    “The objective of the PVC is that, every registered voter gets his or her card on time so as to allow him or her exercise his or her franchise during the elections.

    “Already, there are complaints over the collection of the cards, as many of the registered voters are unable to get their PVCs,’’ he said.

    He said possession of PVC was only the means through which the electorate could chose leaders of their choice.

    “As the nation general election draws closer, I appeal to the body of Christ who are eligible to vote to register and get their voter cards.

    “This will enable them to vote God-fearing leaders and of proven integrity, in the interest of national development.

    “The electorate can only actualise their dreams for good governance if they vote leaders of proven integrity.

    “They can only vote leaders of their choice when they register and have their voter cards,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set Aug. 17as deadline for the Continuous Voter Registration – CVR.

  • Expulsion: PDP writes INEC, DSS, Police over Kashamu, others

    …As Senator rejects expulsion from party
    The National Headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Department of State Security Service (DSS) and the Police Command in Ogun State, notifying each of them of the expulsion of Senator Buruji Kashamu and three others from the party.
    Senator Kashamu representing Ogun East Senatorial district at the Senate, factional Chairman of PDP in Ogun State, Engr. Bayo Dayo,  and two others were expelled from the party weeks  ago by the PDP National leadership for alleged anti – party activities but Kashamu and Dayo rejected the expulsion, dismissing it last Thursday as a ruse and illegality that shall not stand.
    The Senator and Dayo Bayo insisted that they remained full – ledge member of PDP, saying a subsisting court order protects their membership.
    However, in a letter  by the PDP National Legal Adviser, Emmanuel Enoidem,  dated August 1 and addressed separately to the trio of the  Resident Electoral Commissioner, the State Director of DSS and the Commissioner of Police in the state, the party said the expelled persons have ceased to be members of PDP.
    In the said letter, the party recalled that the National Executive Committee (NEC) at its 80th meeting held on July 23, expelled the quartet of Kashamu, the factional state chairman and secretary, Bayo Dayo and Semiu Sodipo, respectively and Segun Seriki, for “various infractions and violations of express provisions of the constitution of the party 2017 (as amended).”

    Read also:Kashamu holds Mega rally, rejects expulsion by PDP

     “Grateful, we write to bring to your notice and information that on July 23, 2018, the 80th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC)  of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expelled Senator Buruji Kashamu, Mr.  Semiu Sodipo,  Engr. Bayo Dayo and Segun Seriki, from the party for various infractions  and violations of express provisions of the Constitution of the party 2017 (as amended).
    “Accordingly, they have ceased to be members of our party forthwith and lost all rights and or privileges, to act or represent the party in any capacity whatsoever. The extract of the 80th meeting of the NEC is attached for your perusal,” the letter reads.

  • Expulsion: PDP formally writes INEC, DSS, Police over Kashamu, others

    …As Senator rejects expulsion from party

     

    The National Headquarters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has formally written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Department of State Security Service (DSS) and the Police Command in Ogun State, notifying each of them of the expulsion of Senator Buruji Kashamu and three others from the party.

    Senator Kashamu representing Ogun East Senatorial district at the Senate, factional Chairman of PDP in Ogun State, Engr. Bayo Dayo,  and two others were expelled from the party weeks  ago by the PDP National leadership for alleged anti-party activities but Kashamu and Dayo rejected the expulsion, dismissing it last Thursday as a ruse and illegality that shall not stand.

    Read Also:Kashamu rejects expulsion by PDP leadership

    The Senator and Dayo Bayo insisted that they remained full – ledge member of PDP, saying a subsisting court order protects their membership.

    However, in a letter by the PDP National Legal Adviser, Emmanuel Enoidem, dated August 1 and addressed separately to the trio of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, the State Director of DSS and the Commissioner of Police in the state, the party said the expelled persons have ceased to be members of PDP.

    In the said letter, the party recalled that the National Executive Committee (NEC) at its 80th meeting held on July 23, expelled the quartet of Kashamu, the factional state chairman and secretary, Bayo Dayo and Semiu Sodipo, respectively and Segun Seriki, for “various infractions and violations of express provisions of the constitution of the party 2017 (as amended).”

    “Grateful, we write to bring to your notice and information that on July 23, 2018, the 80th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) expelled Senator Buruji Kashamu, Mr.  Semiu Sodipo, Engr. Bayo Dayo and Segun Seriki, from the party for various infractions and violations of express provisions of the Constitution of the party 2017 (as amended).

    “Accordingly, they have ceased to be members of our party forthwith and lost all rights and or privileges, to act or represent the party in any capacity whatsoever. The extract of the 80th meeting of the NEC is attached for your perusal,” the letter reads.

  • Arise: Saraki, Kwankwaso, others must vacate seats

    Former National Assembly member, Senator Ayo Arise, has called on the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to initiate moves to ensure that Senate President Bukola Saraki and other lawmakers who ditched the party lose their seats.

    Arise in a chat with reporters in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday insisted that Saraki should not only lose the senate presidency, he should also forfeit the Kwara Central senatorial district seat he occupies.

    Read Also:APC to Saraki: resign now

    The former lawmaker urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to get set in conducting elections to replace those that has left the party, noting that none of them including the Senate President have the right to continue with the seat.

    He suggested that the APC should approach the Supreme Court and seeks the removal of Saraki, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and other Senators and House of Representatives members who defected from their seats.

    Arise contended that there was no division or factions in the APC to warrant their mass defection to other parties insisting that the defecting lawmakers must be made to lose all privileges attached to their positions.

    Describing their action as “immoral,” Arise said it was wrong for political office holders to take the mandate received on the platform of one party to another party hence constitutional and judicial efforts must be made to halt the trend.

    Arise; who represented Ekiti North in the Sixth Senate said frequent defections from one party to breed instability in the polity and shortchange the electorate who voted the lawmakers into office.

    His words: “Saraki should not only drop the Senate Presidency but he should lose its seat. He not have any right to continue with that seat and I want to urge INEC to conduct new election for those that has left.

    “My position on this is that we can’t continue in this manner as a nation because what is wrong is wrong.

    “I am of the opinion that when you are voted in on a particular platform and you move away from that platform, the individual should lose the privileges because the party is supreme to individuals. These People that has moved should be ready to drop their seats and go for a
    new election.

    “As for me, there is no excuse, drama or smart moves that will justify anyone who was voted in from a particular party to move and still enjoys all the privileges of that party without the consent of people that voted for you.

    “When I was in the Senate, my position was that anyone that moves, you forfeit the privileges. We must put an end to this immoral movements and unjustifiable one.

    “At a point, the National Assembly said you can move when there is a division, but now where is the division? Those people making noise (rAPC) have no convention or party executives or so ever. There is no division or factions in the APC.

    “I want to say the party should move against them and go to the Supreme Court to remove these people.”

    Arise urged the INEC to get set in conducting elections to replace those that has left the party, noting that none of them including the Senate President have the right to continue with the seat.

  • EFCC arraigns INEC officials for alleged money laundering, bribery

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned three Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials at the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged money laundering and bribery.

    Gbadegun Abiodun, Oladipo Oladapo and Afolabi Albert were arraigned before Justice Chuka Obiozor on five counts of conspiracy to receive millions of naira in cash without going through a financial institution.

    EFCC said the three, on March 30, 2015, conspired to accept cash payment of N177.3million without going through a financial institution.

    The commission said the offence of accepting cash payment exceeding N5million violates Section 18 and is punishable under Section 16 (2) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended by the Act No 2, 2012.

    Abiodun, Oladapo and others at large were said to have used N22million in April 2015 which they allegedly obtained through forgery thereby violating Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Act.

    In Count Four, EFCC said Oladapo and others at large took possession of N3million in cash from Abiodun when he “reasonably ought to have known that the said N3million was proceed of your unlawful activity to wit: bribery.”

    The prosecution further alleged that Oladapo and the others who are unnamed also took possession of N10million through the United Bank for Africa (UBA) account of Bacole Multiconcerns Unversal Limited operated by him.

    Read Also: EFCC grills Ekweremadu

    EFCC, through its prosecuting counsel Mr Ekene Iheanacho and G. C. Akaogu said Oladapo reasonably ought to have known that the money was paid as bribe.

    The alleged offence violated Section 18 (c) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the Money Laundering Act.

    The defendants, said to be attached to INEC in Osun State, pleaded not guilty to each of the counts.

    Defence counsel Dapo Esan pleaded that they be remanded in EFCC custody pending hearing of their bail application.

    He said they were well treated by EFCC officials while in the commission’s custody.

    But Iheanacho said the facility was overstretched, adding that only those being investigated were kept in EFCC custody.

    Justice Obiozor ordered that the defendants be remanded in Ikoyi prison.

    He adjourned until August 7.

     

     

  • Breaking: Appeal Court reverses judgment on election sequence dispute

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reversed the judgment by the Federal High Court, Abuja which voided Section 25 in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018, which sought to dictate the sequence of the next general elections.

    Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja had, in a judgment on April 25 this year, upheld a suit by Accord Party, to the effect that the National Assembly attempted to usurp the exclusive power of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by seeking to dictate the sequence of elections.

    Read Also:Election sequence: Buhari, AGF back suit against NASS

    But, in a judgment on Wednesday on an appeal by the National Assembly, a five-man panel of the Court of Appeal, led by the court’s President, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa set aside the April 25 judgment by Justice Mohammed.

    Justice Bulkachuwa, in the lead judgment, said the Federal High Court was without jurisdiction to hear the suit in the first place, because it (the suit) was premature.

    The court said the provision of a Bill could not be challenged in court until it becomes an Act.

    The appellate court was also of the view the plaintiff at the lower court, Accord Party (AP) lacked the locus standi to institute the suit, because the disputed provision of the Bill did not affect its (AP’s) rights or obligations as a political party.

    The court said the “general interest” which is available to the public did not confer on Accord Party, the rights to challenge the provision of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018.

     

    Details later…

     

  • Court orders arrest of INEC chairman

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ordered a bench warrant arrest against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu for failure to appear in court.

    Read Also:No extension of voter registration beyond Aug. 17 – INEC

    Justice Stephen Dalypop Pamel gave the order of arrest following his absence in court Wednesday.

    The trial judge also held that the disobedience of INEC chairman professor Yakubu will no longer be tolerated.

    Details later…