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Tag: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

  • Corruption: Senate challenges Jega to mention names

    The Senate yesterday asked former Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) Chairman, Attahiru Jega, to name members of the National Assembly involved in corruption practices.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, threw the challenge to former INEC boss following a Point of Order raised by Senator Isah Hamman Misau on the allegation of corrupt practices leveled against National Assembly members by Jega.

    Jega was reported to have said that National Assembly Committee chairmen asked for gratification from heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) to carry out their constitutional duties in the name of so-called over sight functions.

    Saraki said he was at the event where the allegation was made.

    He also said that Speaker House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, was also at the event where Jega made allegation.

    He said that they were “highly embarrassed” by the sweeping allegation which failed to name names.

    He noted that the matter should be forgotten if Jega fails to name those involved.

     Saraki said, “I was at the programme, myself with the Speaker and we were highly embarrassed by that kind of comment. All of us are committed to the fight against corruption.

    “But I believe it doesn’t help the fight against corruption, it is a slight to the integrity of some of us, where such a statement is made.

    “If he has those kinds of evidence, he should bring it forward. Because to say that, is to suggest that every member of the National Assembly is part of this even those who are not part of this are condoling this action which is far from the truth.

    “If he can’t come out and name names then he should not make such branding statement.

    “Going forward to all distinguished and respected Nigerians, in issues that have to do with the institutions and a parliament, if there are cases like this, we have always said that we are not going to cover up for anybody and future accusations, they should name them and see what the institution would do in trying to ensure that the necessary sanctions are taken.”

    Misau said “My point of order is based on the lecture made during the Democracy Day, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was in attendance.

    “During the lecture, the guest lecturer who is an elder stateman and the former chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega made a statement which I feel I have to bring it to this floor.

    “He made mention that some committee chairmen of the National Assembly are notorious for demanding or collecting bribes, which I feel is unfortunate.

    “Somebody that is well respected to come and make statement that he was told by some executive is really unfortunate.

    “I feel that the statement is very weighty because that programme was televised live.

    “The thing they need to understand is that these live programmes are watched around the world and at the time he made that statement, I am a member of ECOWAS parliament and I after the lecture, I went to the parliament, most of the parliamentarians, asked me if what the Professor said is true or not?

    Also read : Ex-nPDP: stop Saraki’s trial

    “I found it difficult to explain to them and I feel that not only Professor Jega but anybody that would make statements concerning the credibility of this Senate and the chairmen, I think you should be bold enough to mention the committee chairmen especially when it is about fighting corruption in Nigeria.

    “If we really want to fight corruption and want to help the government, he would not be making such statements without mentioning the committee chairmen and those who gave him that sort of information.

    “I felt embarrassed. We need the Professor to throw more light on what he made.”

  • 2019: 54 parties sign code of conduct

    …PDP shuns signing

     

    Ahead of the 2019 general elections, registered political parties in the country have adopted and signed the reverse code of conduct for political parties to guide their operations before, during and after the conduct of the general elections.

    The adoption and signing was witnessed by the National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in charge of Election and Party Monitoring, Prof. Anthonia Okorie-Simbine after a two day workshop on the validation of the code organised by the Political Parties Leadership and Policy Development Centre of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

    While the Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Lawal Shuaibu led 54 other political parties to sign the reversed code, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led the 14 parties that were conspicuously absent at the event.

    Read Also:2019 elections: Buratai warns soldiers against partisan politics

    Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prof. Okoosi-Simbine who represented the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu assured the parties of the commitment of the Commission to ensure a level playing field for all political parties in the conduct of elections in the country.

    Prof. Simbine said INEC remains committed to strengthening its internal systems and providing a level playing Field for all political parties and candidates by ensuring the sustenance of a credible electoral environment.

    She said further that Political Parties as principal actors in the electoral environment will no doubt play a significant roles towards the success of the 2019 General Elections and beyond.

    According to her, “it is vital that political party leaders take their commitment to the code of conduct beyond the official signing of the document by translating the provisions of the code to visible actions that impact positively towards sustaining and enhancing the gains of Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

    “By contributing to and signing the code of conduct, political parties have indeed committed to a pact with Nigerians that their activities will, going forward, be consistent with international best practices and enhance the confidence of citizens in our evolving democratic culture.”

    Prof. Simbine said INEC has been a significant partner at various stages of the evolution and development of the code of conduct with the technical and financial support of international development partners, particularly the UNDP/DGD project first, and now the European Center for Electoral Support (ECES).

    She stressed that “Although the principal objective of having a code of conduct for political parties was centered on the need to have a set of mutually agreed and acceptable behaviour and best practices that guide the conduct of political parties, their candidates and supporters, before, during and after elections, the code also became the instrument for the establishment of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) which without doubt, now plays a significant role as the umbrella body of all registered political parties.

    “It is in this context that the Commission has remained committed to both encouraging political parties to abide by the tenants of the code of conduct as well as actively support the activities of IPAC towards attaining the ideal electoral environment that is characterized by a general commitment of all stakeholders to the entrenchment of free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.”

    She asked the political parties to use the umbrella of IPAC to exert peer pressure for the adoption of best practices in key areas including the promotion of internal democracy, provision of expanded roles for disadvantaged social groups particularly Women, the Youth and Persons living with disabilities, as well as deliberate commitment by leaders of political parties to the rule of law and strict compliance with the provisions of respective political party constitutions.

    The code of conduct sets the parameters of acceptable behavior for political parties, their candidates and their supporters throughout the electoral cycle.

     

  • INEC says 5,000 PVCs ready for collection in Bwari

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in Bwari, Abuja, said on Monday that 5, 000 Permanent Voter Cards ( PVC’s ) were now ready for collection.

    The INEC Electoral Officer, Mrs Idowu Olayemi, made this disclosure at a stakeholders’ meeting, organised by the commission in Abuja.

    According to Olayemi, the 5, 730 PVCs that were ready for collection in six centres within the council, were for those who registered in 2017 only.

    She explained that only those who registered in Bwari central and Kuduru wards should collect theirs at the Bwari INEC office.

    She further explained that those who registered at Kubuwa- Byagyin, Dutse, Usuma and Ushafa wards should collect theirs at the distributing centres within the wards respectively.

    Others, she added, are Shere, Kawu, Idu wards in the council.

    Olayemi also noted that no one was permitted to collect the cards by proxy.

    She said all registered voters must go to their various centres to collect their cards and they should not send anyone to collect the cards for them.

    The officer also stated that the commission was still expecting more PVCs from the 2017 registration, as the cards were coming in batches.

    She encouraged those who might not be able to collect theirs in the first batch to remain patient as all the cards would be available before the 2019 elections.

    According to her, the exercise has so far not encountered any challenge but smooth with an impressive turnout on a daily basis.

    Olayemi also said that the registration was ongoing until December or until further directive from the INEC headquarters to stop the exercise.

    The meeting was attended by representatives of the security agencies in the council, political party executives and newsmen among others.

  • INEC begins distribution of PVCs for new registrants

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would on Monday start distributing Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) to newly registered eligible voters in Lagos State, its spokesman, Femi Akinbiyi, has said.

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that INEC had concluded arrangements for the distribution of PVC in the 20 local government areas of the state.

    “Definitely on Monday, we are going to start the distribution of PVCs at the offices in the 20 local government areas of the state.

    “The available cards now are only for those who registered in 2017 and that is from the inception of the exercise in April 2017 to December 2017.

    Also read : Buhari’s wife to women: go back to school

     “We are still expecting more cards; other cards will be made available later, especially for those who registered in the first quarter of 2018 and those currently registering,” Akinbiyi said.

    He said that the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Sam Olumekun, had on Thursday met with local  officials on modality for distribution of the PVCs in their respective council areas.

    At the meeting, Olumekun had urged the INEC officials to treat the people with love and courtesy, Akinbiyi said.

    The INEC spokesman enjoined the new registrants to visit INEC offices in their council areas to claim their cards.

    He said that INEC office in the state would monitor the distribution exercise across the councils, saying that ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise would continue across the designated centres.

    The ongoing Continuous Voters Registration exercise started nationwide on

  • Ekiti 2018: 40 candidates to battle for governorship seat

    …Two women among candidates published by INEC

    A total number of 40 candidates on the platforms of various political parties are to contest for the governorship seat of Ekiti State on July 14.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday published the names of candidates who emerged from the primaries conducted by their parties.

    Their names were forwarded to the electoral umpire to beat the May 15 deadline for the receipt of candidates’ names.

    The ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is fielding the incumbent Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola while Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi is running on the platform of the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Two women are among the candidates jostling for the Ekiti governorship seat. They are: Mrs. Margaret Ilesanmi of Accord (A) and Olajumoke Saheed Democratic Alternative (DA).

    Read Also:Ekiti 2018: INEC promises not to compromise standard

    Published on the list are: Comrade Shola Omolola of Action Alliance (AA), Mr. Lawrence Ogundipe of Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), Dr. Jide Ayenibiowo of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Mr. Olaniyi Agboola of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Chief Ayodele David Adesua of African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    Also on the list are Otunba Segun Adewale of Action Democratic Party (ADP), Mr. Lucas Arubuloye of AGA, Mr. Stephen Oribamise of All Grand Alliance Party (AGAP), Rev. Tunde Afe of Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), Malam Saheed Jimoh of African People’s Alliance (APA), Mr. Tope Adebayo of Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA) and Evangelist Gbenga Adekunle of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    Prince Adegboye Ajayi is representing Better Nigeria People’s Party (BNPP), Mr. Olalekan Olanrewaju of Democratic People’s Congress (DPC), Pastor Stephen Oladejo of Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Mr. Adewale Akinyele of GPN, Mr. Tosin Ajibare of Independent Democrats (ID) and Temitope Amuda of Kowa Party (KP).

    Former Deputy Governor, Dr. Sikiru Lawal of Labour Party (LP), Mr.Olabode Jegede of Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN), Mr. Sunday Balogun of Mega Progressive People’s Party (MPPP), Comrade Sunday Ogundana of National Conscience Party (NCP), Former Senator, Dr. Bode Olowoporoku Nigeria Democratic Congress Party (NDCP) and another ex-Deputy Governor, Chief Adebisi Omoyeni of PANDEF are on the ballot.

    The list also include Mr. Ayoyinka Dada of PDC, Mr. Goke Animasaun of Progressives People’s Alliance (PPA), Mr. Stephen Obasanmi of Providence People’s Congress (PPC), Mr. Ebenezer Ogunsakin of People’s Party of Nigeria (PPN), Mr. Akinloye Ayegbusi of Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    The names of Dr. Olusegun Adeleye of United Democratic Party (UDP), Mr. Femi Bade-Gboyega of Unity Partyof Nigeria (UPN), Mr. Ayodeji Faokorede of Young Democratic Party  (YDP) and Mr. Temitope Omotayo of Young Progressive Party (YPP) were also listed as candidates.

  • We are ready for LG Congresses in Enugu says APC Chairman

    All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Enugu State says it has concluded all arrangements to hold a hitch-free, credible and transparent Local Government Congresses in the state on Saturday.

    The Chairman of APC in Enugu State, Dr Ben Nwoye, told the News men in Enugu on Wednesday that the party executive had got the approval of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) for the exercise.

    Nwoye said that the party had also met with the Commissioner of Police and Divisional Police Officers to detail their personnel to various venues to ensure orderliness.

    “We are ready for the local government congresses on Saturday in the state.

    “We have met other agencies and organisations needed for the exercise and they had given us clearance to go ahead with the exercise.

    “The national officers to supervise the exercise are already in the state as I am speaking with you,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Ekiti APC: Party elders propose direct primary

    According to him, the exercise will be held at the 17 local government offices of the party or any public place the party members feel comfortable with, going with the high numeric strength of APC in local councils in the state.

    Nwoye however, assured that the congresses would be hitch-free, credible and transparent just as the Ward Congresses held on May 5 in the state.

    “APC is a party known for orderliness and transparency, just as we displayed on Saturday, May 5, during the Ward Congresses in the state.

    “The forthcoming Local Government Congresses on Saturday, May 12, will be open, hitch-free, credible and transparent as well,’’ he added.

    NAN

  • EKITI 2018: Agboola emerges AD Candidate

    The Alliance for Democracy (AD) on Tuesday conducted its governorship primary with Mr. Ben Agboola emerging as the flag bearer.

    Three other aspirants: Mr. Akin Fasogba, Mr. Victor Osekita and Pastor Babatunde Omotoso, stepped down for Agboola at the primary held D’Bliss-Tit Hotel, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The AD shadow poll was observed by the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    In his acceptance speech, Agboola promised to diversify the state’s economy through investment in integrated agriculture.

    He described AD as the most consistent party since the nation’s return to democratic rule in 1999 saying: “This is the party of leaders in Yoruba. What is today known as Egbe Afenifere.”

    Agboola said: “When you look at the history of political parties in Nigeria since 1999, you will discover that AD stands out. We have been consistent and the time Nigeria probably enjoyed enjoyed true dividends of democracy.”

    Speaking further, Agboola said the health care sector would revitalized to meet the current challenges. He also promised to use community policing to tackle security challenges.

    He added: “Research has shown that most mortality occur during surgical operation. So our plan is to introduce Information Communication and Technology (ICT) into Health Sector.”

    “We are coming at a time when the expectation was high. It is not by might or power but about strategy. Community policing is the solution to the current security challenge in Nigeria.

    “It is only when we allow our people in the grassroots to take charge of their security that we can tackle all these menace.”

  • 2019: NPC to generate records of dead persons for INEC

    The National Population Commission ( NPC ) said it had commenced the listing all dead persons in the country for the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Mr Eze Duruiheoma, Chairman of the Commission, told the News men in Abuja on Tuesday that the NPC would complete the process and hand over the accurate data to INEC within two months.

    “In the next one month or two, the data will be made available but we have to be sure of the numbers before we make it available to INEC.

    “We do not have 100 per cent coverage in registration of deaths and births.

    Read Also: Under-age voting: Disquiet over non-release of report by INEC

    “But the 50 per cent we have from it will be made available to INEC for them to clean out dead names from voters register,’’ he said.

    He said that the final stage of a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) between INEC and NPC would be implemented soon.

    He reassured that the partnership between the two agencies would help ascertain records of dead people nationwide.

    The News men recalls that INEC recently requested for the list of dead citizens in the country from NPC, beginning from 2015, to enable it to “sanitise’’ the voters register.

    NAN

  • Anambra Central: A/Court upholds Umeh’s election

    …Dismisses Okonkwo’s appeal

     

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the election of former Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Umeh as Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District.

    A five-man panel of the court held, in a unanimous judgment Monday, that the appeal filed Obiora Okonkwo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was without merit, and dismissed it.

    Obiora had appealed the January 12, 2018 ruling by Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in which the judge set aside the court’s earlier judgment of December 13, 2017 ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a certificate of return to Okonkwo.

    The Court of Appeal, in its judgment, held that Justice Tsoho was right to have set aside the consent judgment it delivered on December, 13, 2017.

    Justice Frederick Oho, who read the lead judgment of the Court of Appeal, held that the lower court was in order in setting aside the judgment because it was a nullity.

    Justice Oho said lower court has the inherent powers to set the records straight by setting aside the consent judgment once it was discovered that there were a lot of infractions leading to the judgment.

    While noting that a court cannot sit as an appeal on its own case, Justice Oho said a court has the power to reverse itself if it discovers that its earlier judgment was obtained by fraud or that it was misled, as is the case here.

    Justice Oho described as sacrilegious events surrounding the December 13, 2017 consent judgment of the Federal High Court.

    He noted that, despite being aware of the decision of the Court of Appeal, ordering  that a fresh election be conducted for the seat within 90 days with the exclusion of the PDP and its candidate, the appellant (Okonkwo), who was the candidate of the PDP, still proceeded to mislead the lower court to give judgment in his favour.

    Justice Oho described the attitude of the appellant as a clear disobedience to the orders of the Court of Appeal. He added Okokwo’s lawyer was duty bound to have furnished the court with all relevant facts in the case including the three judgments by the Court of Appeal.

    He held  that whether the matter is a pre-election or post-election matter, the lower court must always give way to the appellate court on the same issue.

    Read Also: Umeh: My election is victory for APGA, Anambra

  • Melaye botched recall, good lessons for democracy – activist

    Mr Idris Miliki, a Lokoja based Human Rights activist, has described the botched attempt to recall Sen. Dino Melaye, (APC-Kogi West) from the National Assembly as a “good development for democracy.’’

    Miliki, who is the Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution ( CHRCR ), disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Lokoja.

    He said that the recall process itself and the stage it got before the eventual failure also brought some lessons for democracy, rule of law and good governance in the country.

    The activist said that the exercise brought high level enlightenment as it brought awareness to the electorate that they had the power to withdraw their mandate and recall their elected legislators if found wanting.

    The exercise, according to him, also enlightened the citizenry in the procedures and processes to ensure such recall should the need arises rather than fall into the pitfalls of the failed attempt.

    Miliki also cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ), Security Agencies and Civil Society Organisations, to always conduct mapping of electoral violence flashpoints before going into such exercises.

    Read Also:  Melaye’s recall fails as INEC releases result

    He said that when such mappings were done and adequate measures taken, the kind of violence witnessed in Mopa-Muro LGA during the verification exercise would be avoided.

    Miliki urged INEC to ensure that all party agents in their future events wore their name tags and possibly, with pictures.

    The activist also admonished the Civil Society groups to take such exercises seriously and make themselves available.

    He regretted that for an exercise that cut across seven local government areas of the state, not up to 50 civil society observers participated.

    NAN