The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

  • Election sequence: Accord, NASS, INEC know fate April 25

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed April 25 to deliver judgment in a suit filed by the Accord Party seeking an order of court, restraining the National Assembly from acting on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

    It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had on March 13, refused to sign the bill into law, which sparked arguments as to whether or not, the National Assembly would use its powers to override the president’s decision.

    Justice Ahmed Mohammed fixed the date after listening to arguments of both the plaintiff and the defendants.

    Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN), counsel to the National Assembly, the first defendant, in his preliminary objection argued that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter on the grounds that its jurisdiction was not properly invoked.

    According to him, the court can only have jurisdiction over the matter if the bill has become an act.

    “No matter how it is construed, the Electoral Act Amendment Bill as at the day the originating summons was filed, up till date, is a bill, it becomes an act upon the happenings of two eventualities.

    “Where a president, acting under provisions of Section 58(4) assents to the bill, it then becomes an Act of the National Assembly.

    “Where he refuses to assent, under Section 58(5), the bill is returned to the National Assembly for use of their powers of  to override.

    “At that point, it remains a bill because there is no guarantee that they will muster the required two thirds majority to veto it.”

    Daudu argued that it was only where the National Assembly successfully used its power to over ride the President’s veto and transform the bill to an act that the jurisdiction of the court over it would be ignited.

    He further argued that there was no certificate of registration before the court to show that the Accord Party was indeed a political party as it was claiming to be.

    Arguing for the second defendant, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN) aligned himself with the submission of Mr Wole Olanipekun, (SAN), counsel to the Accord Party.

    Mr Femi Falana, counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ), the third defendant, however, argued that the Accord Party was a political party duly registered by INEC.

    He submitted that the party contested in the last election in the country and won seats in the parliament.

    On his part, counsel to the Accord Party, Mr Wole Olanipekun (SAN) maintained that legislative powers began when a bill was introduced in parliament and ended when it was transmitted to the president.

    He said the court had the jurisdiction to hear the matter and urged the court to dismiss Daudu’s preliminary objection and grant the reliefs his client sought.

    Justice Mohammed adjourned the matter until April 25, to deliver judgment.

    The plaintiff, Accord Party, had approached the court with a motion seeking an order restraining the National Assembly from taking action or actions on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

    The plaintiff is claiming, against the defendants, a declaration that INEC is the only body constitutionally vested with the powers to organise elections to the offices of the President and Vice President of Nigeria.

    It also has powers to organise elections to the offices of governor and deputy governor of a state, membership of the senate, the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly of each state including fixing or assigning dates for the said elections and the sequence of same.

    “A declaration that the legislative powers vested in the National Assembly by the constitution do not empower or imbue it with the right, liberty or authority to pass or purport to pass any bill into Law.

    “This is with regards to a bill which attempts to interfere with or undermine the independence of INEC as guaranteed by the content, spirit and tenor of the constitution.

    “A declaration that the legislative powers vested in the National Assembly by the Constitution do not empower or imbue it with the right, liberty or authority to control or dictate to INEC the way and manner it should organise, undertake and supervise elections.”

    NAN

  • More youths register with Modern Democratic Party

    Nigerian youths are showing more interest politics, many of them registering with the newly registered Modern Democratic Party (MDP).

    With the ‘Not Too Young to Run’ Bill still pending approval by President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerian youths have started to position themselves for political leadership and active participation in the upcoming 2019 elections and beyond.

    The new party, led by 27-year old activist and entrepreneur, Prince Bukunyi Olateru-Olagbegi, represents the new face of active youth involvement in politics. Recently registered by Nigeria’s top electoral body, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the party intends to galvanise youths into engaging in policy formulation, government accountability and running for political office.

    According to Olateru-Olagbegi, the party belongs solely to Nigerians who yearn to see a difference in politics and governance. He explained that the mission of the party is to be home for those who are weary of the status quo and want to be part of something fresh, new, untainted and different.

    “We are focused on harnessing the mental and physical resources of this unique generation of youth brimming with fresh ideas and innovations which will finally put Nigeria in its rightful place on the world stage,” Olateru-Olagbegi said.

    “We know that the journey ahead of us will be long. This is not a party registered for the 2019 presidential elections. We are here for the long haul and wish to call on all true patriots of our fatherland to get involved as we embark on this journey towards building Nigeria’s first and truly Modern Democratic Party.”

    Last year, the Nigerian Senate passed the Not Too Young To Run Bill which seeks age reduction for elective officers in the country and allows the youths an opportunity to contest for the office of the president at the age of 35, and governor or senator at the age of 30.

    As young people across the country are calling on President Buhari to assent to the bill, the Modern Democratic Party has gone ahead to unveil its manifesto and planned activities in preparation for next year’s general elections.

  • Recall: INEC to take decision on Dino’s case in few days

    The recall process of the Senator representing Kogi West senatorial district, Mr. Dino Melaye will be part of the discussions on Thursday, when the management of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) meet to deliberate, it was learnt.

    INEC management meets every Thursday to deliberate and take decisions on issues that bothers on the activities of the commission.

    The commission may likely release a revised timetable and schedule of activities in the next few days following the removal of hurdles.

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had on Friday dismissed the appeal by the senator to halt his recall, thereby removing any encumbrance to the process.

    INEC had earlier issued time lag for the process following a petition calling for his recall by before the legal battle which started from the High court.

    While resolving all issues for determination against Melaye, the Appeal Court upheld the lower court ruling that the senator’s suit was “hasty and premature and presumptuous”.

    The Appeal Court therefore stated that the lower court ought to have struck out the suit for not disclosing any cause of action. On Melaye’s contention that he was not accorded fair hearing by INEC, the Court of Appeal noted that such position was without basis because INEC is neither a tribunal nor a court of law.

    The Appeal court also noted that the 90 days required for the recall process has not lapsed in the Melaye case. It stated that the 90-day period was not static.

    Speaking on the next line of action of the Commission, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi said that the Appeal Court judgment has removed any encumbrances.

    Oyekanmi noted that the commission will be taking decision on the matter soon as to when to continue the recall process.

    He posited that the Appeal Court’s judgment has therefore given the commission the go ahead with the recall process.

    He said: “As it is now, the Appeal Court has now removed any restriction. That means literally, INEC can continue with that process. The process now will have to start from where it stopped and that is the decision for the commission to make in the coming days.

    “I don’t know how soon the commission will take decision but I know it is going to be pretty soon. You know every week; the commission meets every Thursday to take a decision. And of course once a decision is taking there will be an official announcement. As it is, the Appeal Court has removed any encumbrances against our moves. That is what the situation is, that we can go ahead with our process.”

    The embattled senator had earlier lost the fight to stop INEC from commencing the recall process at the High Court, thus paving way for the electoral body to continue the process.

    The people of Kogi West Senatorial District has made good their threat to recall Mr. Melaye on Wednesday when they submitted signatures of about 188,588 voters from electorates in Kogi West senatorial district demanding the recall of the senator.

    The signatories is about 52.3 per cent of the registered voters in the district.

    The law requires 50 per cent of voters in an area sign to recall a lawmaker.

    The signed documents,  it was learnt were contained in six bags alongside other documents and were submitted to INEC’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The local governments and the percentage of voters who signed the recall petition showed that Yagba West had the highest number of voters asking Melaye to return home from the Senate.

    The breakdown, as shown in the petition is Yagba West, 55.7 percent; Lokoja, 54.8 per cent ; Kogi, 52.77 per cent; Yagba East, 52 per cent; Ijumu (Melaye’s local government), 51.8 per cent; Mopa/Moro, 50.4 per cent  and Kabba/ Bunu, 46.7 per cent.

    A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress in Ijumu, Mr. Cornelius Olowo, who led the delegation, insisted that the constituents were not satisfied with the quality of Melaye’s representation.

    Read Also: INEC to proceed with Melaye’s recall as his appeal fails

  • INEC uncovers illegal registration center in Kwara

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) says it has uncovered an illegal voter registration centre in Offa, Kwara State.

    INEC Administrative Secretary in Kwara, Mr Paul Atser, made this known in a statement in Ilorin on Friday.

    “It has come to the notice of Independent National Electoral Commission, Kwara State that some unscrupulous persons are carrying out illegal registration of voters in Offa Local Government area,” Atser said.

    According to him, the perpetrators of the illegal registration were using Corel Draw application to change the particulars in a scanned INEC PVC.

    The INEC official said one suspect was arrested and undergoing interrogation by the police.

    “The general public is advised to be watchful and ensure that they go to only INEC designated registration centers to be captured for the PVC,” Atser added.

    He said a list of all designated centers were available at the State office as well as its offices in the 16 local government councils in Kwara.

    NAN

  • 13,000 PVCs yet to be collected in Warri – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in Delta said that 13,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were yet to be collected in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta.

    The Administrative Secretary of INEC,  Mrs Rose Orianran-Anthony disclosed this  when she led a delegation  from the commission on a visit to the  Chairman of the Local Government, Mr Michael Tidi.

    Orianran-Anthony who said that the voters would not be eligible to  vote without the PVCs, added  that a lot needed  to be done in terms of sensitisation.

    She called on the chairman to help the commission to sensitise his constituents on the need for them to collect their PVCs.

    Orianran-Anthony also appealed to the chairman to educate voters on dangers of double registration.

    She also advised politicians to  wait for 90 days to election before embarking on campaign.

    In his remark, Tidi said that the local government would soon be embark on sensitisation in the riverine area.

    He promised to give INEC the necessary support to organise a successful general election in 2019

    He noted that it was the responsibility of the local government to sensitise its people.

    NAN

  • Delta: INEC bemoans state of office in Patani

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC )  on Tuesday bemoaned the state of its office in Patani,  Patani Local Government of Delta.

    This was disclosed by the Administrative Secretary, Mrs Rose Orianran-Anthony during the inspection of the continuous voters registration (CVR) across the state.

    Orianran-Anthony said that Patani office was the worst INEC office in the state.

    She said that the commission would relocate  to a rented apartment for now pending the building of a prototype office.

    She said that the commission would not  conduct the 2019 election in its present location but would move to a rented apartment immediately.

    She however appealed to the local government authority and the traditional ruler of the town  to provide the commission a land to build its prototype office.

    She said that it was a policy of the commission that it should  not buy land for office building.

    She said that so far, the CVR was going on smoothly, the crowd orderly and the machines were in good working condition.

    She said that the turnout had been encouraging and the cooperation from the local government was encouraging.

    At the Isoko North Local Government, the Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Egbabor said that he was committed to the exercise and INEC had done well.

    Egbabor said that he would continue to push to make sure that the people get registered.

    He however appealed that INEC should look into creating additional constituents.

    NAN

  • APC chieftain sues Odigie-Oyegun over tenure extension

    APC chieftain sues Odigie-Oyegun over tenure extension

    …‘Ruling party must not circumvent its rules’

     

    An aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Dr. Wale Ahmed, has taken the national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to court over what he described as an illegal extension of his tenure.

    Ahmed, a party stalwart from Lagos, said the ruling party has violated its rules and guiding principle on periodic national convention as stipulated by its constitution.

    The embattled chairman, Odigie-Oyegun, was elected chairman in June 2014 for a four year tenure, which had expires in June.

    The plaintiff said the chairman and other members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party were given illegal anticipatory tenure elongation to enable them put the national convention in abeyance, without due consideration for the APC constitution and 1999 Constitution.

    According to the Section 223 (1a) and (2a), of the 1999 Constitution, “the constitution and rules of a political party shall provide for the periodic election on a democratic basis of the principal officer and members of the executive committee or other governing body of the political party.”

    Also, “the election of the officers or members of the executive committee of a political party shall be deemed to be periodical only if it is made at regular intervals not exceeding four years.”

    According to the APC Constitution (2014 as amended), “all officers of the party elected or appointed into the party’s organs shall serve in such organs for a period of four years and shall be eligible for re-election or re-appointment for another period of four years only, provided that an officer elected or appointed to fill a vacancy arising from death, resignation or otherwise shall notwithstanding be eligible for election to the same office for two terms.”

    Joined in the suit No. FHC/L/CS/364/18 before the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, are the Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Segun Oni, Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu, National Secretary Mallam Ibrahim Gubi, National Vice Chairman (Southwest) Chief Pius Akinyelure, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Ahmed is praying the court to declare as null and void and of now effect the purported elongation of the tenure of the NEC, contrary to the extant laws.

    In the originating summons taken by his counsel, B.A.M Fashanu (SAN), the plaintiff is claiming that the defendants, jointly or severally, have erred in law. His prayers include:

    “A declaration that the first to sixth defendants have no power under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,  1999, to extend the tenure of the elected organs/officers beyond four years from their election /inauguration

    “A declaration that the purported extension of the tenure of the extant National Working Committee (NWC) and /or other executive committees or their members of the All Progressives Congress at various levels for another 12 months from June 30, 2018 by the National Executive Committee of or by the All Progressives Congress, is illegal, null and void and of no effect

    “A declaration that any provision of the sixth defendant’s constitution or any memorandum, circular or pronouncement of the first to sixth defendants purporting to extend the tenure of the first to fifth defendants beyond their extant elected or inaugurated four year tenure is in conflict or is inconsistent with the provision of Section 223(1) (a) and  223 (2) (a) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and is null and void to the extent of its inconsistency.

    “An injunction restraining the first to sixth defendants, their servants and/or agents, from taking any steps to implement the purported tenure elongation of the presently elected/constituted organs/officers of the All Progressives Congress, which pronouncement or decision was made on or about the 27th of February, 2018, or in any manner howsoever, stay in office beyond four years from the date of their election/inauguration.

    “An injunction restraining the seventh defendant, its servants and /or agents, from recognising the decision or any decision of the first to sixth defendants to extend the tenure of the sixth defendant’s extant elected organs/officers beyond their elected/constituted four years, or, taking any step, in any manner howsoever, to implement such decision.”

    Ahmed, a former member of House of Assembly and one-time Commissioner for Special Duties said he went to court to protect the image of the ruling party and the sanctity of the constitution.

    He said the APC should, through its convention, create a level playing field for all qualified members of the party who may wish to contest for any party office at the convention when the tenure of the executive committee expires in June.

    Ahmed added: “We must avoid a situation whereby a dangerous precedent will be laid by the deliberate violation of party constitution, rules and regulations on leadership recruitment and renewal of tenure. Our party is known for its avowed commitment to the rule of law, the due process and the constitution. We must obey our own laws and respect the constitution of the country.”

    Crisis had hit the APC, following the purported tenure elongation for the NEC and the NWC, following their Abuja meeting of January 26 and 27.

    While Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello told reporters that the NEC had granted one year tenure elongation to the Odigie-Oyegun-led NWC, his Zamfara State counterpart and Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, Abdulaziz Yari, said the NEC lacked the power to extend the tenure, adding that the power of the Convention to extend the tenure can only be exercised only by way of constitutional amendment.

    He stressed: “The power of the NEC of our party cannot go beyond doing so by way of constitution amendment. Article 30 of the APC Constitution and the schedules hereto, can be amended only by the National Convention of the party.

    “The process of amending the constitution is also expressly provided in Article 30 Sub-Section 2. This states: “Notice of any proposed amendment by any member or organ of the party shall be given to the National Secretary, at least, 14 days before the date of the National Convention. The Notice shall be in writing, shall contain a clear statement of the proposed amendment and reasons for the amendment.”

    Read Also: Odigie-Oyegun: APC NWC tenure extension in good fate

  • Distribution of PVCs begins mid May, says INEC

    Distribution of PVCs begins mid May, says INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) says the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards ( PVCs ) to their owners will begin by middle of May.

    The Ebonyi INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner ( REC ), Prof. Godswill Obioma disclosed at a strategic security interactive meeting on Wednesday in Abakaliki.

    Our reporters,  reports that the strategic meeting involved INEC officials, representatives of security outfits involved in the conduct of election as well as the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    Obioma said that the commission would commence the distribution of the PVCs to eligible electorate, who registered between 2017 and 2018.

    He urged security officials, who were yet to register, to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to register.

    He further urged members of the security agencies, who transferred from other locations, wishing to transfer their cards to Ebonyi to approach any INEC office nearest to them for the transfer.

    He warned against double registration, noting that any double registration would result to cancellation and disqualification of the voter.

    “We have concluded arrangements for the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards to their owners and the exercise begins by mid May and will involve those who registered between 2017 and 2018.

    “We have begun early to plan for the 2019 elections and I want to assure you that we will do our best to eliminate factors that will compromise outcome, credibility and integrity of the elections.

    “Let me use the opportunity to urge officers who have not registered to register and those wishing to do card transfer to visit any INEC office for the update,” Obioma said.

    The resident commissioner said that the strategic meeting was part of the early preparatory arrangements by the commission aimed at mobilising its critical partners and stakeholders.

    He said that the interactive security meeting would deepen collaboration between the security operatives and the commission and boost proper security arrangements and understanding ahead of the elections.

    According to him, the meeting is running concurrently at the three Senatorial zones of Ebonyi including Ebonyi South, Ebonyi Central and Ebonyi North Senatorial zones.

    “The briefing is called cluster briefing running concurrently at the three Senatorial zones of the state which has in attendance all security agencies involved in the Inter Agency Consultative on Election Security (IACES).

    “The aim is to plan properly, especially in the areas of security and the idea is to share information on the proper conduct of elections.

    Read Also: 2019: INEC inaugurates teams to drive elections’ projects plan in Ebonyi

    “The commission is making plans in earnest for smooth, transparent and credible elections and we need adequate security to ensure safety and security of INEC staff and materials,” he said.

    He explained that IACES had set up a security sub-committee to identify number of security personnel to be deployed to polling units and voting points.

    He said that security operatives that would be involved in the election would undergo a joint training programme on election security.

    He said the training would enable the operatives imbibe high ethical standard before the elections as well as equip them with knowledge of security strategies developed by INEC to ensure credible poll.

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi and chairman of IACES, Mr Titus Sumba-Lamorde said security operatives would ensure that safety of voters, INEC materials and officials are guaranteed during the elections.

    The Commissioner, who was represented by DSP Linus Iwuanyanwu, Divisional Police Officer, Izzi Police Division, charged operatives who would be engaged in the election exercise to display professionalism and high ethical conduct.

    He said that IACES and the commission would address all security concerns that would be articulated in the meeting with a view to enhancing proper security arrangements before, during and after the elections.

    “Security agencies will ensure proper synergy and collaboration to enhance security of INEC sensitive and non-sensitive materials including election officials during the elections,” Sumba-Lamorde said.

    He said the meeting was part of the Election Projects Plan and  contributions to enable the commission to effectively plan on security matters for the election.

    Our reporters,  reports that security agencies in attendance include: Army, Police, Department of State Security, Prisons, Civil Defence, Road Safety, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and NOA among others.

    NAN

  • 2019: INEC inaugurates teams to drive elections’ projects plan in Ebonyi

    2019: INEC inaugurates teams to drive elections’ projects plan in Ebonyi

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in Ebonyi, on Tuesday inaugurated 19 different committees to drive the commission ‘s Elections’ Projects Plan (EPP), ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The committees are: Inventory Committee, Election Monitoring and Support Centre Committee, Electronic Dashboard Committee, Security Committee, Domestication of EPP Committee, among others.

    The Ebonyi INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Godswill Obioma, inaugurated the committees at the commission’s state headquarters in Abakaliki.

    He said that the action was in line with directive from the national headquarters of the commission.

    According to him, the committees known as Elections’ Projects Plan task teams will carry out various responsibilities preparatory to 2019 general elections.

    He said that each of the committees has specific activities, team leader, team members, time line and terms of references.

    The resident commissioner described the inauguration as a ‘defining’ moment for the commission as it moved closer to the 2019 general elections.

    He said: “The Elections’ Projects Plan is a document developed by INEC to drive the implementation of transparent elections for 2019.

    “Therefore, the inauguration of the 19 Elections’ Projects Plan task teams is a defining moment for the commission in Ebonyi because they are going to drive transparent conduct of 2019 elections.

    “INEC has developed a five-year strategic plan covering 2017 and 2021 and what this means is that whatever INEC does in terms of election and other activities are captured in the strategic plan.

    “You have a daunting task to make the commission to succeed in the 2019 general elections and you must work hard within your committees to enable the commission achieve better result”.

    The resident commissioner said that a monitoring team would be set up to ensure that various committees worked within the time line.

    The INEC’s Administrative Secretary, Mr Charles Ezema, who responded on behalf of other heads of the committees, assured that the committees would carry out the assignments diligently and in accordance with terms of reference.

    “The committees will not disappoint the commission on this very important assignment and we must work within the time line.

    “What we have done today has helped our understanding to know that election is a process which can be reduced into strategic planning for efficient and effective result.

    “It is important that we take our responsibilities seriously, especially now that we have 68 registered political parties to contend with, ” Ezema said.

    Activities expected to be performed by the task teams include: to domesticate the 2019 Elections Projects Plan in order to design a state-based 2019 EPP for Ebonyi, adopt final report of the inventory committee.

    Other activities also include to set up state Election Monitoring Centre (EMSC), create Electronic Dashboard for state EMSC, reactivate periodic data – gathering for base line data, among others.

    The task teams are expected to conclude all their assignments by April 4.

    NAN

  • INEC announces rotational CVR to capture more voters in Kaduna

    INEC announces rotational CVR to capture more voters in Kaduna

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ), on Friday announced the rotation of its Continues Voter Registration ( CVR ) to capture more eligible voters in Kaduna State.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the commission’s Administrative Secretary in the state, Nick Dazang, and made available to our reporter on Friday in Kaduna.

    The statement said that the first batch of the rotation exercise would begin from Monday, March 5 to Friday, March 28, in the 23 local government areas of the state.

    It further explained that the first batch of the exercise would be conducted in two selected Wards/Registration Areas in each of the local governments, “while other areas would follow suite accordingly.“

    The statement noted that the arrangement would not in any way affect the ongoing CVR in the 23 INEC Local Government Area offices in the state.

    “The two exercises will go on simultaneously,” the statement added.

    The commission, therefore, urged eligible voters in the state to take advantage of the opportunity and obtain the voter card ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    NAN