The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

  • Boroffice urges Ondo indigenes to ‘troop out en mass’ for CVR

    Boroffice urges Ondo indigenes to ‘troop out en mass’ for CVR

    The senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice on Monday urged the people of Ondo State to troop out en masse for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the State.

    According to a statement issued by his media aide, Kayode Adeniyi, the exercise is scheduled to take place between Wednesday, June 22 and Sunday, June 26, 2016.

    The senator, in the statement, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), “to embark on the wholly cleansing of the voters’ register and thereafter safeguard the register from desperate politicians whose antecedents have shown the manipulative capacity to hijack and play foul with voters register by injecting invisible voters.”

    “Those persons who did not register in the previous voters’ registration exercise and have reached 18 years and above should endeavour to participate in the CVR exercise. It is also an opportunity for registered voters to transfer their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to preferred polling units.

    “The assurance from INEC on the credibility of the exercise is welcoming. Beyond the assurance, INEC should embark on a general cleansing of the voters’ register and safeguard same.

    “Meanwhile, our people should be reminded that the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) remain the only instrument that can enable them to exercise the franchise to determine who governs Ondo State. It represents the power with which workers can change the party which government has made non-payment of salaries a matter of policy. It is also the only instrument with which the people can install a responsible government.

    “I urge the people of Ondo State to troop out en masse to participate in the CVR exercise. They should rise and take charge of the process. I wish them hitch-free registration exercise,” the statement read.

  • Edo 2016: Popular Edo musician emerges UPP candidate 

    A social critic and popular musician, Adviser Shedrack Nowamagbe, has emerged the candidate of the United Progressive Party (UPP) for the September 10 governorship election in Edo State.
    Adviser Nowamagbe garnered 327 votes to clinch the party’s ticket.
    He was the sole aspirant for the election after two other aspirants stepped down from the race.
    Members of the party however voted after accreditation that was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
    Out of the 339 party members the were accredited to vote, four voted no to Nowamagbe aspiration while eight declined to vote.
    Chairman of the UPP electoral committee, Oguehi Dike, urged the party members to be steadfast and resolute in their bid to form the new government in Edo State
    In his acceptance speech, Nowamagbe said he has shamed his critic who described him as an illiterate.
    Nowamagbe promised to lead the campaign that would ensure victory for the party during the polls.
    He said he does not have money to share but that he would provide real democratic dividends.
    His words, “I am overwhelmed. You can now see that musicians are illiterates as people believed.
    “When I told people about my dream, they asked me whether I was going to pla music in government house. I have the name and we will be victorious.”
  • INEC receives 32 fresh applications for party registration – Chairman

    INEC receives 32 fresh applications for party registration – Chairman

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Tuesday revealed that 32 associations have applied for registration as political parties.

    The Chairman of the Commission Professor Yakubu Mahmood who disclosed this during the second quarterly consultative meeting with the Chairmen and Secretaries of registered Political Parties.

    The meeting was a forum for the Commission to brief party leaders on developments in the management of the democratic system.

    Yakubu told representatives of the political parties that the number of applications was rising.

    He however hinted that the Commission had started processing the   applications; stressing that “the Commission remains committed to the opening of the democratic space in line with the law and our guidelines.”

    On alleged involvement of INEC staff in the subversion of 2015 General Elections through cash inducement, Prof. Yakubu said; “INEC will also take further administrative action against staff found culpable in this dastardly conduct. We will not hesitate to interdict staff where prima facie cases have been established against them by EFCC and immediately terminate the appointments of those indicted.”

    With regards to prosecution of election offenders, INEC Boss disclosed that nit minding the constraints has shown by the recently held bye-election in Minjibir Constituency in Kano State, “INEC legal team and the Police have successfully secured the conviction of 42 suspects.”

    The figure, he argued was the highest number of convictions in a single case ever achieved by the Commission.

    Speaking on the outstanding re-run elections, the INEC Chairman explained that out of 80 court ordered re-run elections, the Commission had successfully conducted 49 and has 31 elections pending as well as one bye election.

    According to him, “except for Anambra and Plateau re-run elections which are sub-judice, we have started the processes of consultation leading to the completion of the outstanding elections”.

    Yakubu also charged the political parties in the country to intensify voter education and mobilization as he decried the low turnout of voters in elections conducted by the Commission in the aftermath of the 2015 General Elections.

    According to him, “we urge political parties to intensify your voter mobilization effort in order to galvanize the electorate to the polling units. The Commission will continue to intensify efforts towards voter education.

    “As we all know, political parties offer the only platform for contest to public office under our Constitution. Women, Youths and People with Disabilities are noticeable more by their under-representation in elective offices,” he stated.

    On deployment of ICT in the electoral process, Professor Yakubu assured that all avenues necessary were being explored to address the challenges arising from the functionality of the Smart Card Reader.

    He further said that the Commission had designed a portal from which all registered voters could confirm and verify their registration online ahead of elections, adding that voters would also be able to transfer their registration from one point to another online.

  • INEC petitioned over inconclusive Kogi polls 

    INEC petitioned over inconclusive Kogi polls 

    Barely a year after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared the Kogi East senatorial election inconclusive, the people of the area Tuesday matched to the commission office in Lokoja, demanding conduct the rerun without further delay.

    Their spokeman, Alhaji Hassan Yakubu while presenting a petition letter to the INEC representative, said haven declared the election inconclusive for three seats; senate and house of assembly for Idah and Ofu state constituencies, any further delay will amount to deliberately disenfranchising the teeming population of Kogi East senatorial district.

    He noted that one year into the life of this administration, the Igala/Bassa people have no representatives in the senate and two house of assembly seats, as the people are getting agitated, restive and apprehensive.

    He added: “Equally disturbing, four months after the re-run election was conducted, INEC has not deemed it fit to come out categorically to tell us what is holding back the release of these three remaining re-run elections or conducting another election.

    “We strongly believe and admonish that to disenfranchise a large population like ours under any circumstances may result to anarchy and strife.

    “It is imperative to state that all issues, conditions and parameters conducive to run or conduct a free, fair and credible election are present and available in Kogi East senatorial district.

    “It beats our imagination as to why INEC has not done the needful by concluding the activities of the re-run election or conduct another re-run to enable us have full complement quality representation in both the upper chamber of senate at the National Assembly and Kogi State House of Assembly.”

    In his response, INEC’s representative, Mr. Yagba Julius promised to deliver their message to the national chairman of the commission.

    He assured them that the INEC chairman will look into the matter and take action that will suit the people of Kogi East.

  • Anambra: Court okays contempt proceedings against INEC Chair

    Anambra: Court okays contempt proceedings against INEC Chair

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has given the go ahead to Ejike Oguebego and Chuks Okoye – Chairman and Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anambra State to commence contempt proceedings against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

    Oguebego and Okoye, who are suing for themselves and on behalf of other members of the Executive Committee of the PDP, Anambra State, are accusing Mahmood of refusing to obey the December 5, 2015 judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja delivered by Justice Evoh Chukwu.

    Justice Chukwu had, in the fifth order as contained in the judge, restrained INEC, its agents, among others “from accepting or receiving any delegate list or nominated candidates that may emerge from the congresses or primaries conducted by the caretaker committee set up by the 1st defendant (PDP) for the Anambra PDP, except those that emanate from the plaintiffs.”

    Bothered by INEC’s alleged refusal to comply with the judgment, particularly the 5th order, Oguebego and Okoye initiated contempt proceedings against the INEC Chairman before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Last Friday, May 20, Justice John Tsoho (also of the Federal High Court, Abuja) granted an order ex-parte for substituted service of processes in relation to the contempt proceedings, including Form 48, on Yakubu.

    For service on the INEC boss, Justice Tsoho directed the plaintiffs to serve the court processes, including Form 48 on “an adult person, staff or official at the Legal Department of INEC at No: 436 Zambezi Crescent, Maitama, Abuja, being the usual place of business of the 2nd respondent (Yakubu).

    As it affects INEC, the judge ordered the services of all processes, including Form 46, “by delivering or leaving same at the Legal Department of INEC, the commission having refused to accepr service of same from the bailiffs of this honourable court.”

    The Form 48 issued by the court’s Registrar on March 31, 2016, is a notice of consequences of disobedience to order of court.

    It states: “Take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in the order of the honourable court, attached to this Form (in particular, the 5th order, restraining you from acting on any list of nominated candidates for the PDP in Anambra State in respect of Legislative seats for the 2015 general election, except those that emanated from the plaintiffs), you will be guilty of contempt of court, and you will be liable to be committed to prison.

    “Take further notice that if the INEC continues to disobey this order, you, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of INEC, will be held liable for contempt of court and liable to imprisonment.”

    Justice Tsoho has adjourned further proceedings in the case to May 27.

     

  • Edo 2016: NYSC DG warns corps members against partisan politics

    Edo 2016: NYSC DG warns corps members against partisan politics

    The Director General of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Sule Zakari Kazaure, has warned corps members in Edo State against getting involved in partisan politics during the conduct of the governorship election scheduled to hold on September 10.

    Brig Gen Kazaure specifically told corps members that would be selected as ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to display high level of patriotism during the conduct of the election.

    The NYSC boss stated this when he paid a special visit to the Edo State orientation camp of the NYSC at Okada Grammar School, Okada in Ovia North East Local Government.

    Kazaure who inspected facilities at the temporary orientation camp such as the clinic and hostel accommodations, warned the 1,614 corps members currently camped in Okada to respect the culture and tradition of the communities they would be posted to.

    He said, “You know very well that Edo State will be going into election between August and September and some of you will be used by the INEC. I want you to be neutral and not partisan. Don’t be partial and involve yourselves in the local politics of your host communities.

    “Respect the tradition and culture of your host communities. If they say they don’t want you to wear mini skirts, don’t wear it. Try to be ambassadors of your homes, ambassadors of the NYSC and your country, Nigeria.

    “You should avoid unnecessary journey. You should avoid night parties. If you are traveling, travel in group and don’t travel alone. Shine you eyes and be your brothers’ keeper.”

  • Rivers rerun: Wike declares Thursday, Friday public holiday

    Rivers rerun: Wike declares Thursday, Friday public holiday

    The Governor of River State, Nyesom Wike has declared Thursday, March 17 and Friday, March 18, as work-free days for the re-run legislative elections in the state.

    It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is scheduled to conduct elections for 22 of the 32 state House of Assembly seats, 12 of the 13 House of Representatives seats and the three Senatorial Districts on Saturday, March 19.

    The governor, who made the announcement in a state broadcast on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, said the work-free days would enable workers in the public and private sectors participate in the elections.

    “Consequently, all public and private offices, including banks must remain closed for the duration of the holidays,” he said.

    He urged the people to cast their ballots for candidates that would stand for their rights and promote their collective interests in the National Assembly.

    “You will also be electing worthy representatives to the State House of Assembly to join me to deliver our developmental agenda and help chart the future of our state through effective legislation and oversight,” he said.

    Wike said that the state government had requested the armed forces to increase security surveillance in nine local government areas identified as flash points of cultism and banditry.

    He said that the LGAs are: Abua/Odual, Ahoada-East, Ahoada-West, Emohua, Ikwerre, Opobo/Nkoro and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni.

    He said that the security agencies had assured that they would not deviate from their role of safeguarding law and order before, during and after the elections.

    “The Nigeria Police and other security agencies have put adequate measures to keep the peace and ensure an orderly conduct of the re-run elections throughout the state,” he said.

  • Bayelsa: PDP hails cancellation of Southern Ijaw votes

    Bayelsa: PDP hails cancellation of Southern Ijaw votes

    The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed the cancellation of Southern Ijaw Local Government votes by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
    The party praised what it described as the courage of the people of Bayelsa state for fearlessly “curtailing the rigging machinery” of the All Progressives Congress (APC). It described the election in the area as fabricated.

    In a statement on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party said but for the bravery of Bayelsans in standing up for their votes against the hordes of harassment by the military and other security forces working for the APC, their will as a people would have been completely subverted in the election.

    The PDP commended the actions and concerted efforts of its members in resisting rigging and impunity.

    The statement said, “We condemn in the strongest possible term, the wanton confiscation and transfer of voting materials by security operatives directly to APC agents for outright allocation of votes.

    “For the purposes of the rescheduled Southern Ijaw election, we wish to make it abundantly clear that we are ready, willing and able to defend the choice of the people.

    “Never again will this leadership of the PDP allow our party candidates to be manipulated out of any election at any level. In that regard, we have activated our structures across the country to defend our mandate always, with all force and means available in a democracy.

    “Nevertheless, we are indeed concerned about the apparent inability of the present INEC to conduct a credible election in a single state, especially in the light of the fact that very soon they will need to conduct a general election in all the states.

    “Finally, for the security forces busy brutalizing innocent Nigerians exercising their democratic rights, we declare that they should hide their faces in shame over the flexing of muscles in terror free zones”.

  • My PVC is not for sale

    Just as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is distributing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to all voters for the coming general elections, some politicians and their agents are looking for ways to compromise the judgment of voters for selfish reason.

    They have been going about for inducement of the people with various expendable items, such as bag of rice, yam and cash gifts. All these are meant to compromise the electoral process and make voters to choose wrong choice.

    But, as a note of warning, my PVC is not for sale. It is my personal commodity to exercise my franchise. It is to effect change and make me contribute towards the progress and development of the country. It is my power, voice and instrument to either say “no” or “yes” to people wanting to govern my country.

    I will use it to change powerless and crawling economy and support a productive, vigorous and censored economy. These are part of the changes my PVC can do; that’s why it is not for sale.

    Just as I make this vow not sell my PVC, I expect many youths to do the same. It is our privilege and chance that will either make us better or bitter after the election, depending on how we use it. We all crave for sound and qualitative education and want to leave school as employable graduate. We must use our PVCs to do this.

    Our PVCs are our identities. They identify us as patriotic and visionary, who will rather vote for the future than cast our future out of the votes. That is what our PVCs can do and that is why it should not be up for sale.

    If we see our neighbours trying to sell their PVCs, we must tell them that their PVCs are their passports and visas to a safe country. They can make their dreams come true and take them to the place of their dreams. That is what their PVCs can do and that is why it should not be for sale.

    Beyond the physical PVCs in our hand, there is a PVC, which money cannot afford; it is our person and conscience.  It is our conscience that tells us what business to do with it. It teaches us to share the profits for today and tomorrow. Why will we then declare a state of emergency on our persons and conscience because of money?

    Money is simply a servant; we need it to work for us and our vision. Our conscience is the passage that cuts across both. Why do we need money if it is not to get what we want?

    Nigeria has been yearning for manifestation of good signs. Never have we had an opportunity like this to sit in the examination hall of history to make a choice between prosperity and poverty. Whatever we tick in this examination will either bring us to good and prosperous four years or another period of tribulations. It is a critical period for us, but it is more critical for the generation ahead. Whatever we tick will give rise to a new country for our unborn generation or present a poverty-stricken jungle to them.

    We all must make up our minds to be part of the history. Our actions today may bring a true nation for us tomorrow. If we don’t want our tomorrow as youths not to be traded off today, we must act and make a good choice today.

    Nigeria is worth living for, but it is not worth dying for, because there is no need to die for Nigeria before Nigeria can be great. If death brings birth, Abraham Lincoln needed not intervene in the American

    Civil War, but he did because there is tremendous power in a people alive in unity. It brought a trembling development despite diversity.

    Nigeria will live, and as youths we shall not die but live to realise the promises of generations that will come after us. I am proud to be a Nigerian. Are