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Tag: Independent National Electoral Commission

  • APC Presidential candidate may emerge September 19

    Party accuses INEC of leaking official correspondences

    Barely any last minute changes, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be known on 19th September after the presidential primary to elect the candidate either through direct or indirect primary.

    But the APC is accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission of leaking it’s official correspondence to the media, pointing out that the dates on the letter to INEC were not tentative as they will have to be approved by the party NEC first.

    In a letter to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission dated 17th August and received at the commission on the same day, National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole informed the commission that the governorship primaries of the party will be conducted on Monday, 24th September.

    Similarly, the primaries to elect candidates for the House of Representatives will hold September 19, while the primaries for the Senatorial and state Assembly will hold on the 20th and 29th September respectively.

    Oshiomhole said “this serves as a forma, notification pursuant to the provisions of section 85 of the Electoral Acts 2010 as amended.Kindly arrange for your officials to monitor the exercise accordingly”.

    Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena said in a statement that INEC should look into its internal handling of official correspondence and out a stop to the leakages.

    Read Also: APC disowns timetable for primaries

    Nabena said the National Executive Committee of the party need to approve the time table for it became authentic and asked Nigerians and the Media to wait for an official announcement from the party as the leaked dates are subject to changes if necessary.

    Nabena said “our attention has been drawn to a leaked letter the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole wrote to the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu informing the Commission of the schedule of the Congresses and Primaries to elect Party candidates for the 2019 General Elections.

    “These leaks of our sensitive and confidential correspondence to INEC is becoming commonplace and totally unacceptable. We strongly request that INEC looks into its internal handling of official correspondence and put a stop to these leaks.

    “While the leaked formal notification to INEC has been done by the APC pursuant to the provisions of Section 85 of the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended), we advise the general public particularly the media to wait for an official announcement from the Party as the leaked dates are subject to changes, if necessary.”

    It was learnt that the party is planning to hold its NEC meeting on Wednesday, 29th August to approve the party Programme for the 2019 general elections, including whether to use direct or indirect primaries for the selection of it’s candidates as well as fresh membership registration.

     

  • APC accuses INEC of leaking its official correspondences

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of leaking its official correspondences to the public and asked the commission to look into its internal mechanism for handling sensitive meals.

    The Party is not happy with the commission for leaking its letter notifying it of its proposed dates for party primaries in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

    A time table for the primaries was published in a national daily, forcing the party to issue a denial, but a letter signed by the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole addressed to the INEC Chairman and received in August 17 by the commission surfaced media.

    Reacting to the development, Acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena said the National Executive Committee of the party need to approve the time table for it became authentic.

    Read Also: 2019: Group asks NASS to pass INEC budget

    Nabena said “our attention has been drawn to a leaked letter the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole wrote to the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu informing the Commission of the schedule of the Congresses and Primaries to elect Party candidates for the 2019 General Elections.

    “These leaks of our sensitive and confidential correspondence to INEC is becoming commonplace and totally unacceptable. We strongly request that INEC looks into its internal handling of official correspondence and put a stop to these leaks.

    “While the leaked formal notification to INEC has been done by the APC pursuant to the provisions of Section 85 of the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended), we advise the general public particularly the media to wait for an official announcement from the Party as the leaked dates are subject to changes, if necessary.”

  • Diezani ‘bribe’: INEC chiefs seek case transfer

    A former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Administrative Secretary in Kwara State Mr Christian Nwosu on Thursday said Justice Mohammed Idris lacks the jurisdiction to try him.

    He said the judge ought to transfer the case to another judge having been elevated to the Court of Appeal.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned Nwosu at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly accepting gratification from former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke (“still at large”).

    He was re-arraigned along with Tijani Bashir before Justice Idris.

    They were charged with another INEC official Yisa Adedoyin, who pleaded guilty to the offence and was convicted following a plea bargain.

    Nwosu had initially pleaded guilty to receiving N30million bribe from Mrs Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 general election results, but he changed his plea to not guilty.

    EFCC said they allegedly conspired to directly take possession of N264,880.000, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of an unlawful act – gratification.

    They also allegedly made cash payment of N70,050,000 to Adedoyin, which exceeds the amount authorised by law without going through a financial institution.

    Read Also: Court forfeits N325.4m land linked with Diezani

    Bashir was accused of indirectly taking possession of and retaining N164,880,000, which he reasonably ought to have known forms part of gratification.

    Bashir was also charged with indirectly retaining and concealing N30million, being part of the proceeds of an unlawful act: “criminal misappropriation”.

    The alleged offences were committed on March 27 and April 7, 2015 and violated provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.

    EFCC had earlier closed its case before the charge was amended.

    Rather than open their defence, Nwosu and Bashir made no-case submissions, urging the court to discharge and acquit them.

    But Justice Idris dismissed the no-case submissions.

    Yesterday, the defendants, through their lawyers Victor Opara (for Nwosu) and Nelson Umoh, prayed that the case be re-assigned to another judge.

    They argued that there was no provision in the Constitution that empowers the judge, upon his appointment and confirmation as a Justice of the Court of Appeal, to double as a judge of the Federal High Court.

    “A Justice of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria cannot deliver, make pronouncement, recommendation, decision and or judgement on matters pending before the Federal High Court of Nigeria.

    “The constitutional elevation of my lord cannot be circumscribed by Section 396 (7) of ACJA”, Opara said.

    But Oyedepo emphasised that the prosecution had already closed its case before the judge’s elevation.

    He said the judge is eminently qualified to continue with the “part-heard” case as defined in Section 494 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

    “Section 396 (7) of ACJA gives my lord ‘special dispensation’ to hear and determine part-heard cases which is applicable in this circumstance.

    “There is nothing in the Constitution that specifically restricts or prohibits the granting of ‘special dispensation’ to hear and conclude a part-heard criminal matter by an elevated judge.

    “The provision of Section 396 (7) of ACJA is merely complementary to the Constitution and is not inconsistent with it,” Oyedepo said.

    Justice Idris adjourned until August 27 for ruling.

     

  • Insecurity: INEC moves voter registration in Ukanafun to Uyo

    Following incessant cases of killings and kidnapping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has moved the voter registration exercise from Ukanafun local government area to Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

    INEC announced its decision to temporarily move the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise (CVR) to its headquarters in Uyo,  the state capital following the unresolved security situation in the area.

    This is contained in a press statement signed by Mr. Anthony Patta, Head of voter education and publicity on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Uyo, the state capital.

    According to the statement the commission which said the decision would ensure that qualified persons were not disenfranchised, expressed regret all inconveniences the development may cause the people of the affected community.

    INEC, therefore, appealed to the stakeholders to ensure that they mobilize their people to come and register and also collect their Permanent Voter Cards.

    Read Also: INEC right on Rivers by-election

    It reads, “Whereas independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Akwa Ibom state is delighted over the release of its kidnapped staff by the joint operation of the Military, DSS, and Police, it  is still concerned about the security situation in Ukanafun LGA, which is not only a challenge, but has slowed down the scale of the Continuous Voter Registration, exercise.

    “In order not to disenfranchise qualified prospective registrants, the commission has decided to temporarily move the CVR exercise in Ukanafun LGA to the INEC state headquarters, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.

    Accordingly, INEC hereby request the stakeholders in the communities in the local government area to mobilize the people to come register and also collect their Permanent Voter Cards.

    “INEC further pleads with stakeholders to continuously work with the security agencies so that normalcy is restored in the local government area to allow the commission deliver on it’s mandate of conducting free, fair and credible elections “

  • CVR: INEC records more male registrants than female

    More men have registered in the ongoing Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, it was learnt.

    According to INEC update, of the over 12 million new registrants, 6,856.558 million are male while 5,832,234 are female.

    There are still over seven million PVCs awaiting collection.

    Besides, INEC update also revealed that 998,993 applied for replacement of voter cards, while 640,796 requested for transfer of vote.

    The exercise which was to be suspended on the 17th August, 2018 has been extended till the last day of the month.

    Read Also: INEC right on Rivers by-election

    INEC had argued that the exercise which has been on for the past 16 months was extended due to pleas by Nigerians.

    It stated, “However, many Nigerians have appealed to the Commission to extend the exercise. Consequently, the Commission has decided to extend the CVR to 31st August 2018. The exercise will continue in all the designated registration centres every day, including weekends, but excluding public holidays, between 9am and 5pm.”

    The commission also informed the general public that the ongoing collection exercise will be on until very close to the general elections.

    “The Commission wishes to inform the public that the ongoing collection of PVCs will not end with the CVR exercise. Collection of PVCs will continue until close to the general elections,” it stated.

     

  • INEC, Wike disagree over failed Rivers by-election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would be partnering with the business community in Enugu State to ensure a hitch-free 2019 General Elections in the state.

    INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Enugu State, Dr Emeka Ononamadu, said this in Enugu during INEC’s meeting with major stakeholders in the business community in Enugu State.

    Ononamadu noted that the business community had a high stake in elections, as outcomes of elections or governance affect businesses directly or indirectly.

    “If there is any tension in the land during election as an outcome of irregularities and disagreements, the business community suffers the impact most and if it is in the reverse where there is credible election and good governance the business community reap most of the dividends,’’ he said.

    The REC noted that it was in the best interest of INEC to expose and enlighten the business community on its roles in order to support INEC ensure a credible and smooth elections.

    “For instance, the commission needed the business community in the area of transportation of its staff and materials on time on the D-Days of the elections.

    Read Also: INEC, Wike disagree over failed Rivers by-election

    “We also need the business community to mobilize their members to register in the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) and collection of their Permanent Voters Cards.

    “Also, for your members to conduct themselves in a professional manner, come out en mass to vote and not engaging in the recent negative trend of vote buying and vote selling,’’ he said.

    Ononamdu noted that INEC had taken its advocacy and CVR registration to banks, markets, communities and other public places in the state to ensure it carried everybody along in the electoral process leading to the 2019 General Elections.

    Director-General of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Mr Emeka Okereke lauded INEC for being pro-active and doing wider consultations ahead of the elections.

    “I believe this wider consultation with various stakeholders will bear much fruit and make the electoral process and election more acceptable, credible and hitch-free, as each individual, group and stakeholder understand his role and play it faithful,’’ Okereke said.

    The state Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Chief Matthew Asogwa, noted that the union had been working hand-in-hand with INEC before now, adding that it managed the transportation arrange of INEC in 2015 General Elections in the state.

    “We have earlier mandated our members to register for CVR, collect their PVCs and ultimately ensure they vote on the D-Day.

    The NURTW is also inviting INEC to its meeting on Aug. 29; for the commission to use the avenue to enlighten our members the more and answer questions that are bothering them concerning the forthcoming elections,’’ Asogwa said.

    Leaders of various market associations and unions as well as department stores in the state attended the meeting.

  • ‘Don’t entrust Nigeria into the hands of treasury looters again’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned Nigerians against entrusting the Leadership of the country in the hands of those whose sole aim is to loot the nation’s treasury and return the country to the dark ages where impunity and institutionalized corruption was the order of the day.

    Reacting to the statement credited to Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki that he was considering contesting the Presidency, Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena said it was evident that Saraki was out to serve his own interest and not that of the nation.

    While saying that it was not a thing of surprise that the Senate President would indicate his interest in the Presidency of the country, Nabena said Nigerians must open their eyes and vote wisely for those who an pass the integrity test.

    The statement reads: “In a recent interview with the international news organization, Bloomberg, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki unsurprisingly declared his intention to contest the 2019 Presidency under the platform of the People’s  Democratic Party (PDP).

    “Against the backdrop of the litany of corruption allegations trailing the Senate President, Saraki’s declaration, brings to the fore our earlier call to anti-graft agencies to check the use of stolen public funds to finance elections in this country. We reiterate our position that the Nigerian electorate must have the opportunity to choose from candidates that can pass the integrity and anti-corruption test.”

    It said further: “Let us refresh our memory on some of Saraki’s corruption allegations:

    • Allegations of fraud which led to the collapse of the Saraki family-owned Société Générale Bank (Bukola Saraki who was Director of the defunct bank was indicted as over N1bn alleged to have been looted from the bank’s treasury).
    • Misappropriation of Kwara State funds, disregard of government due process and conversion of State government assets into his and cronies when he served as two-term governor of Kwara State.
    • History of betrayals, treachery and sabotage – Family, political party (PDP, APC), Senate, government.
    • Saraki was questioned by the Nigeria Police Special Fraud Unit over a N11 billion financial scandal at the defunct Intercontinental Bank.
    • Gluttonous property acquisitions and hidden multi-billion dollar assets spread across the world as disclosed by the Panama Papers revelations.
    • The multi-million dollar white elephant Shonga Agricultural Project in Kwara State when Saraki served as two-term governor.
    • Falsification of Senate standing order
    • Saraki’s link to the N298m armored Range Rover SUV seized by the Nigeria Customs Service.
    • Saraki’s link to $19.5b Paris Club Loan refund scandal
    • Oversaw budget padding in the National Assembly
    • Among other numerous corruption scandals.

    The party said that “Nigerians should be wary of a man whose personal ambition will always supersede the interest of the majority and national interest as currently displayed in the National Assembly.

    Read Also: Tinubu: Saraki, Tambuwal left APC for fear of Buhari

    “While Saraki refuses to reconvene the National Assembly, the 2019 election budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is dangerously delayed, an action deliberately taken to sabotage INEC’s ability to conduct free, fair, transparent and credible elections in 2019.

    “While Saraki refuses to step down as Senate President as rightly and severally demanded by the APC-dominated Senate, he is bent on foisting a PDP-minority rule (Senate President and Deputy Senate President) in the Upper Legislative House.

    “The only politics that Bukola Saraki plays is self, himself only and only himself. The interest and welfare of the people of Nigeria do not mean anything to him. Now it is the Presidency Saraki wants.

    “And we ask with what antecedents is he doing this? Conspiracy, blackmail, treachery and vaulting ambition which overleaps itself and falls on the other, as rightly captured by William Shakespeare. Bukola Saraki will rather rule in hell than serve in paradise.

    “Ahead of 2019 elections, Nigerians must ensure that we never again entrust the leadership of this great country to thieves whose sole aim is treasury looting and returning us to the dark ages where impunity and institutionalized corruption was the order of the day.”

  • Rivers bye-election: Poll to hold in 142 units

    …over 1000 ad-hoc/INEC officers to conduct the exercise INEC

    …200 NYSC members to serve as presiding officers

     

    The Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike on Friday declared that the Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHLGA), state House of Assembly bye-election holding today is not a do or die affair.

    PHALGA constituency 3, state legislative seat became vacant last June, following the resignation of the former member, Victor Ihunwo who won the LGA chairmanship election and became the mayor of Port Harcourt on June 18, 2018.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled to hold the election to fill up the seat today.

    The Head voter Education, in the state Mr. Edwin Enabor on Friday said the exercise will hold in 142 units in the constituency with over 800 Ad-hoc staff, and 200 INEC staff to conduct the elections.

    Enabor said the new face of INEC in the state notorious for violent elections is set to change the narrative in the state by conducting violent free, fair and credible exercise today.

    He said four political parties fielded candidates for the poll and assured a level playing ground for all.

    He disclosed that hundreds of card Reader machines that will be used in the election are ready and 200 NYSC members trained for the exercise will serve as presiding officer will INEC staff will handle the non-sensitive aspect of the exercise, especially organizing the polling centres and ensuring orderliness.

    The political parties are The APC, PDP, Democratic Alternative (DA) and Mass Movement of Nigeria (MMN).

    Wike in a statewide broadcast on Friday said, “I wish to reiterate that this election, important as it is, must not be taken as a do or die affair. I therefore urge leaders of political parties and their candidates to advise their supporters to peacefully conduct themselves during and after the bye-election.

    “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised that the bye-election shall be free, fair and credible.

    “The Security agencies, especially the Police have also promised to ensure adequate security for eligible voters and poll officials to ensure a peaceful, credible, and fair election.

    “The people of Rivers State expect and demand nothing less. Consequently, we take INEC and the security agencies at their word and expect them to deliver a bye-election in the affected constituency devoid of any electoral malfeasance.

    “I therefore call on all eligible voters in these communities to come out in your numbers not only to vote for the party and candidate of your choice but also to defend your votes and ensure  your votes count.”

    Speaking further Wike said “This is civic duty you must discharge with all sense of responsibility to guarantee a better representation for your constituency. Otherwise, you will only have yourselves to blame when things go wrong with the quality of your representation in the State House of Assembly.

    “For us, free, fair and credible electoral choice is the hallmark of democracy and good governance. As a prelude to the 2019 general elections, this election is equally important to the entire Rivers State.

    “Accordingly, the Rivers State Government has put adequate measures to ensure that the bye-election is highly successful and the outcome generally acceptable.

    “Consequently, I warn all residents and visitors to comply with the restriction order as the law enforcement agencies are under strict instructions to arrest and prosecute anyone caught violating this order.”

    He disclosed alleged plans in some quarters of the state to create trouble during the polls and expressed the readiness of the state to resist such act.

    “Furthermore, we have it on good authority that some failed politicians are planning to use cultists and political thugs to intimidate voters and attempt to disrupt the voting process.

    Read Also: Total oil, communities renew pact in Rivers

    “I wish to reiterate that the Rivers State Government will not close its eyes to such thoughtless acts by any person or group of persons to deny our people their God-given right to freely and fairly elect their leaders. We shall not hesitate to apply the full weight and force of government and the law on any delinquent.

    “We therefore advise all those who have no business with the election process to, in their own interest, keep their distance from the constituency during the duration of the bye-election.

    “We note with satisfaction the high level of determination and enthusiasm among the voters in Port Harcourt Constituency III to effectively participate in next Saturday’s bye-election.

    “That’s left is for you to translate this momentum into reality by coming out in your numbers to vote for the party and candidate of your choice and ensure that the person you voted for is lawfully returned by the INEC.

    Enabor said, “We have received sensitive materials from the Central Bank yesterday(Thursday), we will be taking them to the RAC center any moment. The Ad-hoc staffs are expected to take off to their various polling units, tomorrow.

    “We are ready for the polls, we have held series of meetings with stakeholders and the candidates have taken to signing an undertaking to ensure peaceful environment and also pledged to bring their party members and supporters under control, and also agree to accept whatever be the outcome of the exercise.

    “This is the first election of this set of INEC in the state and we intend to change the perception of election in Rivers state, that no electing can be done here without violent, we are expecting total peace, free and fair exercise.” he assured.

     

  • 114,448 PVCs yet to be collected in Kebbi

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that 114,448 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) produced are yet to be collected by their owners in the state.

    Ahmad Mahmud, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, disclosed this on Friday while briefing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.

    According to him, 37,000 uncollected PVCs were from the 2014 voter registration exercise.

    “In the April 2017 continuous voter registration exercise, we were able to register 271,224 comprising: 155,879 males and 115,345 females.”

    Read Also: Ambassador hails Buhari for signing ‘Not-Too-Young-To-Run’ bill

    Mahmud said the state received 117,863 newly printed PVCs from INEC national headquarters, adding that only 40,415 had been collected leaving about 77,448 uncollected.

    He described the failure of residents to pick their PVCs as worrisome, adding that Kebbi was among the states with the highest number of unclaimed PVCs.

    The REC advised eligible voters in the state, who were yet to register, to avail themselves of the opportunity to be registered at INEC designated registration centres in the 21 local government areas.

    “This is an opportunity for them sequel to the recent extension of the ongoing CVR exercise from August 17 to August 31 by the INEC,” he said.

    The REC also promised to embark on an aggressive advocacy to overcome the challenge.

    Mahmud said that his main objective was to conduct free, fair and acceptable elections in the state that would be acceptable to Nigerians and the international community.

  • Furore over INEC’s N198bn election budget proposal

    …As N/A joint committee puts off consideration

    There seems to be no respite yet for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding its N 189.2 billion budget proposal for the 2019 general elections.

    The joint committee of the National Assembly on Friday put on hold further consideration on the proposal as the legislators failed to resolve some grey areas in the proposal.

    At issue was the differences in modalities between the estimates sent to the legislature by President Muhammadu Buhari and the version submitted to the lawmakers by INEC, even though the figures were the same.

    In his letter to the National Assembly, the President had requested that N143 billion be processed for now, while the remaining N45 billion should processed with the 2019 annual budget.

    But in its own proposal, the INEC requested that the N189.2 billion be processed in one fell swoop, a request that raised dissenting voices among the lawmakers.

    Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma who made a presentation to the committee, aligned with the position of INEC.

    Apparently mindful of the delay in the passage of the yearly national budget, Udoma argued that shifting the processing of the N45 billion to the 2019 budget might put INEC in a tight corner.

    For instance, the 2018 budget was passed in May, just as it was in the two preceding years. On the other hand, INEC would have concluded all elections by March 2019.

    The Minister clarified that the N189 billion request, as presented by the President, was to be vired from funds already appropriated for some projects in the 2018 budget.

    He was however, quick to clarify that the such virement would not affect the N100 billion already allocated to constituency projects of National Assembly members.

    But the lawmakers were divided on whether to isolate the N143 billion meant for INEC from the N45 billion meant for the various security agencies for election duties.

    Read Als0: Sowore’s party gets INEC nod

    The affected security agencies include the office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Immigration Service.

    Some of the legislators argued that the processing of the budget proposal for the security agencies was outside the committee’s mandate, opting to refer that aspect to the Security Committee of the two chambers of the legislature.

    But some others canvassed that it should be accommodated in the ongoing process because the N45 billion budget for security was part of election expenses.

    Another area of disagreement was the source of funding for the N189.2 billion with the lawmakers sharply divided over where over the matter.

    In the course of deliberations, some of the committee members said the source of funding should be left to the Appropriation Committee of the National Assembly to decide.

    In his letter to the National Assembly, President Buhari had raised issues about source of funding for the entire election budget, reason why he requested that only N143 billion be processed for now.

    Relying on the President’s position, the lawmakers pointed out that processing the N189 billion at this point would overshoot the 2018 national budget, as passed by the legislature and assented to by the President.

    At every point the chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu was given the opportunity to make his contribution; he kept reeling out the deadline for the first round of elections in the commission’s timetable by counting the days, hours, minutes and seconds.

    At a point, some of the committee members jocularly said they were being intimidated by the INEC chairman’s time count.

    Eventually, the meeting concluded that the committee would limit its consideration to the N143 billion the President tabled before the legislature for immediate action.

    They resolved to commence deliberation on the N45 billion for the security agencies as promptly as the President presents that request to them, even before the end of the year.

    On this note, the chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Suleiman Nazif adjourned the session indefinitely.