The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Independent National Electoral Commission

  • ‘My government will not depend on federations account’

    Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 22 governorship election in Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola has said that if elected as governor of the state, he will rely less of allocation from the federation Account, but seek other means of increasing Internally Generated Revenue.

    Oyetola also assured civil servants in Osun state that if elected governor of the state, he will pay all the outstanding salaries within 12 months of assuming office, while insisting that the current government in the state did not owe salaries to junior workers in the state.

    Oyetola who was at the APC national secretariat to complete formality for the submission of his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission also said that the resignation of the Secretary to the State Government Moshood Adeoti will affect his chances of emerging the governor of the state.

    Adeoti who was one of the aspirant foe the APC ticket withdrew from the race on the allegation that his Senatorial district of Osun West was being marginalized has however picked the governorship ticket of the Action Democratic Party (ADP).

    He said he will increase the Internally generated revenue of the state without necessarily increasing tax, but ensuring that those who are supposed to pay tax, but have not been doing so pay appropriate tax to the government.

    “First of all, most state has been challenged by the lack of fund over the years But there is this misconception on the issue of salaries about Osun state. We paid salary from level one to seven. We do not owe anybody in that category. We paid 75% for people on level 8 to 10. The only category of people we owe is actually from level 12 to 17 as well as pension.

    “So, when you talk about owing salary, people tend to forget that it is not across board. Salary is fully paid from level one to seven, up to date. Levels eight to ten, we pay 75%. It is only portion of 12 to 17 that is being paid 50%.

    Read Also: I’ll go any length to restore peace in APC, Says Oshiomhole

    “Yes, it is a challenge that we all recognize. But we believe that will not persist for too long. My attitude and the method I want to adopt is not to entirely rely on allocation that comes from the federal government but to look at the means to seriously develop the IGR, not necessarily by increasing tax, but by ensuring efficiency in terms of collection and by bringing people who have been evading tax to come into the bracket. You can still get more by doing all of that without necessarily increasing tax.

    “So we are committed to paying whatever that is outstanding and we are looking forward to be able to pay full salaries subsequently. In any case, why do we want to be in government if we can not think outside of box? We must be very creative, that is the essense of being in government anyway. I believe in another one year you would have seen that things would have changed to better.”

    “Well, SSG is my brother actually, I would have loved that he remains in the party. But as a matter of choice, he decides to leave the party. There is nothing anybody can do about that.

    “But as to whether it will affect my fortune during the election, I don’t think so. One, if you look at the result of that election, I had 127,000 votes. These are purely members of our Party. We are going to have opportunity of other voters.

    “On the average, we usually have about 600, 000 or so serious voters. If you look at the percentage of that from members of our Party alone and with the kind of programme I want to run, and the fact that people seem to have that level of trust in me, I believe I will have more not only from the APC which is our base, even from the generality of the people.

    “So, I wish him well. He is a somebody I have some regards for too.  Sometimes politics is like that. You path and meet again. I wish him well”.

  • INEC set to conduct Katsina North Bye-election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Thursday in Katsina told stakeholders including chairmen of political parties, Non-governmental organisations and heads of security agencies in the state that it is ready to conduct the long awaited Katsina  North Senatorial Bye-election latest August 12 this year

    The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Alhaji Jibril Ibrahim Zarewa said the decision to conduct the bye election is in conformity with the relevant provisions of the constitution and the electoral act, and a confirmation of the notification from the National Assembly informing the umpire about the vacant position

    He said ’’you will certainly recall that the dearth of the Senator Representing Katsina North Senatorial District, Senator Engineer Mustapha Bukar occurred April 4 2018.The constitution and the electoral act provide the process of election in both the circumstance of a general election and when vacancy occurs into elective positions in Nigeria’’

    ‘’This presupposes that the bye-election may have to hold anytime from now to August12, 2018.Accordingly anytime from now, the commission will give notice of the activities  and their time frame’’

    Read Also: INEC set to fill Senate, other vacancies, says Yakubu

    Zarewa further provided detailed composition of the senatorial District whose headquarter is located at Daura to include: 12 local government areas, with a registered population of 855,092 voters, 1825 voting points, 1577 polling units’ and128 wards

    In a related development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday expressed doubt over the Independent National Election Commission’s (INEC’s) ability to conduct free and fair elections in Katsina state.

    This according to the party is due to external interference by government in power as well as undue influence by security operatives, as witnessed in the last bye election held in Mashi where it was almost impossible to conduct fair elections in the area due to interference by government operatives.

    The state Chairman of the party, Alhaji Salisu Yusuf Majigiri who made the observation during question and answer session at the forum, said the party has it on good authority that the state government officials helped in snatching of ballot boxes during the Dutsi/Mashi bye-election in order to ensure their candidate wins the poll.

    He also alleged that some security operatives were used during the election to advance the interest of the ruling party, and that it would not be surprising if same happened during the coming senatorial poll.

    The Nation recalled that Senator Mustapha Bukar had died on April 4 after a brief illness. His seat at the National Assembly had become vacant since then.

  • Ekiti poll: PDP accuses INEC of doctoring results

    The national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of doctoring the results of last Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State.

    Dr. Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election, beating the PDP candidate, Prof Kolapo Olusola.

    In a statement on Wednesday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said it reached the conclusion after a crucial meeting Tuesday night, where all the facts relating to the election were received and reviewed.

    “After a thorough examination of all hard facts, the NWC reconfirms that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) doctored the result of the election to favour the All Progressives Congress (APC)”, the party said.

    The party noted that apart from huge discrepancies between the actual votes cast at the polling centres and the results released by INEC, there were evidence that INEC pulled down the original result from its data base to accommodate the alterations.

    Read Also: Ekiti politicians were clever in vote buying, INEC

    The statement continued, “The NWC also has evidence indicating that the original result was in favour of the PDP candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka before the figures were altered.

    “The NWC, after very exhaustive examination of all facts reconfirms that the PDP candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka, clearly won the July 14, 2018 governorship election.

    “The NWC therefore calls on the leadership of INEC to immediately correct their results, apologise to the people of Ekiti state and be ready to admit their falsifications before the tribunal so as to return our mandate which was stolen at ‘gun point’ on July 14”.

  • INEC to conduct four bye-elections same day, says Yakubu

    …Meets RECs to discuss voter registration, collection of PVCs

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) will be conducting four bye-elections within the next 30 days, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said.

    Yakubu also said that the time-table and schedule of activities for the bye-elections will be released Friday.

    The bye-elections are: the National Assembly elections in respect of Bauchi South Senatorial district, Katsina North senatorial district and the Lokoja/Koton Karfe Federal constituency in Kogi state. While the fourth one, a state assembly is in respect of Obudu I state constituency. The seats were declared vacant by the National Assembly and state assembly.

    Read Also:INEC to ‘curb’ vote buying

    INEC boss, who spoke Wednesday in Abuja at the opening of a regular meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja said meetings with stakeholders in the affected states are ongoing.

    He said: “the commission is set to conduct bye-elections to fill the vacancies in the four constituencies which have a total of over two (2million) million registered voters spread across 3,355 polling units in 234 wards and 22 Local Government Areas.”

    “Consultations with stakeholders in the affected states are ongoing. Considering the requirement of the law that such elections shall be conducted by the commission within 30 days following the declaration of vacancy, we are planning to conduct all the four elections on the same date. The detailed timetable and scheduled of activities will be released on Friday this week,” he added.

    The bye-elections, he said will also serve as a test ground for the various innovations and improvement made on the process ahead of the Osun governorship poll scheduled for Saturday, 22nd September 2018.

    “These bye-elections will offer the Commission yet another opportunity to fine-tune our processes and procedures in preparation for the Osun state governorship election and ultimately the 2019 general elections,” he stressed.

    He therefore assured Nigerians that the commission will continue to improve the quality of elections in the country.

  • INEC to suspend voter registration in Anambra August 17

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra State has disclosed soon suspension of the on-going Continuous Voter Registration exercise in the state.

    The Head, Voter Education and Publicity in the commission, Mr Leo Nkedife in a statement, on Tuesday, said the exercise would be suspended on August 17 in all the 21 local government areas of the state.

    He said the suspension was to give the commission ample time to process the voter register and produce the permanent voters cards ahead of the 2019 general election.

    Read Also: INEC to ‘curb’ vote buying

    Nkedife further explained that the exercise would continue after the general election, while the collection of permanent voters cards would continue until the February 8, 2019.

    While commending the people of the state for their co-operation, Nkedife appealed to all the eligible voters yet to register or who lost their cards to avail themselves of the opportunity to do so.

    “Those that want to transfer their PVC from one location to another or those whose PVC was defaced should use this opportunity to update it now that the exercise is on,” he added.

    He further warned against double registration and use of fake PVC during election, just as he cautioned electorates, especially youths not to allow themselves to be used for election malpractices.

  • Ekiti 2018: Observer group condemns use of soldiers for elections

    A civil society organization, CLEEN Foundation has advocated against deployment of soldiers for security purposes at future elections.

    Reviewing the conduct of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, the group described deployment of the military for election duties as “contentious” and should be reconsidered.

    Another civil society organization, the New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD) urged parties and candidates aggrieved with the result of the election to seek redress at the tribunal and not to resort to violence.

    Addressing a news conference in Ado-Ekiti, CLEEN Foundation Assistant Programmes Manager, Mr. Wole Ojewale, described election as a civil matter which should not involve deployment of soldiers.

    He explained that there is need to pay more attention to the welfare needs of security agents so as to get them fully motivated and committed to the tasks of electoral security.

    Police authorities, he added, should learn from the success of the Ekiti experience and always pay their officers ahead of election days.

    Read Also: Ekiti 2018: GPN candidate congratulates Fayemi

    Ojewale said part of the recommendations of the group was that all security agents deployed for election duties should be made to sign an oath of allegiance to Police Service Commission Guidelines for the Conduct of Police Officers on Electoral Duty.

    He explained that the violation of the oath, if the recommendation is adopted, should attract severe penalty.

    NIGAWD, in a statement on Monday by its Executive Director, Abimbola Aladejare, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the youth, security agencies and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the day of election.

    Aladejare said: “Election Day proceedings were very peaceful. The challenges observed included a few cases of ballot box snatching and vote buying.

    The youth, security operatives and INEC conducted themselves very well. We commend Ekiti youth for rejecting violence in a resounding manner and coming out to vote for the candidates of their choice.”

  • Ekiti 2018: Police helped APC to buy votes, says Ekiti PDP

    The Ekiti State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of colluding with the Police to rig Saturday’s governorship election.

    Ekiti PDP Chairman, Chief Gboyega Oguntuase, also accused the Police of complicity in the alleged sharing of money to voters on the day of the election.

    Oguntuase who accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of engaging in what he called “see-and-buy” to induce voters absolved his party of participating in the alleged cash-for-vote saga.

    Addressing a news conference at the party secretariat on Monday, Oguntuase alleged that the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is holding what he called a “stolen mandate” which he vowed will be retrieved at the tribunal.

    He claimed that Ekiti people have been in “mourning mood” since the result of the governorship poll was announced by INEC on Saturday alleging that the exercise was neither free nor fair.

    Oguntuase alleged that “the will of Ekiti people was bought and their conscience purchased” with funds mobilized to the state by the APC to secure victory at the poll.

    Read Also: Ekiti: We will reclaim mandate in court, says Fayose

    He disclosed that the party has been receiving calls from many prominent Nigerians whom he said have encouraged the party to proceed to the court of law to seek redress on the election result.

    Pointing out some infractions to be challenged before the Election Petition Tribunal, Oguntuase, a lawyer, alleged that votes allotted by INEC were more than accredited voters.

    The PDP boss alleged that about 20 members of the party including four aides of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Dipo Anisulowo are still being detained and kept in unknown places.

    He identified some victims of alleged APC attacks to include House of Assembly member, Dr. Samuel Omotoso; Commissioner for Public Utilities, mr. Tunde Ogunleye; a PDP member in Ikole, Moji Eleja; former Ado-Ekiti council chairman, Mr. Taye Fasuba; younger brother to deputy governorship candidate, Mr. Deji Ogunsakin;

    Oguntuase condemned the deployment of about 30,000 policemen for the election alleging that they came to Ekiti to work for APC.

    He alleged that agents of PDP were chased away by people he described as APC thugs given security cover by the Police.

    Oguntuase also condemned the alleged invasion of Ekiti by senior government officials of neighboring APC-controlled states claiming that the Secretary to the State Government of one of the states alleged perpetrated mayhem in Ilejemeje local government area.

  • PDP candidate accuses APC of vote buying

    People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State Prof Kolapo Olusola Eleka has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders of buying votes in his local government.

    He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and security agents were complicit as, according to him, they did nothing to stop the act.

    He said Ekiti people would still vote for him despite the money they collect, as they were not hungry and therefore cannot be bought with “peanuts”.

    Eleka said: “It is left for the security agencies and INEC to do the needful. Let me be specific. The APC leaders are all round the various wards distributing money.

    “They’re at Ogbonjana Ward, at Igelearokun Ward. At the Afin Palace, a former chairman of the local government under APC government was seen distributing money.

    “Security agencies were just looking at them at those places, doing nothing. Even in Ikere here. And it’s quite unfortunate.”

    On his assessment of the security situation, he said: “I can’t really comment on that because it’s too early to do so.”

    On whether he has confidence in the electoral umpire, Olusola said: “INEC should do the needful. We have received reports of APC members who have been distributing money right in the presence of INEC officials and in the presence of security agencies.

    “All this have been reported but unfortunately the security agencies turned a blind eye. It’s quite unfortunate that they are not doing the right thing.

    “So, I want to advise that appropriate agencies should please rise up and play by the rules.”

    Read Also: I’m coasting to victory – PDP candidate

    Eleka said he had confidence in INEC despite the allegations of vote buying.

    “The issue of vote buying should be addressed by INEC. If the security agencies are pretending as if they don’t see what is happening, it is quite unfortunate. Because right in their presence, APC stalwarts were seen distributing money.

    “But they should remember that Ekiti people are not hungry. They are not poor. They are not people that can be easily deceived by mere peanuts that will be given to them during election time.

    “Ekiti people are ready to vote for the man of their choice and that is Kola Olusola-Eleka.”

    After the card reader failed to verify his PVC for a second time, Eleka had expressed fears that he might be unable to vote.

    “I have confidence in the electoral process, but then I have my fears. A situation where I as the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP cannot cast my vote because the card reader did not recognise my PVC is worrisome.

    “They asked me whether the card was defaced. Everybody can see that this card is straight and is not bent and is not defaced (he displayed his card). Whatever might have happened, I don’t understand.

    “I want to believe that the REC should be able to come up with a solution to this. I used it to vote in 2014 when I registered for the first time.

    “So far so good. The process has been going on smoothly in my unit, but not so in some other units.”

    Eleka eventually voted at 11.10am. He arrived at his unit by 9.10 am.

     

  • Reps to investigate “assault” on Fayose

    The House of Representatives Thursday resolved to mandate all relevant committees in the House to investigate an alleged assault on the Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose by men of the Nigerian Police,

    The House also condemned the alleged assault and asked President Muhammadu Buhari to request the Police to apologise to Nigerians over the incident.

    Additionally, the Lawmakers urged the Chairman and members of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure that the Ekiti election is conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.

    The resolutions were sequel to the adoption of the prayers of a motion brought under matters of urgent public importance by two members, Hon. Yusuf Tajudeen and Kingsley Chinda.

    Read Also:Buhari’s Executive Order splits Reps

    Tajudeen had in the motion noted that with just a few days to the 2018 gubernatorial election in Ekiti State, “some men of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies completely barricaded and took over the Ekiti State Government House, Ado Ekiti.

    “Also noted that heavily armed Policemen and other security agencies locked up, all entry points, prevented the free movement of people into and out of the Ekiti Government House and shot sporadically with aim to instill fear in the people, ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial elections.”

    Aware that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in line with its statutory mandate had fixed the 2018 gubernatorial elections in Ekiti State for Saturday 14th July, 2018.

    Also aware that the Nigerian Police is empowered under S.4 of the Police Act, Cap. P19, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, among other things, for the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due‘ enforcement of all laws and regulations with Which they are directly charged.

    Tajudeen said Nigeria is a democratic State and the complete take over and barricade of the Ekiti state Government House and violent assault on armless civilians, including a serving Governor of the State does not fall within the contemplation of the general duties of the Police-under 8.4 of the Police Act “and indeed the tenets of true democracy and the Rule of Law. ”

    He expressed concern that what is playing out in Ekiti State “clearly portends great danger for us all, particularly in View of the 2019 general elections and the heightened insecurity in the country.

    “The said action of the Police is clearly an illegality and constitutional breach which must not happen or continue in a constitutional democracy,” adding that “democracy would be heading for total failure.”

    When the Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara called for a vote in the motion, it was passed and referred to the relevant committees which were given 4 weeks to report back to the House for further legislative action.

     

  • Ekiti 2018: NYSC DG urges corps members to be neutral

    The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Sulaiman Kazaure, has urged corps members who will officiate at the Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State to be neutral.

    Kazaure urged the corps members to be used as ad-hoc staff to be apolitical, discharge their duties with the fear of God and not to be used by politicians to perpetrate electoral fraud.

    He said the whole world is watching them hence they should work hard towards making the election a credible and transparent process to make the Service proud of them.

    Kazaure who addressed the corps members at Ekiti Parapo Pavilion on Wednesday urged them to display high level of patriotism, neutrality and integrity in order to make the election credible and transparent.

    Represented by Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the NYSC National Secretariat, Mrs. Victoria Okakwu, Kazaure urged them to contribute towards ensuring that the will of the people prevailed at the poll.

    Read Also: NYSC to investigate Finance Minister’s exemption certificate

    While urging the corps members to officiate at the poll without fear of favour, Kazaure assured that security agencies have promised to ensure their safety during the election.

    The NYSC chief called on them to work with the guideline already given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He said: “I am here today to admonish you to make the scheme and indeed the nation proud for the Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti.

    “You are expected to be apolitical and be neutral. Do not associate with the politicians. It is the turn of Ekiti and your turn to do what is right and expected of you.

    “Be security conscious and I want to inform you that security agencies have assured us of your safety before, during and after the election.

    “All you need to do is to follow the guideline given to you by INEC. You will be given allowance by INEC so, don’t be moved by politicians and money.”

    Also speaking, Ekiti State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Emmanuella Okpongete said corps members had been trained and sensitized to carry out the all-important assignment.

    She urged security agencies to keep to their words by ensuring the security of lives and property of corps members during the course of the election.