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Tag: Independent National Electoral Commission

  • Group urges Christians to join political parties

    Group urges Christians to join political parties

     

    A Christian group, Koinonia Ministerial Network, (KONMET) has advised Christians to participate in politics by joining political parties.

    Konmet urged Christian leaders to encourage their followers to register to vote in the 2019 elections.

    The group gave the advice in a statement made available to The Nation today, following its first quarterly prayer retreat held between January 21 and 23, 2018.

    It said Christians in government would be in a position to influence policies to stem the tide of “evils bedeviling our country such as insecurity, kidnapping, killings, fuel scarcity, lack of electricity supply.”

    It said: “The fellowship advised all Christian leaders to mobilise their followers to take active part in politics by joining any political party of their choice and registering as card carrying members of such parties.

    “Also, it is important for Christian leaders to encourage their followers who are 18 years’ old and above to get their Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voters card particularly now that the 2019 elections are around the corner and INEC is moving from Ward to Ward registering prospective voters.

    Konmet expressed worry about “the growing level of insecurity and wanton killings of innocent Nigerians, particularly Christians, by Fulani herdsmen.

    Read Also: Cleric urges modesty among Christians

    “This is with particular reference to the killings in Benue where over seventy people were deliberately and brutally killed by Fulani herdsmen. This has continued unabated in other parts of the country.”

    The group condemned the killings and urged its followers to boycott beef as a protest against the violence and in solidarity with the dead.

    Konmet said: “All Christians in Nigeria should truly stop forthwith eating of cow meat (beef) … in protest of the fact that the Fulani herdsmen value the life of a cow more than that of a human being which is the reason behind their killing people when they lose one of their cows.

    “This is also in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who were murdered in cold blood by Fulani herdsmen because of cattle in several parts of Nigeria.”

    It advised the Federal Government to respect the Nigerian Constitution which recognises Nigeria as a secular state.

    Konmet added: “We appeal to the Federal Government to call the killer Fulani herdsmen to order to avoid turning our beloved nation into a battle field.

    “We urge all levels and organs of government of this nation to rise up to their constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives of all citizens of this country irrespective of tribe and religion.”

  • 2019: Senate, Reps joint com’ttt adopt reordered sequence of election

    2019: Senate, Reps joint com’ttt adopt reordered sequence of election

    -‘Presidential election must come last’

     

    Senate and House of Representatives joint committee on Electoral Act amendment yesterday adopted the proposed reordered sequence of elections in the country.

    The National Assembly conference committee on electoral Act (amendment) bill which met in Abuja said that reordered sequence of elections, which places the Presidential election last in the order of elections, is that best for the country.

    The House of Representatives committee on electoral act ( amendment) bill had in its amendments to the 2010 Electoral Act included section 25(1) into the Act by reordering the sequence of the  elections to start from that of the National Assembly, followed by governorship  and  state assembly election before the Presidential election.

    This is against the old sequence by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which slated the Presidential and National Assembly election first before governorship and state assembly elections.

    Adopting the reordered sequence of elections as contained in the House of Representatives  version of  the   amended Electoral Act, Chairman  of the Committee,  Senator Suleiman Nazif  (Bauchi North), put it to a voice vote.

    The 12 members committee unanimously answered in the affirmative.

    After the adoption of the reordered sequence of elections, Senator Nazif insisted that the bill did not in any way violate any provisions of Section 76 of the 1999 Constitution which empowered INEC to fix dates and conduct elections.

    He noted that the words which empowered INEC to fix dates and to conduct elections were duplicated in the bill just as the power that confers on the National Assembly by Section 4 subsection 2 of the Constitution were exercised in relation to rescheduling of elections ..

    Nazif said, ” For the avoidance of doubt , this bill with the inclusion of Section 25(1) which makes provision for sequence of election different from the one earlier rolled out by INEC has not in any way violated any provisions of the laws governing the operations of the electoral body. ”

    The Chairman, House Committee on INEC, Hon. Edward Pwajok, on his own, said that what the House did and concurred to by the Senate was very necessary in giving credibility to the electoral process in the country .

    Read Also: Senate committee begs for funds for programme

    He said, ” The sequence of election provision in the bill is not targeted at anybody but aimed at further giving credibility to the electoral process by way of giving the electorate the opportunity to vote based on individual qualities of candidates vying for National Assembly seat.”

    Pwajok noted that if the bill was not assented to by the President, the lawmakers, would, based on national interest, “surely used constitutional provisions at their disposal to make it see the light of the day.”

    He said, “On whether it would be assented to or not by the President, as far as we are concerned remains in the realm of conjuncture for now but if such eventually happens, we will know how to cross the bridge.”

    A member of the Committee, Senator Dino Melaye ( Kogi West), noted that date for election is the prerogative right of INEC.

    Melaye said that the extant laws of the land give the schedules for such elections as sole responsibility of the National Assembly.

    He said, “So contrary to reports and comments by some Nigerians on the reordered sequence of election, National Assembly have not overlapped its boundaries.”

    Other members of the committee including Senator Shehu Sani ( Kaduna Central), Gilbert Nnaji ( Enugu East), Abiodun Olujimi (Ekiti South), Peter Nwaoboshi ( Delta North), all spoke in favour of thh reordered sequence of elections .

    The sequence of elections adopted by the 8th National Assembly was first proposed by the 4th National Assembly in the 2002 electoral bill.

    It was later amended by merging Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The chairman Senate committee on INEC and his counterpart in the House of Representatives will report back to their respective chambers for final adoption before the amendment will to transmitted to the President for his assent.

     

  • 2019 : NGO tasks INEC on credible elections in Ebonyi

    2019 : NGO tasks INEC on credible elections in Ebonyi

    An Ebonyi based non-governmental organisation (NGO ), Advocacy For Good Governance, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) to conduct free, fair and credible general elections in Ebonyi in 2019.

    Mr Okenwa Uka, the Coordinator of the NGO made the appeal at a media briefing on Tuesday in Abakaliki.

    According to him, the enthronement of responsible and credible leadership is achievable if the processes leading to the emergence of those leaders are free, fair and devoid of manipulation or undue interference.

    Ukah  urged INEC to shun acts that could derail the smooth conduct of the elections in Ebonyi and ensure that people’s vote counted.

    He said that the group has embarked on sensitisation of the electorate to ensure that eligible voters in the state participated in the electoral process, especially in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

    “We are committed to ensuring that only credible, good and service oriented leaders emerged in the forthcoming 2019 general elections in Ebonyi.

    Read Also: INEC  ‘ll obey timely, legitimate Electoral Act amendment’

    “We have organised series of symposia, seminars and sensitisation campaigns to educate, sensitise and mobilise our people to take active part in the election of their representatives.

    “Good governance begins with the people taking active stand against emergence of corrupt, non-credible, wicked leaders; and the only way to do this is by active involvement in the electoral process.

    “We are appealing to INEC to ensure that the 2019 general elections were not only free, fair and credible but also to ensure that leaders emerged through popular votes,” Uka said.

    He appealed to all residents of the state who were yet to register to take advantage of the ongoing CVR to register and obtain their voter cards.

    He also urged those whose Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were either lost, defaced or have changed residency to go to INEC for update.

    “We are using this medium to appeal to every eligible electorate in the state who have lost their PVCs or whose PVCs are defaced to approach any INEC office nearest to them to have their PVCs updated.

    “The desire of our group is to ensure that no qualified adult voter is left out in the process of choosing our next political representatives in 2019, and we are committed to the ideal, “he added.

    NAN

  • NIS sensitises foreigners on need to steer clear voter registration

    NIS sensitises foreigners on need to steer clear voter registration

    The Adamawa Command of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has commenced sensitisation of foreign nationals in the state against participating in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ).

    The Deputy Controller of Immigration in charge of Border Management, Mr Bappa Idris, disclosed this on Friday at a stakeholder meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Yola.

    Idris said that the command had embarked on enlightening of the foreign nationals through their leaders on the need to steer clear the exercise.

    “We made it clear to them that this is a Nigerian affair and it’s a serious offence for them to participate in it.

    “We also intend to intensify border patrol a week to the election date to check cross-border movement,” Idris said.

    He solicited for public support to the service and other security agencies to ensure a hitch-free election.

    The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Kassim Gaidam, said so far a total of 154, 791 people had been registered in the state.

    “This figure is, however, is subject to purging and the reduplication process which will bring the figure down.

    “INEC will conduct further display to enable those with challenges in their registration to take measures and become eligible voters,” Gaidam said.

    NAN

  • INEC partners stakeholders for transparent, credible elections in 2019

    INEC partners stakeholders for transparent, credible elections in 2019

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will partner stakeholders, including media, civil society groups and the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) for transparent and credible elections in 2019.

    Prof. Francis Ezeonu, the INEC Resident Commissioner ( REC ) in Imo, made the promise at his maiden meeting with State Inter-Agency Committee and Voter Education Publicity Committee in Owerri on Friday.

    Ezeonu said the meeting was aimed at enlightening and updating the stakeholders on the commission’s preparations and strategies for successful elections.

    According to him, the voter registration exercise is already ongoing.

    He said the exercise would stop 120 days to elections to enable the commission effectively distribute the voter cards.

    Ezeonu said that there were INEC offices in all the local government areas of the state.

    This, he said, was to enable people, who were now up to 18 and those who had lost their cards or relocated, to register.

    The REC said that initially people exhibited apathy to the  registration, but said that the situation had improved from 1,500 persons who registered daily to 7, 000.

    Read Also: Kogi: INEC‘s   indictment, Bello and second term delusion

    He said the commission had indentified nine internal and three external electoral risk factors in the state and was working toward tackling them.

    Ezeonu said the commission would soon tour local government areas in Imo to interact with stakeholders – traditional rulers, town unions, women and youth leaders in the various communities.

    He said that some landmark features on pooling units in the state had disappeared.

    Ezeonu said the commission would not create or relocate polling units located in public places.

    He said that the commission was establishing Residential Area Centres (RAC) to ensure materials reached the polling booths on time.

    Ezeonu advised political parties to have credible agents.

    The Reporter reports that some stakeholders urged INEC to ensure security of lives during elections as well as timely arrival of officials and materials at the centres.

    The State Director of NYSC, Mrs Josephine Bakare, decried attacks on corps members in past elections and called for measures to guard against such incident in future.

    Stakeholders at the meeting included representatives of media in the state, National Orientation Agency and NYSC.

    NAN

  • Kafanchan residents urge INEC to increase awareness campaign

    Kafanchan residents urge INEC to increase awareness campaign

    As registration of prospective voters by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) progresses in Southern Kaduna, some stakeholders in Kafanchan have suggested that more awareness campaigns should be done for larger turn out.

    The  correspondent, who visited INEC offices in some local government areas, reported that while the turnout was low in some centres, it was relatively high in others.

    Mr Jerry Yakubu, a resident of Kafanchan in Jema’a Local Government area, who lost his voter card and was at the INEC office in Kafanchan for a new one, lamented about the poor turn out for the exercise.

    Yakubu called for adequate sensitisation of the people about the importance of the exercise in order not to disenfranchise some eligible voters.

    “With the importance attached to obtaining voter cards, much is desired in terms of publicity to record impressive turnout,’’ he said.

    Mr Joseph Akpan, a resident of Kaura in Kaura Local Government area, advised residents to bear with the slow registration process.

    Akpan spoke about the importance of voter cards, describing it was a tool to contribute to good governance.

    Mrs Amina Nasiru of Samaru in Zangon Kataf Local Government area, attributed the low turn out to the economic downturn in the country.

    Nasiru said that people were more concerned with meeting personal and family demands.

    “The government needs to do more, especially at the grassroots on the need for people to exercise their franchise, ‘’ she said.

    An Ad hoc staff of INEC in Kafanchan, who preferred anonymity, told Reporter that with additional manpower, more sensitisation would be done.

    The official said that INEC was well aware of its responsibility and was collaborating with relevant agencies like the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to achieve its objectives.

    NAN

  • Umeh wins Anambra Central Rerun election

    Umeh wins Anambra Central Rerun election

    Chief Victor Umeh of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has won the Anambra Central Senatiorial rerun election.

    The election took place in seven local government areas  of Anambra: Njikoka, Awka North, Idemili South, Dunukofia, Awka South, Anaocha and Idemili North.

    APGA won in the seven council areas in the result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) early Sunday morning.

    The result showed that in Njikoka, APGA got 11, 506 votes while All Progressive Congress (APC) got 158.

    In Awka North, APGA and APC scored 7,572 and 81 votes respectively while in Idemili South, APGA garnered 4,647 votes against APC’s 104 votes.

    Also in Dunukofia APGA scored 7, 307 votes while the APC got 124.

    APGA also swept Awka South with 12,384 votes against its closest rival APC which got 231 votes, while in Anaocha council area, APGA and APC got 12, 245 votes and 120 votes respectively.

    In Idemili North, APGA won with 9,218 votes.

    Announcing the result, Prof. Charles Esimone, the Returning Officer, said Umeh having scored the highest number of votes with 64, 878, was the winner of the contest and returned elected.

    Esimone, who is Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, said the number of registered voters in the seven local government areas were 745, 828 out of which 67, 872 were accredited.

    “I,  Prof. Charles Esimone certify that I am the Returning Officer for the Anambra Central Senatiorial rerun election.

    “I hereby declare that Chief Victor Umeh, having satisfied the conditions of the election and scored the highest number of votes, is declared winner and returned elected,” he said.

    The APC, with Sen. Chris Ngige as candidate, was second with 975 votes while Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) came third with 116 votes.

    Other parties that got votes were the Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP), 111 votes; Labour Party (LP), 95; National Conscience Party (NCP), 72; Alliance for Democratic Congress (ADC), 57; United Progressives Party (UPP), 55; Green Party of Nigeria (GPN), 48 and Action Congress for Democrats (ACD), 33.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that votes were cancelled in four polling units in Awka South where there were cases of over voting and in Agulu, Anaocha council where people where accredited manually.

    Also in Idemili South, over voting was recorded in two units.

    Earlier, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Anambra, thanked all stakeholders including the electorate, poll officials, observers and journalists for contributing to the success and peaceful conduct of the election.(NAN)

  • I won’t be part of a charade election – Ngige

    I won’t be part of a charade election – Ngige

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige has denied report that he will be contesting the rerun of  Anambra Central Senatorial Election to be held on the 13th of January 2018.
    The Minister was the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) at the 2015 Anambra Central Senatorial election.
    The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a motion seeking to restrain INEC from conducting the re-run election into the Anambra Central Senatorial District.
    The Minister in a statement signed by himself and sent to The Nation said he will not be participating in an election he described as charade.
    Dr. Ngige said he had earlier notified his party, (APC) of his intention to withdraw from the senatorial rerun election when it was earlier scheduled for March 2016
    “My  attention has been drawn to a list by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) which contains  my name as a candidate in the  rerun Anambra Central Senatorial Election being conducted Saturday, January 13, 2018”.
    “For the information of the General Public and voters as well as my  numerous supporters in Anambra Central Senatorial District,  I’m not participating in the said election which can be described as a charade’.
    “I have since by a letter dated 11th January 2016 withdrawn from this rerun  Election when it was earlier scheduled for March 2016 in accordance with the provisions of sections 33 &35 of the Electoral Act 2010 for personal& Family reasons’.
    “My party, the  APC accepted and promptly wrote INEC for my substitution. It went ahead and  communicated its intention to organise a primary election for my substitution”.
    “The primary monitored by INEC was organised at Awka and the name of a new candidate that emerged was promptly submitted, only for INEC to reject the new candidate on 29 January”.
    “My party,  the APC and INEC are in the Court of Appeal Abuja over this obnoxious & illegal action of INEC with hearing on the matter fixed for 23rd of January which is still within the armbit of 90days ordered by court, only for the INEC to fix an ‘election’ for  13th in order to give an unfair advantage to the APGA candidate to go ‘unopposed”.
    ‘I have met with INEC on this issue and I’m using this forum to inform the general public  that I’m not  part of the re-run”.
    The election was won by Mrs Uche Ekwunife of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but the seat has been vacant since 2015 after Dr. Obiora Okonkwo of  PDP, filed suit against its former National Chiarman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, INEC and Mrs. Ekwunife claiming he is the validly elected representative for Anambra Central Senatorial District.
    INEC has decided to conduct a rerun which it said was based on three subsisting judgement of court of Appeal directing it within 90 days to conduct a rerun poll for the senatorial district.
  • 2019 elections: Group cautions against violence, urges youths’ involvement

    2019 elections: Group cautions against violence, urges youths’ involvement

    A group, known as Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide ( YCYW ), has urged the youths to get involved in leadership process and shun violence as the 2019 general elections approach.

    Mr Aremo Hassan, the President of the group, made the call on Thursday in Lagos, following the release of the 2019 election time table by the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ).

    According to the time table, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on February 16, 2019 while the Governorship and State Assembly elections will be conducted on March 2, 2019.

    “The Nigerian people, especially those of the voting age should go and register at the nearest INEC office to them and vie for leadership positions.

    “There is need for us to conduct ourselves rightly ahead, during and after the process by shunning evil acts of electoral malpractices and violence.

    Read also: INEC releases timetable for 2019 general elections

    “We need to take this rear advantage to scout for good leaders whose interest is centred first on the people; we should ensure to vote wisely.

    “We are all stakeholders when it comes to election rituals, for this is another golden opportunity to elect excellent performance, qualitative leadership and good governance.

    “We need to alternate where we have bad records by voting out those that failed to deliver real dividends of democracy to the people,’’ he said.

    Hassan, a legal practitioner, commended the timely release of the 2019 electionstime table, saying there was need to create level playing ground for all candidates and political parties.

    “It is imperative to advise the politicians to take due advantage of the time table to prepare themselves and shelve any acts of criminality and monetisation of the process.

    “All parties need to align their programs in conformity with INEC’s set guidelines and laws, by conducting their conventions and party primaries accordingly,’’ he added.

    The youth leader said that the people remained the legitimate key drivers of elections globally, adding that Nigeria was no exception.

    Hassan called on the Federal and State Governments to provide INEC with enabling support in terms of funding, security and infrastructure to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

    According to him, the support should be without any biased motives, duress, undue influence and interference that could negatively affect the overall success of the electoral process.

    NAN

  • INEC registers 68, 079 voters in Kwara; creates 10 additional centers

    INEC registers 68, 079 voters in Kwara; creates 10 additional centers

    Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) says it has registered 68, 079 voters in Kwara since the commencement of the Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ).

    Mr Paul Atser, INEC Administrative Secretary made this known on Thursday in Ilorin while briefing stakeholders on the exercise.

    He said that the commission had created 10 additional mobile registration centres in the state to bring the exercise closer to the people.

    The continuous registration began in April 2017 in all the 36 states of the federation including Abuja.

    Atser however frowned at the low pace of collection of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) since the commencement of the registration exercise in April.

    Read also: Over 657,000 PVCs unclaimed in Oyo State – INEC

    “It was sad to note that collection of permanent voter card was at its lowest ebb since April, 2017 to date.

     “Only 3, 069 PVCs have so far been collected out of the total 242, 069 unclaimed cards after 2015 elections.

     “As we speak, 239, 000 Permanent Voter Cards yet to be unclaimed,” Atser said.

    The Administrative Secretary therefore called on the people that had registered as voters to come for the collection of their voter cards.

    He said the new registration centres were located in Ilapa in Asa Local Government, Ilesha in Baruten, Tsonga in Edu, Igbaja in Ifelodun and Iponrin in Ilorin East.

    Other centres are Oro II in Irepodun, Kemanji in Kaiama, Shao in Moro, Igbana in Oke-Ero and Kpada in Patigi.

    Atser also appealed to eligible voters who had not register for their permanent voter card to do so to enable them exercise their franchise during the coming elections.

    NAN