The Nation Newspaper

Tag: INEC boss

  • 2019: INEC needs 1.2 million personnel to conduct elections, says INEC boss

    The chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Friday in Kano declared that the Commission needs about 1.2 million personnel, including security agencies, as well as ad’hoc staff to conduct the 2019 general elections.

    Yakubu who spoke through the chairman, Board of the Electoral Institute (BEI), Solomon Adedeji Soyebi, during the Election Security Personnel Training of Trainers for the 2019 general elections held in Kano, said over 360,000 to 450,000 security personnel are needed to man the polling units across the country during the elections.

    The training was organized by INEC in collaboration with European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) and the European Union (EU).

    He also added that INEC requires about 500,000 security personnel to ensure peaceful and rancour-free elections in 2019.

    Prof. Yakubu further revealed that Nigeria is the second largest democracy in the world with 84 million registered voters, after the United States of America (USA), adding that in Africa, Nigeria remains the largest.

    He appealed to security agencies to ensure that they provide conducive atmosphere for credible elections, urging them, “not to leave any stone unturned while performing their duties. Election is supposed to be a civil exercise, so you have to conduct yourself in such a manner that the electorate will not be scared of you.”

    According to him, “this training on election security is, therefore, very important as it will serve to equip the security personnel with knowledge of our electoral process, electoral environment, electoral laws and guidelines and the risk elements inherent or associated with them.

    “Therefore, I implore participants to take the training seriously as it will deepen your standard Electoral Operation Guidelines and create a harmonise relationship amongst security agencies on election duty,” Yakubu said.

    In his remarks at the event, ECES Project Director, Rudolf Elbling who was represented by the ECES Senior Media and Communications Advisor, Paul Anderson, noted that conducting hitch-free and credible elections require a peaceful environment devoid of threats to lives and properties.

    According to him, “Election officials can only discharge their responsibilities of organizing elections including deployment and retrieval of materials in a secured environment. Voters also require a peaceful environment to be able to come out and vote during elections without fear of intimidation and harassment.”

    He added that for the 2019 general election to be successful, “security agencies have critical roles to play in securing the electoral process, a role that has become more challenging in view of reported cases of security breaches in certain parts of the country. The issue of security is indeed very complex in a vast country like Nigeria where election personnel and materials have to be deployed across land expanse and some difficult terrain.”

  • 2019: No plan to postpone elections, says INEC

    There are no plans to postpone the 2019 general elections as insinuated in some quarters, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said.

    The commission in apparent reaction to a report in one of the national dailies said that the newspaper’s headline “We May Shift 2019 Polls Over Threat Of Violence – INEC”  did not reflect correctly the statement of INEC boss, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu at the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Security (ICCES) meeting.

    In a statement signed by Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman the commission claimed that at no point during his remarks did the INEC Chairman allude to the notion that the Commission “may shift 2019 polls over threat of violence” as reported by the national newspaper.

    Read Also:PDP cautions INEC over alleged plot to shift 2019 elections

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a story with the headline – We May Shift 2019 Polls Over Threat Of Violence – INEC – which appeared on the front page of a national newspapers today, but which did not correctly reflect what the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said at the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting that took place at the Commission’s headquarters on 11th September 2018.

    “It is common knowledge that the Osun State governorship election will hold on Saturday 22nd September, while the 2019 General Elections are only 156 days away. The ICCES meeting, which takes place on a regular, quarterly basis, provides an opportunity for INEC and security agencies to evaluate and discuss the country’s security situation, with the aim of putting the necessary measures in place to enable the Commission carry out its mandate.

    “In his remarks at the meeting, the INEC Chairman told the security chiefs that with the 2019 general elections drawing close, the Committee would need to meet more frequently to constantly assess the security situation across the country and take proactive actions to forestall any unpleasant event before, during and immediately after the elections.

    “He underscored the fact that elections cannot be conducted under a rancorous atmosphere. He referred to Section 26 of the Electoral Act which, among others, gives the Commission the power to postpone an election “if there is reason to believe that a serious breach of peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on (the fixed date)”, or as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies.

    “Prof. Yakubu made this reference to the Electoral Act only to underscore the importance of having peace and order in place before, during and after elections and to emphasize the significance of the synergy between the Commission and security agencies.

    “He also noted that the most important assignment before the Commission was the Osun governorship election, adding the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun State, Mr. Segun Agbaje and Commissioner of Police for Osun state, Mr. Fimihan Adeoye would brief the Committee on the current situation and state of readiness for the governorship poll. (Both Agbaje and Adeoye later briefed the audience).

    “Besides, he spoke on the rising phenomenon of vote buying and selling and harped on the need for collaborative effort to decisively tackle the menace and prevent it during the Osun governorship election. He said a Code of Conduct for security agents would be enforced during the elections and warned that any activity outside the confines of legality/ legitimacy will be viewed seriously.

    “The INEC Chairman also seized the opportunity to draw the Committee’s attention to a video clip making the rounds, in which some political actors were seen making inciteful statements that could lead to serious security breaches before, during and after the 2019 general elections. He called on the relevant security agencies to be vigilant, just as he urged them to take immediate action on the development.

    “He commended members of the Committee for their cooperation, which makes it possible for INEC to conduct credible elections.

    “It is thus clear that at no point during his remarks did the INEC Chairman allude to the notion that the Commission “may shift 2019 polls over threat of violence” as reported by the national newspaper.

    “To be sure, INEC has no plan to postpone the 2019 General Elections.”

     

  • Court adjourns contempt charge against INEC boss indefinitely

    Justice Stephen Pam of the Federal High Court, Abuja has adjourned the contempt charge against Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman Prof. Yakubu Mahmood indefinitely, based on the stay of proceedings issued by the Court of Appeal.

    The Court of Appeal on Monday gave an order barring the arrest of Prof. Mahmood, issued on August 1.

    Justice Abdul Aboki said it would be wrong for the lower court to proceed with hearing of the matter.

    In his ruling yesterday, the judge agreed that although Section 306 of the ACJA does not allow or permit stay of criminal matter, he will adjourn the matter indefinitely.

    Justice Pam said: “A date will be communicated to both parties in this matter after the court resumes from vacation.”

    The judge on August 1 issued a bench warrant against the INEC chief, following his failure to appear before the court on three occasions to defend himself in the contempt charge brought against him by Ejike Oguebego and Chuks Okoye, chairman and legal adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    In the first order, the police were supposed to produce Prof. Mahmood in court on August 8. However, the INEC chairman was not in court on the said date, forcing the court to adjourn till August 14 with the same order earlier on August 1.

     

     

  • ‘IG must arrest, present INEC boss in court’

    Inspector-General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Idris must arrest and present Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu in court, as directed by a federal court, human rights activist Osuagwu Ugochukwu has said.

    An Abuja Federal High Court judge, Justice Stephen Pam, last week issued a bench warrant on the INEC boss, ordering the Inspector- General of Police to arrest and present him in court tomorrow.

    The INEC boss had earlier refused to appear before the court thrice, despite being summoned by the judge, which prompted the bench warrant.

    Although INEC said it had appealed the court order, Ugochukwu said Yakubu ought to have appeared before the judge, describing his action as disrespectful.

    Ugochukwu, who expressed worries about INEC boss’ handling of the situation, said the trend, if not checked, could lead to anarchy.

    He urged the IG to do the needful, to save the judiciary and the country from descending into anarchy.

    Briefing reporters on the issue at the weekend in Abuja, the activist stressed that the INEC chairman could not be above the law.

    He said the excuses tendered by Yakubu were untenable and alien to the criminal justice act, which prohibited application for a stay of proceeding.

    Ugochukwu said contempt proceedings were criminal in nature, which must be obeyed.

    Said he: “You must be aware that contempt proceedings are criminal in nature. It is not a civil proceeding, therefore, one of the valid orders of a court in a contempt proceeding is that you appear. It must be obeyed

  • ‘Assess competence of INEC boss, not ethnic origin’

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State and a youth activist, Nwabueze Onwuneme, has appealed to Middle Belt and southern leaders not to drag Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, to ethnic/partisan politics. He also advised that Mahmood should be assessed strictly on his competence and performance not on ethnic sentiments.

    Reacting to the call by the leaders to President Muhammadu to relieve the INEC boss of his duties, because he comes from the same geographical zone with President Buhari, Onwuneme said that since the Nigerian Senate, made up of politicians representing all Nigerians, has painstakingly screened and approved of his leadership of the electoral body, finding no blemish on his person, it would be unfair to call for his removal especially when he has not been found wanting in the discharge of his duties.

    Onwuneme stated that rather than focus on the ethnic nationality of INEC boss, who he said has discharged his duty credibly well as can be seen in the credibility/fairness of recent elections conducted by INEC in Anambra and others where even All Progressives Congress lost woefully, he appealed to the leaders to support, commend and also criticise where necessary the INEC boss and the commission strictly based on their performance and leave out ethnic/partisan sentiments.

  • 2019: INEC boss to RECs: avoid controversies

    2019: INEC boss to RECs: avoid controversies

    Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has urged the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to be firm and avoid needless controversies ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Yakubu, who spoke yesterday at the first consultative meeting between the INEC management and the RECs at the commission’s National Headquarters, Abuja, advised them to be firm on the side of the law and the people as they work towards ensuring free, fair and transparent general elections.

    He warned the RECs on the antics of politicians, who would want to distract them through partisan comments as the polls approach.

    The RECs’ roles, he said, are pivotal to the success of the elections and hence the commission can never be compromised.

    It was the third meeting the commission held within the last 48 hours with stakeholders.

    The commission on Monday met with the media and the civil society organisations (CSOs).

    The RECs are responsible for coordinating INEC activities at the state levels.

    He said: “As we approach the 2019 general elections, I wish to draw your attention to the necessity that you stand firm. Be very firm on the side of the law and on the side of the people of Nigeria, who deserves nothing less than free and fair elections.

    “We should not be distracted, especially by partisan comments from any quarter. As the 2019 elections draw closer, there will be attempts to draw the commission into needless controversies. You must not descend into the arena.

    “Remain focus on the role of serving Nigerians consciously, transparently, committed, doggedly, and always in accordance to the law. Our responsibility to the nation can never be compromised.”

    The meeting with RECs, INEC boss said, was to review the activities planned for the coming next year general elections.

    He noted that some states have started to respond to the task and responsibilities shared in the last two retreats held by the commission ahead of the 2019 general elections.

     

  • Cost of 2019 election not ready, says INEC boss

    Cost of 2019 election not ready, says INEC boss

    Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu yesterday told the Senate that the total cost of the 2019 general elections was not ready.

    Her said: “It is provisions of the amendment to 2010 Electoral Act after passage by the National Assembly  that will show the commission how  elections at primary level by the political parties will be conducted and monetary cost that it will entail on the part of INEC.”

    The INEC chairman spoke while defending the 2018 budget estimates of the electoral body before the Senate Committee on INEC.

    He told the committee that 85 staff of the 16,000 workforce of the electoral body died last year.

    Yakubu was reacting to a question about why budgetary provisions were made for sick bay at the headquarters of the electoral body.

    He said some of the deaths were recorded within its  premises.

    The committee screened additional eight nominees as Resident Electoral Commissioners . Those screened and approved on Wednesday are  Dr Usman Ajidagba from Kwara State , Baba Yusuf Abba from Borno State, Segun Agbaje from Ekiti State , Yahaya Bello from Nasarawa State, Mohammed Magaji Ibrahim from Gombe.

  • APC lacks internal democracy, says Atiku

    APC lacks internal democracy, says Atiku

    … INEC boss: Deficiency to conduct primaries by political parties is our challenge

     

    Ex- Vice President and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Tuesday disclosed that for the ruling party to succeed it must work together with the Legislature and the Executive.

    Abubakar said the party has failed to organize statutory meetings for the organs of the party adding that saying that lack of internal democracy has made APC and other political parties “undemocratic.”

    He said this at the 2nd Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) annual conference yesterday in Abuja, which centered on internal party democracy: A recipe to a sustainable democracy in Nigeria.

    Abubakar while speaking purposely called the attention of the APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Shaibu Lawal, who represented the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to take notice of his words.

    He said internal party democracy and electoral reforms are necessary to ensure that the people’s always finds expression in governance.

    His words: “For a number of years now we have had political parties, even governing ones, which hardly hold meetings of their important organs, including those meant for the democratic selection of their leadership, or even constitute institutions prescribed in their Constitution.

    “In the absence of those meetings and elections, their existing leadership, often under the direction of the Executive at the state or federal level, fills the void. That’s not party building but party bullying. And it’s certainly not a way to democratize parties and aggregate their members’ opinions, interests and aspirations.

    “This means that efforts to deepen Nigeria’s democracy must include efforts at democratizing our political parties. The institutionalization of democracy in our internal party processes will help us deepen democracy in Nigeria. Leaders are more likely to tolerate opposition from citizens and other parties if they tolerate it within their own party.

    “That in order for the APC to succeed as a party in government and for our democracy to endure, the Party, the Legislature and the Executive must work in concert. They should not see one another as a competitor or rival. That law-making for the overall good of our country requires that the Legislature has the autonomy to discharge its legislative and oversight functions

    “In 2009, at a national conference on consensus-building for electoral reform, I said among other things, that:

    “We must have a genuine reform of the electoral system in order to enable us to freely choose those who will govern us … Only genuine reform will be the incentive for political parties, especially the strong ones, to allow internal party democracy.  Without it political godfathers will continue to impose candidates since the votes of the people will not be allowed to count and such leaders would not be accountable to the people.”

    “I made similar statements several other times, including in submissions to the National Assembly committees on Constitutional Amendment and the Justice Uwais Committee on Electoral Reform.

    I recall these only to stress that the issue of internal democracy in our political parties has been with us for a long time, indeed since the restoration of civilian rule in 1999.

    In long-established democracies those statements would seem trite. But I recognize that our democracy is young, and our parties are also rather young. As a result they are still wrestling with issues of party building, party structures, internal democracy and the nature of the relationship between parties and members, parties and legislatures and parties and government as well as among parties themselves.

    “We had a very long period of authoritarian rule in Nigeria, ending in 1999. The legacy of that period is still with us as can be seen in our various governance institutions. Indeed even elements of that authoritarian past still wield power and influence in our country as we try to transition from that legacy. Also the structure of our economy is such that the state remains the most important source of economic opportunity. This heightens the struggle for state power and helps to shape the relationship between parties and members, among parties and among the various arms of government.

    “It is, therefore, a huge challenge to democratize governance and the political parties in our country. But, as the theme of this conference makes clear, internal democracy in our political parties is very important for the parties, their members and for the country. The absence of internal democracy in our parties is a major reason why our democracy remains fragile and why the quality of leadership that we produce has not matched our expectations and the challenges facing us as a nation. It is also one of the reasons why it has been very difficult to hold leaders to account. Internal party democracy is important enough that it was one of the areas addressed by the Electoral Reform Committee headed by Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais many years ago.

    “But we know that power wielders hardly voluntarily enlarge the democratic space. That is why I’ve often opined that internal party democracy will only come with genuine electoral reforms in the country. Such reforms, broadly along the Justice Uwais Committee Recommendations, which will further strengthen the independence of INEC and ensure that votes count, will encourage parties to field popular candidates in elections. And that in turn will encourage parties to allow internal democracy so members have the freedom to choose and express their opinions. Thus the role of godfathers and executive intrusion in the affairs of parties and elections will be diminished.

    In my view, there is a close relationship between democracy within political parties and democracy within the nation.  Put simply you cannot give what you don’t have. You cannot build democracy on a substructure of dictatorship and intolerance. A political party that constricts the freedom of its members cannot really offer freedom to the citizens of the nation. Democracy is not just an idea; is a cultural practice.

    “For a number of years now we have had political parties, even governing ones, which hardly hold meetings of their important organs, including those meant for the democratic selection of their leadership, or even constitute institutions prescribed in their Constitution. In the absence of those meetings and elections, their existing leadership, often under the direction of the Executive at the state or federal level, fill the void. That’s not party building but party bullying. And it’s certainly not a way to democratize parties and aggregate their members’ opinions, interests and aspirations.

    This means that efforts to deepen Nigeria’s democracy must include efforts at democratizing our political parties. The institutionalization of democracy in our internal party processes will help us deepen democracy in Nigeria. Leaders are more likely to tolerate opposition from citizens and other parties if they tolerate it within their own party.

    “The lack of internal democracy in political parties is one of the reasons for the fraught relationships among parties and their elected representatives and the legislature and the executive.  The loyalty of some in the legislature and executive lies not with the party but with a godfather who sponsored them, and the godfather may even be in a rival political party. Such anomalies will reduce if internal democracy flourishes in our political parties and by extension the wider society.

    “The selection of leaders in a democracy is a serious business because so many other things ride on it. Whenever we get it wrong the nation or a part thereof suffers. We must strive to get it right most of the time. And it is the voters who should freely make that determination. I therefore thank the IPAC for organizing this conference and for inviting me to chair it,” he noted

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, who was the keynote speaker at the event, expressed disappointment that the challenges faced by the commission is that most political parties do not conduct primaries.

    Yakubu reaffirmed that the electoral empire under his leadership has recorded major success in the recent time, assuring that the body will not hesitate to deregister ineffective political party if need be.

    He urged the political parties who have right to conduct party primaries to also give women and People Living with disabilities opportunity to stand for election.

    He assured that his leadership will continue to be courageous and always be on the side of Nigerians, saying that the commission would never err or fail Nigerians, “whoever wins at the ballot box becomes the person so elected.”

    While thanking the IPAC for organizing the occasion, the INEC chairman urged all political parties to learn how to work together to promote democracy in Nigeria, saying “the commission has been meeting with all political parties to see that democracy is maintained.”

    Yakubu said: “Parties are critical to our democracy. As at last week 103 application are in INEC office, I am sure we have received more now for registration. As political parties we will be guided by the provisions of the law and any association that is qualified to be registered as a political party will be so registered.

    “Many political parties do not conduct primaries and this is sad and it is a challenge for INEC.”

    The National Chairman of IPAC, Muhammad Nalado urged political parties to embrace internal democracy so as to grow politically and economically while calling them to support IPAC’s activities.

    Nalado called for more peaceful coexistence among political parties under IPAC.

    Bauchi State Governor Barr. Muhammad Abubakar was presented an award for allowing democracy to thrive in his state.

    Responding to the award, the governor said the recognition will spur him to do better to develop the state.

     

  • Litmus test for new INEC boss Yakubu

    Litmus test for new INEC boss Yakubu

    The Kogi State governorship election holding today is a test case for the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu. His predecessor, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has raised the bar of credible election in the country. The 2015 general elections, which was acclaimed by international and local observers as free and fair, was conducted under the leadership of Jega. The onus is on Yakubu to improve on Jega’s record or sustains the standard.

    As INEC boss, he will be operating under pressure. He faces the challenge of composing himself and sustaining the integrity Jega bestowed on the commission. Interestingly, Yakubu himself has acknowledged that a standard was set by Jega, adding that more would be done under his leadership.

    For INEC to come out clean in the conduct of today’s election, it must improve in the area of logistics. It must ensure that the electoral materials and polling officers get to the polling units by 8 am so that accreditation will commence immediately. The necessary arrangements must be made for transportation of the materials and officials. Experience has shown that in previous elections, accreditation started very late in some polling units because of late arrival of voting materials and INEC officials, thus prolonging the electoral process beyond the stipulated hours. The allowance due to ad-hoc officials should be paid to motivate them.

    The introduction of Card Reader by the Jega administration enhanced the credibility of the last general election. It eliminated multiple voting and shut out unregistered voters. In spite of its positive contribution, INEC has to improve on the application of this technology through the training or re-training of its ad-hoc officials to ensure smooth accreditation of voters. Many of the INEC officials could not operate the card reader initially but later mastered the technical-know-how.

    INEC should improve on the election process by ensuring simultaneous voting once the card reader has authenticated the voter. This will reduce the number of hours that voters spend at polling units. Many accredited voters fail to go back to cast their ballots after accreditation.

    The electoral officers should display all voting materials for the electorate, including result sheets, before the commencement of accreditation. Already, the major political parties are trading words over plan to rig the election. The onus is on INEC officials to conduct free and fair election. Once the process is transparent, the results will be acceptable to all parties.

    Securing the voting materials and INEC officials is a problem that has not been addressed. There have been cases of voting materials and ballot boxes snatched by thugs under the watch of security operatives, only for the ballot boxes already stuffed with thumb printed ballot papers to re-emerge at the polling units with prepared result sheets. Yakubu’s leadership should liaise with security agencies on how best to secure the polling materials and officials.

  • ‘Call for sack of acting INEC boss unnecessary’

    ‘Call for sack of acting INEC boss unnecessary’

    The raging controversy surrounding the appointment of the acting National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Amina Bala Zakari, has been described as unnecessary.

    Rising from their Executive Committee meeting in Abuja tagged, “Issues of the Moment”, the Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Transparency and Good Governance (CCSGTGG), condemned the recent calls for the sack of the acting chairman.

    In a statement jointly signed by the group’s National Coordinator, Comrade Ali Abacha, and the Director of Organisation, Mr. Zeb O. Ijewa, the coalition decried what it described as “unnecessary heat and controversy” generated by the appointment of the acting chairman by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The group said there were more pressing national issues yearning for public attention than the “unhealthy argument” as to whether Mrs. Zakari has a close relationship with Buhari’s family or not.

    They said Nigerians should realize that as a free citizen of Nigeria, Mrs. Zakari has her own life to live and should not  be denied the right to aspire or rise to higher or greater positions in life because of perceived parentage or circumstance of birth.

    The coalition pointed out that the acting INEC boss has the experience, character, needed qualities and drive to take the commission to the next level, having served closely under the immediate past chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

    They advised her to remain steadfast and focused in her determination to give her best to the country.