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Tag: Inec

  • Confusion over fate of APC in Rivers

    …as INEC clears party in Zamfara

    Following the reprieve for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara state allowing them to field candidates in the 2019 general elections, there is now confusion as to the fate of the party in Rivera state.

    There have been different rulings on the situation in Rivers state with the party holding onto the ruling which upheld the order of stay of execution given by the Court of Appeal by the Supreme Court.

    But the commission has insisted that there is no concrete order from the Supreme Court ordering it to accept the list of the party’s candidates in Rivers state.

    INEC chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood said there was no relationship between the issue in Zamfara and the situation in Rivers, adding that the Commission had to jettison its earlier stance to exclude the APC in Zamfara based on the judgement of a Court of Appeal in Abuja which ordered that APC be restored on the ballot in the National Assembly, Governorship and State House of Assembly elections scheduled for 23rd February and 9th March 2019 respectively.

    But Professor Yakubu however insisted that the APC remained excluded from the elections in Rivers state citing a judgment of the Supreme Court, while apparently making reference to the judgment of Justice Sidi Barge of the apex court, which upheld the order of a Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, by Justice Chiwendu Nworgu, nullifying the All Progressives Congress primaries in Rivers State, Professor Yakubu insisted that the chances of the APC in Rivers was foreclosed.

    Read Also: APC appeals for adequate security in Okrika ahead of elections

    Responding to questions on the situation in Rivers, he said he was aware of a ruling of Supreme Court of February 11, 2019 delivered by Justice Olabode Rhodes Vivour, which upheld an order of stay of execution of the Court of Appeal of the judgment of Justice Nworgu of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, the INEC chairman said the ruling has not been brought to his attention.

    He said: “I am not aware there is any live order in the case of Rivers that INEC has not obeyed. By Thursday, I was aware there was a Court of Appeal judgment but everybody knows what the judgment is. I don’t know there is any live order that INEC has not obeyed in the case of Rivers.“

  • PDP applauds inclusion of APC candidates on INEC list

    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) gubernatorial candidate in Zamfara State Dr. Bello Muhammad has applauded the judgement of the Court of Appeal that ordered inclusion of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the general elections.

    The PDP candidate told reporters in his residence that PDP is in the contest because there are others too and would not be happy if a strong contender as the APC is out.

    Read Also: Police arrest Jibrin-Kofa over Kano APC, PDP clash

    Muhammad, who donated a new Peugeot to the correspondent chapel, stated that eight political parties that include the PPA have all pledged allegiance to the PDP in the state, urging supporters to vote only PDP in all the polls across the state.

    Muhammad stated that without strong contestants, citizens will never enjoy democracy dividends, stressing he is poised to turn around the fortune of Zamfara state to a much higher position if voted into office.

  • Ogun ADC raises alarm over missing ballot papers

    ….No cause for alarm – INEC

     

    The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Imeko – Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State has alleged that a total of 6,053 ballot papers for the rescheduled Saturday House of Representatives election in the area have not been delivered, less than 10 hours to the poll.

    The party claimed that the records from its agents at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Office showed that a total of 62,853 ballot papers were released from the state office for Imeko-Afon LG but lamented that at the Imeko-Afon INEC office, only 56,790 ballot papers were physically sighted and counted by its agent, agents of other political parties and security personnel.

    In a petition by the trio of Alhaji Jimoh Aremu Olaifa – ADC candidate Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency, Hon. Kayode Elegbede – ADC chairman, Imeko-Afon LGA and Mr. Ben Ibikunle – ADC agent – Imeko Afon LGA, they claimed there is a “shortage of 6,053 ballots papers” and demanded for the return of the ‘missing’ 6,053 ballot papers.

    The Petition was addressed to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), INEC, Ogun State and copied the National Chairman INEC, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, State Chairman of ADC and the National Chairman of ADC.

    The Petitioners urged the state REC to use his good office to ensure that the missing 6053 House of Representatives ballot papers for Imeko-Afon are produced immediately to safeguard the credibility of the election.

    The petition reads: “We the undersigned are writing to officially bring to your notice that a total of 6,053 ballot papers for the Saturday 23 House of Representatives election in Imeko Afon LG were not delivered to the Imeko-Afon INEC office and up till this time the said ballot papers are not accounted for.

    “Records from our agents at the Ogun State INEC office showed that a total of 62,853 ballot papers were released from the state office for Imeko-Afon LG.

    Read Also: Policeman, thugs arrested for branding private vehicles in police colours

    “However, at the Imeko-Afon INEC office, only 56,790 ballot papers was physically sighted and counted by our agent, agents of other political parties and security personnel leaving a shortage of 6053 ballots papers as above.

    “Interestingly the same number of 62,843 ballot papers released for the Presidential and senatorial elections was physically sighted and counted by all concerned at the INEC office, Imeko Afon.

    “We hereby strongly demand that you used your good office to ensure that the missing 6053 House of Representatives ballot papers for Imeko-Afon are produced immediately to safeguard the credibility of this election and nip in the bud ongoing speculation that can threatened law and order in the local government.”

    But reacting, the Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Adenike Tadese,

    said there is no cause for alarm as the box containing the ballot papers for Imeko Afon was sealed, untampered and opened in the presence of all stakeholders with all witnessing it that the shortfall was not the result of theft or missing, but a case of an error(of counting) from the manufacturer.

    Mrs. Tadese added that the petitioners were only trying to make mountain out of a mole hill as the number of registered voters in the area are not up to the number of available ballot papers for the House of Representatives election in Imeko Afon LGA.

  • Breaking: We’re more than ready, INEC assures

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has assured it is more than ready for the rescheduled general election starting tomorrow.

    Its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said all arrangements have been put in place for commencement of the exercise.

    He also declared only those with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will be able to participate in the exercise.

    The Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu also assured eligible voters, observers and INEC officials of their security.

    Read Also: INEC moves sensitive materials to Bayelsa LGAs

    Adamu stressed that no armed security personnel will be allowed at the polling units.

    He doused the fears of voters, saying the force will be professional during the exercise.

    Details shortly…

  • A/Court didn’t clear Zamfara APC’s candidates, Ozekhome insists

    Lawyer to the Senator Kabiru Marafa faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) confirmed on Friday that the judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja given on Thursday set aside the January 27, 2019 judgment by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Justice Ojukwu had, in the judgment, held among others that there was no evidence before her court that the APC in Zamfara conducted valid primaries for the purpose of producing candidates for this year’s general elections.

    The decision of the Court of Appeal on Thursday, setting aside Justice Ojukwu’s judgment, for lack of jurisdiction, has since been interpreted by many to mean that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should now accept candidates from Zamfara APC, a position Ozekhome faulted.

    He argued that, since the Court of Appeal only set aside the judgment, but failed to make a consequential order directing INEC to accept candidates from Zamfara APC; it implies that the earlier decision by the electoral body, refusing the party’s candidates, still stands.

    In two separate documents issued on Friday – a press release and a letter to INEC Chairman (both of which he personally signed), Ozekhome urged INEC to reject candidates from Zamfara APC on the grounds that that “nothing has changed,” despite the Appeal Court judgment given in Abuja on February 21, 2019.

    Ozekhome insisted that, since an appeal filed by his client, Marafa, was still pending before the Court of Appeal in Sokoto State, against the judgement of the Zamfara State High Court, which said there were valid primaries, the issue (of whether or not there were valid primaries) could not be said to have been safely resolved.

    The Senior Advocate said: “Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on 21st February, 2019, dismissed the appeal filed by APC challenging the judgment of Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, which had affirmed INEC’s stand that the APC did not conduct any primary election in Zamfara state and that INEC was right to have rejected APC’s candidates from Zamfara state.

    “The dismissal followed an application by APC to withdraw the appeal. The application was granted and the appeal dismissed accordingly.

    “Next was the cross-appeal filed by Yari & Co on jurisdiction and cause of action.

    “The judgment given by the Court of Appeal today clearly stated that the appeal partially succeeded and went ahead to set aside the judgment of the lower court on jurisdiction only, but refuse to grant the cause of action component of the appeal.

    “By this, the Court of Appeal refused to grant INEC any order to revive candidates of the APC from Zamfara state.

    “The cross-appeal therefore partially failed because, from the onset, APC had a complaint against INEC only. Governor had applied to join the case voluntarily.

    “And, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu in her judgment held that ‘APC did not seek any relief against the 2nd to 6th dependents (Yari & Co) and considering that Yari and & Co didn’t file a counter claim, or cross action against APC in the suit, she now held that Yari & Co have nothing to add in this case.

    “From the foregoing, it is clear that the cross-appeal by Yari and his group, before the Court of Appeal, having partially failed, becomes at best, a mere academic exercise bereft of any utilitarian value to the entire case.

    “The false assertion that the Court of Appeal had cleared the way for the APC to participate in Saturday’s election is therefore a lie from the pit of hell.

    “It is nothing short of the desperate minute by frustrated politician holding on any available straw to smuggle themselves Willy nilly into Saturday’s election. This cannot work.

    “INEC is hereby reminded that there exists in addition to the above legal obstacles, a subsisting appeal which arose from the Zamfara State High Court judgment, which is still extant and pending before the Sokoto division of the Court of Appeal , in Appeal no: CA/S/32/2019.

    “In any event, the judgment of the Federal High Court, going by the judgment of the Court of Appeal still partially succeeded, since the Court of Appeal refused to make any clear mandatory orders directing INEC to receive any candidates from Yari group for the purpose of Saturday’s elections.

    “INEC is therefore obligated and legally bound to stand by its earlier well founded position that APC, having never conducted any primaries in Zamfara state, have no candidates in the forthcoming elections in Zamfara state, have no candidate in the forthcoming elections in Zamfara state, except the presidential election.

    “Any other act by INEC in fielding any candidates from the Governor Yari’s group or the “G-8” group will be illegal, unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect whatsoever,” Ozekhome said.

    He made similar argument in the letter to the Chairman of INEC.

    Part of the letter reads: “Sometimes in October 2018 when INEC wrote to APC, intimating it that the commission would not be expecting any list of candidates from them, having failed to conduct primaries within the stipulated time, APC challenged that decision of the commission by filing a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, which decided the case in favour of the commission and dismissed the suit.

    “Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State had cross-appealed. By the judgment of the Court of Appeal on 21st February, 2019 the intermediate court held that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter in the first place and therefore struck it out.

    “What this decision means sir, is that, as at today, there is no valid or extant decision of any court of law in Nigeria, which has set aside the well-grounded decision of INEC as contained in its letter of 9th October, 2018.

    “In addition to this clear legal obstacle against any of the parties fielding any candidate in the forthcoming Zamfara elections (aside the presidential election), there also exists and still pending before the Sokoto division of the Court of Appeal, a valid appeal filed by Senator Kabiru Marafa in appeal no: CA/S/33/2019.

    “Consequently, by way of summary, nothing in the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja has changed the well-grounded position of maintenance of status quo of disallowing. Any of the parties to field candidates for the forthcoming elections, except the presidential election.

    “The Court of Appeal, Abuja division merely struck out the suit which had been dismissed by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja with no consequential order.

    “Please sir, this letter urges you to firmly maintain your earlier position so as to prevent a clear circumvent of the judicial process and an appeal that is still pending before the Sokoto division of the Court of Appeal,” Ozekhome said.

  • INEC moves sensitive materials to Bayelsa LGAs

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in Bayelsa state has distributed all sensitive materials for the presidential and National Assembly elections to the Registration Area Centres (RACs) in the eight local government areas of the state.

    It was gathered that the materials were moved through the Ministry of Transport jetty in Yenagoa.

    The materials were escorted by heavily armed security operatives comprising the police, the military, Department of State Service (DSS) and other sister security agencies.

    Head, Department of INEC Voters Education and Publicity, Mr Wilfred Ifogah, said the commission was ready for the presidential and national assembly polls.

    Ifogah disclosed that all non-sensitive materials had been distributed to the different registration area centres in the state.

    He said: “Movement of non-sensitive materials and sensitive materials to area offices of INEC in the state has been done; we started with non sensitive ones on Wednesday and it continued until Thursday.

    “For the riverine areas it was on hold because of the terrain, so, today which is Friday, a day before elections, the distributions of sensitive materials to the coastal communities has been completed.

    “So, as you can see some of the buses moving the materials to the jetty and security operatives are on ground to ensure that all the materials are were secured.

    Read Also: INEC clears Zamfara APC to present candidates

    “INEC is good to go, the security men are ready and we have about 10, 482 adhoc staff to perform the national duty.”

    Alao, the Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA) in the state, Mr. Ide Oduasekpor, urged politicians to steer clear of sponsoring thugs during the elections.

    He said: “Do not go to the polling units with gun but go with your PVCs; police will not disturb anyone unless you go with the intention to cause violence.

    “We want free, fair and credible polls for the citizens.”

  • Updated: INEC clears Zamfara APC to contest

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared the Zamfara state All Progressive Congress (APC) to present candidates for the general elections.

    This follows the Court of Appeal ruling on the matter.

    The state APC was barred from presenting candidates following an internal crisis, which prevented the party from conducting its primaries within the time frame set by INEC.

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Thursday over ruled the lower court on technical ground.

    There were two conflicting rulings from two court of the same jurisdiction, one sitting in Zamfara and the other in Abuja.

    While the Zamfara Court ruled in favour of the ruling party, the Abuja High court ruled against the party, which therefore forced INEC to take a decision.

    However, the Appeal Court ruling on Thursday changed the narrative.

    INEC, in a statement by the National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said the commission has complied with the Court order.

    The statement reads: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has consistently maintained that it will always obey court judgments and orders.

    Read Also; INEC deploys sensitive materials in Akwa Ibom

    “In the case of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State, the Federal High Court Abuja and the Zamfara State High Court issued conflicting orders relating to the participation of the APC in the two strands of elections scheduled for 23rd February and 9th March 20l9.

    “While the former ruled that the APC, having failed to conduct party primaries cannot field candidates in the said election, the latter decided that it can field candidates having conducted valid party primaries.

    “However, the Court of Appeal Abuja Judicial Division on 21st February 2019 set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja for “lack or want of jurisdiction on the part on the lower court.

    “This in effect means the Zamfara State High Court‘s decision that the APC can field candidates for the National Assembly, Governorship and State Assembly elections is the only valid and subsisting order.

    “Consequently, the Commission has today, in compliance with the said order, restored the APC to the ballot in the National Assembly. Governorship and State House of Assembly elections scheduled for 23rd February and 9th March 2019.”

     

     

  • Ballot snatching:PDP chieftain to Buhari: explain when soldiers can shoot

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been requested to break down the circumstances that may warrant action by security agents against those assumed to be constituting threat to a smooth conduct of elections.

    Making the request at a media briefing in Warri on Friday, a member of the Campaign Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Warri North council area of Delta state, Chief Newuwumi Omolubi, said he requested for the clarification so as to preserve the lives of his people during the elections.

    Describing the president’s pronouncement as dangerous and disturbing to his people, especially those in his ward where about four military houseboats are already stationed, he said an explanation would help to prevent occasions that could lead to fatality, considering the fact that the people have always helped staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in conveying their materials to polling units.

    He said, “in between the four communities in my ward, there is a military houseboat. Now if the people who most times help the INEC people to convey their materials, at which stage will Buhari want the soldier to shoot.

    “The communities are the ones that help the INEC staff to move these materials because of the distance and the difficult terrain, so at which stage does it become dangerous for my people.

    “I am seeking this clarification to guide my people to know when to stop their services to the Adhoc staff of INEC to avoid killing of innocent civilians whose main concern is to help INEC smooth operation”, he said.

    He used the opportunity to call on the people of the communities and Deltans in general to come out enmasse and vote the PDP and its candidates.

  • INEC clears 72.7m to vote

    I won’t resign, says Yakubu

    MORE than 72 million Nigerians have been cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to vote in tomorrow’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

    They represent 86.63 per cent of the 84 million registered would-be voters who collected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu said yesterday at his daily news briefing.

    Besides, the INEC boss said he was not contemplating resigning from office.

    He said that 72,775,502 million of the 84,004,084 registered voters collected PVCs before the commission withdrew all the 11,228,582 uncollected last week Monday.

    The withdrawn PVCs will be kept until after the elections on March 9. Only PVC holders will be allowed to vote.

    Briefing reporters and observers, Prof. Yakubu said he had never contemplated resigning his job.

    “I see no reason why I should resign,” he stressed.

    On INEC’s preparation for the polls, Yakubu said 19 states had fully deployed electoral materials to local government areas.

    The remaining states, except Bayelsa, were expected to complete the process yesterday. The process will be concluded today in Bayelsa.

    On PVC’s collection, Yakubu noted: “The last date for the collection of PVCs was Monday, 11th February, 2019. Out of 84,004,084 registered voters, the total number of PVCs collected stands at 72,775,502, which represents 86.63 per cent of the total PVCs collected.”

    The breakdown and percentages of collection on state by state basis shows Katsina leading other states with 98 per cent PVCs collection rate; Taraba trailing with 97 per cent; Kebbi (95 per cent) and Zamfara 94 per cent).  Yobe State recorded 92 per cent collection.

    Lagos has the highest number of uncollected PVCs with 1.038 million.

    According to INEC’s breakdown of the number of registered voters and collected PVCs, Katsina with 3,230,230 registered would-be voters, 3,187,988 collected PVCs, which is 98 per cent. Taraba states follows closely with 1,777,105, with collection of 1,729,094, which is 97 per cent of total registered voters.

    Kebbi and Gombe states have 95 per cent collection rate each. Kebbi with 1,806,231 registered voters has 1,718,180 collected PVCs and Gombe with a population of 1,394,393 voters has 1,335,223 collected PVCs.

    Zamfara and Bauchi have 94 per cent collection rate. Zamfara with registered population of 1,717,128, has 1,626,839 PVCs collected.  Bauchi with registered population of 2, 462,843, has 2,335,717 PVCs.

    Kaduna registered 3,932,492 would-be voters;  3,648,831, representing 92 per cent, collected PVCs.

    Akwa Ibom and Enugu recorded 91 per cent collection rate. Akwa Ibom with 2,119,727 registered voters has 1,933,362 PVCs collected. In Enugu, of the 1,944,016 registered voters, only 1,787,537 picked up their PVCs.

    Adamawa, Sokoto, Niger and Cross River recorded 90 per cent collection rate.

    Abia and Nasarawa states recorded 89 per cent   collection rate; Ebonyi and Rivers recorded 88 per cent collection. Kogi has 87 per cent collection rate. Delta, Borno and Kano states have 86 per cent collection rate.

    Plateau, Lagos and Anambra recorded 84 per cent collection rate; Bayelsa recorded 83 per cent; Kwara (81 per cent); Edo 78 per cent and Jigawa (77 per cent).

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has 76 per cent collection rate. Oyo and Imo have 74 per cent.

    Yakubu said the remaining 11,228,582 million had been deposited at Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) offices.

    Of the uncollected PVCs, the recent registration accounted for 3,410,677 million. More than 14 million voters were captured in the exercise.

    On the fate of Rivers and Zamfara states APC, Yakubu reiterated  INEC’s plan to obey court orders.

    He foreclosed another postponement of the rescheduled elections.

    Yakubu said: “We are fully on course. There is no state that has not commenced the deployment to LGAs. In fact, 19 states have fully deployed. By the end of the day, all states and FCT would have deployed, except Bayelsa State which is moving direct from our State office in Yenagoa to the RACs tomorrow.

    “Tomorrow, activities at ward level will commence with the activation of the Registration Area Centres (RACs) at 9.00am while the movement of personnel and materials will commence at mid-day. This is the last staging post before deployment to 119,973 polling units leading to the opening of polls at 8.00am on Saturday (tomorrow).

    “I want to assure the nation that going by our revised   timetable and schedule of activities, this deployment will be concluded today. We are fully prepared for the elections.

    “There is no state that has not commenced the deployment of electoral materials to the local government areas. In fact, 19 states have fully deployed.

    “By the end of the day, all the states and FCT would have deployed, except Bayelsa State which is moving direct from our state office in Yenagoa to the Registration Area Centres tomorrow.”

    He also announced that a visa arrangement was on for foreign observers who were affected by the postponement of the elections.

     

  • INEC deploys sensitive materials in Akwa Ibom

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun deploying sensitive electoral materials to the 31 Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini, stated this while addressing party agents, international observers and security agencies. According to him, the commission will do everything within its power to conduct a hitch-free election.

    Read also: Court quashes Edo Speaker’s suit

    Igini said: “We have continued what we have been doing in the last few days in preparation of our re-scheduled elections. What you are seeing here is what is left of the materials for Saturday’s elections.”

    He regretted that the commission could not move all the materials as at last Friday, February 15.