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  • INEC commends Muslim congress on voters’ sensitisation

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has hailed the leaders of The Muslim Congress (TMC) for sensitising its members for the forthcoming general elections.

    The electoral body gave the commendation during a Political Discourse jointly organised by TMC and Centre for Global Peace initiative (CGPI) on Sunday in Lagos

    INEC Desk Officer in charge of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Mr Luka Buba expressed joy at the massive turn-out for the programme.

    Buba said: “I have attended series of sensitisation programmes organised by different Muslim organisations and mosques, the turn out here today was massive. I am really impressed.

    “Not only did the men come out, their wives and other Muslim women also attended in their numbers. This is what INEC wants and the bodies (TMC and CGPI) should be commended.’’

    He urged the gathering to play active roles in ensuring that their votes count.

    According to him, the first step to take was to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) which is the only instrument through which they can elect their leaders for the next four years.

    Luka enjoined those that have registered but are yet to collect their PCV to do so.

    TMC Amir (President) Dr Luqman AbdurRaheem, said the programme was put together to sensitive people about their civic responsibility as citizens, educate them on the voting process and to highlight the attributes expected to observe in those vying for public offices.

    The Associate Professor at American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola said good governance could only be realistic when leadership emerge through general consensus.

    “Every effort must be geared towards enlightening the public on active participation in election process. We are focusing on this because it is very important in our religion. When you cast your votes, it means you are bearing testimony and that testimony will be held against you on the day of judgement. So, as responsible Muslim organisation, we need to tell the electorate to think through the voting process before casting their votes,” he said

    AbdurRaheem stressed that in Islamic jurisprudence; the process of electing leaders come with some qualities and characteristics which electorate must look out for.

    These, he said, include faithfulness, integrity, prudence, accountability among others.

    Secretary of the Muslim Community of Oyo State Ustadh Ismail Busary, urged the participants to elect God-fearing leaders who will deliver good governance and ensure peaceful society.

    Busary admitted that not all the contestants have the qualities of good leadership.

    “Some of them fare better than others. Hence, we go for the best candidate of the lot. When you have options, you pick the best,” he said.

     

  • IG assures INEC of adequate security during polls

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  yesterday got an assurance from Inspector-General (IG) Mohammed Adamu of adequate security before, during and after the forthcoming elections, it was learnt.

    Adamu gave the assurance when he briefed the Commission and sister organisations at the Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the IG assured that adequate arrangements were in place to guard all polling units and voting points by at least three security personnel with the police taking the lead.

    He said that units of mobile policemen will be deployed to patrol all the country’s senatorial districts to check unauthorised movements and potential trouble makers.

    He said: “The location of the RACs (Registration Area Centres), polling units, voting points and collation centres will be adequately manned. There will be at least three security personnel at each polling unit. Units of mobile policemen will be deployed to every senatorial district, where there will be constant patrols to check unauthorised movements and those who might want to cause trouble.

    “We are deploying three days before the election and after the election, we will remain behind for the next two days. All security personnel will remain behind after voting had taken place and they will accompany election officials as they move the results.

    “From the ward collation centre, they will move to the local government collation centre where they will meet other security personnel already stationed there. From there, they will all move to state collation centre. So, as they are moving, the number of security personnel keeps increasing up to the state collation centre.”

    According to him, the Federal Government has provided the police with the required resources to carry out its duties during the general elections.

    “The government has already paid the allowances of the personnel and every policeman will get his allowance before he moves to the field. The government has also provided us with the means of getting transportation.”

    Mr. Adamu stated that the police had already carried out series of in-house trainings, based on the rules of engagement designed by INEC.

    INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu commended the new police chief’s willingness to partner with the Commission for the successful conduct of the polls.

    Participants at the meeting include: INEC National Commissioners, the National Security Adviser Gen. Babagana Mungoro, Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. Muhammed Babandede, Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi

  • Osun tribunal: Oyetola to open defence Jan 30

    The Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal has adjourned to January 30 this year for the state Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola to open his defence.

    The tribunal is hearing the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Isiaka, challenging the decision by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare Oyetaola, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election.

    The petitioners are alleging, among others, that the election results were doctored to favour the APC candidate. It is also their contention that the election was marred with fraud and that it was not held in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act.

    Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ibrahim Sirajo announced on Thursday, after INEC closed its case, that the tribunal will adjourn and return on January 30 when the second respondent will open his case. Oyetola is listed as the second respondent in the petition.

    INEC, listed as the first respondent to the petition, opened its case last Friday and closed on Thursday, without calling oral evidence, but relied solely on documentary evidence.

    The electoral body, while tendering all documents relevant to the election, including result sheets as announced by its officials, said it chose not to call oral evidence because the petitioners have not made out sufficient case to disprove the credibility of the election and the results it announced.

    Read Also: Oyetola: bottom-up approach pivotal to service delivery

    INEC opened its case at the closure of the case of the petitioners, who tendered documents and called oral evidence.

    Most of the petitioner’s witnesses were PDP’s agents at the polling units where elections held.

    Majority of the witnesses, who were artisans and traders, were barely literate and able to express themselves in English language.

    Some of them could also not read when called upon to read portions of the statements they claimed were written for them by their lawyers, but which they signed.

  • 2019: INEC bars sale of food items at polling centres

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kwara state on Thursday barred sales and buying of food items at the polling centres during the forthcoming elections in the state.

    This is part of measures to check issue of vote buying and selling in the coming general elections in Kwara state,

    Speaking at an all-inclusive stakeholders forum ahead of coming elections in Ilorin on Thursday, the Kwara state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Garba Madami said that the electoral body now collaborates with antigraft agencies like EFCC and ICPC to monitor vote buying and selling with determination to put it down to the barest minimum.

    Madami, who said that vehicles would not be allowed near polling centres during the election, added that “You can’t bring in your phone to polling booth to snap picture of your ballot paper to show who you’ve voted for”.

    He said that politicians had in the past brought in money in vehicles to polling centres to buy votes.

    “Now, anti-graft agencies like the EFCC and the ICPC are now monitoring vote buyers and sellers because of our collaboration with them. That’s why money is not circulating in this campaign unlike before. More so, our card readers and PVC are working well now. And that’s why politicians are desperate to go for vote buying. If we succeed in this, we would have credible election”, he said.

    The REC, who said that February 8, 2019, is the last day for PVC collection, added that there are over 300,000 outstanding PVCs yet to be collected in the state.

    He said that voting would take place in a total of 2,886 polling points across the state, adding that no one would be disenfranchised in the election as long as they possess PVC for voting.

    Read Also: 2019: INEC urges journalists on professionalism

    Madami also said that pregnant women, old people and physically challenged ones would be given preference to vote without queueing up, adding that political parties and voters would not be allowed to carry arms during the election except their PVCs.

    He said that number of political parties that had signed peace accord with the electoral body had risen to 29 and cautioned political parties to be mindful of their actions, speeches in order not to cause violence before, during and after the elections.

  • Court convicts INEC chiefs for receiving bribe from Diezani

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday convicted a former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Administrative Secretary in Kwara State Mr. Christian Nwosu.

    Also found guilty was his co-accused, a former INEC official Mr. Tijani Bashir.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned them for accepting bribe from former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    The commission said the former minister received gratification from oil marketers such as Auctus Integrated Services Ltd, Northern Belt Oil, Gas Ltd and Midwestern Oil and Gas Ltd and Leno Adesanya.

    The money was part of slush funds distributed with a view to influencing the 2015 general elections, which former President Goodluck Jonathan lost.

    EFCC said the defendants conspired to directly take possession of N264, 880, 000, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of an unlawful act – gratification.

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

    Nwosu had initially pleaded guilty to receiving N30million bribe from Mrs. Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 general election results at his arraignment on April 5, 2017; he changed his plea to not guilty when he was re-arraigned.

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

    Bashir was accused of indirectly taking possession of and retaining N164,880,000, which he reasonably ought to have known forms part of gratification and concealing N30million, being part of the proceeds of an unlawful act: “criminal misappropriation”.

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

    In his verdict, Justice Mohammed Idris held that the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

    “I find that the prosecution has proved this case beyond reasonable doubt in a manner required by law.

    “I, therefore, find the first and second defendants guilty as charged,” he held.

    The judge, however, could not pass a sentence on the defendants due to Nwosu’s absence.

    The convict’s lawyer, Obinna Okeke, said Nwosu, based in the Southeast, embarked on a journey to Lagos on Wednesday morning on learning that judgment would be delivered on Thursday.

    The lawyer said Nwosu arrived Lagos late Wednesday.

    “I got a call that he collapsed at the park. He’s on admission in a hospital in Ajangbadi.

    “The doctor had to start administering injections on him. His blood pressure was 200/100. He has been very hypertensive and has not been sleeping,” he said.

    Besides, Okeke said there was a pending appeal on a constitutional issue which the defendants filed at the Court of Appeal.

    “We’re urging your Lordship to grant an adjournment to enable the Court of Appeal dispose of this constitutional issue, by which time the first defendant would have recovered,” he pleaded.

    But, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo urged the court to disregard the hospital report which he described as “worthless” and contradictory.

    He said the doctor’s report stated that Nwosu was “conscious and alert”.

    Read Also: Diezani ‘bribe’: Case transfer sought

    Refusing the prayer for adjournment, Justice Idris held: “The first defendant is absent without any valid reason in my respectful view.”

    On the pending appeal, Justice Idris held that the issue of law raised and any appeal from the judgment would both be determined by the Court of Appeal.

    He added that he was bound by the Constitution to deliver the judgment within 90 days.

    In his verdict, Justice Idris held that the defendants went to a Fidelity Bank Plc branch to “conduct an unusual transaction” that was outside the scope of their functions.

    Contrary to Nwosu’s claim that the money was for logistics purposes, Justice Idris held that the convict had no account in Fidelity Bank where he went to receive the money, nor did he receive any instructions to disburse the cash.

    The judge said the fact that he collected huge sums of cash without going through a financial institution meant that an offence was committed.

    Justice Idris noted that the defendants did not tender any instructions with respect to the transaction, adding the prosecution witnesses’ evidence were not contradicted.

    “The money did not come from any political party. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not issue any cheque in the name of the defendants to legitimise the transaction, neither did INEC.

    “The defendants admitted that they did not receive cheques from anyone, including the PDP or INEC before going to Fidelity Bank. Why did they have to collect such huge amount of money in cash? INEC is not a customer of Fidelity Bank.

    “There was no instruction directing the bank to disburse the said N264, 880, 000 to the intending beneficiaries. The defendants admitted receiving the money.

    “The evidence on record shows that this money did not come from any political party or any other known legitimate source other than the source revealed by the prosecution.

    “The defendants were not customers of Fidelity Bank and were clearly not issued any financial instruments to carry out the transactions.

    “I agree with the prosecution that the manner in which the transaction leading to this charge was consummated shows clearly that the defendants and Fidelity Bank, acting on behalf of Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, agreed to carry out unlawful act.

    “The defendants though may not know reasonably ought to have known in view of the circumstances that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.”

    After the finding the defendants guilty, Justice Idris adjourned until 12 noon today for sentencing.
    He ordered that Nwosu be produced in court while Bashir should be kept in EFCC’s custody.

  • Update: INEC rejects Ezekwesili’s withdrawal

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has rejected the purported withdrawal of presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) Dr Oby Ezekwesili.

    The commission noted Ezekwesili’s withdrawal was outside the window of opportunity granted to political parties contesting in the 16th February 2019 presidential poll.

    72 candidates were listed for the election, which is just 21 days away.

    The commission stated her withdrawal contravenes the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, which stipulated that a candidate can only withdraw from election 45 days to the poll.

    Ezekwesili declared her presidential ambition last October.

    Read Also: APCN endorses Buhari, accuses Ezekwesili of lobbying to be minister

    Responding to the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of INEC, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi said her decision was also outside the commission’s timetable and schedule of activities for the forthcoming polls.

    He stated: “It is impossible for any presidential candidate to withdraw from the race now.

    “According to the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2019 General Elections, the last day for withdrawal by candidates or replacement of withdrawn candidates by political parties was 17th November, 2018 for Presidential and National Assembly Elections.

    “Therefore, the deadline for Ezekwesili or any candidate in that category to withdraw or be replaced has passed.“

  • Ogun 2019: You’re on your own, INEC tells Adebutu

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has said any Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member in Ogun State campaigning for elective position without being on the candidates’ list released by the electoral umpire “is on his or her own” as the body has nothing to do with such.

    Mr. Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner for Information, Media and Voter Education, said this while featuring on Citizens’ Forum, a programme aired by the Rock City 101.9 FM, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu, a member of the House of Representatives and some of his supporters have been campaigning for various offices despite not making the list of candidates released by INEC.

    Adebutu has been at loggerheads with Senator Buruji Kashamu, PDP’s governorship candidate in Ogun State, over the governorship ticket.

    According to Okoye, only members of the PDP whose names were on the list released by INEC were the genuine candidates of the party, adding that others were mere pretenders.

    Okoye said, “Our position is that the INEC received judgments of properly constituted courts of law and we have given effect to the judgments that we have. The judgments that we have asked the INEC to recognize the list of candidates submitted by a particular faction of the PDP in Ogun State.

    “We have recognized the candidates submitted by that particular political party and we have published the names of those candidates recognized by the court. So, it is the names of those candidates that have been published. Any other individual, outside that particular list, who is campaigning for any position whatsoever, is on his or her own.

    Read Also: Adebutu: I’m the authentic PDP candidate

    “The INEC has nothing to do with that. We have obeyed the law. We have published the list of candidates that we were asked to publish based on court order and we have done what the law requires us to do.”

    Okoye also said that INEC was doing all within its powers to prevent vote buying during the elections.

    According to him, “The INEC has intelligence that as we are working assiduously to prevent the phenomenon of vote buying, politicians and political parties are working assiduously at devising new mechanisms on how to corrupt the electoral system and subvert the will of the people. We are going to put up new measures to address this issue.

    “My advice is that those who want to violate the law and those who want to change the will of the Nigerian people can continue with what they are doing. But on election day, the INEC will work with security agencies to make sure that anybody who tries to corrupt the electoral process or who attempts to violate the will of the people is apprehended and prosecuted.

    “My advice to political parties and candidates that want to subvert the will of the people is that they should be very careful because INEC and all the security agencies will be on the watch out for anyone who wants to violate the law.”

    The INEC National Commissioner said the general election would witness a larger voter turnout than the 2015 elections.

    He said, “We expect a larger voter turnout based on various variables.

    “One, we have registered over 80 million voters for this particular election. Second, the simultaneous accreditation and voting will afford Nigerian people the opportunity of voting without any disruption or delay.

    “Third, we expect the political parties to mobilize electorate for them to come out to cast their votes. We expect a higher voter turnout in this election than we had in the previous election.”

  • Illegal recruitment: INEC cautions Lagos residents

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in Lagos State says it has apprehended some individuals impersonating officials of the commission and engaging in illegal recruitment of staff for INEC.

    Mr Femi Akinbiyi, the INEC Public Relations Officer in Lagos State, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Lagos.

    Akinbiyi said that Lagos residents must be careful of unauthorized recruitment going on in some places in the state.

    He warned those engaged in illegal recruitment for INEC to desist, saying that the commission would hunt them down and bring them to justice.

    The INEC PRO said: “On Jan. 22, our staff detected some people engaging in illegal and false recruitment of ad-hoc staff for INEC and exploiting several innocent unemployed people in Somolu Local Government Area.

    “Police were contacted and three of them impersonating INEC officials were arrested while others are still at large.

    Read Also: INEC: card readers have been specially configured

    “These people were perpetrating this false recruitment at shop 33, Aluta Plaza, Federal College of Education, Akoka.

    “They were arraigned on Wednesday in court and got bail of N1 million each and two sureties each.

    “Our advice to the public is to be careful of unauthorized recruitment going on at different places; if there will be any recruitment, there must be advertisements.

    “We advise all persons or groups engaging in illegal recruitment for INEC to stop as the hands of the law will catch up with them very soon.”

    He said that the commission would be tough with those impersonating its officials not only in false recruitment but also those collecting money to process Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    According to him, so many unsuspected residents went to such places, thinking that they were dealing with genuine INEC staff.

    “There are so many of these illegal recruitment going on outside, even online. Job seekers should not allow anybody to play on their intelligence.

    “We never authorize anyone to recruit ad hoc staff for us. Don’t pay anyone to get employed as ad hoc staff for the general elections. We have concluded that.

    “INEC headquarters office is open for anybody to come for clarification on some of these issues if they are confused,” Akinbiyi added.

  • INEC commends Muslim congress on voters’ sensitisation

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has hailed the leaders of The Muslim Congress (TMC) for sensitising its members for the forthcoming general elections.

    The electoral body gave the commendation during a Political Discourse jointly organised by TMC and Centre for Global Peace initiative (CGPI) on Sunday in Lagos

    INEC Desk Officer in charge of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Mr Luka Buba expressed joy at the massive turn-out for the programme.

    Buba said: “I have attended series of sensitisation programmes organised by different Muslim organisations and mosques, the turn out here today was massive. I am really impressed.

    “Not only did the men come out, their wives and other Muslim women also attended in their numbers. This is what INEC wants and the bodies (TMC and CGPI) should be commended.’’

    He urged the gathering to play active roles in ensuring that their votes count.

    According to him, the first step to take was to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) which is the only instrument through which they can elect their leaders for the next four years.

    Luka enjoined those that have registered but are yet to collect their PCV to do so.

    TMC Amir (President) Dr Luqman AbdurRaheem, said the programme was put together to sensitive people about their civic responsibility as citizens, educate them on the voting process and to highlight the attributes expected to observe in those vying for public offices.

    The Associate Professor at American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola said good governance could only be realistic when leadership emerge through general consensus.

    “Every effort must be geared towards enlightening the public on active participation in election process. We are focusing on this because it is very important in our religion. When you cast your votes, it means you are bearing testimony and that testimony will be held against you on the day of judgement. So, as responsible Muslim organisation, we need to tell the electorate to think through the voting process before casting their votes,” he said

    AbdurRaheem stressed that in Islamic jurisprudence; the process of electing leaders come with some qualities and characteristics which electorate must look out for.

    These, he said, include faithfulness, integrity, prudence, accountability among others.

    Secretary of the Muslim Community of Oyo State Ustadh Ismail Busary, urged the participants to elect God-fearing leaders who will deliver good governance and ensure peaceful society.

    Busary admitted that not all the contestants have the qualities of good leadership.

    “Some of them fare better than others. Hence, we go for the best candidate of the lot. When you have options, you pick the best,” he said.

  • INEC: card readers have been specially configured

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given assurance of the special security put in place to protect the Smart Card Readers (SCRs) to be deployed for the forthcoming general elections.

    Nigerians are expected to go to the polls on  February 16 for the Presidential and National Assembly elections while governorship and Council election for the Federal Capital Territory comes up on March 2.

    The commission therefore assured the country that mere possession of the card readers does not guarantee access to its systems.

    This is as INEC issues fake news alert on a video making the rounds showing a radio presenter with what was said to be a card reader.

    According to INEC, the purported card reader will be investigated to ascertain what was shown was actually an INEC card reader.

    The fake news alert reads: “INEC’s attention has been drawn to a video purportedly showing a radio presenter with what was said to be a ‘Card Reader’. While this will be investigated to ascertain whether what was shown was indeed an INEC Smart Card Reader, we wish to assure the public that mere possession does not in itself give the card reader or its operators access to our systems and processes.

    “All card readers to be deployed in elections are to be specifically configured and have certain unique attributes or credentials which must be known and recognized by our systems. It will not be able to receive or transmit data or communicate with the PVCs or our servers.”