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Tag: Inec

  • INEC clears Buhari, Atiku, Ezekwesili, Okotie, others

    Rivers State  All Progressives Congress (APC) was battling yesterday to assure its members that all will be well after its candidates’ names were omitted from the list of those who will run in the general elections.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the final list of candidates for the February 16 National Assembly polls. No candidates were listed for the APC in Rivers.

    The party has been embroiled in internal crises leading to the disqualification of its candidates, following its failure to conduct acceptable primaries.

    APC presidential candidate President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lead other 71 presidential candidates.

    The others are: Ositelu Isaac Babatunde (Accord); Abdulrashid Hassan Baba (Action Alliance);  Omoyele Sowore (AAC); Chike Ukaegbu (AAP); Shipi Moses Godia (ABP); Nwokeafor Ikechukwu Ndubuisi (ACD); Ezekwesili Obiageli Katryn (ACPN); Mailafia Obadiah (ADC); Yabagi Sani Yusuf (ADP); Nwachukwu Chuks Nwabuikwu (AGA); Umenwa Godwin (AGAP);

    Obaje Yusufu Ameh (ANDP) and Durotoye Adetokunbo Olufela (ANN).

    There are also: Shittu Moshood Asiwaju (ANP); Fasua Tope Kolade (ANRP); Ibrahim Aliyu Hassan (APA); President Buhari (APC); Shitu Mohammed Kabir (APDA); Gbor John Wilson Terwase (APGA); Yusuf Mamman Dantalle (APM);

    Obinna Uchechukwu Ikeagwuonu (APP); Dara John (ASD); Angela Johnson (AUN); David Esosa Ize-Iyamu (BNPP); Ojinika Geff Chizee (C4C); Abah Lewis Elaigwu (CAP); Etim Emmanuel Ishie  (CNP); Ukonga Frank (DA); Awosola Williams Olusola (DPC) and Osakwe Felix Johnson (DPP).

    Others are: Dr Onwubuya (FJP); Okotie Christopher Oghenebrorie (FRESH); Akhimien Davidson Isibor  (GDPN); Eke Samuel Chukwuma (GPN); Albert Owuru Ambrose (HDP); Madu Nnamdi Edozie (ID); Chukwu-Eguzolugo Sunday Chikendu (JMPP) and Fagbenro-Byron Samuel Adesina (KP).

    Also on the list are: Kriz David (LM); Muhammed Usman Zaki (LP); Adesanya-Davies Mercy Olufunmilayo (MAJA) Bashayi Isa Dansarki (MMN); santuraki hamisu (MPN);

    Rabia Yasai Hassan Cengiz (NAC); Ademola Babatunde Abidemi (NCMP); Salisu Yunusa Tanko (NCP); A. Edosomwan Johnson (NDCP); Akpua Robinson (NDLP); Ishaka Paul Ofemile (NEPP); Asukwo Mendie Archibong (NFD); Atuejide Eunice Uche Julian (NIP); Ike Keke (NNPP); Maina Maimuna Kyari (NPC); Ibrahim Usman (NRM); Moses Ayibiowu (NUP); Felix Nicolas (PCP); Abubakar Atiku (PDP) and Ameh Peter Ojonugwa (PPA).

    They include: Victor Okhai (PPC); MAJOR HAMZA AL MUSTAFA (PPN); Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim (PT); Israel Nonyerem Davidson (RAP); Osuala Chukwudi John Kennedy (RBNP); Nsehe Nseobong (RP); Da-Silva Thomas Ayo (SNC); Ahmed Buhari (SNP); Balogun Isiaka Ishola (UDP); Mark Emmanuel Audu (UP); Inwa Ahmed Sakil (UPN); Nwangwu Uchenna Peter (WTPN); Ali Soyode M. (YES) and Moghalu Kingsley Bosah Chiedu (YPP).

    The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was, however, omitted following the legal tussle between former Cross River Governor Donald Duke and former Information Minister Prof. Jerry Gana.

    In all, 1,904 candidates are vying for the 109 seats in the Senate; 4,680 are to battle for the 360 seats in the House of Representatives.

    According to INEC, 225 women are contesting for senatorial seats. The figure is the highest ever.

    Five APC governors made the list for election into the Senate. They are Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun; Kazeem Shettima, Borno;  Abiola Ajimobi, Oyo; Rochas Okorocha, Imo and Ibrahim Gaidam, Yobe.

    The oldest candidate on the list is former Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Adamu,  72. He is followed closely by 71 years old Tanno Patrick Onobughakpo of Kowa Party, who is contesting for Delta South.

    Also on the list, which was signed by INEC Secretary Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, are Senator representing Lagos Central Oluremi Tinubu, Patrick Obahiagbon, Godswill Akpabio, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Dino Melaye, Smart Adeyemi and others.

    The commission also laid to rest the controversy over the list of candidates for the Ogun State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    The electoral body listed the names of candidates submitted by the Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Executive as candidates of the PDP for the National Assembly election.

    The Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Executive is the structure supported by the Senator representing Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu, who is the state’s PDP governorship candidate.

    For the senatorial candidates, the list has Apostle Solomon Abiodun Sanyaolu as the PDP candidate for Ogun Central; Sosanwo Adeola Ayoola for Ogun East and Honourable Odunjo Odunleye Abiodun for Ogun West.

    For the House of Representatives’ candidates, listed are Mrs. Lanre-Balogun Abimbola for Abeokuta North/Obafemi-Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency; Showunmi Olusegun for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency; Sunmonu Monsuru Olusegun for Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency; Kojeku David Olusola for Egbado North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency; Ajose Suru for Egbado South/Ipokia Federal Constituency; Adesina Olufemi for Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency.

    Others are Taiwo Kabir Shote for Ijebu Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North East Federal Constituency; Adekoya Adesegun Abdul-Majeed for Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency and Lawal Alaba Isiaka for Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency.

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    Kashamu described the development as “victory for resilience and the rule of law”, saying there was “no victor, no vanquished”.

    He said with the publication of the final list by INEC, it was incumbent on lovers of the party to close ranks and work to deliver Ogun State for PDP.

    The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Rivers State, Mr. Obo Effanga, said the removal of names of APC  candidates for the February 16 and March 2 elections was in compliance with a court order.

    Effanga said yesterday on a local radio in Port Harcourt that as a law-abiding commission, it had to comply with the order of the court.

    Efforts were made by The Nation to speak with Rivers REC, but he did not answer his calls.

    In a reply to a text message, Effanga said: “We (INEC) did not remove any name. We only published names of parties for the elections and APC is not on the list.”

    The APC Publicity Secretary in Rivers State, Chris Finebone, in telephone interview yesterday evening, however, said the candidates of the party would be on the ballot for the elections.

    Finebone added that the candidates of Rivers APC had just risen from a crucial meeting in Port Harcourt, where the issue of removal of names by INEC was extensively discussed. He was optimistic that candidates of the party would vie and win, “thereby putting the enemies of democracy to shame”.

    INEC denied the allegation that it was issuing out Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to political party chieftains as claimed by PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.

    According to the Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, the commission’s policy on collection of PVCs stands.

    Oyekanmi maintained that no official of INEC would agree to collection by proxy.

     

  • I’m Kwara APC candidate known to INEC, says Abdulrazaq

    The Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, yesterday said he is the authentic candidate of the party in the state.

    He said the dismissal of the Ishola Balogun-Fulani-led state executive from the peace accord signing ceremony laid to rest the rumour about the real candidate of the party.

    Abdulrazaq spoke at APC stakeholders’ meeting in Ilorin, the state capital.

    He said: “Balogun-Fulani came to the peace accord but he was sent away. This reaffirms our position that we are the true members of the APC. The other ones are just doing the bidding of their masters in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “The whole world now knows who the authentic candidate is. We are the only one known to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as that event shows.”

    Adbulrazaq also announced the appointment of three directors-general (DGs) to coordinate his campaign.

    “We have decided to do things differently by appointing three DGs, each representing each of the senatorial districts. We hereby announce Ambassador Yahaya Seriki as the director general for Kwara Central,” he said.

    The APC candidate said the other DGs would be unveiled at stakeholders’ meetings to be held in their zones.

    Also, Abdulrazaq urged party members and leaders to work as one team to wrest power from the PDP.

    He hailed Kwara residents for giving his massive acceptance to his aspiration and messages.

    “Our campaigns have been peaceful and our people have bought into our O To Ge! movement. The response of our opponents has been to attack our rallies. But we will not fall for their bait. We will not derail because we are bona fides of Kwara,” he added.

     

     

     

  • CSOs laud Army’s preparedness  ahead of elections, says establishment of situation room commendable

    The Coalition of Civil Society Groups Against Terrorism in Nigeria says Nigerians must appreciate the brilliant effort of the Nigerian Army in repelling the attempts by the Boko Haram insurgents, to disrupt the general elections in some part of the country, especially in the Northeast geopolitical zone of the Country. It lauded the Army for dealing a major blow on the insurgents, has they tried to attack some parts of Borno and Yobe State, on the eve of the earlier scheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections.
    The Coalition speaking through its Convener, Comrade Odeyemi Oladimeji  said the successes recorded by the army in its recent counter-insurgency effort, has further reinforced the confidence of Nigerians, in the Nigerian Army under the leadership of General Tukur Buratai in securing their lives, properties and the territorial integrity of the Country.
    The group also urged Nigerians to take advantage of the innovative decision of the Nigerian Army leadership, to establish it’s first ever open election monitoring situation room for the 2019 general elections, in volunteering useful information that can assist the army and other security agencies, towards mitigating against any form of criminal activity and violence, that may affect the peaceful conduct of the elections.

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    The group also condemned last week’s killing of about 66 people by ethnic militias in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna. It urged security agents to unravel the perpetrators and sponsors of the heinous crime,  as it also condemned the attempt by some politicians and self styled activists, to politicise such a tragedy.
    The coalition also advised the Independent National Electoral Commission to brace up and avoid a repeat of the commission’s incompetence, which led to the postponement of the earlier scheduled date, for the 2019 Presidential election.

  • Ogun 2019: My emergence on INEC final list is victory for resilience – Kashamu

    Sen. Buruji Kashamu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun, says his emergence on INEC’s final list of candidates is a victory for resilience.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the embattled Kashamu made the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) final list of candidates for the 2019 general elections released on Thursday.

    In a swift reaction, Kashamu, through his Spokesperson, Austin Onyikor, said in Ijebu Ode that despite the announcement, “there was no victor, no vanquished.”

    The senator, currently representing Ogun-East Senatorial District, urged party faithfuls to work together for victory at the polls.

    He said with the publication of the final list of candidates by INEC, it was incumbent on all lovers of the party to close ranks and work to deliver Ogun for PDP.

    Kashamu commended INEC and the judiciary for standing firm on the side of justice and the rule of law.

    “Like I said recently, we are members of the same family. We may have our differences in the past. At the end of the day, it is the party that wins, not any individual or group.

    “We have to come together and work to deliver Ogun for PDP in all the elections.

    “As the governorship candidate of the party, my doors are wide open. I am willing, able and ready to work with all in the overall interest of our party and people,” he said.

    NAN recalls that the lawmaker supported the Chief Bayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP executive.

    Kashamu had been engulfed in a supremacy battle with the Oladipupo Adebutu-led PDP faction in Ogun.

    Adebutu was also a governorship aspirant in Ogun and current lawmaker representing Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives. (NAN)

  • Breaking: INEC releases final list of candidates for 2019 general elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has released the final list of presidential, governorship, senatorial and House of Representatives candidates for the general elections slated for February and March, 2019.

    Those whose names do not make the list will not contest for elective positions.

    See List Below:

     

    FINAL LIST OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

     


    See the complete list here 

     

    FINAL LIST OF SENATORIAL CANDIDATES

    See the complete list here

     

    FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

    See complete list here

  • INEC to engage 14, 000 adhoc staff

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to engage 14, 000 adhoc staff for the conduct of the forthcoming general elections in Gombe.

    The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim, made the disclosure on Thursday in Gusau.

    Ibrahim told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the adhoc staff would be deployed to 2,985 polling units and voting points across the state.

    “They include NYSC members, students of the federal tertiary institutions, ex-corp members, staff of federal ministries, departments and agencies, lecturers of federal tertiary institutions and retired judges.

    “We have begun training for serving corps members while training of other categories of adhoc staff will commence from Jan. 23.

    “I am appealing to traditional rulers and religious leaders to call on their subjects to treat corps members and other election duty staff posted to their communities fairly.

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    “They are patriotic citizens on national duty and should be given every support,” he said.

    He, however, advised members of the public to report any breach of electoral guidelines by the personnel to the appropriate quarters.

    Ibrahim said that nobody should take laws into his hands.

  • No voting with temporary voter card- INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ), says no voter will be allowed to vote with the temporary voter card, in the forthcoming general elections.

    Prof. Francis Ezeonu, Imo Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), made this known at an interactive meeting with religious bodies- members of the Christian and Muslim communities in Imo, on Tuesday in Owerri.

    He noted that the smart card reader which would be deployed for the elections was structured to read only the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) which has special features embedded on it with the voters’ personal information.

    Ezeonu, therefore, enjoined all who are yet to get their PVCs to go to their different wards from Jan. 16 to get their cards in order not to be disfranchised.

    “The smart card reader is expected to read the permanent voters card and once it could not read any card, the person will not be allowed to vote,” he said.

    Ezeonu said the interactive meeting with the religious bodies was part of INEC’s move to reach out to all segments of the society to brief them on the progress so far and get suggestions from them for a free, fair and credible elections.

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    He explained that 2.27 million voters were registered in Imo with over 630,000 PCVs yet to be collected.

    He urged the stakeholders to sensitise their members as INEC staff would visit the 305 electoral wards between Jan.16 and Jan. 21 to distribute the PVCs, adding that Feb. 8 is the last day for the distribution of the PVCs.

    On smart card reader malfunctioning, he explained that the Registration Area Technicians had been trained to regularly monitor the card readers and put them back to work as soon as possible.

    He said a form known as Form 60 E where each result of the election would be written would be pasted on the wall of buildings or trees for all to have access to, adding that all ballot papers not used would be cancelled immediately after election.

    Speaking, the representatives of the religious bodies advised INEC to ensure there was no problem between the collation of the results and transmission.

    They equally suggested full accreditation of voters before voting as against the simultaneous accreditation and voting stipulated by the electoral umpire.

    The Chairman, Muslim Council of Nigeria, Imo Chapter, Mr Yusuf Nwoha urged INEC to ensure it matched its plans with action- effective implementation- as well as spend money on sensitisation and encouragement of the electorate on PVC collection.

    “Imo at the moment is tensed up. The probability of miscreants fomenting trouble and disrupting the election progress should be checked. No election is worth the blood of any human being. INEC preparation is good, the problem is execution,” he said.

    Nwoha also advised INEC to check fake observers, malfunction of card readers as well as step up its operational strategy.

    Rev.Fr Innocent Osuagwu, who represented the Bishop of Owerri Archdioceses, Archbishop Anthony Obinna, enjoined the commission to ensure its staff exhibited some measure of uprightness during the election.

    NAN reports that the meeting had in attendance various heads of the different religious bodies in Imo.

  • 2019: INEC removes 2,500 dead persons from voters register

    Not fewer than 2,500 deceased persons have been removed from the voters’ register of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in Yobe State ahead of next month’s general election, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Ahmad Makama has informed.

    Mr. Makama disclosed this on Tuesday at an interactive session with religious leaders at the commission’s conference room in Damaturu, Yobe State.

    According to him, the removal underwent a careful process which was carried out during the display of registered voters lists across the 1,718 polling units of the state where people identified names of the deceased.

    He said; “It’s our duty to remove those names, but before that, those who identified them were given forms to fill and signed before the affected names were removed”.

    The commissioner said the meeting was aimed at sharing ideas with religious leaders on the INEC arrangements and progress of the commission is making and solicit their support for the smooth conduct of the forthcoming election.

    Mr. Makama regretted that over 100,000 PVCs are still uncollected at various local government offices, just as he appealed to the religious leaders to sensitize their congregations by encouraging them to collect their PVCs.

    He added that the collection of the PVC will resume from 16th January to 21st January 2019 at ward level while collection will shift to INEC Local Government Headquarters from 22nd, January 2019 to 8TH February, 2019 where it will be stopped until after the general elections.

    He tasked on the religious rulers to educated followers of their faiths against hate speeches.

    The REC warned that INEC has put everything in place to mitigate vote buying by politicians.

    Both speakers at the event observed limited number of polling unit and distances voters face in trekking to cast their votes on election day.

    Read Also: INEC to move one million unclaimed PVCs to wards

    The representative of JIBWIS, Malam Ibrahim Damaturu, said the situation has affected the smooth voting by prospective voters across the state over the years.

    He called on INEC to investigate allegations of vote buying by politician who are believed to be unpopular in certain places.

    “We want the INEC to investigate this matter and take appropriate measure,” he said.

    Pastor Musa Ezekiel, representative of Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria Yobe State (CAN) praised the measures put by the electoral body to ensure a hitch free election.

    According to him, the Christian faithful in the state have been engaging in prayers and fasting to ensure that the elections come and go without any breach of security both in the state and across the country.

  • 475,370 PVCs uncollected in Kano

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in Kano, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu, says no less than 475,370 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are yet to be collected in the state.

    The INEC commissioner disclosed this during an interactive session with religious leaders on Tuesday in Kano.

    He said: “as at Jan. 14 a total number of 475, 370 permanent voter cards were yet to be collected”.

    According to him, the commission has so far registered over 5,457,747 eligible voters in the state.

    He said owning the PVC was the ultimate prerequisite to participate in the forthcoming general elections.

    He explained that the commission would, however, commence the distribution of the uncollected PVCs at the ward level between Jan. 16 and 21.

    Shehu said the decision was aimed at ensuring easy collection of the remaining PVCs.

    He said the engagement with the critical stakeholders was aimed at updating the people with information about the level of preparations for the 2019 general elections.

    The commissioner appealed to the religious leaders and other stakeholders to expedite action in sensitising voters during their sermon to shun political violence.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the interactive meeting was attended by members of Jama’atu Nasiru-Kabara Isalam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other stakeholders.

  • Man jailed for impersonating INEC staff

    An Upper Area Court I1, sitting in Kabong in Jos, on Monday sentenced a 35-year-old man, Sadiq Musa, to three years imprisonment for impersonating a staff of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The Judge, Nanlang Dashe, who passed the sentence with an option of N150, 000 fine, said it would serve as a deterrent to others who would want to indulge in such a crime.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Abdullahi Inuwa, told the court that the accused was arrested at Kwa village by officers of the State Security Service (SSS) and the case was transferred from SSS formation at Qua’an Pan Local Government Area to SSS Headquarters in Jos.

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    Inuwa said that an INEC identity card, INEC form EC 3A, PVC attestation form, INEC EC 50C form, were all recovered from the accused.

    On arraignment, the accused pleaded guilty and begged the court for mercy, saying he would never get involved in crime again.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 141 (1) of the Plateau State Penal Code Law, of 2017.