Tag: Inec

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is planning to collaborate with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to strengthen the collection, management, and use of data in the country.

The commission’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced this when he hosted the Statistician-General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, and members of his management during a visit to the INEC headquarters yesterday in Abuja.

Yakubu said there was a need to upgrade public facilities used for election purposes across the country.

The INEC chairman, who said the meeting between both agencies was the first of its kind, described it as a significant step towards harnessing institutional strengths for national development.

He noted that while the mandate of the NBS is to manage the nation’s largest official database on all aspects of national life, INEC maintains the most extensive database of adult citizens for elections, safeguarded by law and in compliance with the National Data Protection Act.

Yakubu said: “Today’s meeting focuses on how NBS can leverage the commission’s network of locations for electoral services for the benefit of citizens beyond elections, which only happen once in four years, or as the need arises.

“We are always willing to partner with national agencies within the confines of the law while maintaining our independence.”

The INEC chairman recalled the commission’s support to national agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it deployed its vehicles to aid infection prevention and surveillance.

He explained that similar cooperation with NBS would ensure that electoral facilities also serve wider social purposes.

Yakubu urged the NBS to factor the state of public facilities used as polling units and ward collation centres into its national reports, especially in relation to electricity, water, and accessibility for persons with disabilities.

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He added: “Let these facilities, which train our youths at the foundation and intermediate levels of the education system, be beneficiaries of the widely proclaimed dividends of democracy.”

The INEC chairman also encouraged stakeholders to explore the commission’s Atlas of Electoral Constituencies and Electoral Facilities Locator (EFLoc), available on its website, as a reliable resource for mapping electoral infrastructure across the country.

Adeniran applauded INEC’s diligence and transparency in managing Nigeria’s electoral process, describing the commission as indispensable to the nation’s democracy.

He stressed the critical role of statistics in governance, explaining that NBS not only produces data but also coordinates the entire National Statistical System. These, he said, include state bureaus of statistics, government agencies, and academic institutions.

The NBS boss said there were ongoing efforts to harmonise methodologies for data collection across agencies to prevent duplication and ensure the credibility of data.

He said the NBS was developing an Integrated System of Administrative Statistics (ISATS) to foster seamless sharing of real-time data with partner institutions and pledged to extend this system to INEC.

“This collaboration will ensure that vital data from INEC becomes part of the national statistical architecture, while INEC can also access data from other MDAs for planning and operational purposes,” he said.

Both agencies pledged to sustain the partnership in line with their respective mandates, with a shared commitment to building a stronger data ecosystem for democracy and development in Nigeria.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would collaborate with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to strengthen the collection, management, and use of data in the country. 

Speaking when the Statistician-General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran led to members of his management in a visit to the INEC headquarters, Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu spoke of the need to upgrade public facilities used for election purposes across the country.

Prof. Yakubu, who said the meeting between both agencies was the first of its kind describe it as a significant step towards harnessing institutional strengths for national development. 

He said while the mandate of the NBS is yo manages the nation’s largest official database on all aspects of national life, INEC maintains the most extensive database of adult citizens for elections, safeguarded by law and in compliance with the National Data Protection Act.

Yakubu said, “Today’s meeting focuses on how NBS can leverage the Commission’s network of locations for electoral services for the benefit of citizens beyond elections, which only happen once in four years or as the need arises. We are always willing to partner with national agencies within the confines of the law while maintaining our independence.”

He recalled the Commission’s support to national agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic, when INEC deployed its vehicles to aid infection prevention and surveillance. He explained that similar cooperation with NBS would ensure that electoral facilities also serve wider social purposes.

He urged the Bureau to factor the state of public facilities used as polling units and ward collation centres into its national reports, especially in relation to electricity, water, and accessibility for persons with disabilities, saying “let these facilities, which train our youths at the foundation and intermediate levels of the education system, be beneficiaries of the widely proclaimed dividends of democracy”

The INEC Chairman further encouraged stakeholders to explore INEC’s Atlas of Electoral Constituencies and Electoral Facilities Locator (EFLoc), both available on the Commission’s website, as reliable resources for mapping electoral infrastructure across the country.

Statistician-General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, commended INEC’s diligence and transparency in managing Nigeria’s electoral process, describing the Commission as indispensable to the nation’s democracy.

Read Also: Tension in SDP as INEC recognises Shehu Gabam-led National Executives

He stressed the critical role of statistics in governance, explaining that NBS not only produces data but also coordinates the entire National Statistical System, which includes state bureaus of statistics, government agencies, and academic institutions.

Prince Adeniran said there were ongoing efforts to harmonize methodologies for data collection across agencies to prevent duplication and ensure the credibility of data. 

He said the NBS is developing an Integrated System of Administrative Statistics (ISATS) to enable seamless sharing of real-time data with partner institutions and pledged to extend this system to INEC.

“This collaboration will ensure that vital data from INEC becomes part of the national statistical architecture, while INEC can also access data from other MDAs for planning and operational purposes,” he said.

Both agencies pledged to sustain the partnership in line with their respective mandates, with a shared commitment to building a stronger data ecosystem for democracy and development in Nigeria.

• Commission writes police to address crisis rocking party

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has affirmed the Alhaji Shehu Gabam-led National Executives of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as the authentic leadership of the party.

This was contained in a correspondence by INEC to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.

The commission requested for the names of the authentic officials of the party in a bid to address its age-long leadership crisis.

The letter, which was signed by its Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, was addressed to the FCT police commissioner.

Its memo was titled: “Re: request for names of the National Executives of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)”.

The memo reads: “Your letter reference number SB/3380/FCT/VOL.3/11, dated July 28, on the above subject refers. Please, find attached the list of the National Executive of the Social Democratic Party, as requested.

“List of National Officers elected at the Social Democratic Party National Convention held at International Conference Center on June 8, 2022

“The above subject matter refers; Having submitted the list of the elected National officers at our National Convention to the INEC officials that monitored our convention, we now write to formally forward same to your office for perusal and record.

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“Name Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam

(National Chairman), Dr. Olu Agunloye (National Secretary); Ambassador Rufus B. Aiyenigba (National Publicity Secretary),

Ogbonna Uchechukwu (National Speaker, Youth Parliament), Joseph Abu (National Organizing Secretary), Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdullahi (National Speaker, Women), Hajiya Maggie M. Batubo.

(NATIONAL TREASURE), DR. ADEREMI ABIMBO (NATIONAL LEGAL ADVISER),

CHIEF LEKAN ALABI (NATIONAL LEADER, PWD), NZE CLARKSON NNADI (NATIONAL AUDITOR), SENATOR MOHAMMED ALKALI (NATIONAL VICE CHAIRMAN-NORTHWEST), FREDRICK E. OWOTORUFE (NATIONAL VICE CHAIRMAN-SOUTHSOUTH), SIR CHIEF ARINZE EKELEM (NATIONAL VICE CHAIRMAN-SOUTHEAST), ABDULLAHI M. KANI (NATIONAL VICE CHAIRMAN NORTHCENTRAL), CHIEF SILAS ALANI ITVEDP, (NATIONAL VICE CHAIRMAN SOUTHWEST), ΟΒΙΝΝΑ BRIGHT EKWEBELEM (SOUTHEAST ZONE, SECRETARY), BASSAGI GIMBA, (NORTHCENTRAL ZONE SECRETARY)…

“Accept the assurances of the commission’s high regard.”

A faction of the party had suspended Gabam and two other members over alleged general misconduct and appointed Dr. Sadiq Abubakar Gombe as the Acting National Chairman of the party

Then a third faction loyal to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai emerged to drag it into the coalition with others. The faction dissolved the Gombe and Agunloye-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party and appointed Abubakar Modido as the acting National Chairman

In a swift reaction, the party disowned El-Rufai, saying he had been banned for over 30 years.

The development prompted the FCT police command to write officially to the INEC for the list of the authentic members of the NWC of the party to restore law and order

Reacting to the development, Gabam hailed the police for seeking clarification from the electoral body rather than relying on falsehood from those he called desperate politicians.

He cautioned those still parading themselves as members of the NWC of the party outside the INEC authenticated list to stop such an illegal act.

The SDP stalwart said appropriate security agencies would arrest them for impersonation and be prosecuted according to the laws of the land.

….2.802 million voters to elect next Anambra governor

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has blamed the  constant change in logos, acronyms, interim leadership and defection of some of the interim leaders of associations seeking to be registered as political parties  to other associations or existing parties for the  delay in the conclusion of verification and pre -qualification of associations that qualify to proceed to the next stage.

National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun said in a statement that the associations seeking to be registered as political parties have now risen to 171.

The Commission said “We wish to appeal to all the associations that submitted letters of intent to remain patient as we finalise the process. We also urge them to avoid frequent changes to their logos, acronyms and addresses or one association submitting multiple requests.

“Worse, some associations have changed their interim leaderships, following defections to other associations or even existing political parties, thereby delaying the process.”

Giving an update on party registration exercise, the statement said: “since our last update on the number of associations seeking registration as political parties, 19 more letters of intent have been received, bringing the total so far to 171 as at yesterday, 3rd September 2025. Details of the  latest update are uploaded to our website and other official platforms for public information.

“As earlier announced by the Commission, a shortlist of the pre-qualified associations is being finalised for the next stage of application for registration. The committee reviewing the letters of intent has prepared its recommendations for final consideration by the Commission.

“We wish to reassure the associations that the Commission will treat all applications fairly while urging them to assist the process by remaining consistent.

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“As always, the Commission will continue to communicate with Nigerians on all its activities.”

Giving an update on the forthcoming Anambra election, the Commission said  about 2,802,790 eligible voters will elect  the next governor. 

The statement reads: “The Commission met today, Thursday 4th September 2025. Among other issues, the meeting deliberated on the final register of voters for the Anambra State Governorship Election and the status of letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.

“In continuation of preparations for the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election, the Commission carried out voter registration in the 326 Wards across the State from 8th to 20th July 2025. During that period, 168,187 citizens registered as new voters.

“At the end of the registration exercise, the Commission earmarked a period of one week (8th to 20th July 2025) to display the list of new registrants in all the Wards for claims and objections by citizens in the spirit of Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.

“Furthermore, the Commission scrutinised the list using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) to detect invalid registrations. At the end of the process, 27,817 records were found to be double or multiple registrations and removed from the list.

“Consequently, the figure for new registrants now stands at 140,370 while valid applications for transfer into the state is 5,983, making a total of 146,353 new voters.

“Prior to the recent voter registration, Anambra State had 2,656,437 registered voters. With the new registrants, the voters roll for the State now stands at 2,802,790.

“The distribution of the new figures by Local Government Area shows that Idemili North with 246,318 (8.79%) has the highest number of voters, followed by Awka South with 216,611 (7.73%) and Ogbaru with 188,016 (6.71%).

“On the other hand, Dunokofia and Anambra West have 83,580 (2.98%) and 71,332 (2.55%) registered voters respectively. The distribution of new voters by Local Government Area is uploaded to our website and other official platforms for public information.

“We wish to assure new voters in Anambra State as well as those who applied for transfer or replacement of their lost or damaged Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) that their cards will be ready for collection well ahead of the Governorship Election holding in the next 63 days on Saturday 8th November 2025”.

…2.802 million voters to elect the next Anambra governor

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has attributed the delay in concluding the verification and prequalification of associations seeking registration as political parties to constant changes in logos, acronyms, interim leadership, and defections of their leaders.

In a statement, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, revealed that the number of associations seeking registration has now risen to 171.

Olumekun appealed to the groups to exercise patience and avoid practices that slow down the process.

“We urge associations to desist from frequent changes to their logos, acronyms, and addresses, or from submitting multiple requests. Worse still, some associations have altered their interim leadership following defections to other associations or existing political parties, thereby delaying the process,” he said.

INEC disclosed that since its last update, 19 new letters of intent have been received, bringing the total applications to 171 as of September 3, 2025. The Commission is finalising the shortlist of pre-qualified associations for the next stage of the registration process, with recommendations already prepared for consideration.

Reassuring applicants, INEC promised that all submissions would be treated fairly, while urging consistency from the associations to enable a smooth process.

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“As always, the Commission will continue to keep Nigerians informed on all its activities,” the statement added.

Giving an update on the Anambra governorship elections, the Commission said about 2,802,790 eligible voters will decide the fate of the next governor of Anambra State during the November governorship election in the state.

It said 27,817 of those who took part in the voter registration exercise in Anambra state ahead of the election were found to be double or multiple registrations and removed from the list.

The statement reads: “The Commission met today, Thursday, 4th September 2025. Among other issues, the meeting deliberated on the final register of voters for the Anambra State Governorship Election and the status of letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.

“In continuation of preparations for the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election, the Commission carried out voter registration in the 326 Wards across the State from 8th to 20th July 2025. During that period, 168,187 citizens registered as new voters.

“At the end of the registration exercise, the Commission earmarked a period of one week (8th to 20th July 2025) to display the list of new registrants in all the Wards for claims and objections by citizens in the spirit of Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.

“Furthermore, the Commission scrutinised the list using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) to detect invalid registrations. At the end of the process, 27,817 records were found to be double or multiple registrations and removed from the list.

“Consequently, the figure for new registrants now stands at 140,370, while valid applications for transfer into the State are 5,983, making a total of 146,353 new voters.

“Prior to the recent voter registration, Anambra State had 2,656,437 registered voters. With the new registrants, the voter roll for the State now stands at 2,802,790.

“The distribution of the new figures by Local Government Area shows that Idemili North with 246,318 (8.79%) has the highest number of voters, followed by Awka South with 216,611 (7.73%) and Ogbaru with 188,016 (6.71%).

“On the other hand, Dunokofia and Anambra West have 83,580 (2.98%) and 71,332 (2.55%) registered voters, respectively. The distribution of new voters by Local Government Area is uploaded to our website and other official platforms for public information.

“We wish to assure new voters in Anambra State, as well as those who applied for transfer or replacement of their lost or damaged Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), that their cards will be ready for collection well ahead of the Governorship Election holding in the next 63 days on Saturday, 8th November 2025.”