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Tag: Inec

  • Party primaries in Adamawa generate 396 court cases, 52 petitions -INEC

    The recent primaries conducted by political parties in Adamawa State led to 396 court cases and 52 petitions filed by aggrieved aspirants, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed.

    Speaking at a function in Yola, the state capital, the state electoral commissioner, Kassim Gaidam, spoke of “the present battle by the commission over 396 litigations and 52 petitions as fallout of party primaries held from August to October 2018,” and appealed to politicians to adhere to the rules of election to minimize dissents.

    “Without free, fair and credible elections, democracy cannot thrive in Nigeria,” Gaidam told the politicians who gathered at the Green City Hotel in Jimeta on Thursday to either sign or witness the signing of a peace accord meant to bind the 29 governorship candidates of the state to a peaceful conduct before, during and after the 2019 general elections.

    He said electoral malpractice must be avoided because it is dangerous as its effects could be worse than prompting court cases and petitions and could degenerate to violence by aggrieved people who do not have the means or patience to go to court or write petitions.

    He therefore reiterated the need for politicians to play the game by the rule during the 2019 general elections to minimize dissents and avoid litigations or violence.

  • Adamawa: Party primaries generate 396 court cases -INEC

    The recent primaries conducted by political parties in Adamawa State led to 396 court cases and 52 petitions filed by aggrieved aspirants, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed.

    Speaking at a function in Yola, the state capital, the state electoral commissioner, Kassim Gaidam, spoke of “the present battle by the commission over 396 litigations and 52 petitions as fallout of party primaries held from August to October 2018,” and appealed to politicians to adhere to the rules of election to minimize dissents.

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    “Without free, fair and credible elections, democracy cannot thrive in Nigeria,” Gaidam told the politicians who gathered at the Green City Hotel in Jimeta on Thursday to either sign or witness the signing of a peace accord meant to bind the 29 governorship candidates of the state to a peaceful conduct before, during and after the 2019 general elections.

    He said electoral malpractice must be avoided because it is dangerous as its effects could be worse than prompting court cases and petitions and could degenerate to violence by aggrieved people who do not have the means or patience to go to court or write petitions.

    He therefore reiterated the need for politicians to play the game by the rule during the 2019 general elections to minimize dissents and avoid litigations or violence.

    The state resident electoral commissioner pledged the commitment of INEC to justice and fair play, and to exhibit high sense of responsibility through non-partisanship, impartiality and true adherence to the rule of law to ensure that the votes of the people would count.

  • Aspirant takes INEC, APC to court for ‘imposition’

    HOUSE of Representatives aspirant for Awka North and South Michael Mofunanya has sued the Anambra State All Progressives Congress (APC), and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for imposition of candidate.

    Others joined in the matter are the state executive of the party and Chief Emma Nweke, whose name INEC published as candidate for Awka North and South.

    Mofunanya, claiming to be APC’s consensus candidate, said, among other things, that the sixth defendant did not resign as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before he was imposed on Awka North and South.

    Mofunanya is seeking the following: “An order mandating INEC to remove Nweke’s name as APC’s candidate for the House of Representatives seat, and replace same with his name, with all rights and privileges as the lawful candidate of the party.

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    “An order mandating the first, second and third defendants to recognise the plaintiff as the APC candidate, re-instate his name and send same as the party’s consensus candidate affirmed by members in the area, to INEC for the 2019 election.

    “A declaration that failure or refusal to send the plaintiff’s name to INEC as APC’s consensus candidate for Awka North and South seat is gross violation of the first defendant’s constitution.

    “A declaration that the plaintiff, as the first defendant’s consensus candidate, is entitled to receive his Certificate of Return from the seventh defendant.”

  • Candidate sues SDP, INEC for alleged substitution

    Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for Warri Federal Constituency Chief Monday Keme had approached a Warri Federal High Court to seek orders of perpetual injunction to protect his mandate.

    This followed Keme’s suspicions that some party leaders were planning to substitute his name.

    Keme is asking the court to declare him candidate of SDP for Warri Federal Constituency in 2019 elections.

    He is also seeking orders of perpetual injunction to restrain SDP from submitting any other name to INEC for Warri Federal Constituency, and to restrain INEC from accepting or recognising any other name for the constituency.

    The court, however, fixed January 22, to hear the suit.

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    The writ of summons filed by Keme’s lawyers – U.K Gbenebitse, Esq. of T.C. Williams and Co.,  asked the defendants to respond to the summons.

    The suit is demanding “a declaration that the plaintiff is the validly nominated candidate for the first defendant’s ticket for Warri Federal Constituency into the House of Representatives in 2019 elections.

    “An order compelling the first defendant to submit the plaintiff’s name to the second defendant as its candidate for 2019 elections of Warri Federal Constituency into the House of Representatives.

    “An Order of perpetual injunction restraining the first defendant from submitting any other name/candidate to the second defendant as its candidate for 2019 elections for Warri Federal Constituency into the House of Representatives.

    “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the second defendant from accepting/recognising any other name/candidate of the first defendant for Warri Federal Constituency into the House of Representatives.”

  • 2019: INEC deeply concerned over security

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday expressed deep concerns over adequate security before, during and after the 2019 general elections.

    Its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu identified security as a major challenge facing the success of the polls.

    Yakubu, who spoke in Abuja at the Police/stakeholders’ security summit organised by the Nigeria Police Force, however said the commission will engage with security agencies in defining new parameters for the deployment of security agencies in the electoral process.

    He also urged the security agencies to maintain professionalism and neutrality.

    He said: “As with all elections, security is going to be a major issue in the 2019 general election.

    “The agencies have a responsibility to secure the environment for elections.

    “In doing so, there is the overriding responsibility for professionalism and neutrality.

    “The rules of engagement must be clear to all. Learning from the cumulative experience of the off-season elections conducted into 195 constituencies since the 2015 general election, the conduct of some security personnel has become a major issue of discussion. We are deeply concerned.”

    The INEC boss also noted it was important to review the template for the general elections to reassure Nigerians and international community of the commission’s preparedness to conduct free, fair and transparent elections.

    He assured the commission will continue to work with law enforcement agencies for the arrest and prosecution of violators of the electoral act.

    Speaking on INEC preparedness for the polls, Yakubu said the commission has already implemented six out of the fourteen activities as outlined in the timetable and schedule of activities.

    Yakubu also pointed out “there is intense interest nationally and around the world in the 2019 general election. In just a matter of weeks, some international observers will begin the deployment of their long-term observation missions for the election.”

    On Permanent Voter Cards(PVCs), he said the commission has successfully completed the printing for new registrants.

     

  • 2019 elections: INEC trains officers in Lagos

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ), Lagos State on Tuesday commenced a three-day capacity building training for Election Monitoring and Support Centres (EMSC) officers ahead of 2019 elections.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the capacity building workshop was declared open by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Sam Olumekun at the state INEC Headquarters, Yaba.

    The workshop is aimed at equipping the implementers of the EMSC in the state to enhance efficiency and conduct of flawless elections in the 2019 general elections.

    In his opening address, Olumekun urged participants to understand EMSC concept and pay attention to its goals and objectives as key EMSC implementers, to deliver a credible poll.

    “The greatest asset of any organisation is the staff, thus any effort to develop human resources is a good development.

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    “EMSC as a tool is set up to conduct flawless elections in 2019 and structures have been put in place to ensure it meets best international practices.

    “EMSC commenced in 2012 after the successful conduct of the 2011 general elections in order to avoid challenges experienced before and after the elections.

    ” I urge you to take this workshop serious so that at the end of the exercise you will be better informed and equipped in handling whatever challenges you may encounter in your various assignments before, during and after the elections”, Olumekun said.

    According to him, the EMSC is a support system for the monitoring and implementation of the Election Project Plan.

    He said that EMSC had harnessed all activities of the election in a sequence by spreading it across the electoral cycle and assigning responsibilities to departments and task owners.

    The INEC boss said that EMSC used activity templates and indicators to assist task owners and supervisors to track, identify and mitigate threats and risks.

    Olumekun said that the EMSC also assists the commission and staff in planning elections in a regular manner, and enables INEC to be proactive rather than reactive.

    According to him, EMSC also manages impressions relating to stakeholders, including political parties, security personnel.

    The REC said the workshop was targeted at creating better awareness and understanding of EMSC.

    He said that the training workshop was imperative for the successful implementation of the EMSC, and to enhance the credibility of elections.

    Olumekun, who noted that the commission was ready for the 2019 elections in the state, said that the commission must not fail in delivering its mandate of conducting free, fair, peaceful and acceptable elections.

    NAN reports that all electoral officers, assistant electoral officers 1, 2 and 3, as well as heads of departments and units of the commission in the state attended the workshop.

  • Osun election: PDP, Adeleke tender result sheets from 27 LGs

    *To tender voters’ registers, other documents today

     

    The petitioners – the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last governorship election in Osun State, Ademola Adeleke – opened their case on Monday at the election tribunal by tendering documents, mostly result sheets.

    Lead petitioners’’ lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), at Monday’s proceedings, which lasted from 10 to a little over 5pm, tendered a total of 492 documents – result sheets (EC8A and EC8A – VP) for 27 local governments.

    The Local Governments are Atakunmosa East, Atakunmosa West, Ayedaade, Ayedire, Boluwaduro, Boripe, Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, Ejigbo, Ife East, Ifelodun, Ife North, Ife South, Ila, Ife Central, Ilesha East, Irepodun, Irewole, Isokan, Iwo, Obokun, Odo Otin, Ola Oluwa, Olorunda, Oriade and Oshogbo.

    Lawyers to the respondents, Adesina Agbede (for the Independent National Electoral Commission), Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, (for Adegboyega Oyetola) and Lasun Sanusi, SAN, (for the All Progressives Congress) examined the documents, as tendered by Ikpeazu, Local Government by Local Government, and elected to reserve their objection to the point of final address.

    The procedure was a bit slow as each lawyer to each respondent took turn to examine the documents per LG, before the tribunal, led by Justice Ibrahim Sirajo, admitted the documents as exhibits, numbering each item from P1 to P492.

    After tendering the last set of documents from Oshogbo Local Government at about 5pm, Ikpeazu told the tribunal that he was willing to continue. Ikpeazu said he was willing to tender more documents, including voters’ registers from about 12 LGs.

    Lawyers to the respondents objected to Ikpeazu’s willingness to continue, citing the problem of security in Apo, Abuja, where the tribunal sits. They requested a postponement of further proceedings to the next day.

    In a ruling, Justice Sirajo agreed with the respondents to adjourn to the next day. He ordered lawyers to all parties to resume at the tribunal at 9am on Tuesday to sort out all the documents to be tendered, before the tribunal sits at 10am.

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    The PDP and Adeleke are, by their petition, challenging the outcome of the election. They are querying the victory of the candidate of the APC, Oyetola in the election.

    Respondents to the petition are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC and Oyetola (listed as 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents).

    Earlier, the tribunal heard applications in relation to another petition filed by Mrs Jumoke Lawal and National Rescue Mission, with INEC, Oyetola and APC as respondents. The applications by Oyetola and APC sought the dismissal of the petition for being defective.

    After listening to arguments from lawyers to parties, Justice Sirajo said, in view of the provision of Section 285(8) of the Constitution (as amended), ruling in the applications will be delivered at the time of judgment in the petition.

  • Attacks on Buhari: Group urges INEC to caution PDP

    The Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) yesterday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to call the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to order over what it termed hate speech and campaign of calumny against President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The group described PDP’s statements on President Buhari’s position on the state of the country’s economy and his refusal to assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018 as ridiculous and misleading.

    In a statement in Abuja by its Director of Communications and Strategic Planning, Mallam Gidado Ibrahim, the president’s support group described certain statements issued recently by the major opposition party against Buhari as the antics of a drowning political party, whose plot to rig the 2019 general elections had been scuttled.

    On Buhari’s words to governors at the weekend that they should expect tough times ahead, BCO said rather than describing the president’s admittance to impending economic hardship as a sign of failure, the PDP ought to have praised the president for the courage to speak up when necessary.

    The group noted: “Because of its 16 years of leud leadership, the PDP is ill-prepared for the role of constructive opposition. If they don’t have anything to say or do, the PDP can as well go to the Sahara Desert to dig a well, rather than making hate speeches and throwing tantrums everywhere in the name of opposition. We urge the electoral umpire to call the PDP to order.

    “It is pathetic that the PDP prefers the president to lie to Nigerians about the state of the economy. What is wrong in admitting to where challenges exists? The PDP’s modus operandi for 16 years was to continue to mislead the people. We all know President Buhari very well; he won’t lie to Nigerians. Rather, he will tell them the truth, while working hard to fix the problem.

    “For the records, Nigerians elected and trusted President Buhari to tell them the truth at all times and he will not deviate from that. The problem that still bedevils the economy today is still a fallout of PDP’s 16 years of irresponsible governance”.

    On the amended electoral bill, BCO said Buhari was right to have declined his assent to the bill, even as it insisted that the amended electoral bill presented to the president was a landmine the PDP would have relied on to rig its way back to power in 2019.

    Ibrahim stated: “A Leopard can never change its skin. The PDP thought they are smart but the president and his party are smarter. No more will the PDP  be allowed to execute its sinister motives. They want to use the amended electoral bill to rig their way back to power again in 2019 so that they can continue to plunder the economy of this country. We say capital NO!

    “The PDP has demonstrated once again that it means no good for this country and its people. The president will not fold his hands and watch the PDP rig its way back to power to destroy the economy he is toiling to rebuild. Knowing that they have been rejected by Nigerians, the only way they think they can foist themselves on this country again is through the back door.

    “Their plan to engage a Russian hacking agent to infiltrate INEC’s data base during the next general elections has been unravelled.”

  • Ondo APC candidate sues INEC, Party Excos over primary

    A House of Assembly candidate for Okitipupa II Constituency under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) Ololade Gbegudu has dragged the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court for failure to publish his name as candidate after winning the party’s primary.

    In a suit filed by Gbegudu’s counsel, A.A. Solagbade-Amodeni of Femi Emadomore& Co also joined APC State Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, Secretary, Sina Alaye, and an Assembly Aspirant, Sina Emmanuel as defendants.

    Ololade-Gbegudu in the suit, said he instituted the case after APC and its officers refused to send his client’s name to INEC in line with the 2010 Electoral Act having won the primary exercise was conducted through direct primary on October 5, 2018 and duly monitored by the officials of INEC led by Etukumo U. Andrew, policemen and the Department of State Services (DSS) personnel.

    Justice Olabode Adegbehingbe granted an application brought by the counsel to enable the claimant served INEC and the APC headquarters in Abuja.

    He promised to give the case an accelerated hearing in view of its nature.

    The lawyer urged the court to declare as illegal the substitution of the claimant’s name with Akinwunmi’s name and compel INEC to recognize and publish Gbegudu’s name as the APC candidate for the Okitipupa Constituency II in the 2019 State House of Assembly election.

    The Claimant averred that he won the direct primary for the Okitipupa Constituency II for the Ondo State House of Assembly with 4,000 votes to beat five other aspirants including Akinwunmi whose name was wrongly submitted to INEC by the party’s officials.

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    The Plaintiff’s lead counsel, Emadomore said, “the total number of accredited voters at the said direct primary election as recorded by the representatives of the 1st Defendant (APC) were 7,000 while the total valid votes were 6,500, out of which he scored the 4,000 due to his overwhelming popularity at the constituency and was declared winner of the primary.

    The Lawyer alleged that, “the falsified result, the name of the Claimant (Gbegudu Ololade ) is still visible in the certification column at the bottom of the Result Sheet as the winner.

    ” The Claimant’s name was however simply crossed out with a biro/pen (not even completely wiped or blurred out with paint) and on top of it was written in ink the words: Winner-Sina Akinwumi Emmanuel, as against the proper certification column already printed in the result sheet”

    Emadomore claimed that, “the 4th Defendant (Akinwunmi) in this case scored zero (0) as attested to by the APC Ondo State Legislative Primaries Election Committee.

    He said”The Claimant shall in this regard rely on the original (counter-part) of the Summary Result Sheet for State House of Assembly duly signed by Abuh Andrew Abuh and Ahmed Musa Momoh as the Chairman and Secretary of the APC Ondo State Legislative Primaries Election Committee respectively and given to each of the candidates, including the Claimant”.

    ” We want an order of mandatory injunction directing the 5th Defendant (INEC) to recognize, publish and/or treat the name of the Claimant as the candidate of the 1st Defendant (APC) for the Okitipupa Constituency II of the Ondo State House of Assembly for the general election for the said constituency seat scheduled to hold on March 2,2019 or such other date(s) as the 5th defendant may fix for the election”.

  • INEC: we’ll conduct 2019 polls with existing laws

    Advocates of a new electoral law may have lost their battle.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has returned the Electoral Bill to the National Assembly, stating why he did not sign it.

    And yesterday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it was moving ahead with its preparation for next year’s general elections despite the President’s stand.

    INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said the commission would conduct next year’s election using the exiting laws that are presently valid and in place.

    He said the commission would not be distracted by the wrangling between the Presidency and National Assembly.

    INEC, Yakubu added, is fine-tuning its processes and procedures to ensure it delivered a good election next year.

    He spoke at a national peace conference on 2019 general elections organised by Youngstar Development Initiative with support from the National Democratic Initiative.

    The INEC chairman, who was represented by National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee Festus Okoye, urged registered political parties, their candidates and supporters to place national interest over their own personal interest.

    He said: “As a commission, we are fine-tuning our processes and procedures towards delivering good elections in 2019. The commission is focused and will conduct an election that the Nigerian people will be proud of. But that election has to be and must be conducted under a very peaceful environment.

    “The commission is not bothered and will not be distracted by the hue and cry over certain issues and decisions taken by the President and the National Assembly. The commission is focused on organising the 2019 elections using the extant laws, using the laws that are valid as at today and we will not be distracted.

    “We urge all registered political parties, their candidates and their supporters to place the national interest over their own personal interest.”

    Yakubu added that the commission has constituted a committee to oversee the situation room and collation centres.

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    He expressed concerns over the safety and security of corps members and other officials that will participate in the election.

    United States Ambassador to Nigeria Stuart Symington said it was important that the country conducted a violence-free election next year.

    He urged the youths to take charge of next year’s election by ensuring that they elect the right leaders.

    Symington added that next year presents an opportunity for Nigerian youths to contribute to the country’s democracy.

    A music star, Innocent Idibia, urged Nigerians to vote and not fight, noting that election is not a war.

    Idibia, who is the Vote not Fight Campaign ambassador, said there was need for the country to conduct smooth, free, fair and credible elections.

    Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council John Ameh called on INEC to ensure that the election was transparent and credible.