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Tag: Inec

  • 2019: PDP warns members against illegal submission of candidates’ names to INEC

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it had officially submitted names of its candidates for the 2019 National Assembly elections to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The party said it noted with disdain moves by certain individuals to illegally submit unauthorised names from some purported primaries by those it described as dissident elements, notably in Ogun State.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said it was aware that the said dissident elements forged and sold various fake nomination forms, and cornered the proceeds for their selfish gains.

    It stated that those that unwittingly bought the fake nomination forms did not pass through the due process of screening and did not participate in primaries as officially conducted by the Electoral Committee set up by its National Working Committee.

    The statement reads in part: “The conduct of primaries and submission of names of candidates remain in the purview of the National Working Committee. Any other purported primaries by any state chapter or any other level of the party is absolutely illegal and of no consequence.

    “The PDP, therefore, warns, in the strongest possible term, that anybody who attempts to present any name from such illegal primaries as candidate of our party will face arrest and prosecution for forgery and stealing of funds derived from sale of fake nomination forms.”

     

  • PDP warns against submission of unauthorized names to INEC

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned against submission of unauthorised names of candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan on Friday in Abuja, said that PDP had officially submitted names of candidates for National Assembly elections to the NEC ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Ologbondiyan said that the party noted with disdain moves by certain individuals to illegally submit unauthorized names from some purported primaries by dissident elements, notably in Ogun state.

    “The PDP is aware that such elements forged and sold various fake nomination forms, and cornered the proceeds for their selfish gains.

    “Those who unwittingly bought these fake nomination forms did not pass through the due process of screening and did not participate in primaries as officially conducted by the Electoral Committee set up by the National Working Committee.

    “The conduct of primaries and submission of names of candidate remain in the purview of the National Working Committee.

    “Any other purported primaries by any state chapter or any other level of the party is absolutely illegal and of no consequence.

    “The PDP therefore warns, in the strongest possible term, that anybody who attempts to present any name from such illegal primaries as candidate of our party will face arrest and prosecution for forgery and stealing of funds derived from sale of fake nomination forms.”

    He urged all PDP members and the public to be calm as the rule of law would be adhered to, particularly in all processes of the 2019 general elections. (NAN)

  • INEC insists no extension of deadline for submission of candidates’ list

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will not extend the deadline for submission of list of candidates’ names by political parties for the 2019 general elections.

    The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

    Oyekanmi said that the Commission had scheduled the submission of candidates’ names for the Presidential and National Assembly between Oct. 10 and Oct. 18, and deadline for the Governorship and State Assemblies election for Nov. 2, and there is no extension.

    “The Commission is following its timetable and schedule of activities for 2019 general elections. No extension of deadline for submission.”

    Rotimi, who was unable to give the precise number of political parties that met the deadline as at the time of filing this report, said “over 80 political parties made it but I am still waiting for the precise number.”

    NAN correspondent, who also visited the Aso Hall, International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, the venue of the submission after the deadline, reports that some officers of political parties, who got tallies on Wednesday night were still going through the submission process.

    A staff of the Commission, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that given of tally to political parties stopped Thursday night.

    He said due to the last minutes rush by political parties, INEC staff, security officers and other personnel on duty at the venue were unable to go home.

    He said that they had reached about 70 out of over 80 political parties that had so far submitted their candidates’ list.

    He also confirmed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and major opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had submitted their forms.

    As at 4p.m., on Friday some political parties’ representatives were seen in front of the hall waiting for their turn to submit their forms.

  • 2019: INEC warned against compromise

    The senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Southern Senatorial District seat of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against compromise to avert violence and bloodshed.

    Otu, who spoke with some reporters in Calabar, said he had to stress this against the background that his opponent in a rival political party had been boasting that in spite of whatever happens in the field, he was going to buy over the electoral umpire to announce the results in their favour.

    He said, “This is why I believe you, the press, have a major role to play in this. Though we would make sure we man-mark everything around here, you have your role to play, which is to advise them to avoid compromise. Right now what we are hearing is that our opponent is boasting that they would use money to buy INEC and they would change results for them. You have to stress this so that INEC would know the dangers of that.

    “There is need for them to allow sanity to reign because for any society to make some progress, they has to be some semblance of proper electoral process, if not we are going nowhere. As we get closer to the process, you must start hammering INEC straight because this time they would be putting their lives totally in danger. My fear is that in all baskets it is not all eggs that are bad. There would be few innocent ones who have no reason whatsoever to suffer what would befall them, but in a situation that there is calamity there has to be casualties, but we can only reduce the number by you advising them on time because my opponent is going about telling people, that he is not ready for any election on the ground, all he knows is that he would use his money on INEC and then prepare for court. This would not go down very well this time.”

    Read Also: 2019: Stakeholders predict APC victory in Yobe

    Speaking on the crisis within the APC in the state, Otu, who is the chairman of the peace and reconciliation committee of the party said, “It is true that we do have a little bit of problem in the party, but it is not such that can impede the process of moving forward, in every family there must be disagreements. We are in the process of trying to make sure that we settle all those issues. We put down a framework that by the time we finish the job, though we are little distracted because of the season of politics, by the time we settle down to our job, I believe APC is going to be one family.

    “We would do very best that we can before the election proper. We have already started engaging some of the stakeholders and we feel except for those who are directly engaged in primaries now, which we would allow them to finish what they are doing, the moment they finish, we would also engage them. The sum total is that the issues are not such that they cannot be resolved. There would be a nexus at some point, because we are living in a society where there is law and order and as a party we do have guidelines. We have serious organs of the party do resolve issues like this. It is not out of place to find things like this, but I believe the most important thing is the belief in APC as a party moving forward. Nigeria at this stage needs a party like APC to continue so that the dividends that have started trickling in would be sustained.”

  • 800,000 PVCs yet to be collected in Oyo, says INEC

    Despite the repeated calls on residents of Oyo State to collect unclaimed Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mutiu Agboke, has said about 800,000 PVCs are yet to be collected by registered voters.

    Agboke spoke yesterday at a stakeholders’ meeting for Ibarapa Zone at the Eruwa town hall meeting.

    The REC said INEC is committed to conducting free, fair and acceptable elections in 2019.

    Agboke said the commission was concerned about the thousands of uncollected PVCs, despite its efforts to make the owners collect them.

    The REC regretted that rather than parties engage in political campaigns, what should be paramount in their agendas is how to sensitise prospective voters on the need to collect their PVCs.

    He said: “Without PVCs, there is no way any individual can exercise his or her civic responsibility during the general elections; hence, the need for INEC to intensify efforts in its sensitisation programmes.”

    Expressing appreciation to the Ibarapa East for their cooperation during recent House of Assembly by-elections, the INEC chief said the task of ensuring credible elections cannot be left in the hands of government alone.

    He urged the people to cooperate with the commission.

    On the issue of vote-buying, Agboke assured Nigerians that INEC would eradicate the malpractice in next year’s general elections.

    He urged politicians to desist from the act.

    Also, the State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu, emphasised the need for people to eschew violence before, during and after the general elections.

    She noted that every stakeholder has a role to play at ensuring a successful conduct of the elections.

    The NOA chief called for more women participation in politics in next year’s general elections.

    Some council chairmen and political stakeholders pledged their continuous support for the INEC at ensuring a smooth conduct of next year’s general elections.

    Agboke visited the palace of the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Akindele, where he solicited the support of the monarch to educate the people on the need to collect the PVCs.

     

  • Buhari, security chiefs meet over 2019 elections

    *Raise alarm over stockpiling of arms by politicians

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday held meeting with heads of the National Security Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    At the end of the meeting, the security Chiefs have raised concerns over proliferation and stockpiling of weapons by politicians to cause mayhem ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The meeting also discussed what it termed as attempts by “notable personalities” to manipulate and put pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through street demonstrations that could be hijacked by hoodlums and miscreants.

    The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, in a statement he read after the meeting, said it was recommended that security agencies should deploy their personnel to states ahead of the polls and to douse the tension created by recent rancorous political party primaries.

    He said “The meeting started by discussing the general overview of the security situation in the country as it relates to the conduct of the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    “It recommended deployment of security agencies to the states to enable elections to be conducted peacefully and to further douse the tension created by the outcome of the political parties primaries and some desperate persons to sabotage the electoral process.

    “The meeting also discussed attempt to put pressure on electoral body by some notable personalities through demonstrations which was brought under control by combined efforts of security agencies to avoid being hijacked by hoodlums and armed bandits.

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    “Another area of security concern includes post election violence as desperate politicians may whip up ethno-religious sentiments to create security situation in the country.

    “Also of concern is the proliferation and stockpiling of weapons by some disgruntled elements with a desire to take laws into their hands at the slightest opportunity.

    “The Council called for the concerted effort of all security agencies to ensure that the 2019 elections are hitch-free and the need for continuous sensitization of the public by National Orientation Agency and regular meetings of relevant stakeholders, including INEC, international/local observers and the media ahead of the elections.”

    The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, also told State House correspondents that all security agencies would be neutral and nonpartisan in their operations as they concern the general elections.

  • Oyo: 800,000 PVCs yet to be collected – INEC

    Despite the repeated calls on residents of Oyo state to collect unclaimed Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) , the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Barrister Mutiu Agboke has said about  800,000 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) are yet to be collected by the people.

    Barrister Agboke disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting for Ibarapa Zone held at the Eruwa Town Hall on Thursday.

    According to him, the commission is committed to conducting free, fair and acceptable elections in 2019.

    He explained that the electoral umpire is concerned with the thousands of PVCs which remained uncollected despite the frantic effort by the commission.

    He further lamented that rather than engaging in political campaigns by parties, what should be paramount in their agendas is to sensitize people on the need to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards.

    In his words, “Without PVCs, there is no way any individual can exercise his or her civic responsibility during the general elections hence the need for INEC to intensify efforts in its sensitization programmes”.

    While appreciating the Ibarapa zone for their cooperation in the recent Ibarapa East State House of Assembly bye elections, the INEC chief said the task of ensuring credible elections cannot be left in the hands of government alone, hence the need for people to cooperate with the commission.

    On the issue of vote buying, Barrister Agboke assured that INEC will do everything within its power to eradicate vote buying in 2019 general elections, but called on politicians to desist from the dastardly act.

    Also in her remarks, the state Director, National Orientation Agency, (NOA), Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu emphasized on the need for people to eschew violence before, during and after the general elections.

    She explained that every stakeholder has a role to play at ensuring successful conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    Mrs Dosunmu called for more women participation in politics by contesting in 2019 general elections.

    Read Also: INEC bars Buhari, Atiku, others from campaigning till Nov. 18

    Some Council Chairmen and political stakeholders in their remarks pledged their continuous support for the INEC at ensuring smooth conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    Earlier, the Oyo INEC REC, Barrister Mutiu Agboke had visited the palace of the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Akindele where he solicited the support of the monarch in sensitizing people on the collection of the PVCs.

    The Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Akindele commended Barrister Mutiu Agboke and his team for his giant strides since assumption into office. The monarch also urged the INEC not relent on its efforts at ensuring one man, one vote clamored by the institution.

    This according to Eleruwa would strengthen the Nigerian nascent democracy.

    The meeting had in attendance traditional rulers, religious leaders, Community leaders and members of the political class.

  • Belgium defender, Vermaelen, suffers fresh injury

    Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen has suffered another injury and will be out of action for several weeks after straining an adductor muscle on international duty.

    The 32-year-old would miss Tuesday’s friendly against the Netherlands in Brussels, Belgian FA officials said in a media advisory on Monday.

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    Vermaelen was taken off after 73 minutes of Belgium’s 2-1 win over Switzerland in the Nations League on Friday.

    The Barcelona defender has been hit by a succession of injuries since signing for Barcelona in 2014.

  • 6,609,115 Lagosians eligible to vote in 2019, says INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State  said  6, 609, 115  residents were eligible to vote in the 2019 General Elections in the state.

    Mr. Sam Olumekun, the Resident Electoral Commissioner  disclosed this  at a  workshop on Lagos State Election Security Strategic Plan for 2019 Elections.

    The workshop was organised by Nigeria Policing Programme (NPP) in collaboration with INEC in Lagos State.

    Prince Adelani Asade, the Administrative Secretary of the commission delivered Olumekun’s speech at the workshop.

    Lagos state has  245 Registration Areas (Wards), 8,462 polling units, and 3669 voting points across the 20 Local Governments of the state and  Olumekun agreed  that  security is key to holding a successful election.

    “6, 609, 115 eligible Nigerians registered to vote during the 2019 general elections in the state.

    ” I am profoundly grateful to NPP for organising this very important and timely workshop on elections security considering the role of good security structure in the conducting a peaceful and successful general elections in 2019.

    ” It is crucial to say that with 91 political parties and about 74 million voters geared to take informed decision and action at the general elections in 2019, the security of election officials, materials, and the electorate is of utmost importance to the commission.

    “Indeed, security is key to the conduct of credible elections. INEC in Lagos is truly proud of partnering with NPP at this most auspicious time in the electoral cycle, ” Olumekun said.

    The INEC commissioner  commended the NPP and hoped that the workshop would give the commission the opportunity to review, reflect, brainstorm, and re-engineer its security structure and strategy.

    He added that the commission’s proactiveness on security, had informed regular meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election security where matters concerning security before, during and after elections were discussed.

    Olumekun said INEC would improve on the conduct of elections in 2019.

    In his goodwill message, the representative of NPP, Mr Emeka Ukaotu said that INEC would need to develop its election security management plan.

    According to him, some factors  needed to be considered  by INEC in developing the plan. These  include relevant intelligence and information about locations and assessment of vulnerability.

    He urged  INEC to  also consider previous history of electoral offences or allegations associated with the geographical area.

    Ukaotu said the commission should also consider the potential for offences to be committed as a result of lack of policing, ill-prepared local authority, complacency and political culture.

  • Okowa advocates alternative funding for INEC

    Delta State Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has advocated alternative funding of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure its independence.

    Okowa spoke yesterday at the executive session of the 14th All Nigeria Editor’s Conference (ANEC).

    The event which helds in Asaba-Delta State had as its theme, “Credible elections, sustainable democracy and the role of the media.”

    He said: “INEC is supposed to be an unbiased body. So, how can they truly be unbiased? How will they get their source of funding?

    “How will they work on their process of appointments? These and more questions are what we are supposed to address and they have to be dealt with in such a manner that we can give them enough power, make them truly independent in such a manner that they do not walk cap in hand to the executive to ask for funding because when you know that somebody controls the funds, you will definitely not be in a position to be truly independent.”

    He went on: “I still believe that there is a lot to be done which means that our legislations must be in such a manner that will truly make INEC independent and if they are going to be answerable to anybody at all, they should be answerable to the legislature and not any other arm of government which will be better”.

    On how the Peoples Democratic Party’s Special Convention Planning Committee was free, credible and acceptable, he said: “We had to extract from our National Executive that we would be allowed to do what is right.

    “We will not accept the nominations to conduct the primaries and I thank God that they allowed us do what is right and once we do things right, it becomes easier for one to move forward and the press is very important in trying to turn things around for our country.”