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Tag: Inec

  • INEC declares APC’s Garki winner of Jigawa by-election

    INEC declares APC’s Garki winner of Jigawa by-election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Alhaji Mukhtar Rabi’u Garki, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the Babura/Garki federal constituency by-election in Jigawa State.

    Announcing the result in Babura town, the Returning Officer, Professor Salisu Ibrahim, said Garki secured 38,449 votes, defeating his closest rival, Alhaji Auwalu Isah Manzo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 13,519 votes.

    Read Also: INEC declares APC winner of Ganye By-Election in Adamawa

    The candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Malam Sabo Salisu, came third with 2,931 votes.

    Professor Ibrahim declared: “I, Professor Salisu Ibrahim, as the returning officer for Babura/Garki federal constituency by-election held on 16/08/2025, hereby declare Alhaji Rabi’u Mukhtar Garki, having fulfilled all requirements and scored the highest votes, winner of the election.”

    With the victory, the APC has retained control of the Babura/Garki federal constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

  • INEC declares APC’s Elegbeji winner of Ogun bye-election

    INEC declares APC’s Elegbeji winner of Ogun bye-election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has declared Princess Adesola Elegbeji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Saturday bye-election for Ikenne, Sagamu and Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun State. 

    The bye-election was the first to be conducted in Ogun State by the INEC since the return of democracy. 

    The Remo Federal Constituency became vacant following the death of House Representatives Deputy Chief Whip, Otunba Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, popularly called Ijaya. 

    The late APC Reps member died January 15, 2025 after a protracted illness.

    Read Also: INEC declares APC winner of Ganye By-Election in Adamawa

    However, announcing the final results at the INEC collation centre in Ikenne, the Returning Officer, Prof. Kazeem Olajide Bello, declared that Elegbeji polled a total of 41,237 votes to defeat her closest contender, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, who garnered polled 14, 324 votes.

    The African Democratic Congress (ADC) scored 289 votes.

    Prof. Bello while declaring the winner in the early hours of Sunday, said Elegbeji: “by the powers conferred on me , having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of valid votes cast, I hereby declared Adesola Ayoola Elegbeji as the winner.”

    Final Results from All three LGAs:

    Ikenne LGA

    Accredited voters: 17,477

    APC – 10,227

    PDP – 5,595

    ADC – 73

    Remo North LGA

    Accredited voters: 9,374

    APC – 8,052

    PDP – 992

    ADC – 37

    Sagamu LGA

    Accredited voters: 32,574

    APC – 22,958

    PDP – 7,737

    ADC – 179

  • Yiaga Africa urges Tinubu to appoint persons with proven experience in managing elections into INEC

    Yiaga Africa urges Tinubu to appoint persons with proven experience in managing elections into INEC

    A non-governmental organisation, Yiaga Africa has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure the appointment of experienced and independent-minded leaders with proven experience in managing elections to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo made the demand at a high-level roundtable discussion on safeguarding INEC’s independence in Abuja.

    Itodo, who is a lawyer, warned that poorly considered appointments could weaken the electoral body and undermine Nigeria’s democracy.

    Read Also: By-election: INEC distributes sensitive materials in Edo

    The Yiaga Africa chief noted that upcoming leadership transitions within INEC must be managed carefully to avoid eroding the institution’s capacity to deliver credible elections.

    The tenure of present chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu would end in November this year with the president expected to appoint his replacement.

  • NNPP hails INEC, security over Kano polls

    NNPP hails INEC, security over Kano polls

    The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has commended INEC and security agencies for ensuring credible by-elections in Shanono/Bagwai and Ghari constituencies, Kano State.

    NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, on Saturday in Abuja also praised Kano residents for allowing a transparent voting exercise during the by-elections.

    He, however, condemned the call for cancellation of the two elections.

    Johnson described the cancellation call, allegedly over violence, credited to All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesman Felix Morka, as frivolous and devoid of facts and reality.

    He maintained that Morka’s position did not reflect actual events, stressing that the NNPP candidate won overwhelmingly, as duly declared by INEC.

    Johnson stated that the two constituency elections were free, fair, credible and peaceful, adding that as NNPP strongholds, the results could not have been otherwise.

    “We must state unequivocally that there were no widespread irregularities during the election, contrary to the misleading narrative being peddled by the APC,” Johnson declared.

    Read Also: NNPP explains absence from Lagos Council poll

    He added that Kano remained the NNPP stronghold, making it inconceivable that the APC could have won, as electoral history and outcomes in recent times proved otherwise.

    “The results have now been validated by the INEC commissioner, who adjudged them free, fair, credible, and validly won by NNPP candidates,” Johnson emphasised.

    He commended Kano people for resisting nefarious activities during the elections.

    “The NNPP salutes the patriotism of INEC officials and security agencies for demonstrating professionalism and courage throughout the exercise,” Johnson said.

    He added that both INEC and the Police in Kano attested to the credibility of the by-election, which went smoothly without violence.

    “NNPP therefore urges Nigerians and the international community to disregard any claim of violence in today’s by-election in Kano State,” Johnson said.

  • Ogun by-election: Police confirm arrest of INEC officials

    Ogun by-election: Police confirm arrest of INEC officials

    The Ogun Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two  officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and others for alleged electoral offences in Iperu Remo, Ogun State, during the Saturday Federal Constituency bye-election. 

    Ogun police spokesperson , CSP Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the arrest through a statement, said the officials were arrested at about 0045hrs by a police patrol team attached to the Iperu Remo Division. 

    CSP Odutola said that a Mitsubishi Spacewagon vehicle marked Lagos AKD 887 HT with three occupants –  Mr. Toryem Joe-Stans and Ms. Mandara Aminat, both officials of the INEC, alongside the driver was intercepted in Iperu. 

    She explained that while the police patrol team was searching the vehicle, the team discovered and recovered cash sum of two million five hundred thousand naira (₦2,500,000.00) from Mr. Joe-Stans Toryem.

    Read Also: By-election contest hots up in Oyo, Ogun, Edo, Anambra

    The police spokesperson added that during interrogation, he confessed that the money was collected at Kehoy Hotel, Iperu, Ogun State, from a man he referred to as “Political Solution.” 

    According to Odutola, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, had given directive for transfer of the suspects to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran. 

  • Chaos as Enugu South Urban rerun election fails for fourth time

    Chaos as Enugu South Urban rerun election fails for fourth time

    The much-anticipated rerun election for Enugu South Urban State Constituency once again ended in chaos on Saturday as voting failed to commence for the fourth consecutive time despite the presence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The election, scheduled to start by 8 am., was stalled amid protests, allegations of intimidation, and counter-accusations among political parties.

    INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Enugu State, Chukwuemeka Chukwu, confirmed that men and materials were deployed as early as 7am  but the process could not take off.

    “People are not voting because some groups are carrying placards, while others who are not supposed to be here have invaded the polling area. This is the fourth time we are here for this rerun, and it is abnormal,” Chukwu said. “We are pleading that they should allow us to perform our statutory functions and let the electorate vote.”

    At the centre of the controversy were rival party leaders trading accusations of intimidation and disruption.

    The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Uche Nnaji, who served as an APC polling unit agent, accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of mobilising hoodlums to frustrate the rerun.

    “The election was supposed to have started. You can see there are many hoodlums from PDP trying to scare people from voting,” he said. “We don’t want chaos because they would capitalize on that to insist that the election should not hold. If they don’t finish today, we will stay here until tomorrow.”

    But the PDP candidate, Sam Ngene, countered, alleging that Nnaji’s presence and the large number of his supporters created fear among voters.

    “This is my ward and my strong base. But the minister is here with mammoth youths to intimidate voters,” Ngene claimed. 

    Read Also: Enugu to immortalise football legend Christian Chukwu

    “Many of my supporters are scared. Besides, the candidate meant to contest against me is serving a jail term. Allowing such a person on the ballot is a constitutional breach, and INEC must act.”

    Also Labour Party (LP) chairman for Enugu South LGA, Hon. Chinweuba Ngwu, decried INEC’s silence, insisting that voters were left in confusion for hours.

    “Since 7 a.m. when we arrived, no accreditation has taken place. INEC officials should brief us on what is happening and where we are headed,” Ngwu said.

    As tensions heightened, the rerun degenerated into a stalemate, raising concerns over the fate of the constituency, which has remained without representation in the State Assembly since the 2023 elections.

    INEC has not announced a new date for the rerun but said it would review the situation and take a decision.

  • Cancel Kano bye-elections, APC tells INEC 

    Cancel Kano bye-elections, APC tells INEC 

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for immediate cancelation of the ongoing bye-elections for Shanono/Bagwai constituency, and the Ghari constituency rerun election in Kano State.

    APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately cancel the election. 

    Morka, in the statement, alleged widespread extreme violence and election disruption by armed thugs across several polling units in Shanono and Bagwai and Ghari constituencies. 

    Read Also: APC chieftain replies Babachir Lawal over criticism of Tinubu

    He said: “Verifiable reports from Shanono and Bagwai Local Government Areas and Ghari constituency have voters fleeing polling areas, with deployed security personnel overwhelmed by the violence, making the prospects of a credible election impossible. 

    “Proceeding with the Shanono/Bagwai Kano State Constituency bye-election and Ghari rerun election in the atmosphere of utter brigandage and outright violent voter intimidation will be against democratic dictates of free, fair and peaceful election, and set a dangerous precedent for undesirable and unacceptable electoral heist.”

  • Kaduna By-election records low voter turnout

    Kaduna By-election records low voter turnout

    The by-election for the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency in Kaduna State on Saturday was characterised by low voter turnout across several polling units.

    At Polling Unit 027, Narayi Extension Ward in Chikun Local Government, electoral officials arrived as early as 8:20am. But more than an hour later, no voter had turned up to cast a ballot.

    When our correspondent visited, only one prospective voter, Mava Jesse, was waiting for accreditation. The BVAS machine, however, was yet to respond.

    Jesse attributed the poor turnout to inadequate voter mobilisation and the experience of the last local government elections, which he said discouraged many from participating.

    Another voter, Samson Koro, blamed the situation on poor awareness by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

    She, however, expressed optimism that more people would still come out before the close of polls.

    Across other polling centres in the constituency, a similar pattern was observed, with officials idling away while waiting for voters.

    Read Also: El-Rufai and Kaduna by-election

    Observers noted that the eventual outcome of the by-election would depend on whether voter turnout improved as the exercise progressed.

    The Chikun/Kajuru seat became vacant following the nullification of the election of the former lawmaker by the courts, prompting Saturday’s by-election.

    INEC had earlier assured residents of adequate logistics and security to ensure a smooth, credible process.

  • Remo by-election: Police nab PDP chieftains, INEC officials with huge cash

    Remo by-election: Police nab PDP chieftains, INEC officials with huge cash

    Police operatives arrested two members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and two staffers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Iperu Remo, with huge sums of cash allegedly meant for rigging the by-election into the Remo Federal Constituency House of Representatives.

    The suspects, arrested  in the early hours of Saturday, were reported to have provided very useful information to the police regarding their respective roles in the grand plan to bribe election officials and rig the House of Representatives by-election.

    Read Also: By-elections: All eyes on Okpebholo, Soludo, Uba Sani, Makinde

    In a video recording, police could be seen interrogating the suspects comprising four males and a female.

    The INEC staffers, a man who identified himself simply as Constance and a woman who identified herself as Amina, claimed to have been sent by their supervisor to collect the money from a certain PDP politician in the area.

  • SDP to participate in Saturday bye-election elections, says INEC

    SDP to participate in Saturday bye-election elections, says INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday announced a last minute inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the list of parties participating in Saturday’s bye elections in 12 states of the federation. 

    The last minute inclusion, according to the commission’s spokesperson, Sam Olumekun followed a judgement of the Federal High Coury, Abuja ordering the commission to accept the list of candidates presented by the party. 

    The Commission said it did not Include the party at the initial stage because SDP did not notify it of the conduct of party primaries and therefore did not monitor same as required by law. 

    The statement reads: “The Commission has been served with the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1525/2025. 

    “In the judgement, the Commission was ordered to include the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidates in the bye-elections in 12 States of the Federation. The party did not earlier submit a valid notice for the conduct of primaries for the bye-elections. For this reason, they were not monitored by the Commission.

    Read Also: SDP disowns alleged alliance with ADC in Kaduna bye-election

    “However, in compliance with the judgement, the names of the candidates submitted manually have been accepted and published on our website. The party will participate in the bye-elections.

    “The Commission wishes to assure the public, especially voters in the 12 States, that the 11th-hour judgement will not affect the election which will proceed tomorrow Saturday 16th August 2025 as scheduled.

    “Meanwhile, the Commission will exercise its legitimate right of appeal under the law”.