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Tag: Inec

  • INEC yet to recognise Mark-led ADC exco

    INEC yet to recognise Mark-led ADC exco

    • Party’s ex-presidential candidate Kachikwu spits fire

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to recognise the change of leadership in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over a month  since  former Senate President David Mark was named interim national chairman.

     As at 5.20pm yesterday, the commission’s website  had   Ralph Nwosu as National Chairman of the party with Alhaji Said Baba Abdullahi as National Secretary.

     Other leaders of the Nwosu led leadership still listed on the INEC  website are Kelvin Alagoa as National Treasurer, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ntima as National Financial Secretary and Bar. Ujunwa L. Onwuasoeze as National Legal Adviser.

     Ralph Nwosu had announced at the National Executive Committee meeting of the party last month  that he was stepping down and handed over to Senator Mark, sparking a dispute  from some outspoken members,including the party’s presidential candidate in 2023, Dumebi Kachikwu.

     Kachikwu,in a fresh salvo yesterday on the coalition talks  that led to the emergence of a new national executive committee for the party, said it was all about hijacking the ADC through deceit to support the 2027 presidential ambitions of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

     A competent source in INEC  confirmed that the commission  was yet to recognise the David Mark led leadership and therefore Nwosu remains the party chairman.

     The source said “as of today, Ralph Nwosu remains the Chairman of ADC recognised by the Commission.”

    It was gathered that although INEC officials were present when  Nwosu handed over to Mark, some critical stakeholders have complained that the meeting was not properly constituted as statutory members of NEC were excluded from the meeting.

    Read Also:IYC urges INEC to release Warri delineation report, warns against ethnic interference

    For example, sources close to Hon. Leke Abejide who is the only federal lawmaker elected at the moment on the platform of the party and a strong member of the NEC was neither informed of the meeting nor invited to the meeting as required by the party’s Constitution.

     Take over of ADC exco can’t stand, Kachikwu

     Kachikwu told reporters in Abuja yesterday that he would seek the party’s presidential ticket for 2027.

     He dismissed the Mark –led exco as an illegal entity.

     According to him, the purported handing over by Ralph Nwosu has no basis as his tenure as chairman lapsed two years ago while the process of handing over was characterised by manipulation.

     Kachikwu accused the former national chairman and the other promoters of coalition  of orchestrating a carefully planned takeover of the ADC  ahead of the 2027 general elections.

     He said: “To use the ADC, they needed to free it of all legal encumbrances and so they forged signatures of some of the chairmen who were not interested in the sale of the party and presented it to the court as terms of settlement which the Court of Appeal adopted as judgement.

      “It is something that will be prosecuted by the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Today, we have presented our position on this matter before the appropriate authorities, and it is up to them to take it up.”

     He said he had warned that   presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in 2023,Mr. Peter Obi and other presidential hopefuls  “in this coalition of geriatrics were being duped as Atiku’s men had been carefully positioned to take over the ADC party structure across the country.

     “Today I have been proven right as former Governor Obi and his people now realize that this coalition is indeed a one-man power grab,” he said.

     On the ambition of the former vice president,Kachikwu said: “former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a man who claims affinity and friendship with the south does not believe any southerner deserves to be president of Nigeria. Former Presidents Obasanjo and Jonathan are alive to attest to this uncomfortable truth. “In order to weaken the South, they have now drafted  former President Jonathan into the race who is alleged to be offering Peter Obi the position of Coordinating Minister of the Economy for him to support his ambition.”

     On the claims that former ADC chairman Ralph Nwosu expelled him from the party, Kachikwu said:“two years ago, before I ran for the elections, the same person came and said that I was expelled from the party. I represented the party in the elections. We all saw that,” he said.

     “The same person, who two Federal High Courts in Nigeria pronounced is not chairman of the party said to me that he expelled me from the party. I was a recognised flag bearer of the party. I am still a member of the party.

     “A man who is not chairman of the party, who has no legal basis, cannot say I’ve been expelled from the party. Just like someone saying, I am no longer a Nigerian. I am a Nigerian today, yesterday, and tomorrow. I am a member of ADC today, yesterday, and tomorrow.”

     On who can legitimately convene a national convention, he said the party must now invoke a principle similar to the Doctrine of Necessity.

     “Our situation is indeed very peculiar. When the late President Yar’Adua was not in the country, was very ill, and we invoked the Doctrine of Necessity to swear in the President, my party seeks such a doctrine of necessity to ensure that we keep the hope and dreams of our party alive.

     “Our party must not perish under the current onslaught by brutal demons across the continent,” he added.

    He also emphasized that he was waiting for INEC’s pronouncement on  the status of the party’s National Executive Council since the tenure of the Nwosu-led NEC expired two years ago and the party has been unable to convoke a national convention to replace them

    Furthermore, he said he is also exploring legal options to challenge the legitimacy of the Mark-led NEC.

    He urged Nigerians to resist what he described as an inequitable political agenda, saying, “We don’t burn our houses because we want to kill rats and cockroaches; sometimes we just need to make our houses clean so that rats and cockroaches leave on their own.”

    35 ADC state chairmen reiterate support for Mark

    The Forum of State Chairmen of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) yesterday reaffirmed its confidence in the party’s national leadership under, Senator David Mark.

    Kingsley Temitope Ogga, Chairman of the Forum and Kogi State ADC Chairman, made this known in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

    Ogga said Hon. Leke Abejide, the only member elected on the party’s platform, remains suspended indefinitely from the party, and lacks any locus to act on behalf of the ADC.

    He accused the party’s chairmen in Nassarawa and Benue of anti-party activities and said they “ have no locus to act on behalf of the party as the leaders of the forum”.

    He alleged that Abejide has been “acting against the interest of the ADC by making efforts surreptitiously to hand the party over to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election.”

  • INEC yet to recognise Mark, Aregbesola as chairman, secretary of ADC

    INEC yet to recognise Mark, Aregbesola as chairman, secretary of ADC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to recognise the change of leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) about two weeks after former Senate President, Senator David Mark and former Osun state Governor, Rauf Aregbesola assumed office as “interim” Chairman and Secretary of the Party. 

    As at 5.20pm on Friday, August 8, 2025, the Commission still recognised Ralph Nwosu as the national chairman of the party with Alh. Said Baba Abdullahi as national secretary.

    Other leaders of the Nwosu led leadership still listed on the Commission website are Kelvin Alagoa as National Treasurer, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ntima as National Financial Secretary and Bar. Ujunwa L. Onwuasoeze as National Legal Adviser, a clear indication that the David Mark led leadership is yet to be recognized. 

    Ralph Nwosu had announced at the National Executive Committee meeting of the party that he was stepping from his role as Natu Chairman and handed over to Senator David Mark, a move that has generated controversy within the party. 

    The Deputy National Chairman of the party, Nafiu Bala declared himself as National Chairman, saying the process that brought in David Mark was unconstitutional, but fresh indication have emerged that he may have caved in. 

    A competent source within the Commission informed The Nation that it was yet to recognise the David Mark led leadership and therefore Nwosu remain the party chairman.

    Read Also: INEC seeks legal backing for prisoners’ voting rights 

    The source said “as of today, Ralph Nwosu remain the Chairman of ADC recognised by the Commission.”

    The Nation also gathered that though a group had earlier planned to petition the Commission over what they called hijack of the ADC, the group may have backed down from doing so. 

    Further investigations revealed that even though the Commission attended the last NEC meeting of the party where Nwosu handed over to David Mark, some critical stakeholders have complained that the meeting was not properly constituted as statutory members of NEC were excluded from the meeting. 

    For example, sources close to Hon. Leke Abejide who is the only federal lawmaker elected at the moment on the platform of the party and a strong member of the NEC was neither informed of the meeting not invited to the meeting as required by the party Constitution. 

    Another source told The Nation that the David Mark led leadership has been going round buying over state chairmen box the party and making them juicy offers, but this claim could not be verified as at the time of this report. 

  • INEC seeks legal backing for prisoners’ voting rights

    INEC seeks legal backing for prisoners’ voting rights

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will engage the National Assembly on the need for a clear legal provision granting Nigerians serving jail terms in correctional centres the right to vote during elections.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this when the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, visited the commission. 

    He explained that once the legal framework is established, specific issues that may arise during implementation can then be addressed.

    “As you are aware, election is a process governed by law,” Yakubu said. “Working together, we can seize the opportunity of the ongoing electoral reform for a clear legal provision that will specifically cover citizens serving time in our correctional facilities.”

    “Doing so will also clarify the provision of Section 12(1)[e] of the Electoral Act 2022 on voter registration, a precondition for voting in elections, which restricts the exercise to a Nigerian citizen who “is not subject to any legal incapacity to vote under any law, rule or regulations in force in Nigeria”. 

    “There are various interpretations as to whether this provision relates to inmate on death row, those serving life sentence or those convicted for treason. Our immediate task is to engage with the National Assembly for a clear legal provision on inmate voting. Thereafter, we can address the specific issues that may arise in the course of implementation”. 

    Prof. Yakubu said the commission was aware of the voting right for inmates of correctional facilities who, at the moment, do not vote during elections and are therefore disenfranchised.

    He said “we are aware that the right to vote is a human right which cannot be taken away from a citizen on account of time being served in a correctional facility. In many parts of the world, including some African countries such as Ghana, Kenya and South Africa where our officials observed elections, inmates exercised the right to vote. 

    “The Commission is aware of the judgements of the Federal High Court in Benin delivered on 16th December 2014 and the Court of Appeal, also in Benin, delivered on 7th December 2018 pertaining to the right to vote by five plaintiffs awaiting trial. 

    “Based on the combined provisions of Article 25 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (1966) and Section 25 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) on citizenship, the court affirmed the rights of plaintiffs who were inmates awaiting trial to vote in elections. 

    “However, the judges ruled that the right to vote is only excisable when asserted as it is a choice to be exercised voluntarily by a citizen and not a duty to be imposed by force of authority.

    Read Also: IYC urges INEC to release Warri delineation report, warns against ethnic interference

    “You may recall that in recognition of this situation, the Commission had several discussions with the correctional service on how inmates who wish to register and vote in elections can do so. We even set up a joint technical committee to review all the issues involved and advise on the way forward. 

    “You availed us of data on the locations and types of federal correctional facilities nationwide. You also provided us with statistics on the various categories of inmates, the majority of whom are on remand awaiting trial and who may actually be registered voters. 

    “For our part, we raised the issue of access to the correctional facilities for voter registration, creation of polling units and voter education. On behalf of stakeholders and for transparency, we also brought to your attention concerns about access to your facilities for observers and the media. 

    “Political parties also want to know if they will be allowed to campaign in the correctional facilities and appoint polling agents on election day. We believe that working together with you and the stakeholders, we can address these concerns.”

    Prof Yakubu said the Commission appreciates the role of civil society organisations that have interfaced with INEC and NCoS in their consistent advocacy for inmate voting in Nigeria, especially Carmelite Prisoners’ Interest Organization (CAPIO). 

    He said “We welcome the positive disposition of the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on electoral matters on issues of inclusivity in our electoral process.

    “I wish to reassure the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service that we are united with you in our shared determination to extend voting rights to inmates of our correction facilities. A meeting like this goes a long was in reaffirming our resolve in this regard”.

    The Comptroller General of Nigeria Correctional Centre, Sylvester Nwakuche highlighted the status of inmates in the country whom he said are often overlooked in the democratic process in the country, 

    He said that out of over 81,000 inmates in the country’s correctional facilities, more than 69 percent are awaiting trial and are, under the law presumed innocent, saying those convicted still have some rights that have not been taken away from them. 

    He drew attention of the commission to existing court judgements abd a recent resolution of the National Assembly which reaffirmed the voting rights of inmates, stressing the need for practical implementation. 

    He asked the commo to address specific grey areas and technical requirements to ensure that inmates are not excluded from future elections. 

  • LP has no candidate in Edo by-election, says INEC

    LP has no candidate in Edo by-election, says INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the Labour Party did not field any candidate for next week’s by-election in Edo State to fill vacant positions in the National Assembly.

    It said nine political parties would be participating in the election that would be held in the Edo Central Senatorial district and the Ovia Federal Constituency seats.

    Both seats became vacant following the election of Senator Monday Okpebholo and Hon. Dennis Idahosa as Governor and Deputy Governor.

    Political parties that fielded candidates, according to the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, included Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

    The LP had announced Paul Okojie as its candidate for Edo Central, but Prof Onuoha said the party did not notify INEC of its intention to participate in the election.

    Read Also: INEC: early 2027campaign violates electoral law

    He said the LP primary was not known or monitored by INEC officials.

    According to him, “From our records, the Labour Party and others didn’t invite us for their primaries.

    “Some others invited us, but we got there, and their doors were locked. We could not find anyone,” he stated.

     Prof. Onuoha, who spoke at a press briefing in Benin City, assured that the commission was prepared to conduct a transparent and hitch-free election.

    He said the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) has been configured, while non-sensitive materials have been deployed.

    The Edo INEC REC said 101,617 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the areas scheduled for the election were yet to be collected.

    According to him, “There are 719,504 registered voters in the seven local governments where the by-election will be held. 101,617 voter cards are yet to be collected.”

    Dismissing calls by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for his redeployment, Onouha called on the media to support the commission in delivering a free, fair and credible election.

    “Even if you bring your brother to INEC, he can’t compromise elections because of the way the commission is structured,” he stated.

  • IYC urges INEC to release Warri delineation report, warns against ethnic interference

    IYC urges INEC to release Warri delineation report, warns against ethnic interference

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone, has urged the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the international community to resist any attempt by ethnic or traditional interests to obstruct the Supreme Court-backed delineation process in Warri Federal Constituency.

    In a strongly worded statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Nicholas Igarama; Secretary, Ebi Olowolayemo Esq.; and Information Officer, Tare Magbei, the IYC accused certain Itsekiri elites and political figures of exerting pressure on INEC to delay the release of the delineation report. The group described the move as “ethnic blackmail” and a “betrayal of justice.”

    “No crown, no title, no tribe has the right to block constitutional justice,” the IYC declared. “This is not about ethnicity; it is about democracy. INEC must release the delineation report without fear or favour.”

    Citing the Supreme Court’s judgment in *Timinimi v. INEC (SC/CV/1033/2023)*, the group maintained that INEC is constitutionally bound to complete and publish the ward delineation based on population spread and equitable representation.

    “The truth is not tribal. The Constitution is not ceremonial. The map of Warri must reflect its real people, not the fantasies of those hiding behind a throne created in 1952,” the statement added.

    The IYC alleged that while all ethnic groups participated in public hearings and data collection exercises, opposition only emerged after the outcome appeared to challenge the existing power structure.

    Backing their demand with references to historical legal victories and colonial documents, including Shell v. Tiebo VII (1996) and British Colonial Office Files (1952, 1936), the IYC said the process must be respected.

    They warned that continued delay by INEC could inflame tensions in the Niger Delta, recalling the violent ethnic clashes in Warri in 1997 and 2003.

    “You were not part of the process. You were not part of the pain. And you will not be allowed to hijack the justice we have lawfully pursued,” the group warned.

    “Delay is not neutrality; it is complicity. INEC’s silence is fueling suspicion and tension. If conflict erupts, the Commission will be seen as the chief enabler. We are peace-loving, but not powerless. We are patient, but not forgetful.”

    Read Also: INEC: early 2027campaign violates electoral law

    The statement further demanded, “INEC immediately release the final ward delineation report as ordered by the Supreme Court in Timinimi v. INEC (SC/CV/1033/2023).

    “We demand that no ethnic group, traditional title or political figure, elected or unelected, be allowed to override the rule of law through threats, manipulation or historical fraud.

    “We demand that the Nigerian state stop enabling a minority ethnic oligarchy to dominate territories where they are neither the owners nor the majority.

    “We demand respect for the ancestral lands of the Ijaw peoples, the protection of democracy in Warri, not as a slogan but as a living, breathing reality reflected in ward boundaries, polling units and electoral justice.”

    The letter was copied to several national and international institutions, including the Presidency, INEC Chairman, Chief Justice of Nigeria, European Union, United Nations, African Union, DSS, NBA, NHRC, and civil society groups, implored that justice should not be “sacrificed on the altar of tribal appeasement.”

  • INEC: early 2027campaign violates electoral law

    INEC: early 2027campaign violates electoral law

    Indication emerged yesterday that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties and their members to desist from subtle campaigns for the 2027 general election.

    A top INEC source told The Nation yesterday that the electoral umpire reminded the parties that their actions were in breach of the provisions of the  2022 Electoral Act.

     The source said  the  warning was issued during INEC’s  last consultative meeting   with  leaders of the  parties in Abuja,  

    He added that the commission told the party chiefs that it was worried by their activities since the timetable and schedule for the  2027 polls had yet to be made public.

    The source said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Election. To that extent, party primaries have not been held, and no political party has nominated candidates for the next general election.

    Read Also: PLASIEC, INEC to partner on voter registration in Plateau

    “Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 stipulates that the period of campaigning in public by political parties for an election shall commence 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours before that day.

    “Section 95 (1) of the Act also states clearly that a candidate and his or her party shall campaign for an election by such rules and regulations as may be determined by INEC.

    “To that extent, while Nigerians have the right and liberty to engage in political discussions and express their views on the next general election, any open campaign or canvassing votes for the 2027 general election is not only inappropriate but a violation of the Electoral Act.

    “The attention of all political parties in Nigeria was drawn to this situation at our last quarterly consultative meeting, and the commission expects full compliance with the law.”

  • ADC chairmen want INEC to resist illegal change of leadership

    ADC chairmen want INEC to resist illegal change of leadership

    The Concerned State Chairmen of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)  has urged the 

    the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist any pressure to recognise what it called any illegal change of leadership in the party. 

    The chairmen at a briefing in Abuja condemned the orchestrated political coup allegedly being perpetrated by the coalition led by Senator David Mark and  some others.

    Led by Elias Adokwu and Godwin Alaku as publicity Secretary, the group said  the  clandestine and unconstitutional hijack of our party, orchestrated through manipulation and backdoor dealings, represents not only a desperate power grab but also an aberrations of democratic norms and a grave assault on our collective political values as a nation.

    “We must make it abundantly clear: this is not a realignment of political ideology, nor is it an internal resolution of party differences. Rather, it is a blatant and reckless subversion of the ADC platform by a group we describe as a civilian junta, a self-styled cabal attempting to seize control outside the bounds of legal and democratic process.

    “It is ironic, and indeed tragic, that many of these individuals, who now presume to hijack the party, played no part in Nigeria’s hard-fought return to democracy. On the contrary, they have consistently exhibited disdain for constitutional governance. 

    ,”Nigerians must not forget in a hurry the notorious warning from one of the ringleaders of this group, who declared during the 2011 elections that “if peaceful change is not possible, violent change is inevitable.” 

    “This dangerous mindset is once again rearing its head, now cloaked in the garb of a political coalition. It is only by the grace of God that our democracy survived then, and we must not allow such reckless adventurism to thrive now.

    Read Also: INEC sets August 18 for nationwide voter registration ahead of 2027 elections

    “The Concerned ADC State Chairmen views this attempted takeover as an insult to all those who believe in and have labored for democratic governance in Nigeria. It is illegal, illegitimate, and unacceptable. Their objective is to fracture the democratic process, using selfish ambition and extra-party inducements to destroy a political platform they neither built nor believe in.

    “Let it be known: the African Democratic Congress (ADC) remains a party committed to democratic principles, the rule of law, ideological clarity, and peaceful political engagement. We have never and will never be a platform for political mercenaries or ideological impostors. If the coalition led by Senator David Mark and their agents of subversion are determined to pursue their sinister ambitions, they are advised to create their own party or look elsewhere. The ADC is not for sale, not for hijack, and certainly not a dumping ground for discredited power brokers.

    “This forum also challenges these so-called coalition leaders to disclose their actual contributions to the growth of democracy in Nigeria. What electoral value or ideological clarity do they bring? When and how did they earn the moral authority to determine the future of a political party whose founding values they have never defended?

    “We, the legitimate custodians of the ADC structure across all states of the federation, reject this illegitimate junta. We consider it our patriotic duty to defend the soul of the ADC and protect the sanctity of democratic structures in Nigeria.

    “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist any pressure to recognize any illegal change of leadership in ADC.

    “The Nigerian public, civil society organizations, and international observers to monitor and resist this creeping authoritarianism.

    “Law enforcement agencies to investigate all unlawful attempts to disrupt political order under the guise of coalition arrangements.

    “In conclusion, the concerned ADC State Chairmen stands firm in defense of democracy. We will not be intimidated, coerced, or silenced by those who seek to impose themselves through undemocratic means. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and its democracy must be preserved, protected, and strengthened, not undermined by political desperadoes masquerading as reformers.

    “Finally, i urge Nigerians to disregard the baseless allegations made by Ralph Nwosu and to see them for what they are – a desperate attempt to salvage his own political reputation, and if anything happens to me or any other Distinguish Chairmen of Our great Party the ADC, Nigerians should Not look far,”they said

  • 3.553 million voters for August 16 legislative bye elections

    3.553 million voters for August 16 legislative bye elections

    About 3,553,659 eligible voters across 6,987 polling units in 12 States, 32 Local Government Areas and 356 Wards are expected to participate in the August 16 bye elections into the National and State Houses of Assembly.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) portal for nomination of candidates for the election, which opened on Monday, July 21 automatically shut down on Saturday, July 26, while the final list of candidates was expected to have been published on Friday, August 1, 2025.

    By the INEC timetable, campaigns for the bye election was scheduled to kick off on Saturday, August 2, 2025.

    Also, the dedicated portal for media coverage of the election closed on the 31st of July, while the commission has already published the list of accredited election observers for the election.

    At the time of this report, the commission was yet to release the list of candidates for the election as well as the number of political parties contesting the election.

    However, the name of 60 local and 4 foreign election observers including the European Union delegation has been published by the commission to monitor the election.

    Election is expected to be conducted in two Senatorial districts in Edo and Anambra and five Federal Constituencies in Edo, Ogun, Kaduna, Jigawa and Oyo.

    Edo central senatorial district became vacant as a result of the resignation of Senator Monday Okoebholo to contest the Governorship election in Edo state, while Anambra South senatorial district became vacant as a result of the death of Senator Ifeanyi Uba.

    Read Also: Sani distributes free fertiliser to 100,000 farmers, launches crop insurance scheme

    Also, while the Ovia Federal Constituencies of Edo state became vacant as a result of resignation by Danis Idahosa to contest as the Deputy Governor of Edo state, Ibadan North (Oyo state), Chikun/Kajuru (Kaduna state), Bakura/Garki (Jigawa state) and Ikene/Shagamu/Remo North federal constituencies became vacant as a result of the death of the lawmakers.

    The election into state Houses of Assembly will also be conducted in Kogi, Zamfara, Niger, Taraba, Adamawa, Kano, Anambra and Kaduna state’s.

    The Nation gathered that the Julius Abure led faction of the Labour Party has threatened to go to court to challenge it’s exclusion from the process leading to the Elections, but the alleged exclusion could not be confirmed last night as officials told The Nation to await the final list of candidates for the election.

    Earlier, the Commission had warned political parties against making careless mistakes in the nomination and submission of candidates for the various election, saying such mistakes could be detrimental to both the parties and their candidates.

    National Commissioner and Chairperson of the Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints Committee (LSC&CC), Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu gave the warning at a two-day refresher training workshop on using the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP) for party officials.

    She said “Nomination of candidates is not only a statutory obligation as provided in Section 29 of the Electoral Act, 2022, but it is the very foundation upon which elections are conducted. An error in the submission of personal particulars of candidates by political parties can be potentially detrimental to both the party and its candidate.”

    The National Commissioner stressed that despite the progress made so far with the ICNP in reducing paperwork and improving compliance, political parties still face challenges such as incomplete form submissions, improper document attachments, and frequent turnover of personnel managing the nomination process.

    “This refresher training is designed to bridge those gaps and ensure that both returning and newly appointed party officials have the knowledge and skills necessary for a smooth nomination process,” she added.

    The Nation also gathered that the Commission has received assurance of adequate security for the election from the office of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu

    At a recent meeting of the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security, Ribadu said the security agents will, among other things, intensify intelligence efforts to monitor and preempt any threats to elections and provide real-time intelligence to enable the implementation of proactive measures.

    He was speaking through the Director Internal Security, in his office, Hassan Y Abdullahi, at the second quarterly consultative meeting of the Interagency Concultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

    The assurance came as a result of security concerns raised by the Commission Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

    Ribadu said collaborative efforts between security agencies and the commission have been the mainstay of maintaining peace and order during the election.

  • INEC warns against vote buying, violence ahead of 2026 Osun polls

    INEC warns against vote buying, violence ahead of 2026 Osun polls

    The Independent National Electoral Commission has called for stronger collaboration among all stakeholders to combat electoral fraud in future elections across the country.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Mutiu Agboke, made the call while speaking with journalists after appearing on the political programme Gbagede Oselu on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Sunday.

    Agboke questioned the roles played by other stakeholders—particularly the media, security agencies, civil society organisations, the political class, and religious leaders—during elections. He lamented the increasing violence before and on election day.

    He urged key players to wake up to their responsibilities and do what is necessary for the advancement of Nigeria’s democracy.

    The REC also called on stakeholders to take the lead in voter education and enlighten the public on the electoral process.

    Agboke said, “So, for us (INEC), we will continue to campaign against the cankerworm of trying to buy the minds of the people. That’s number one. Number two, even if you have the money, people still believe they can deploy violence to gain an advantage.

    “There is nothing you can do to curb it other than to continue engaging stakeholders and discouraging them from unleashing terror. We need to continue talking to our people to believe in democracy.”

    “Let me tell you, in the whole world, there is no government that is better for the electorate, for the masses, than a democratic government. And the only process by which someone can attain this democratic position is through elections. We must all find solutions to any impediments.”

    Read Also: NAFDAC seizes N20.5 billion worth of fake drugs, tomato paste at Onne Port

    Agboke stressed that INEC alone cannot reduce or eliminate the menace of electoral malpractice.

    “All other stakeholders—the media, civil society organisations, the political class, especially the political class—we must engage them. Let them understand that you don’t need money to buy people’s conscience.

    “Our people’s conscience must be addressed. Let’s talk to them. I know poverty is widespread. I know deprivation exists everywhere. But when they bring money, tell them you don’t need their money to vote. Your conscience should determine the direction of your vote. For me, the conversation is a continuous one—you cannot stop that”, he stated.

    The electoral commissioner also urged religious leaders and political actors to actively participate in safeguarding the integrity of elections.

    “We have spoken. After INEC, invite the Commissioner of Police, the Inter-Party Advisory Council, principal CSOs, religious leaders—Christians and Muslims—let them come and explain the roles they are playing. We should not just stay in mosques or churches.

    “These are the things we want to hear. Call the political parties, call the politicians. They are the beneficiaries of all these efforts we are making. Politicians are the ones who benefit the most”, he added.

    Speaking on the 2026 governorship election in Osun State, Agboke said INEC has clear regulations, and anyone who violates the electoral process should be reported to security agencies.

    “INEC has regulations. It has stipulated how our machines should work. So, any INEC staff who makes excuses contrary to existing rules and regulations is violating those rules.

    “If you notice that, don’t attack him. Call the security agents and report him or her. For example, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which must be fully charged, is expected to function optimally.

    “In other words, with a fully charged BVAS, it should work without difficulty. But where a particular staff member colludes with others to make the BVAS fail, then that person has compromised the process and should be handed over to security personnel,” he concluded.

  • PLASIEC, INEC to partner on voter registration in Plateau

    PLASIEC, INEC to partner on voter registration in Plateau

    The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to credible, inclusive elections and pledged full support for the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise across the state.

    PLASIEC Chairman, Plangji Cishak, made the pledge while receiving the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Plateau State, Abubakar Sadiq, and his team during a familiarisation visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Jos.

    A statement by PLASIEC Head of Media, Koro Yakubu, said the visit aimed to strengthen institutional collaboration between the two electoral bodies ahead of the CVR in all 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    Welcoming the delegation, Cishak described the engagement as a strategic move to reinforce inter-agency synergy in electoral administration. He commended INEC’s support during the October 9, 2024 Local Government Elections and lauded REC Sadiq’s professionalism, transparency, and commitment to justice, qualities he said align with PLASIEC’s own values.

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    The PLASIEC chairman also highlighted ongoing innovations within the Commission, including upgrades to its Voter Verification Software (VVS), which he said will help strengthen the credibility of future elections in the state.

    In his remarks, REC Sadiq assured that INEC is committed to delivering a timely and efficient voter registration exercise in Plateau. He announced that the CVR will be conducted in two phases, online pre-registration from Monday, August 18, 2024, followed by physical registration beginning Monday, August 25, 2024 in all LGAs.

    Sadiq stressed the importance of partnership between INEC and PLASIEC in deepening democratic governance, noting that while INEC oversees national and state elections, PLASIEC is critical to the administration of local polls. He called for joint public sensitisation to encourage widespread participation in the CVR.

    Both commissions reaffirmed their shared commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and people-centered electoral processes, expressing confidence that their collaboration will boost public trust, increase voter participation, and strengthen Plateau State’s democratic landscape.