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INEC queries SDP over appointment of acting national chairman
- …Gabam dismisses appointment
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected a letter introducing an acting national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), purportedly signed by the party’s national secretary.

INEC demanded clarification from the substantive national chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, regarding the authenticity of the correspondence.

In a memo dated July 5, 2025, and signed by INEC Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the Commission stated that the letter, dated June 25, failed to meet the requirements of Part 2(12)3 of the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

“The Commission is in receipt of a letter dated 25th June on the above, purportedly signed by the Secretary of your Party with a signature inconsistent with the specimen signature in the records of the Commission, introducing an acting National Chairman of your Party,” the memo read in part.

INEC further noted that the document was non-compliant and called on Gabam to confirm its authenticity and provide further clarification.

Read Also: INEC warns against mistakes in nomination process

“The letter is not in compliance with the requirement of part 2(12)3 of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022. You are to please confirm the authenticity of the letter”.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Party Araba Rufus Ayenigba had two weeks in a statement announced the suspension of the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Gabam and two other members of the National Working Committee (NWC, over alleged general misconduct and appointed Dr. Sadiq Abubakar Gombe as the Acting Chairman of the party,

In a swift reaction Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, has assured Party members and the general public that there was no crisis whatsoever within the party as begin speculated in some quarters

In a statement made available to reporters on Sunday in Abuja by his Media Aide, Alhaji Lawal Ibrahim, the SDP boss described recent speculations suggesting internal wrangling in the party as misleading and unfounded which should be disregarded by all and sundry

Gabam maintained that the SDP remained united, focused, and committed to building a strong, credible alternative for Nigerians.

According to him; “There is no crisis in the SDP, what we have is a party that is growing stronger by the day, guided by discipline, internal democracy, and a shared vision to serve Nigerians with integrity and purpose.”

Gabam disclosed that the party leadership remained committed to reforms that promote transparency, accountability, and order, adding that SDP is attracting quality Nigerians who are tired of recycled politics and want real change.

According to him, the Party’s strength lies in its ability to self-regulate and uphold values that resonate with the aspirations of the people.

“We will not be distracted by false narratives. Our focus is on preparing the SDP to take its rightful place in the political leadership of this country,” he said. “Nigerians are yearning for a credible alternative, and we are ready to provide it.”

Gabam further reiterated his confidence in the party’s structure and leadership across all levels, assuring that the SDP will continue to stand as a beacon of hope in Nigeria’s political landscape.

According to the statement; “the attention of the National Leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has been drawn to recent disturbing and misleading actions propagated by a small group of individuals whose sole aim appears to be the destabilization of our great party. Chief among them is Dr Olu Agunloye, who has consistently waged a campaign of misinformation, misrepresentation, and outright defiance of the constitution and founding ideals of the SDP.

“Let it be stated clearly and for the record: the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the only constitutionally empowered body to regulate political parties in Nigeria, recognizes Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam as the authentic and substantive National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party.

“This official recognition puts to rest any attempt to mislead the public or manufacture confusion by individuals acting outside the bounds of the law and the party constitution.

“Contrary to efforts by Dr. Agunloye and a few disgruntled elements to portray a divided house, the SDP remains united, focused, and strong under the legitimate leadership of Alhaji Gabam.

“The Party has achieved significant milestones, including revitalizing its grassroots structures, increasing its visibility nationwide, and fostering a message of social justice and integrity. These gains have been made possible by the tireless commitment of patriotic members who remain devoted to the SDP’s mission.

“It is therefore deeply regrettable that at a time when we should be consolidating our progress, certain individuals, clearly motivated by personal vendetta and ambition, have chosen to incite division and chaos through false narratives and illegal maneuvers.

“We are aware of the allegations of financial impropriety being propagated by Agunloye, who claims to have petitioned the Nigeria Police Force. We welcome the intervention of law enforcement and urge a thorough and impartial investigation into his baseless accusations. We are confident that the truth will prevail and those seeking to mislead the public will be exposed.

“Even more disturbing is Agunloye’s audacious move to constitute a kangaroo investigative panel, in clear violation of the Party’s constitution and in direct conflict with an ongoing police investigation. Such a panel is illegitimate, unlawful, and holds no authority or binding effect on the operations or leadership of the SDP. It is an act of desperation, a smokescreen designed to distract from his lack of credibility.

“We also wish to categorically state that the purported plan by the National Secretary to remove State Chairmen and appoint Caretaker Committees in the states is unconstitutional, null and void. Such action lacks constitutional backing and will never be recognized by INEC.

“No individual, including the National Secretary, possesses the unilateral authority to remove duly elected state leadership.

“Furthermore, the purported National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting being called by this faction is illegal and of no consequence. It violates several provisions of the SDP Constitution (2022, as amended), including: Sections 13.1(iv) and 14.4(ii) – Only the National Chairman may preside over NWC or NEC meetings.

“Section 14.4(i) – Any meeting not conducted in compliance with these provisions is null and void. Any NEC meeting not convened or presided over by Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam is unconstitutional and invalid.

Alhaji Gabam also cleared the air regarding the issue of coalition, saying, ” let it be abundantly clear that the SDP is an independent political party.

According to him, ‘The issue of any supposed coalition is a matter of the past, and the SDP is not part of any such coalition arrangement

Alhaji Gabam then urged the teeming members and supporters of the Party across the country to remain calm, vigilant, and steadfast.

He said, “Do not be distracted by the noise and theatrics of a few who seek to derail our progress, this momentary turbulence shall pass. We remain committed to our democratic ideals, our vision for national transformation, and our role as a credible political alternative in Nigeria

Gabam declared affirmatively that; “the SDP is not for sale. It is not for hijacking. It is a movement of the people—and it shall remain so”.
July 20, 2025
Alleged contempt: Judge queries INEC’s neutrality in political parties’ internal affairs

…NRM threatens to seek arrest warrant against Prof Yakubu

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court has expressed doubt over the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in relation to the internal affairs of political parties.

Justice Egwuatu made the observation at the resumption of proceedings in a contempt case brought against INEC’s Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu by a political party, the National Rescue Movement (NRM).

The judge had in a ex-parte ruling on June 17 ordered substituted service, on Prof. Yakubu, of all court documents relating to contempt case, which arose from the alleged failure of the INEC Chairman to obey an earlier judgment of the court, recognising Chief Edozie Njoku as the National Chairman of the NRM.

At the mention of the case on Friday, lawyer to the NRM, Oladimeji Ekengba said the case was slated for mention, but that he was shocked that the alleged contemnor was absence in a contempt proceeding that is a criminal matter.

Yakubu ‘s lawyer, Alhassan Umar, (SAN) however informed the court that they had filed a preliminary objection to challenge the matter.

Umar said the application was filed on July 17, hence, the contempt case was not ripe for hearing.

He said: “In our view, our application takes precedence over contempt proceedings. It has to be taken and determined first before the contempt

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“I am surprised that my learner friend did not disclose that he has been served that application and subject to the convenience of the court, we are ready to proceed,” Umar said.

In his response, Ekengba acknowledged being served with the objection on Thursday, and argued that Umar’s submission that the preliminary objection ought to be heard first did not apply in law.

Citing a previous decision of the Supreme Court in Ebhodaghe Vs Okoye, 2004, Page 495, the lawyer argued that a preliminary objection cannot take precedence when a contempt had been filed.

Ekengba said the Supreme Court was of the view that when it is an issue of contempt, it takes precedence over every other matters, because a defendant cannot be in contempt and still come to the same court for reliefs.

“The fact is that the contemnor is not here and no reason was given. Otherwise, I will be applying for a bench warrant of arrest for him to be here,” Ekengba said.

Justice Egwuatu then, intervened and asked Umar to respond the Ekengba’s argument.

Umar said Ekengba himself admitted that the matter was fixed for mention and that the issue of jurisdiction, which is fundamental, had been raised in their application.

At the point, Justice Egwuatu told Umar that he has read the preliminary objection before, adding, “I don’t need to read it (the preliminary objection) again to know the fact of that case.

“At least, I read law. This profession is for all of us and no matter how highly place a person is, he should obey the law,” the judge said, adding that such action affect public confidence in the Judiciary.

The judge proceeded to note that INEC ought to be a neutral party in its relationship with political parties and so, political parties should be allowed to solve their problems.

Justice Egwuatu then adjourned till October 8 for hearing.

Ekengba had, while arguing the motion ex-parte on June 17 claimed that INEC and Prof. Yakubu failed to comply with an order of mandamus made by the court on March 5, directing them to accept the outcome of an emergency national convention that produced Chief Edozie Njoku as the National Chairman of the NRM.

Ekengba said the essence of the emergency national convention, held on January 17, was to fill existing vacancy and correct the lopsidedness in the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NRM.

He said NRM’s request that the court’s Registrar issue Form 48 to be served on INEC Chairman was for him to show cause why he should not be committed to prison for failing to comply with the court’s judgment.

Ekengba said his client resorted to substituted service on realising that it would be impossible to hand the processes to him personally.

“I know that the bailiff of this court will not be able to serve the Chairman of the respondent/judgement debtor (INEC) the Form 48 personally as the respondent only receive processes (court documents) at the gate at a designated registry at Plot 430, Zambezi Crescent Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja.

“The judgment debtor/respondent’s Chairman has put in place numerous protocols and the bailiff of this court will not be able to serve him the Form 48 issued by this honourable court

“From the disposition of the judgment debtor/respondent, it is practically impossible to serve its Chairman with the Form 48 personally as required by law.”

In a protest letter earlier sent to Prof. Yakubu by the party’s lawyer, Joe Agi (SAN), NRM said Njoku and other members of its NEC were elected on January 17, 2025, at the emergency national convention of the party held in Abuja.

It added that since the emergence of Chief Njoku as the National Chairman of NRM, INEC and its Chairman have allegedly refused to recognise him and the NEC members as leaders of the party despite a subsisting order of the Federal High Court, directing INEC to recognise them.

On January 16 Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja issued an order mandating INEC to “monitor and accept” the outcome of NRM’s emergency convention held on January 17.

Following delay by INEC to recognise the leadership that emerged from the January 17 convention, the NRM went back to court and, on March 5, Justice Egwuatu issued the order of mandamus, compelling INEC and its Chairman to recognise the Chief Njoku-led NEC of the party.

July 18, 2025
Anambra governorship elections: INEC register 96,085 new voters in nine days

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Thursday that it has so far registered about 96,085 in the last nine days of the continuous voter registration exercise ahead of the November governorship election in Anambra state.

The Commission however announced the extension of the exercise by another three days to allow more eligible voters register.

A statement by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of the Commission, Sam Olumekun said the exercise will now close on Sunday.

The Commission also announced that five more political associations have submitted letter of intent to be registered as political party, bring the numbernso far to 135.

The statement reads “the Commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Thursday 17th July 2025. Among other issues, the meeting reviewed the ongoing preparation for the forthcoming off-cycle governorship election in Anambra State and further update on applications for registration by new political parties.

“The Commission is pleased with the turnout of registrants in Anambra State and the peaceful conduct of the CVR in all the 326 registration centres in the State. As of yesterday, Wednesday 16th July 2025, 96,085 new voters have successfully registered in nine days.

“On average, the Commission registered over 10,600 voters per day. In addition, 12,595 voters applied for transfer of their registration both within and outside the State while 7,061 persons applied for the update of their records or the replacement of their damaged or lost Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

“The CVR in Anambra State ends today. However, in response to appeal from citizens, the Commission hereby extends the exercise for three more days. It will now end on Sunday 20th July 2025.

“Thereafter, the Commission will display the register for claims and objections by citizens as provided by law, followed by a further clean-up of the data using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).

Read Also: INEC warns against mistakes in nomination process

“Subsequently, the detailed breakdown of the new registrants by age, gender, occupation and disability will be published for public information. At this preliminary stage, 56,017 (58%) of new registrants are female while 50,429 (52.48%) are young people between the ages of 18 and 34.

“Meanwhile, the Commission has received five more letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties. This brings the number received so far to 134.

“The details of the new associations, indicating their proposed names, acronyms, logos, addresses and interim leaderships are published on our website and other platforms for public information.

“The Commission will continue to keep the citizens up to date on all its activities”.

July 17, 2025
INEC warns against mistakes in nomination process

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties against making careless mistakes in the nomination and submission of candidates for the various elections.

The commission said such mistakes could be detrimental to both parties and their candidates.

INEC’s 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 workshop on the use of the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP) for party officials

Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu said the training was organised to enhance the capacity of political parties and minimise procedural errors in candidate nominations as well as consolidate the achievements from previous cycles and ensure a more efficient, transparent, and technologically seamless nomination process in preparation for upcoming bye-elections and the Federal Capital Territory Area Council polls.

She said: “Nomination of candidates is not only a statutory obligation, as provided for 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.”

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The national commissioner stressed that despite the progress made so far with the ICNP in reducing paperwork and improving compliance, political parties still faced some 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.

Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu urged party officials to maximise the training, saying: “Our collective preparedness is a determinant of the overall success of the electoral process.”

An Assistant Director in INEC’s Legal Drafting and Clearance Department, Samuel Omale, outlined the purpose and strategic focus of the refresher training.

According to him, the workshop was designed not just as a routine exercise but as a timely intervention to deepen the capacity of political party officials ahead of upcoming FCT and bye-elections.

July 17, 2025
INEC warn against careless mistakes in candidates nomination process

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has 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

Mrs Mbu said the training is aimed at enhancing the capacity of political parties and minimize procedural errors in candidate nominations as well as to consolidate achievements from previous cycles and ensure a more efficient, transparent, and technologically seamless nomination process in preparation for upcoming bye-elections and the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections.

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.”

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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.

Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu urged party officials to maximize the training, noting that “our collective preparedness is a determinant of the overall success of the electoral process.”

She said the initiative reaffirms INEC’s commitment to using technology to strengthen electoral integrity, improve compliance, and build capacity among political actors to ensure credible and inclusive elections.

An Assistant Director in the Legal Drafting and Clearance Department, Samuel Omale outlined the purpose and strategic focus of the refresher training.

According to him, the workshop was designed not just as a routine exercise, but as a timely intervention to deepen the capacity of political party officials ahead of upcoming FCT and bye-elections.

According to him, the objective is to refresh political parties on the approved Guidelines for the Nomination of Candidates as outlined in the Electoral Act, 2022, while equipping them with practical knowledge of the nomination process.

He said the training sought to enhance parties’ familiarity with the Commission’s internal procedures, particularly through live demonstrations on how to make timely and correct submissions via the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP).

In addition to addressing common areas of confusion and past mistakes, the sessions also provided space for open dialogue between the Commission and party representatives an opportunity to ask questions, seek clarifications, and find common ground.

Omale expressed optimism about the expected outcomes of the exercise, citing better understanding of the portal, improved accuracy in submissions, and the establishment of a more collaborative framework between INEC and political parties as key deliverables.

July 16, 2025
2027: 300,000 voter cards uncollected in Ondo, says INEC

In preparation for the resumption of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concerns about the high figures of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), totalling 295,856 in Ondo State.

The commission had on Monday announced that it would begin CVR exercise by August 12, as part of preparation for the 2027 general election.

The electoral body had explained that the CVR exercise was in line with constitutional provisions to accommodate those who had attained 18 years after the previous election, noting that it would commence with online pre-registration, which would be done through the INEC website across the 36 states.

Speaking during the second quarterly consultative meeting with the media held at the INEC headquarters in Akure, the Residents Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Oluwatoyin Babalola, described the staggering number of uncollected PVCs in the state as worrisome and called for a collective effort from the media, civil society, political parties and traditional rulers.

Mrs Babalola disclosed that of the 2,053,061 registered voters in the state, only 1,757,205 have collected their PVCs, saying a significant portion of the electorate in the state stand disenfranchised if the trend continues.

“The state has a total of 2,053,061 registered voters while 1,757,205 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) have been collected, and 295,856 remain uncollected,” she said.

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The REC said voter registration was one of the pre-election activities in the country, stressing that it was a critical aspect of any democratic process, which served as the gateway and the primary means through which eligible citizens were enfranchised.

Giving details of the CVR, she said the beginning of the exercise was not a licence for any campaign activities, as notice of election had not been issued by the National Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

Mrs Babalola explained that the registration exercise targets seven categories of citizens: new registrants who just turned 18, those unable to register previously, individuals seeking to transfer registration, voters with accreditation issues, citizens needing data updates, those with defaced or lost PVCs, and people collecting unclaimed PVCs.

“The CVR exercise will continue until August 2026; however, it will be temporarily stopped in December 2025 to facilitate the harvesting and processing of data collected from August to December 2025. After this short break, the exercise will resume early next year.”

The REC issued a warning against double or multiple registrations, citing the Electoral Act 2022, which prescribes a fine of N100,000, one year imprisonment, or both, for offenders.

“Those already registered must not re-register. It is illegal and punishable under the law,” she cautioned.

Mrs Babalola, however, said all 19 centres designated for the exercise are ready for commencement, while the INEC Enrolment Devices (IVEDs) required for the exercise are available in sufficient quantity, well labelled, fully charged and ready for deployment.

“As we approach the commencement of the CVR, I want to use this opportunity to call on all eligible citizens to take advantage of this opportunity to register, update their information and collect their PVC during the exercise.

“In the same vein, I urge all political parties, civil society organisations, faith-based groups, youths, women’s groups and traditional leaders to join us in mobilising the populace for the success of the CVR exercise.

“A credible voter register is the bedrock of a credible election. Let me conclude by reaffirming INEC’s commitment to transparency, professionalism and inclusivity throughout the registration process.”

July 16, 2025
2027: INEC raises alarm over 295,000 uncollected PVCs in Ondo

…to resume nationwide CVR exercise

As preparations intensify for the nationwide resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concern over the high number of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Ondo State, totalling 295,856.

INEC, on Monday, announced that the CVR exercise would commence on August 12, 2025, in preparation for the 2027 general elections. The exercise, which begins with online pre-registration via the INEC website, is aimed at capturing new voters who have turned 18 and others who were previously unable to register.

Speaking during the second quarterly consultative meeting with the media at INEC’s state headquarters in Akure, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, described the situation as alarming.

She called on the media, political parties, civil society organisations, and traditional rulers to support efforts to improve PVC collection.

READ ALSO: Aiyedatiwa assigns portfolios to newly sworn-in Ondo commissioners

According to Babalola, out of 2,053,061 registered voters in the state, only 1,757,205 have collected their PVCs, leaving 295,856 uncollected. She warned that such a trend could lead to widespread disenfranchisement if not urgently addressed.

“Voter registration is a fundamental element of the democratic process and the primary means through which eligible citizens are enfranchised,” she said.

The REC clarified that the upcoming CVR is not an invitation to commence political campaigns, as the official notice of election has yet to be issued by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

She outlined that the exercise would target seven categories of individuals: new registrants who have just turned 18, those unable to register previously, persons wishing to transfer their registration, voters with accreditation issues, citizens seeking to update their data, individuals with defaced or lost PVCs, and those collecting unclaimed PVCs.

“The CVR exercise will continue until August 2026; however, it will be temporarily stopped in December 2025 to facilitate the harvesting and processing of data collected from August to December 2025. After this short break, the exercise will resume early next year.”

The REC issued a strong warning against double or multiple registrations, citing the Electoral Act 2022, which prescribes a fine of N100,000, one year imprisonment, or both, for offenders.

“Those already registered must not re-register. It is illegal and punishable under the law,” she cautioned.

Mrs Babalola, however, said all 19 centres designated for the exercise are ready for commencement, while the INEC Enrolment Devices (IVEDs) required for the exercise are available in sufficient quantity, well labelled, fully charged, and ready for deployment.

“As we approach the commencement of the CVR I want to use this opportunity to call on all eligible citizens to take advantage of this opportunity to register, update their information, and collect their PVC during the exercise.

“In the same vein, I urge all political parties, civil society organisations, faith-based groups, youth, women’s groups, and traditional leaders to join us in mobilising the populace for the success of the CVR exercise.

“A credible voter register is the bedrock of a credible election. Let me conclude by reaffirming INEC’s unwavering commitment to transparency, professionalism, and inclusivity throughout the registration process.”

July 15, 2025
Federal lawmaker urges INEC to create two new state constituencies in Rivers

The lawmaker representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Cyril Hart, has formally requested the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to create two additional state constituencies in Rivers State.

In a letter dated July 7, 2025, and received by INEC on July 10, Hart called for the establishment of Degema State Constituency II and Bonny State Constituency II, citing constitutional provisions as the basis for his demand.

Referencing Section 114 of the 1999 Constitution, Hart reminded INEC of its obligation to periodically review state constituencies every ten years.

He also pointed to Sections 91 and 112, which stipulate that a state’s House of Assembly should comprise three or four times the number of seats it holds in the House of Representatives.

Hart argued that the creation of the new constituencies would strengthen political representation and improve governance and service delivery for residents of the Degema and Bonny local government areas.

Hart said, “I am writing to formally request the creation of a new state constituency, to be named Bonny State Constituency II, in Bonny Local Government Area (LGA), Rivers State, Nigeria.

“This request is made under the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), particularly Sections 91 and 112, which empower INEC to delineate constituencies to ensure equitable representation and effective governance.

Read Also: INEC to digitalise party registration

“The proposed constituency aims to address the growing population, unique geographical challenges, and socio-economic needs of Bonny LGA, fostering enhanced democratic participation and representation for its residents.

“Bonny LGA, located in Rivers State, is a historically and economically significant region, hosting critical national assets such as the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) project and serving as a hub for oil and gas activities.

“Despite its importance, Bonny LGA currently operates as a single state constituency, which is increasingly inadequate to meet the representational needs of its diverse and growing population.

“The creation of Bonny State Constituency II is a critical step toward ensuring equitable representation, fostering inclusive governance, and promoting sustainable development in Bonny LGA.

“Given INEC’s mandate to uphold democratic principles and ensure fair representation, I am confident that this request will receive the attention and action it deserves under your esteemed leadership.”

However, at a meeting with his constituents, Hart said he has provided sufficient justification to INEC for the creation of the new state constituencies.

“My dear constituents in Degema and Bonny local government areas, as you are aware, the National Assembly is on a constitution review and amendment process.

“I have activated section 114 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which mandates INEC to periodically review State Constituencies at intervals of not less than ten years.

“Also, sections 91 and 112 CFRN, which provide that a House of Assembly of a State shall consist of three or four times the number of seats which that State has in the House of Representatives, but must not exceed forty seats/members.

“Rivers State has 13 seats in the House of Representatives and therefore should have 39 State Constituencies and NOT 32 seats as presently delineated by INEC, more than 20 years ago.

“As you can see, the House of Assembly of Rivers State is deficient of 7 seats and not in compliance with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.

“Therefore, in the light of the above, I have requested through INEC and the Constitution Review Committee of the House of Representatives for the creation of Degema State Constituency II, and Bonny State Constituency II.

“I’m not unaware of the bottlenecks associated with the creation of States and Constituencies. I have provided sufficient justification to support this request”, he said.

July 11, 2025
INEC to digitalise party registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will in the next few days deploy a new portal for the registration of new political parties to ensure a seamless process.

The National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, announced this in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

The statement reads: “At its regular weekly meeting held today, Thursday, July 10, 2025, the commission received a further update on additional requests from associations seeking registration as political parties.

“Since last week, seven more applications have been received, bringing the total number so far to 129. All the requests are being processed.

Read Also: INEC to staff: Hide election materials, go to jail in Anambra

“Unlike the manual method used in previous registration, the commission is introducing a political party registration portal which is a module in our Party Financial Reporting and Auditing System (PFRAS).

“This will make the process faster and seamless. In the next week, the commission will conclude the final testing of the portal before deployment.

“Thereafter, the next step for associations that meet the requirements to proceed to the application stage will be announced. The commission will also issue guidelines to facilitate the filing of applications using the PFRAS.

“Meanwhile, the list of the new associations has been uploaded to our website and other platforms for public information.”

July 11, 2025
INEC: A legacy of reform, innovation, controversy

As Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) comes to an end, his legacy is one of modernisation, inclusion, and hard-won reforms, but also marred by controversial elections, shaken public confidence, and unanswered questions, writes Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI

As Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s historic tenure as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) comes to an end, his legacy reflects a push for modernisation and inclusion, yet it is equally marked by controversial elections, eroded public confidence, and lingering questions.

Over two terms from 2015 to 2023, Yakubu presided over general elections, numerous by-elections, off-cycle polls, and reruns. His leadership was not only defined by the conduct of these elections but by his reform agenda, aimed at reshaping the electoral body into a more independent, transparent institution. These reforms were ambitious, but were often tested by Nigeria’s political volatility and the complexities of scale.

Institutional reforms

One of Yakubu’s most notable achievements was strengthening INEC’s autonomy and professionalism. The commission under his leadership worked to insulate itself from executive interference, striving to be more than a procedural body—to act as a truly independent referee in Nigeria’s turbulent electoral arena.

Though no electoral body is entirely immune from political pressure, INEC under Yakubu made concerted efforts to assert operational independence. He led a revamp of internal processes, with a focus on capacity building, streamlined procurement, and staff training—measures that helped reduce ad hoc decision-making and improved logistical coordination.

Procedural reforms were also introduced. During the 2016 Bayelsa governorship election, INEC implemented simultaneous accreditation and voting; a relatively small change that nonetheless reflected a deeper effort to improve the voter experience. This innovation drew from the Commonwealth Observer Mission’s recommendations after the 2015 general election.

Yakubu further prioritised early preparation. Tools like the Election Project Plan (EPP) and the Election Management System (EMS) helped standardise INEC’s electoral calendar, reducing the chaos and last-minute improvisation that had marred past elections.

Technological innovations

INEC’s introduction of technology was a hallmark of Yakubu’s leadership; intended to curb fraud and modernise operations. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) replaced the controversial Smart Card Readers, allowing secure voter authentication using both fingerprint and facial recognition. Though technical limitations remained, especially in areas with poor connectivity and insufficient staff training, the introduction of BVAS marked a significant advance in the country’s electoral journey.

Another breakthrough was the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), designed to upload polling unit results in real-time. While IReV initially raised hopes for increased transparency, it faltered during the 2023 general election due to glitches and delayed uploads. Yakubu attributed the failures to technical issues, but public trust took a major hit.

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Mr. Austin Aigbe, Regional Advocacy Officer at the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network, explained: “The IReV is Prof. Yakubu’s idea. Before he came in, results were pasted at polling units on Form EC60E. But they were often torn down. The IReV turned that form into an electronic version, reducing the risk of tampering.

“Unfortunately, INEC did not have the full legal backing to implement some of the technological innovations introduced by Prof. Yakubu, such as the IReV. This lack of legal support complicated the deployment of what could have been a game-changer.”

Expanding voter access, participation

Yakubu also worked to widen the democratic space. A major Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) drive before the 2023 general election added over 12 million new voters, mostly young people, raising the total to over 93 million, the highest in Nigeria’s history.

The commission also created more than 56,000 new polling units to replace the outdated system that forced voters to travel long distances or crowd limited venues. While this did not eliminate logistical issues entirely, it significantly eased voter congestion.

Inclusivity became a policy priority, not just rhetoric. From multilingual voter education to Braille materials for the visually impaired, INEC sought to expand participation across diverse communities.

According to Aigbe, “INEC under Yakubu made genuine attempts to broaden the participation of marginalised communities. But these gains were often overshadowed by post-election disputes and perception issues.”

Legal backing for reform

A cornerstone of Yakubu’s tenure was his role in shaping and advocating for the Electoral Act 2022, which provided a more robust legal framework for INEC’s reforms.

This new law authorised the use of technology in elections, improved nomination timelines, and clarified the process for transmitting results. Notably, it empowered INEC to review results declared under duress within seven days; a provision inspired by the 2019 Imo North senatorial election, where a returning officer claimed to have been coerced.

“That amendment came from the Imo experience,” said Aigbe. “Before 2022, only the courts could change a declared result. Now, INEC can act within a window of time to review issues of coercion or irregularity.”

This legal grounding informed how the commission handled the controversial 2023 Adamawa governorship election, where an unauthorised declaration by Resident Electoral Commissioner Hudu Yunusa Ari was eventually nullified.

Communication: The Achilles’ heel

Yakubu’s record on public communication was mixed. While he prioritised engagement through press briefings, digital platforms, and stakeholder consultations, critics argue he failed to communicate effectively during moments of crisis.

Mr. Paul James, Election Manager at Yiaga Africa, observed: “There is a disconnect between what INEC intends and how it is perceived. Yakubu often avoided direct explanations when issues arose. He focused too much on finishing the process, rather than listening and responding in real-time.”

He cited the lack of timely explanations following the 2023 presidential election glitches and earlier controversies like pre-circulated result sheets during the Kogi governorship election. “During these crises, silence or defensiveness eroded public confidence further,” James noted. “You can’t build trust without dialogue.”

Defending INEC’s restraint, Yakubu argued that premature statements during disputes could compromise neutrality. “While we value transparency, we must respect legal processes,” he said in April 2023. “Institutional caution should not be mistaken for indifference.”

Persistent logistical challenges

Despite technological upgrades and planning reforms, logistics remained a challenge. Delayed starts, missing materials, and last-minute postponements, like that of the 2019 general election, continued to undermine confidence.

“The 2019 postponement was a major setback,” said James. “It showed that even with better tools, the human and logistical elements still need urgent overhaul.”

Some observers argue that managing elections across 176,000 polling units is too complex for any single institution. Others contend that while perfection is unrealistic, systemic improvement remains essential.

Cracks in the system

The 2023 general election revealed the limits of reform. Despite improved procedures and tools, many Nigerians lost faith in the system. The phrase “Go to court”—once a legitimate legal recourse—became shorthand for resignation and cynicism.

“It’s no longer just legal advice,” said James. “It’s now a political strategy, even tolerated by INEC, which sometimes fails to enforce its standards. It suggests the commission is reluctant to confront misconduct head-on.”

Yakubu maintained that INEC’s role is administrative, not judicial: “Where allegations arise, the courts are constitutionally empowered to interpret the law and adjudicate disputes,” he stated. “INEC cannot override legal procedures based on sentiment or pressure.”

Still, critics argue that enforcement at the polling unit and collation stages must improve if the courts are not to bear the burden of every disputed result.

A mixed but meaningful legacy

Prof. Yakubu leaves behind a more technologically capable, policy-driven INEC—but also one dogged by mistrust and structural fragility. His tenure shows that reform is more than passing laws or introducing gadgets. It’s about building and sustaining public confidence.

“Yakubu moved the commission forward in many ways,” said Aigbe. “But what good are reforms if people no longer trust the outcome of elections?”

As he steps down in October, the task for INEC’s next leadership will be not just to manage elections more efficiently, but to win back the trust of a disillusioned electorate. Because in a democracy, credibility is the most vital currency an electoral body can hold.

July 7, 2025