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Tag: Inec

  • ‘We condemn politicisation of the appointment of INEC chairman’

    ‘We condemn politicisation of the appointment of INEC chairman’

    Coalition of Progressive Political Parties (COP3), the umbrella organisation for 13 registered political parties has condemned what it calls ‘the dangerous, irresponsible and inciting statement issued by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the appointment of the acting chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC)’.

    The appointment of Mrs. Amina Zakari as acting chairman of the Commission has drawn opprobrium from Chief Olisa Metuh, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP.

    In a statement yesterday, chairman of the coalition and National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), Mallam Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim, COP3 decried what it described as ‘the dangerous precedent whereby a political party is trying to decide who became the INEC Chairman’. It said that function was constitutionally reserved for the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Assembly.

    The statement reads: “Any interference by political parties in the appointment of INEC officials is tantamount to politicising the process and the Commission itself, which is capable of creating dangerous schism and generating unnecessary tension in the country.

    “INEC is an independent body, which must be insulated from politics and irresponsible politicking. The power of and procedure for the appointment of its chairman is a constitutional matter and not a subject of political bargaining.

    “Mrs. Zakari was not appointed to the Commission by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. She was appointed as INEC National Commissioner by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010 and by the time she was appointed acting chairman, she had the distinction of being the most senior INEC National Commissioner in terms of time served. If she is good to be a National Commissioner and chairman of its Committees under President Jonathan, she is good to be the Commission’s acting chairman at any other time.”

    “Opposition politics must be responsible politics. After suffering for 16 interrupted years under its institutional mismanagement, Nigerians deserve a respite from PDP’s meddlesomeness and brinkmanship. “PDP’s acidic and divisive politics was rejected in the election. We advise that they try some modesty and learn from their past mistakes instead of trying to give Nigerians more of the same”.

  • INEC: Zakari’s appointment followed due process, says Presidency

    INEC: Zakari’s appointment followed due process, says Presidency

    The Presidency on Wednesday maintained that the appointment of Mrs Amina Zakari as acting Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) followed due process.

    Zakari replaced the former chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who retired from service on Tuesday.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, faulted the position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Spokesman, Mr Olisa Metuh on the latest appointment.

    The statement reads: “We have noted with regret, the latest tirade against President Muhammadu Buhari issued today by the PDP’s Spokesman, Mr Olisa Metuh.

    “Other than boring reporters at his press conference with a rehash of baseless allegations of inaction against the President, Mr Metuh clearly had nothing new to say apart from his charge of nepotism and partisanship in the appointment of the Acting INEC Chairman, which also lacks any factual foundation.

    “President Buhari certainly did not “overrule” Prof. Attahiru Jega in appointing Mrs Amina Zakari as the Acting INEC Chairman, as Mr Metuh alleged.

    “Prof. Jega’s purported handing over to another Commissioner cannot be construed as an “appointment” because only the President has the constitutional authority, which he exercised to appoint Mrs Zakari as acting Chairman of INEC.

    “Contrary to Mr Metuh’s allegations, President Buhari’s appointment of Mrs Zakari as Acting INEC Chariman was based entirely on merit, her vast experience in the internal operations of INEC and the President’s commitment to affirmative action in support of gender equality, because, apart from being fully qualified for the position, Mrs Zakari was the only woman among the six Commissioners considered.

    “Due Process was certainly followed in Mrs Zakari’s appointment. Mr Metuh’s spurious claims of her appointment having been influenced by “personal relationship with the Presidency” and a Governor in the North-West “to pave the way for the APC” at election tribunals should be disregarded by the public.

    “The allegations are nothing but falsehoods contrived by Mr Metuh to unjustly denigrate a President popularly elected by Nigerians to undo the damage done to the nation by years of PDP rule.

    “His claim that the PDP has rejected Mrs Zakari’s appointment is also laughable after he had admitted that the right and power of the President to make such appointments cannot be questioned.” It stated

  • PDP rejects Zakari as acting INEC chief

    PDP rejects Zakari as acting INEC chief

    The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the appointment of Mrs. Amina Zakari as the acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    President Muhammadu Buhari had on Tuesday, approved Zakari’s appointment in acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman for the commission.

    Zakari replaced Prof. Attahiru Jega who retired as the INEC chairman at the expiration of his five-year tenure.

    But at a news briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, alleged that the acting INEC chairman “is too close to the Presidency.”

    Metuh challenged Mrs. Zakari to state her alleged closeness to the Presidency and one of the governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from one of the states in the Northwest.

    Mrs. Zakari, who was one of the national commissioners in INEC until her new appointment, was appointed into that office by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Metuh said, “The PDP has declared the appointment of Mrs. Amina Zakari as unacceptable and demand that President Buhari changes her immediately.

    “The PDP is particularly disturbed by the development in INEC where President Buhari, who knew all along that the immediate-past INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega would be leaving office by June 30, had to wait for him to handover to one of the national commissioners only to reverse it immediately, thereby injecting bad blood in the commission.

    “The situation in INEC since the PDP government reformed and granted it operational autonomy has been peaceful, but Tuesday’s untidy overruling of Prof. Jega and appointing of Mrs. Amina Zakari as acting chairman which, we gathered was influenced by personal relationship with the Presidency and one of the new governors of the North West, ostensibly to pave the way for the APC at the electoral tribunals, has completely eroded public trust in the commission.

    “Whereas the PDP recognises the right and powers of the President to appoint the Chairman of INEC and the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), we reject attempts as in the case of the AGF to paint the process as transparent and objective when such was not the case, but brought to question the sincerity and commitment of the present administration to due process.

    “In INEC, the PDP states in unequivocal terms that we cannot, as critical stakeholders fold our hands and watch while the Presidency perpetuates actions that diminish the independence of the electoral commission.

    “Our reasons include the fact that due process was not observed in the appointment and that Mrs. Zakari has shown in the last elections that she is manifestly bias in favour of the APC. Finally, her appointment is a clear case of nepotism.

    “We ask, if they trusted Prof. Jega and commended him for conducting free and fair elections, why would they not trust him on who to hold forth in the commission until a substantive chairman is appointed, rather than appointing someone who is retiring from the commission in the next three weeks?”

    The PDP spokesman said with the prevailing record of Mr. President on appointments, it is unlikely that a substantive INEC chairman will be appointed in the next one year.

     

  • Jega operated in an hostile environment – TMG

    Jega operated in an hostile environment – TMG

    The Transition Monitoring Group, TMG Thursday said the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega  operated in the last five years in an hostile environment but was however able to succeed due to his uprightness.

    The TMG in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its Chairman, Ibrahim Zikirullahi congratulated  Jega on the  successful completion of an eventful and productive tenure as Chairman of INEC.

    “This patriotic Nigerian has made Nigeria proud by superintending the electoral process since 2011 to 2015, with a sense of utmost dedication and forthrightness.

    “Operating in a hostile political environment, Jega went about his duties with an assuring demeanour and calm efficiency.

    “The two general elections conducted under his watch passed the test of credibility and reflected the popular will of Nigerians.

    “By sheer grit and commitment, Professor Jega helped Nigeria to move away a horrible past defined by chaotic and fraudulent polls.

    “At TMG, we can testify that Professor Jega ran a transparent and inclusive administration at INEC, just as he did all within his powers to ensure constant improvements in Nigeria’s electoral system.

    “We salute this courageous Nigerian whose diligence and commitment to democracy, has earned Nigeria global respect and admiration, especially after the largely successful and historic 2015 general elections.

    “We are not in doubt that Professor Jega has acquitted himself excellently, and has bequeathed to the nation an electoral system that is in better shape than what he met on the ground.

    “TMG warmly felicitates with the former INEC helmsman, as he steps down and moves on to other things. We wish him God’s guidance, blessings and protection,”the statement said

    TMG also  congratulated  Mrs. Amina Zakari, who was on Tuesday appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as Chairman  of INEC in an acting capacity.

  • APC accuses INEC of ‘massive’ thumb-printing

    APC accuses INEC of ‘massive’ thumb-printing

    The Akwa Ibom State All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of engaging in “massive” thumb-printing of ballot papers.

    The party said this was against the order of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which directed the commission to move all polling documents used in the April 11 governorship poll from Uyo, the state capital, to Abuja, within 10 days.

     

     

  • Buhari appoints Zakari acting INEC Chairman

    Buhari appoints Zakari acting INEC Chairman

    President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mrs Amina Bala Zakari as the Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the exit of Prof. Attahiru Jega.
    Jega’s five-year tenure ended on Tuesday.

    In a statement signed by the Director Communication, Haruna Imrana, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Danladi Kifasi stated that Zakari’s appointment takes effect from 30th June pending the appointment of a substantive Chairman.

    Zakari is presently a National Electoral Commissioner at INEC.

  • Unique celebration as Jega bows out

    Unique celebration as Jega bows out

    Professor Attahiru Jega has finally bowed out as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday after five years of meritorious service to the nation.

    Kindly find the ways Nigerians celebrated the hero of the 2015 general elections on twitter below:

     

  • BREAKING: Jega hands over to Wali

    BREAKING: Jega hands over to Wali

    Professor Attahiru Jega has finally bowed out as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday after five years of meritorious service to the nation.

    Jega, who received accolades from Nigerians home and abroad as well as the international communities for his dignified contributions to the success of the 2015 general election, hands over to Ambassador (Dr.) Ahmed Wali.

    AMB-WaliBefore his appointment as National Commissioners of the (INEC), Wali was a Visiting Reader (Associate Professor) to the Department of Political Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and Chief Executive Officer, Development Strategies International (DSI).

    Ambassador Wali is a member of various committees of INEC and the Chairman of the Tenders Board.

    Wali, a Muslim, Fulani, hails from Sanyima town in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, in the North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

    Jega, who is leaving INEC with six National Commissioners whose tenure has equally expired, fought the greatest battle of his life, to preserve his good name, in conducting the 2015 general elections.

    When former President Goodluck Jonathan nominated Jega as the Chairman of INEC in June, 2010, it was borne out of the conviction that he was found worthy of a position that had a history of lacking in men that live up to the creed such an office demands— unimpeachable integrity and being a consistent stickler for truth.

    It would be recalled that general elections were conducted under Jega’s supervision – 2011, 2015- each with improvement as the 2015 general elections were accepted by all and sundry as the freest and fairest ever in the country’s electoral history.

    He is a former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and was an opponent of the Babangida military government in the early 1990s. Politically leaning towards the left, as ASUU President he was closely associated with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and continued that connection throughout his career.

    On April 29, 2010 he was guest lecturer for the NLC May Day celebration where he presented a paper on ’50 Years of Nationhood: Challenges of Good Democratic Governance, Credible Election and the Working Class’.

    He is widely seen as an astute intellectual with a strong sense of ethics and morality.

  • Card Reader: Emerhor urges INEC to do more

    Card Reader: Emerhor urges INEC to do more

    The governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State in the last general elections, Olorogun Otega Emerhor, has hailed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, for his courage and integrity in standing by the commission’s guidelines for the 2015 general elections, particularly the use of Smart Card Readers, even in the face of stiff opposition from the then ruling party, the peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

    Emerhor, who spoke with our correspondent over the telephone, however accused the commission of not doing enough to safeguard the sanctity of the elections and the protection of all the candidates who participated, adding that the above responsibility has now been shifted to the tribunals.

    He said INEC ought not to declare results that did not emanate from the Card Readers and/or use such results to declare winners. His words: “If INEC set out to use Card Readers to conduct elections it ought to put in place a mechanism to ensure that the results declared are those emanating from the use of Card Readers and not those that were manually manipulated.”

    Emerhor went further to say that “it is a regrettable dereliction of duties for INEC and its staff to, in the first instance, either connive or turn a blind eye and then go ahead to announce and declare winners based on manually generated results in place of Card Readers results, thereby empowering elections riggers and punishing law-abiding candidates with the burden of proof at the tribunal in their quest to annul illegally acquired mandate, a situation that was avoidable abinitio.”

    In addition, the APC governorship candidate said even now INEC still have an opportunity to go beyond just reconfirming its guidelines, as Prof Jega has just  done, by standing up to provide all necessary support materials, by being its readiness to testify at the tribunals and by taking legal stand against undeservingly declared winners at the ongoing tribunal cases.

    He concluded by saying that it is imperative for the commission to discharge its duties and responsibilities through its legal representatives who are now defending INEC’s role at the various tribunals by supporting aggrieved candidates against undeserving declared winners.

  • Jega explains appointment of VCs as returning officers

    Jega explains appointment of VCs as returning officers

    Outgoing chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor  Attahiru Jega, said  that university vice-chancellors were appointed returning officers during the last general elections because they were people with track record of credibility.

    Jega ,speaking with reporters on the sideline of  a dinner organised in his honour by the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) in Abuja said :“We were looking for people with integrity; and we have no doubt that there are many people with integrity in the Nigerian university system.

    “So, it is like a ready-made constituency to get the kind of people we needed for the job to be done.

    “That is not to say that it is only in the universities you can find people of integrity.

    “We know that anybody who has risen in the system to become a vice-chancellor will not for anything damage his or her reputation by pandering to the wishes of politicians.’’

    He expressed his appreciation to the goodwill shown to him by members of the association, adding that he would continue to be a good ambassador of the Nigerian university system.

    Jega said he was delighted to note that the vice-chancellors were pleased with the feat which they collectively achieved in the 2015 elections.

    He, however, said that all staff of INEC contributed to the success of the elections as he alone could not take the glory.

    The INEC chairman said he would proceed on leave and rest at the end of his tenure and return to the university to continue teaching, research and community service afterwards.

    Earlier in his remarks, Prof. Joseph Ajienka, the Chairman of the association, commended Jega for rendering a service to his country creditably and with dignity.

    He also hailed all the vice chancellors that “helped Jega in performing a national task that gave so much credibility to the last elections.”

    “It will go a long way in telling the world that vice-chancellors are capable of serving their country,’’ Ajienka who is the Vice-Chancellor University of Port Harcourt, added.