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Tag: Inec

  • INEC exercise a failure in Lagos —Wale Oshun

    INEC exercise a failure in Lagos —Wale Oshun

    APC chieftain, Chief Wale Oshun, has denounced INEC’S exchange of temporary cards for permanent voter cards exercise in Lagos as a failure.

    In a telephone conversation with our correspondent, Oshun lamented the absence of INEC officials at most of the polling units.

    He said: “As I speak to you, the papers are not available anywhere. In the whole of Lagos Mainland, no papers are available. It is just 4 pm and I’m just leaving a polling unit.

    “And there calls from other parts of the metropolis that INEC officials have not shown up. And where they have shown up, they did so after 3 pm. In majority of the places, they are not there.

    “We got the news about the nine areas where they said the exercise would not take place. But unfortunately, it is not just the nine areas that the exercise is not taking place; it is almost across the whole state.

    “As at Thursday, the impression that INEC gave was that the exercise would take place in every part of the state, but it has not been like that.

    The APC chieftain insisted that Friday’s outing by INEC was a total failure.

    He said: “Even INEC knows that the exercise has not taken place because today, I don’t know how many people will say that they have been able to exchange their temporary cards with their permanent cards.

    “In the local government where I come from, I do not think that up to 20 people have been able to take part in the exercise. I am talking about Lagos Mainland, Yaba LCDA. It is almost a total failure.”

    According to him, APC as a party is not happy.

    “How can APC be happy?” he asked. “INEC, which is supposed to organise the election and ensure procedural issues, had fixed this period for exchanging the voters’ temporary cards for permanent ones but failed on the first day when a public holiday was declared to facilitate their work.

    “Today is a public holiday in Lagos and nothing has taken place. So tell me, how can the party be happy? Even the people are not happy.

    “There is crisis of confidence of performance by INEC, particularly in the delineation of polling units and all that. It has been under focus lately.

    “It is for them to generate confidence. I don’t see how what they have done today can build confidence for them. This one can only erase the confidence people had in them.

    “All I can say for the party is that we are ready. We have been on the field since morning, and we will take them up again tomorrow to see whether they do it right.

    “These are not good signs. It shows that INEC is not prepared. They picked the date and they have failed.”

  • INEC urged to document Electoral Acts in local languages

    INEC urged to document Electoral Acts in local languages

    THE Director-General, Centre for Democratic Governance in Africa (CDGA), Dr. Dafe Akpocha, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to document the Electoral Acts in local languages.

    He spoke yesterday during a visit to the Head Office of Vintage Press Limited, publisher of The Nation newspapers.

    Akpocha said it would increase participation in electoral activities, if the Electoral Acts are interpreted in the people’s dialects.

    He called on the media to be more proactive in enlightenment campaigns, noting that through media awareness, the people would live up to their civic responsibilities.

    He said: “That is why we come to seek your support at The Nation newspapers. Within the short space of time that you hit the newsstand, you have given the society quality reportage.

    “Some people out there may think that you represent certain interests. But for those of us who know the quality of what you do, your report has been very balance. You even do a self-appraisal and examination, which is often not too common with the media.

    “I want to say we have not made mistake to come to this newspaper house; you have been doing your best to make Nigeria a better place for us. We sincerely appreciate your style of journalism”.

    Akpocha added that the CDGA had gone round the country, to draw attention of governments to some developments that were not in the interest of the people, stressing that some of the concerned state governments responded by correcting the shortcomings.

    The political class, he said, must live up to the expectation of the electorate, adding that a situation where politicians abandon their promises after getting the mandate of the people was a disservice to the country.

    Akpocha said: “Sometimes, when people call for the return of the military because of the way the country is being run, I begin to wonder whether they know the implication of what they are seeking. They seem not to know the consequence. But all the same, the politicians should serve the people in truth.

    “Good governance is not all about gathering people to vote for you, giving them rice and kerosene. Rather, leaders must have the interest of the people at heart in terms of infrastructural developments among other things.

    “Our leaders should not lose focus; they should remain committed to the common man, to genuine democracy and make sure that we have credible elections, one-man one-vote.

    “Our goal at CDGA is to make Nigeria a better place with good governance, political sustainability and democracy. We also monitor elections”.

    He decried the country’s widespread of infrastructural decay, stressing that with the enormous wealth at Nigeria’s disposal, it should be able to provide the people with the minimum comfort of livelihood.

  • Court stops Fed Govt, PDP Reps from recalling House

    Court stops Fed Govt, PDP Reps from recalling House

    APC caucus  warns against meddling in House affairs

    Those scheming for the House of Representatives to reconvene lost a major battle yesterday.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja stopped members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Federal Government from forcibly reconvening the House, which  last week adjourned till December 3.

    Justice Ahmed Ramat Muhammed ruled that all parties to the suit should maintain the status quo until Friday.

    The ruling came after members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the House filed a motion on notice, asking the court to stop the Federal Government, PDP and their agents from reconvening the House until December 3.

    Members of the APC, led by House Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday approached the court, seeking an injunction against their colleagues in the PDP and the Federal Government.

    Justice Muhammed ruled that Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and the APC should serve the defendants with the motion on notice and ordered the defendants to show cause why all the reliefs being sought should not be granted.

    Tambuwal alleged that the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), its Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu and three others were plotting to reconvene the House before December 3 to which it lawfully adjourned.

    Tambuwal said the planned reconvening of the House’s sitting was part of the plot by his former party and its leadership to forcibly  remove him from office as Speaker and member of the House.

    He accused the PDP and Mu’azu of working with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha to carry out the plot.

     This is part of the deposition contained in an affidavit supporting a motion exparte filed by Tambuwal yesterday before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in addition to the suit he and the All Progressives Congress (APC), filed on Friday.

    Respondents in the motion are the PDP, Mu’azu, House of Reps, Ihedioha, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the AGF.

    “The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 7th defendants (PDP, Muazu, House of Reps, Deputy Speaker and the AGF) are planning to illegally and unconstitutionally reconvene the sitting of the 3rd defendant (House of Reps) before December 3, 2014, the date the sitting of the 3rd defendant was lawfully adjourned to, without following due process, for the sole purpose of discussing and perfecting the forceful removal of the 1st plaintiff before the case of the plaintiff is heard and determined,” Tambuwal said in the supporting affidavit deposed to on his behalf by one of his lawyers, Ejura Patience Ochimana.

    The Speaker also stated that the withdrawal of his security detail on October 30 by the IGP was upon the prompting of the 1st to 4th respondents (PDP, Mu’azu, House of Reps and Ihedioha).

    He stated that despite the pendency of the suit he filed on Friday, the defendants were still bent on carrying through their threat to forcefully remove him from office as Speaker and as member of the House.

    “The 1st and 2nd defendants (PDP and Mu’azu) have been threatening to use their contacts to ensure that the seat of the 1st plaintiff (Tambuwal) in the 3rd defendant (House of Reps) is declared vacant so that the 6th defendant (INEC) would organise a bye-election to fill it,” he said.

    Tambuwal, who prayed the court to urgently grant the five orders of interim injunction contained in the motion ex-parte, argued that unless restrained, the defendant, who have in most cases exhibited their alleged disdain for the rule of law, will execute their threat of removing him from office.

  • Kogi council sues INEC

    Kogi council sues INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been sued at the Federal High Court, Lokoja Division, for failing to obey a court order restoring Ogugu Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly.

    On September 25, Justice P. Ayua ordered the restoration of Ogugu State Constituency.

    INEC was served with the judgment on October 15.

    Counsel to Olamaboro Local Government Council and 18 others, Alaji Onoja (esq), is urging the court to compel the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to obey the court order.

  • Tension in Anambra PDP over congresses

    Tension in Anambra PDP over congresses

    Several members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State have kicked against the conduct of last Saturday’s ward congress of the party.

    The conduct was led by Ejike Oguebego and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    But another one was conducted on Sunday at the Finotel Hotels in Awka, the state capital.

    Security operatives dispersed the handlers with tear gas.

    Some chieftains of the party held a meeting at the Marble Arch Hotels in Awka on Saturday. But it ended in fracas.

    The Senator Ibrahim Mantu-led caretaker committee on the congress relocated to a second hotel (Finotel) when the fracas was getting out of hands.

    It was learnt that the caretaker committee set up by the national PDP to oversee the party in Anambra, led by Gen. Karma (retd) and Alkibu Dalhatu as Secretary, was rejected by the PDP members.

     

     

    Following the commotion caused by the Mantu committee, it was learnt that the faction elected three delegates from each ward on Sunday.

    But Oguebego said the congress in the 326 wards was hitch-free.

    He noted that with the successful congress, the PDP was set for next year’s elections.

    He urged other party chieftains to unite for the party to be victorious.

    Four PDP local government chairmen – Humphrey Ezeike (Aguata), Comrade Nnamdi Ikeomor (Ayamelum), Ogwo Gerard (Anaocha) and Livinus Nwokike (Orumba South) – said yesterday the storm was over in the state PDP.

    One of the PDP chieftains, who spoke with The Nation yesterday in Awka said Gen Karma, a former Military Administrator of Plateau State and his caretaker committee would remain in the state, pending the inauguration of a new state executive.

    But INEC said it was only the Oguebego-led group that it recognised.

    The commission said last Saturday’s congress was peaceful.

    INEC’s spokesperson Frank Egbo said the commission dispatched its workers to monitor the congress in the 21 local governments and 326 wards in the state.

    He said INEC was not interested in what goes on in any party, adding that it was only interested in discharging its functions.

     

     

  • APGA petitions police, INEC

    APGA petitions police, INEC

    All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Lagos State chapter, has petitioned the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to avert a serious crisis in the state over the activities of some unscrupulous politicians parading themselves as APGA executives.

    In the petition dated October 30 and copied INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and APGA Vice National Chairman (South West), Alhaji Tayo Showunmi and jointly signed by Prince Adeshina Olayokun, APGA Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, and Barrister Sylvester Ezeani, state Legal Adviser, the party drew attention to  what it described as illegal and malicious activities of some people who continuously parade themselves as APGA executives in Lagos State.

    The party stated that this action was detrimental, and “it flies in the face of the authentic APGA executives in Lagos State led by Prince Adeshina Olayokun and recognized by the national officers of the party in Abuja and  south west.

    The authentic APGA urged the Lagos State CP to use the weight of his office to investigate the matter with a view to removing all insignia of APGA i.e signboard, indicating another Lagos Chapter of APGA.

    In a statement, the party also alerted the general public to the deceitful and fraudulent activities of the self-styled executives.

    While making reference to a publication in Sunday Newswatch of October 19, 2014 in which the National Vice Chairman of APGA, South West, Alhaji Tayo Showunmi disclaimed  these people, the party warned the general public not to transact any business with them on behalf of the party, and that any relationship with APGA should be done at its Lagos office located at 95/129, Okota Road, Isolo, Lagos.

  • U.S.-based group to INEC: stop controversial polling units

    U.S.-based group to INEC: stop controversial polling units

    A NEW York-based group, the Nigerian Professionals, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to stop the controversial 30,000 additional polling units.

    It said despite Jega’s efforts in “bringing credibility to the electoral process in Nigeria,” he seems to be pursuing sectional interests with the new units.

    The group said the plan “appears to be inspired by sectional/regional interest, which may have regressive consequences for the forthcoming 2015 electoral process in Nigeria.”

    In a letter to Jega, the group’s president, Dechi Dariye, secretary Osahon Osagie and a member, Abayomi Adeolu, said while there was the need to create polling units due to congestion and emergence of new settlements, there was no credible scientific evidence to support the formula used.

    The letter also reads: “We sought evidence of recent constituency delimitation and districting exercises called wards in our country that should normally precede the exercise of polling units’ creation.

    “To our disappointment, we can only find the report of Dr. Lisa Handley, a renowned consultant on delimitation which advised that INEC required a minimum of three years in-between general elections to commence and conclude a review of constituencies and secure the approval of the National Assembly.

    “Secondly, we note that the Senate Committee responsible for oversight functions on election management has advised against continuing with the new polling unit allocations because of the limited time required to embark upon a credible process, following international benchmarks.

    “We see this as a realistic corroboration of the Handley recommendations. But sadly, despite public denials by the electoral commission under your leadership, we hear of subterranean efforts to surge ahead with the new polling units, despite professional recommendations and legislative oversight disapproval”.

    The professionals said despite the time, which has lapsed since the last election, the scientific report was not prioritised given the bearing it has on next year’s election.

    According to the group, it was strange that such scientific precision was dispensed with for arbitrariness in the current exercise which has led to unnecessary controversies.

  • Crisis tears Anambra PDP apart

    Crisis tears Anambra PDP apart

    •Uba, Eze, Metuh lead factions
    •Aspirants threaten to withdraw from primaries

    There is crisis in Anambra State  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the emergence of three factions.

    A source said aspirants for the Senate and the House of Representatives have threatened to drop their ambitions if by tomorrow the crisis is not resolved.

    The factions are led by Chief Chris Uba, oil mogul Prince Arthur Eze and National Publicity Secretary Chief Olisa Metuh.

    The source said chieftains of the party were urging the Caretaker Committee to take over the leadership from Prince Ken Emeakayi, whose tenure expired on October 24.

    The Eze faction had reportedly forwarded a list of the Caretaker Committee members, led by Okey Eze, to the PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu.

    He was said to have rejected the list brought to him by chieftains of the party, insisting that the Uba faction was the one recognised by the party.

    It was learnt yesterday that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised the Uba faction.

    One of the National Assembly aspirants, who spoke with The Nation in Awka on condition of anonymity, said if the crisis was not resolved by tomorrow, most of them would withdraw from the primaries and dump PDP.

    He said: “This crisis is weakening everybody. Anytime the hopes of the people are raised, other people will come from nowhere to cause problem.

    “Most of us have bought forms to contest the primary election. But look at what is happening now with the emergence of the three factions.

    “We know there is no way Chris Uba will allow any group to take over the party he has laboured for, for many years, while Prince Arthur Eze and Metuh are also no pushovers.

    “From what we are witnessing, it will take time for the problems to be resolved before the election because there is no Caretaker Committee that will be set up that will settle these issues.

    “So, from what is playing out right now, you can see that all of us are in a fix because you don’t know which of the groups the national body will recognise.”

    Another person, who spoke with The Nation, said if by Friday the crisis persisted, he would join Senator Chris Ngige in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Said he: “APC is the only party among the leading parties in the state that is not swimming in crises.

    “The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is engulfed in a tussle, with many aspirants scrambling for the few tickets, while PDP’s problems are chronic.”

     

  • My fears for 2015 – Jega

    My fears for 2015 – Jega

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, on Tuesday spoke about his fears for next year’s general election in the country.

    The INEC chief said he was bothered by heightening insecurity and the unruly attitude of politicians which constitute major challenges to peaceful elections next year.

    Jega, who said the security problem was more evident in the three troubled Northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, stated that his greatest fear for the 2015 elections was making politicians to play by the rules.

    “The attitude of the political class is the greatest challenge. They want to intimidate, harass and induce.‎

    “Security is also a challenge. ‎Especially in the three states in Northeast. We cannot put our men and resources at risk. But we are holding inter-agencies security meetings frequently,” Jega said.

    The INEC chairman spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at a national stakeholders’ forum on elections organized by the Civil Society Situation Room on Achieving the Implementation of Credible 2015 general elections‎.

    He said investigation conducted by the commission showed that youth corps members who were compromised were threatened by politicians to either collect gratification or be killed.

    Jega urged politicians to play by the rules of the game during the 2015 elections.

    He said the commission has identified and blocked many of the loopholes exploited in the past by politicians to rig elections‎.

    “I am confident that 2015 will be better operationally and logistically,” Jega said.

    He added that a better voter register has been produced and that all ballot boxes were being numbered serially. This, he said was not so when he was appointed in 2010.

    He spoke of other efforts being made by INEC under his leadership.

    The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese of ‎Catholic Church, Rev. Father Mathew Hassan Kukah, cautioned President Goodluck Jonathan and governors of the 36 states against imposing candidates on the people.

    He said such practice would heat up the polity and frustrate elections’ results.

     

  • Germany to Nigeria: end insurgency before 2015 elections

    Germany to Nigeria: end insurgency before 2015 elections

    German Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Frank Seinmeier has urged Nigeria to increase its efforts on ending Boko Haram insurgency before the 2015 elections.

    Seinmeier spoke when he and French Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Laurent Fabius led a European Union (EU) delegation to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, in Abuja yesterday.

    He said: “You know that the elections you are preparing for are taking place under difficult conditions, fighting two enemies at a time. First of all, it was even last week we were commenting on your effort and success fighting Ebola.

    “The second enemy we were talking about this morning during breakfast meeting with different religious organisations is against the Boko Haram and its terrorist groups.

    “Therefore, we know that the fight against Boko Haram is not yet enough successful as over 200 girls are still kidnapped and not yet released,’’ he said.

    Fabius urged INEC to defend Nigeria’s and Africa’s image by conducting  credible elections in 2015.

    Fabius said the delegation visited the commission because of INEC’s responsibility to conduct credible elections by 2015.

    “We congratulate your institution for the way you handled general elections in 2011 and more recently the current elections.

    “Now that new elections are coming next year, the challenge is tremendous. You have great responsibility towards Nigeria. The image of Nigeria is at stake and the image of Africa as well.

    “We have no doubt that this election will be free, fair and transparent. European Union (EU) will contribute to it, financially and will also dispatch EU observation mission, ’’  Fabius said.

    Fabius said the delegation was interested in knowing INEC’s preparation to face the security challenges because of the situation in the northern part of Nigeria.

    “We are here to tell you that we have great confidence in what you are doing and what you will do,’’ he said.

    Fabius wished the commission success in the 2015 general elections even as the country continued its fight against Boko Haram and security situation.

    The minister said the visit was to underline the importance of Nigeria to EU, saying this country mattered not only beyond trans-borders, Africa but also in Europe.

    Jega said the commission was working closely with all key stakeholders to address challenges that had to be ended before the elections.

    He said: “One of the challenges is security and how it could affect the conduct of the elections. From our interaction, we are working with security agencies.

    “We know that these challenges are there; our hope and prayer is that before the 2015 general elections, tremendous success would have been attained to ensure that election are peaceful and credible throughout Nigeria.

    “We, as electoral body, are adequately prepared to deploy but we need to work closely with security agencies.’’

    Jega said the commission was taking its responsibilities to contribute towards deepening the democracy of Nigeria with all seriousness that it deserved and promised to deliver credible elections in 2015.

    “Obviously that does not underestimate the challenges. There are enormous challenges; it is going to be difficult but we believe it will not be impossible.

    “The kind of support, encouragement and assistance that we have received from all stakeholders – domestic and international partners – have not only inspired us but reinforced our commitment to ensure that we deliver free fair credible elections,’’ he said.

    The chairman hailed EU’s support to the commission, saying the visit underscored the kind of importance EU attached to the democracy of Nigeria.

    “The support has enabled us to conduct free, fair and credible election in 2011 and since then, we have been receiving timely and important support as we prepare for 2015 general elections ,’’ he said.