The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Inec

  • Why there were no enough INEC officials

    The Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Akin Orebiyi yesterday explained why there were not enough electoral officers in some polling units.

    He told The Nation at the State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Akure, that the recent change of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from October 23 to October 18 caused the insufficient electoral presiding officers at the polling units.

    He said “Don’t forget that we have a MoU with NYSC and which is still ongoing and we are expecting that during the election we will have enough from batch A and batch B and batch C from the NYSC.

    “But the batch C of NYSC was originally meant to pass out on October 23, but somehow the date was changed to October 18, the implication was that the NYSC batch C was no longer in the care of the NYSC with that some of them refused to participate.

    “Not only this, majority of the tertiary institutions in the state are on holiday, we only manage to use some Adeyemi College of Education Students in Ondo town as presiding officers.

    Orebiyi commended the electorate for trooping out in large numbers to cast their votes for candidates of their choices.

    He assured that every vote would count, adding that the election has been fair.

    However, as at 10:50am election materials were yet to arrive at the INEC office in Akure from all the 18 local government areas in the state.

    According to Orebiyi, majority of the materials were still in the various collating centres in the various wards.

  • Tight security as voting begins in Ondo

    Tight security as voting begins in Ondo

    There was tight security in Ondo North Senatorial District as voting began by 12 noon.

    Police and Air Force helicopters mounted air surveillance in Owo, Oba-Akoko, Akungba, Ikare, Oka, among others.

    As early as 6am, armed soldiers, anti-riot policemen and Department of State Security (DSS) operatives were seen patrolling all major roads.

    Roadblocks were also mounted as vehicles coming Okene, Benin and Abuja axis were stopped at the Ondo State boarder.

    In the towns, vehicles on election duty, including those conveying journalists, were stopped and searched.

    They were only allowed to pass only when they had indentified themselves by their INEC tags.

    In some polling units, security agents were seen scanning voters before being let in.

    Police officers and DSS agents were seen on guard in polling units.

    In Unit 10, Ward V, Afulu in Oka Akoko where Senator Ajayi Boroffice registered, two regular policewomen were on ground.

    Speaking to journalists, Borroffice, who was one of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), complained about inadequate security personnel in his unit.

    He expressed fears that some people had threatened to disrupt voting there.

    However, he said soldiers who mounted guard about 500 meters away gave assurance that they would respond when called upon.

     

  • Hitches in Ondo poll accreditation

    …Hectic time for election observers, journalists

    The electoral officers expected to supervise conduct of Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State had a battle securing necessary accreditation on Friday.

    They were still stranded at the Independent Electoral Commission’s premises as at 2pm on Friday, battling tooth and nail for their accreditation and awaiting vehicles to be assigned them.

    So also were journalists who got stuck while processing their accreditation.

    The journalists numbering over 500 said the procedure put in place by INEC were needless roadblocks, meant more to frustrate than facilitate the accreditation.

    Meanwhile, less than 24 hours to the election, the Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that 11,000 police officers had been deployed to man various polling booths in the state.

    Also, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Zone II, Abubakar Muhammed, has disclosed that there will be 5,300 military personnel on ground for the exercise.

    Muhammed Indabawa, who is leading the police team, has assured that Saturday’s election will be free and fair.

    Ndabawa, who is the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, disclosed that one AIG and one DIG operations would equally be on hand to support the security network.

    He noted that as from 6pm all roads in Ondo State would be manned by heavily armed policemen.

    The Nation gathered that non-sensitive election materials had been distributed to various local government areas since Thursday, while the sensitive ones were deployed on Friday.

    The police had equally deployed six armoured personnel carriers and speedboats to the riverine areas for the election.

    The GOC, Muhammed, warned hunters and fishermen that they would not be allowed to carry out their activities on Saturday.

    He said that anyone caught with any weapon would be arrested and duly prosecuted.

     

     

     

  • Ondo: Rowdy session as journalists besiege INEC for accreditation

    Ondo: Rowdy session as journalists besiege INEC for accreditation

    It was a rowdy session as journalists from various local and international media organisations gathered at the Independent National Electoral Commission office in Akure, on Friday to get accredited for Saturday’s election.

    In what many considered a wrong decision, INEC left the accreditation till Friday when it could have taken place earlier in the week.

    Journalists were required to send in a prior application on a duly signed letter-headed paper.

    This, The Nation learnt, is to weed out fake journalists, said to have filled the town.

    Most applications from unknown news organisations were turned down by INEC officials.

    The accreditation, which commenced at about 12pm, was rowdy and largely unorganised.

    Some journalists engaged officials in a shouting match over conflicting methods of application.

    The room provided for the accreditation exercise was too small to contain the pen-pushers.

    Some journalists insisted their identity cards were enough to identify them, but officials said they must bring their company’s introduction letters and passport photographs.

    At the end, no photographs were attached to the tags for those who finally got theirs at the time of filing this report.

    Meanwhile, at INEC headquarters, a large detachment of armed policemen were seen huddled together in a meeting in the morning.

    Others stood by the gate, frisking and searching those coming in.

    Several men of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) were also at INEC’s office, clutching automatic machine guns.

    A police anti-bomb squad stood guard at the gate.

    At the main road leading to INEC office, armed soldiers mounted a blockade, turning vehicles back except those on election-related duty.

    They were only allowed in after a thorough search.

     

  • INEC Commissioner Olurode not a politician – Jega

    INEC Commissioner Olurode not a politician – Jega

    Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, on Wednesday said the Labour Party’s allegation that the commission’s National Commissioner, Prof. Lai Olurode, is a member of a political party was unacceptable.

    Speaking in Akure during a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday, Jega said INEC’s had found out the claim was meant to smear the commissioner’s integrity.

    He stressed that none of INEC’s workers had any affiliation with any political party.

    Jega said,” The allegation is spurious. No member of INEC is a member of any political party.

    “If you have any evidence to support your allegation, provide it. We will do the right thing.

    “But our investigation has shown that your claim is spurious.

    “We don’t take any allegation immediately it is made. We investigate every allegation.”

     

  • Mimiko to Jega: INEC must make our votes count in Ondo

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday appealed to the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, to ensure that votes count in Saturday’s election.

    He said the people would not allow the manipulation of the poll, to avert the scenario of the 1983 election when attempts were made to subvert the will of people.

    Mimiko, who spoke at a rally in Akure, hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for assuring that there would be free and fair election.

    He said: “We want to thank Mr. President for giving Nigeria a free and fair election in Edo State. He promised and delivered. We believe he is a man of his words. He has promised that there will be a free and fair poll in Ondo State and we also believe him.

    “We appeal to INEC to, for the sake of our nation, for the sake of peace in our land, ensure that election on Saturday is not manipulated. I appeal to Prof. Jega that it is not enough for you to be a man of integrity; you must also ensure that all officers under you are not unduly influenced.”

     

  • Ogun PDP: INEC recognises Kashamu’s faction

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised the Mr. Adedayo Bayo-led Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State.

    The Bayo-led Exco emerged from the congresses conducted by the Bashorun Dayo Soremi Harmonised State Executive Committee.

    It is loyal to businessman Prince Buruji Kashamu.

    INEC refused to recognise the Senator Dipo Odujirin-led Exco.

    The Odujirin-led exco was elected in a congress conducted recently by the PDP faction loyal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, although the tenure of the Bayo-led exco had not elapsed.

    In a letter from the INEC Headquarters, Abuja, dated September 18, 2012 and signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Mr. Abdullahi Kaugama, INEC said the Bayo-led Exco is the authentic one.

    It reads: “You will recall that the Federal High Court, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/347/2012 and FHC/CS/535/2012, held that the congresses conducted by the Soremi Harmonised State Executive Committee and the Executive Committee that emerged therefrom are valid.

    “INEC, as a law abiding institution, has resolved to accept and relate with the said executive committee in obedience to the orders of the Federal High Court.”

     

  • Ondo progressives task INEC on fair election

    Ondo progressives task INEC on fair election

    The Ondo State Progressives,Lagos chapter have called the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free and fair election in the October 20, governorship polls in the state.

    Addressing reporters in Lagos the chairman of the pressure group, Prince Dele Oduwale said it had become very crucial to ensure that Ondo people freely choose their leader and allowing the best candidate to emerge.

    They maintained that whatever government could do to improve on the security situation in the state that would lead to a free and fair election is welcomed.

    “All we are saying is that we don’t want bloodshed, if it warrants the deployment of soldiers to the state as long as the safety of the people is assured, it will be welcomed.”

    Oduwale explained that Ondo people are well educated people and would not tolerate any act that compromises their rights. “They are always ready to defend their rights no matter what happen. We are living witnessed to previous elections where they have to defend their votes even with their blood.”

    The group membership which cut across party lines, said they would be willing to work any candidate that emerged at the elections as long as the best candidate was produced through a fair election.

    He said: “Why we are calling this press conference is that there has been lot of rumours and controversies in Ondo State that Ondo State progressives Lagos Chapter has followed Dr Olu Agunloye to Labour Party, we need to correct that impression.”

    “What happened is that when he could not get the Action Congress of Nigeria’s ticket we had to re-examine and review the situation. What happened thereafter, was that the association became a divided, split along people who felt we are core ACN members and our loyalty belong to the party and believes ACN is where they align and others who believe in Dr Agunloye and we are following him to wherever he goes.

    “So the situation today is that Ondo State Progressives, Lagos chapter is divided into two, some members of the association followed Dr Agunloye to LP, there are other members of the association who are committed members of ACN and remained with the party, it is imperative that the misconception is corrected.

    “We have resolved that the association will remain indivisible; we might have political difference but remain indivisible such that after the election, we will all come back again and sit down and say okay the election is over let us progress.”

    Primarily our intention is not political, what is important to us we want to uplift through our individual contribution and collective contribution to the progress of Ondo State, we want to contribute that quota, so after the election we all come back together again and work,” the chairman emphasised.

     

  • INEC jittery over security in 2015

    INEC jittery over security in 2015

    Security during the 2015 general elections has become a source of concern to the Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC), following the prevailing security challenges in the country.

    The Commission is working towards improving and consolidating on measures adopted in the build-up to last year’s general elections.

    A committee on election security was formed with the INEC National Chairman and National Security Adviser heading the committee.

    INEC National Commissioner Nura Yakubu said this at an interactive session with the Commission’s senior staff from Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba states on the electoral body’s strategic plans for 2012-2016.

    “We also want to consolidate on this and expand on it so that the security arrangements we had in Edo recently would be replicated all over the country.

    “We also want to fine tune and improve on the existing structure by institutionalising the interagency security committee on election security,” Yakubu said.

    The INEC National Commissioner further said the commission wants to have a well defined plan on conducting free and fair elections:: operational process that are needed to ensure free and fair elections; legal framework; constitutional and electoral act as well as the bye-laws that the commission is empowered to have.

    Other objectives of the strategic plan according to the National Commissioner, include the process of restructuring and monitoring of political parties, campaigns and finances and restructuring and repositioning the INEC itself.

    “It has been a political culture which we have to change gradually. There is need for a sustained campaign, re-orientation by INEC itself until Nigeria stops being sceptical and accept that Nigeria can still hold free and credible elections”.

    “Election outcomes are issues of perception and I think it’s a difficult perception to be corrected globally but I believe most Nigerians after the 2011 election commended that the 2011 elections were better than 2007.

    “So, if we continue to improve, over time, Nigerians will have full confidence in INEC. We may even go further by introducing the electronic voting system like developed countries.”

  • ACN accuses INEC of partisanship

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has accused the Election Monitoring and Observation Unit of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of engaging in partisanship capable of ruining the credibility of the October 20 governorship poll.

    In a statement issued in Osogbo, Osun State, yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party accused the unit of colluding with the Labour Party (LP) to remove from the list of accredited election observers, certain groups it deemed not favourably disposed to its plan to manipulate the election.

    It said while the unit has de-accredited the Coalition of Democrats for Election Reforms (CODER) on the basis of a petition by

    LP, it has replaced it with Women Arise.

    “The partisanship of Women Arise as far as the Ondo State election is concerned is glaring as the group is led by Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, wife of Mr. Yinka Odumakin, who has publicly declared his support for Governor Olusegun Mimiko in the forthcoming election. Mr. Odumakin

    is also a known ally of Pastor Tunde Bakare, who has also declared his support for the incumbent governor.

    “Another partisan group that has been accredited by INEC to monitor the election is the Rights Monitoring Group (RMG), led by Femi Aduwo, a supporter of the Labour Party in the Social Media. While each election observer group is allowed a maximum of 100 observers, the RMG has been given over 1,500 accreditation tags by this unit, with the alleged plan that these tags will be utilised by LP thugs who will pose as RMG election observers on Saturday.

    “It is worth noting that in the midst of all this, CODER is yet to be formally communicated as to why it was de-accredited. Neither was it given the opportunity to defend itself against whatever was contained in the LP petition that INEC relied upon to de-accredit it. This is far from what is expected from a supposedly-unbiased umpire.

    “Against the foregoing, we are compelled to call on INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who may not be privy to these shenanigans to investigate the activities of this unit, which are capable of ruining the credibility of the electoral body, and act decisively and appropriately.

    “The same unit is said to have compromised INEC by colluding with some political parties in past elections as it reportedly supplied thugs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with accreditation tags for the 2010 governorship election in Anambra State.

    “The fake election observers were subsequently arrested by security agents and the case is pending at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Awka, with no attempt made to prosecute the offenders,” ACN said.

    The party urged the presidency, security agencies, Nigerians and members of the diplomatic community to take note of the gross partisanship of the unit and the impact its nefarious activities may have on efforts to ensure that the Ondo State governorship election is free, fair and credible.

    It demanded the de-accreditation of the Women Arise and RMG as election observers for the Ondo State governorship poll, in the interest of justice and fair play.