The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Inec

  • Assault on toddler: Teacher risks punishment, says Lagos education ministry

    Assault on toddler: Teacher risks punishment, says Lagos education ministry

    The Lagos State Government has said Mrs. Stella Nwadigbo, a teacher who assaulted a toddler in a school in Ikorodu, has contravened the Child Rights Act and the Lagos State Policy on Safeguarding and Child Protection, and is at a risk of being punished according to the state’s laws.

    Nwadigbo, a teacher at Christ Mitots Nursery and Primary School, Ikorodu, Lagos, was seen unlawfully and indecently assaulting 3-year-old pupil, Abayomi Micheal in a viral video on Wednesday, January 8, 2025,  for struggling with a task.

    A statement by Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Basic and Secondary, Kayode Sutton, noted that the teacher’s action were against Lagos laws.

    It reads: “The Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, in its fact finding mission, visited the School, which was approved in 2010, on Thursday, January 9, 2025, but discovered it was partially self-shut down and pupils asked to stay back at home till Monday, January 13, 2025.

    Read Also: Police arraign woman for assaulting 3-year-old pupil in Lagos

    “In her reaction, the Head Teacher, Mrs. B. Adeyeri, on behalf of the Proprietor, Rev.(Mrs.) O.N Olutoye, confirmed the need to protect other pupils from harassments and uncontrollable visits/ pressure from the public, who had been visiting the School premises for pictures/videos, which necessitated the temporary closure of the School.

    “Meanwhile, Master Abayomi Michael has been referred for adequate medical attention and Mrs. Nwadigbo arrested and subsequently remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional facility till February 18, 2025, awaiting the Director, Public Prosecution’s legal advise.

    “By her action, Mrs. Stella Nwadigbo has contravened the Child Rights Act and the Lagos State Policy on Safeguarding and Child Protection, which are punishable offences under the law

    “Albeit, investigation continues on Monday, January 13, 2025, which requires the attention of the School proprietor, Mrs. O. N. Olutoye, the Head Teacher, Mrs. B. Adeyeri, the Survivor, Master Abayomi Michael, his mother, Mrs. Okunlaya Adenike Fatimah, who is also a Teacher in the School and engagement with other pupils.”

  • We need about N126 billion for our activities in 2026, INEC tells NASS

    We need about N126 billion for our activities in 2026, INEC tells NASS

    …says N40 billion allocation grossly inadequate

    The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said on Friday that the Commission would require about N126 billion to finance its activities in 2025 and begin preparation for the 2027 general elections.

    Speaking while defending the 2025 budget proposal of the Commission before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, Prof. Mahmood said the N40 billion being proposed for the Commission in the 2025 budget presented to the National Assembly by the president would not be enough to cover its activities, including salaries and allowances for the year in view of the recent increase in minimum wage.

    He explained that in 2024, the commission was also allocated the same N40 billion which only covered salaries and some social contributions such as NHIS contributions, pension, ITF among others, saying “we complained about the allocations and you asked what we thought would be adequate. We made a proposal of N80 billion then. We are aware that you made efforts to ensure an increase, but that did not work.

    “On our part, we made efforts and approached the Executive for more funds and we were able to get about N10.5 billion from the Executive to take care of the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections. That was why we were aable to conduct those elections and come out successful.”

    The INEC boss said the year 2025 was a very critical year for the Commission, saying “we have the Anambra governorship election coming up later in the year. Provision for preparation for that election is not in the budget. We must prepare for the conduct of the Area Council elections scheduled for February 2026 and the budget for that election is not in this budget. We must monitor party primaries for these elections, including the conduct of bye elections and the budget for that is not in the current budget.

    “Also, we must begin preparation for the 2027 general elections this year. We have not commenced the Continous Voter Registration exercise because of lack of money. We have to start this year and end it in 2026. we must also begin redistribution of voters to polling units from those that are over populated. All these activities cost money and that has not been considered in this budget”.

    Read Also: INEC yet to announce by-election dates for vacant parliamentary seats

    Prof. Yakubu also said that the Commission has about 11 bye elections to be conducte this year both in the National and state Houses of Assembly as a result of death and resignation, saying the Commission has been able to secure about N500 million from the government for that purpose, adding that the money will however not be enough to cover the cost of the elections.

    He argued that despite the changes in the cost of activities in the country, the Commission is still being allocated N40 billion without consideration of the increase in Minimum wage, saying the Commission currently has one of the largest workforce in the country of over 14,700 staff outside the political appointees in the commission.

    He said the political appointees in the commission include the Chairman and 12 National Commissioners, 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners their aides who draws salaries and allowances from the funds of the commission.

    He also said that the Commission has over 850 building across the country in dire need of renovation as well as offices in the 8809 wards, 774 local government, 37 state offices as well as the nationa headquarters and various stores which has to be taken care of rom the budget.

    He also disclosed that currently, there are still 59 local government offices located in Local Government Headquarters which it planned to relocate, adding that isthe budget of N126 billion in approved, the commission is targetting the relocation of at least 30 of them in 2025.

    The INEC Chairman also disclosed that the Commission planned to replace some of its items such as BVAS machines, voting cubiciles and other materials, adding that between the conduct of the 2023 general election and now, the commission has lost about 440 BVAS machines, but was quick to add that the Commission has however collected insurance premium of about N205 million for the damaged BVAS.

    He said “that money was not paid directly to the Commision. It was paid directy to government coffers”.

    Reacting to the presentation by the INEC Chairman, Senator Ireti Kingible said the National Assembly must look for ways to get enough funding for the Commission if it must discharge its responibility diligently and save the nation’s democracy.

    She said “INEC has to be independent and whatever we have to do to get funding for the commission must be done. It is not whether the commission will get the money. It has to get the money needed”.

    Also contributing, Adeboye Paul said “from what we are seeing, it s clear that we are running a dangerous system. We are all participants in the electoral process and we know what goes on. When there are shortfall, the local government comes in to supplement and that is dangerous for the system.

    “If the essence of budget defence is that we cannot make input, why then do we embark on the exercise. Last year, we were here in this same situation and we made efforts to improve the budget to no avail. We need to deliberate on how best to assist the commission aand save our democracy. If we allow them to continue going cap in hand to the Executive for funds, that is not good for democracy in this country”.

    The budget defence later went into an Executive session between the joint Committee and the INEC Chairman and about seven of his National Commissioners and Directors in attendance.

  • INEC yet to announce by-election dates for vacant parliamentary seats

    INEC yet to announce by-election dates for vacant parliamentary seats

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to announce a date to conduct by-elections into six vacant positions in the National Assembly, The Nation has learnt.

    The six vacant positions comprise four House of Representatives seats in Edo, Oyo, Kaduna, and Jigawa states, while the two Senate seats are vacant in Edo and Anambra states.

    While two of the seats became vacant as a result of the last governorship election in Edo State, the other four seats became vacant as a result of the deaths the elected representatives.

    Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Denis Idahosa, were members of the National Assembly representing Edo Central and Ovia Federal Constituency in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

    Other seats were left vacant by the deaths of Senator Ifeanyi Utah (Anambra South), Isa Dogonyaro (Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa State), Ekene Abubakar Adams (Chicken/Kahuku Federal Constituency of Kaduna State) and Olaide Akinremi (Ibadan North Federal Constituency).

    During a recent interaction, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the commission would announce a date fie the by-elections when it is ready.

    While the laws of the land, including the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act provide that all constituencies be represented in the Parliament, the Electoral 2022 does not make any specific provision on the conduct of such by-elections.

    The section of the law that deals with by-elections is not explicitly stated in a single section.

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    The Electoral Act 2022 stipulates that by-elections are typically held to fill vacant seats in the National Assembly or states’ Houses of Assembly.

    But the Act provides guidelines for the conduct of by-elections, including the process for nominating candidates, the timeline for the election, and the procedures for voting and counting.

    But at a stakeholders’ meeting with media executives on November 1, 2024, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission was working out the modalities for the conduct of the by-elections.

    He said it would soon announce the date for the elections as INEC was making consultations on the possibility of having political parties that won elections into the parliament but lost such members either due to death or resignation to becoming candidates to fill the vacant positions.

    According to him, the tenure of lawmakers are tied to the particular assembly they were elected to, hence the need to ensure that such positions are not left vacant.

    The INEC chairman said the conduct of by-elections has created lots of logistics issues for the commission, adding that as from July 2023 when the current government came into power, it had about 20 by-elections.

  • JUST IN: INEC debunks death rumours, says Prof. Yakubu is alive

    JUST IN: INEC debunks death rumours, says Prof. Yakubu is alive

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed reports on social media about the purported death of the commission’s chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

    Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi said in a statement that Prof Yakubu was hale and healthy and has not traveled to London in the past two years.

    A report circulating in the social media said the INEC chairman reportedly died in a London hospital after a brief illness.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a fake news narrative circulated by a section of the social media claiming the purported death of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu at a London hospital. The story first appeared on Monday, 9th December 2024.

    “We hereby appeal to the public to disregard the rumour. Prof. Yakubu is alive, hale, and hearty. In fact, he has not travelled to London in the last two years.

    “He was present at an interactive meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on Wednesday, 11th December 2024. He also chaired the Commission’s meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners on Thursday, 12th December 2024.

    Read Also: INEC workers trained on technology use

    “Both events were widely covered on television and reported on the front pages of most newspapers yesterday, Friday 13th December 2024.

    “The public may recall that mischief-makers on social media carried a similar fake story in 2021. Three years later, they are spreading the same rumour again. 

    “Those who indulge in this practice, as well as those who spread it, should be mindful of its effect not only on the individual but also the wider society.

    “The Commission will continue to work with genuine media professionals to combat the scourge of fake news and the danger it poses to society.”

  • INEC workers trained on technology use

    INEC workers trained on technology use

    Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) Global has organised a workshop for staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in order to strengthen election planning, management, and administration through the deployment of technology applications.

    The workshop provided a platform for staff of INEC, applications developers (contractors), and DAI, to gather feedback on the experiences of the Commission in its engagement, deployment, and implementation of the applications.

    It would be recalled that on August 10, 2023, INEC took delivery of six innovative technology tools to enhance operational efficiency and improve the accuracy of the election results management processes, from DAI.

    The company provides support to INEC under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme phase two.

    The applications included the Election Results Management System (ERMS); Parties Financial Reporting and Audit System (PFRAS); Integration of the INECPRES and the OMIS database; GPS capturing coordinates of polling units; Collation and Returning Officers Management System (CROMS); Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) dashboard, and the Virtual Election Training System (VETS).

    Speaking during the workshop in Abuja, Team Leader, DAI Rudolf Elbling stated that the provision of election technologies was one of many areas that DAI, through funding from the EU, was supporting INEC.

    He said: “About two years ago, we started developing 7 election management tools which are targeted to assist INEC in crucial areas like e.g. campaign finance reporting and auditing, recruitment of Ad Hoc staff, staff training and others.

    “We are talking about 7 different election management tools. There is the EMSC, polling unit mapping, virtual election training system, and others. The virtual election training system, for example, is a big and powerful system to provide training to different categories of INEC staff, both core and ad hoc staff.”

    Stating that the utilisation and deployment of these election management tools would be a massive leap forward for INEC, Elbling added: “We must not forget that training consumes a very large part of the election budget, which is around 20 percent. It is expensive and logistically difficult to do. Therefore, in the case of the virtual election training system, having all these online, with very good modules, will be a leap forward in several aspects, and that is what we are working on.”

    Read Also: NNPP accuses expelled members of plotting disunity amid INEC visit

    Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) Consultant to INEC, Samson Fadare, stated that the application will detect the status of readiness for elections, and will ensure the early detection of threat risks and a general assessment of performance of electoral activities.

    He said: “Electoral processes and activities are activities including strategic plan, electoral project plan, and the implementation of tactical activities, which have been scheduled under this broad plan. Then, you narrow it down to activities that have to do with political parties campaigns and others.

    “EMSC also deals with the internal operations of INEC like tracking compliance to the processes internally. It also tracks the delivery of materials to the various locations, management of personnel which has to do with the recruitment of personnel, and ensuring that adequate numbers of personnel are recruited across all the categories. It also tracks important field activities like opening of polls on election day, collation centre activities, and others.”

    He added: “In the EMSC framework, we also have what we call the green zone, amber zone, and the red zone. These are timelines for tracking some specific electoral activities to help to understand how well the activities are being implemented, and to identify challenges way ahead before elections.

    “Overall, technology is playing a very critical role in election management. Over time, INEC has continued to build new systems, and relied on these systems to manage electoral processes and implementation of activities.”

    Deputy Director, Electoral Operations, INEC, Emem Umoren said: “We have some by-elections in January next year, and we are hoping to implement most of these projects (applications). For example, the GPS polling units coordinate system has already been in use; we used them during the Edo and Ondo governorship elections. They were very useful. We are very grateful to DAI for this support, and we look forward to doing bigger things with them.”

  • INEC to seek amendment to Electoral Act 2022 over election results transmission

    INEC to seek amendment to Electoral Act 2022 over election results transmission

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said the commission is seeking the National Assembly’s clarity on the need to amendment the Electoral Act 2022 on manual transfer and electronic transmission of results.

    Yakubu spoke yesterday in Abuja at a meeting with States’ Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

    The INEC chairman announced that election result management was among the eight items that arose from the conduct of the 2023 general election which required the National Assembly’s scrutiny.

    He said: “Among the major highlights of the commission’s recommendations is the imperative of legal clarity in result management with regard to manual transfer versus the electronic transmission of results.

    Read Also: Tinubu focused on delivering campaign promises, not 2027 election — Bwala

    “The commission also believes that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the use of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) as the sole means of identification for voter accreditation on Election Day should be reviewed.

    “Those who already have the PVCs can still use them to vote, but going forward, computer-generated slips issued to the voter or even downloaded from the commission’s website will suffice for voter accreditation. This will not only save cost; it will also eliminate the issues around the collection of PVCs and the diabolical practice of buying up the cards from voters in order to disenfranchise them.

    “The review report also contains recommendations on early/special voting for the millions of Nigerians who do not vote at the moment on account of the roles they play during elections, such as INEC officials, security personnel, ad hoc workers, observers and journalists who are deployed outside the places where they registered to vote.

    “There are also recommendations in support of Diaspora voting, the unbundling of the commission with the establishment of Electoral Offences Tribunal and a separate agency to handle the registration and regulation of political parties. Similarly, the commission will step up action on voter access and distribution to polling units.

  • NNPP accuses expelled members of plotting disunity amid INEC visit

    NNPP accuses expelled members of plotting disunity amid INEC visit

    The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused some expelled members of the party of being used by rival political parties to sow discord and create disaffection within the party.

    National chairman of NNPP, Ahmed Ajuji, made the allegation during a visit by a team of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials as part of their annual assessment of political parties. 

    Ajuji claimed that the expelled members have been spreading falsehoods and propaganda, falsely asserting that the management of the party had been handed over to them.

    Ajuji emphasised that INEC’s visit to carry out its statutory duty affirms the party’s legitimacy and ongoing existence. 

    He assured that, despite the efforts of former members, the party would continue to function as the ruling party in Kano State and a strong, constructive opposition across the rest of Nigeria.

    He warned that the party will not tolerate members who engage in anti-party activities to do so with impunity, saying “No matter how highly placed, all members are expected to remain disciplined and operate within the ambit of our constitution. The internal mechanisms of our party shall be guarded jealously”.

    National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ladipo Johnson said: “The issue of leadership of the party is strictly a Constitutional matter based on the extant statutes and regulations. The judgment purportedly obtained by Dr. Aniebonam and his group at Abia State High Court, Uzuakoli is a ruse and is without substance.

    “It is pyrrhic “victory” and confers nothing to Chief Aniebonam and his co-travellers. The judgment is a default judgment that was obtained by fraud and therefore liable to be set aside, which process of setting same aside has already commenced.

    “We emphasise that the judgment being paraded by the impostors is a pyrrhic victory that confers nothing but an empty shell because the Orders of courts cannot confer rights or powers over something that does not exist in law in the first place.

    “The party with a symbol or logo of a Basket of fruits for which Chief. Aniebonam and his allies  approached the High Court of Abia State, Uzuakoli and purportedly got orders of the said court to take over  its affairs is not a  registered political party in Nigeria and does not exist on the INEC register or website and therefore is unknown to law and is radically different from our  New Nigeria Peoples party whose symbol and logo is academic cap and a book sandwiched between the colours of RED WHITE RED and conspicuously registered as No. 12 on INEC website among other 19 registered political parties in Nigeria.

    “This is the only recognized symbol and logo of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2024”.

    He said while the Court has powers only to interpret the constitution and statutes of the land and cannot add or subtract from the provisions of the Constitution, section 222 of the constitution makes provision for the registration of political parties.

    He said further that “by the provision of Section 83(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended), every registered political party in Nigeria must have its records registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    “The party with a symbol of basket of fruits has no records with the commission. The name of Major Gilbert Agbo who claims to be the National Chairman is not registered with INEC, none of their purported National Officers has their name registered with INEC, their purported headquarters is not registered with INEC, the Logo or symbol of basket of fruits paraded by the impostors is alien to INEC, the Constitution they are parading is also not registered with the Commission, as mandated by the provision of Section 222 (a), (b), (c), (d) & (f) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    “An “unregistered association” with a symbol or logo of basket of fruits not being a registered political party in Nigeria in compliance with the mandatory provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended) as adumbrated above,  cannot by fiat of a judgment of Abia State high court, Uzuakoli Division become a political party in Nigeria to be recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    “Most fundamentally, the judgment the impostors are relying on that the party has been handed over to them was a default judgment that was fraudulently obtained through the back door and by deceit and concealment of facts as the Honourable Court was misled by the impostors.

    “They fraudulently served the court processes on themselves as New Nigeria People’s Party and concealed the fact that that they did not serve the proper defendants. They concealed the fact that they had earlier approached the Federal High Court, Abuja Division in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2023, a court of coordinate jurisdiction, seeking the same orders and their suit was dismissed.

    “The Federal High  Court in its judgment delivered by Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite,  held that Chief Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, Major Gilbert Agbo, Sunday Olaposi Oginni, Hon. Temitokpe Aluko and their co-travellers having been expelled from the New Nigeria People’s Party have lost their rights and privileges in NNPP and therefore cannot sue in the name of NNPP or against NNPP.

    “The said judgment was delivered on the 18th April, 2024 and the said   judgment has not been set aside and is still subsisting and is binding on all parties. It is after this judgment was delivered that the impostors, on their series of voyages of forum shopping proceeded to Abia State in a remote village of Uzuakoli and fraudulently obtained a default judgment from a court of coordinate jurisdiction.

    “We therefore wish to use this medium to assure our teeming supporters and those willing to join our great party not to be deceived by the propaganda of the impostors parading themselves as National Officers of the NNPP with a symbol or Logo of basket of fruits.

    “No such political party exists in Nigeria. The authentic New Nigeria People’s Party registered with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has its symbol or Logo represented by a book and academic gown situated in the middle of RED WHITE RED colours and that is the only logo that would be printed on the ballot papers in all subsequent elections in Nigeria.”

  • Transmission of election results: INEC seeks clearer legislation on result management

    Transmission of election results: INEC seeks clearer legislation on result management

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said on Thursday that the commission planned to approach the National Assembly to seek amendment to the Electoral Act 2022 to provide clarity on result management with regard to manual transfer and electronic transmission of results.

    Speaking at a meeting with state Resident Electoral Commissioners, Prof. Yakubu said the issue of result management is one of the eight items arising from the conduct of the 2023 general election requiring legislative action by the National Assembly.

    He said that the commission is also proposing the relaxation of accreditation procedure to allow the use of computer-generated voter’s slip issued to, or printed from the commission’s website for voting instead of strict reliance on Permanent Voters card.

    He said: “Among the major highlights of the Commission’s recommendations is the imperative of legal clarity in result management, with regard to manual transfer versus the electronic transmission of results.

    “The commission also believes that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the use of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) as the sole means of identification for voter accreditation on Election Day should be reviewed.

    “Those who already have the PVCs can still use them to vote, but going forward, computer-generated slips issued to the voter or even downloaded from the Commission’s website will suffice for voter accreditation. This will not only save cost; it will also eliminate the issues around the collection of PVCs and the diabolical practice of buying up the cards from voters in order to disenfranchise them.

    “The review report also contains recommendations on early/special voting for the millions of Nigerians who do not vote at the moment on account of the roles they play during elections such as INEC officials, security personnel, ad hoc staff, observers and journalists who are deployed outside the places where they registered to vote.

    “There are also recommendations in support of diaspora voting, the unbundling of the commission with the establishment of electoral offences tribunal and a separate agency to handle the registration and regulation of political parties. Similarly, the Commission will step up action on voter access and distribution to Polling Units.

    “As a matter of urgency, the commission also intends to develop protocols for the cleaning up of the voters’ register in collaboration with other agencies such as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the National Population Commission (NPC).

    “Other areas of reform include advocacy for affirmative action for greater participation of under-represented groups, a more robust voter education and public communication to combat fake news and misinformation.

    “Furthermore, the commission intends to review the mechanisms for a more effective implementation of agreements on logistics with the transport unions and other service providers by consolidating on the recent experience with early deployment and commencement of elections in the recent Ondo state governorship election.”

    He said further that having released our 524-page main report on the election, a copy of which is available on our website, we have consulted widely internally with our own officials and externally with all major stakeholders.

    He said: “With the conclusion of five major off-cycle governorship elections and nine out of 21 bye-elections since the 2023 General Election, this is the most appropriate time for us to commence the implementation of the recommendations arising from our review of the general election.

    “From the internal and external engagements, the Commission has identified 142 recommendations dealing with the general state of preparedness, voter management, voter education and public communication, political parties and candidate management, electoral operations and logistics management, election officials and personnel, partnership and collaboration, monitoring and supervision, election technology, voting and result management, election security, electoral offences and the electoral legal framework.

    “Out of the 142 recommendations, 86 require administrative action by the Commission. It is therefore pertinent that we engage first with our Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) because of your frontline role in the implementation of the recommendations.

    “This is followed by 48 recommendations that require action by a variety of stakeholders, including security agencies, mobile network operators, statutory bodies, political parties, transport unions, civil society organisations and the media.

    “The hardcopies of the General Election and Review reports will be presented to the public shortly. The softcopy of the Report will also be uploaded to our website in earnest. There will also be a detailed presentation of the major highlights of the Review Report to you at this meeting.”

  • Ondo INEC ad-hoc staff threaten protest over unpaid allowances

    Ondo INEC ad-hoc staff threaten protest over unpaid allowances

    Some ad-hoc staff who worked for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during last month’s governorship election in Ondo state have threatened to protest over the non-payment of their allowances.

    INEC had deployed 17,000 ad-hoc staff for the exercise, promising to pay each person an allowance of ₦20,000 immediately after the election.

    Speaking anonymously in Akure, some of the affected staff expressed frustration, stating they are yet to receive their payments. 

    A Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) lamented: “INEC has not paid us our allowances, and they are not communicating with us. Many of us are affected. It is sad that INEC has failed to fulfil its promise.”

    The staff are now calling on INEC to urgently address the issue to avoid further discontent.

    “Those attending to us at the commission’s office are refusing to listen to our plight. We are demanding the payment of our allowance, or we storm the INEC office massively starting from this week,” she threatened. 

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    Another ad hoc staff, who served in Akure North said they would stage the protest if they didn’t receive their before Tuesday.

    “t’s over two weeks that the election was conducted. They use and dump us.I feel INEC had no reason not to pay us.” 

    Spokesman for INEC in Ondo State, Dr Temitope Akanmu, said the commission has commenced payment of allowance to the ad hoc staff that participated in the governorship election.

    He said many of the Ad hoc staff have problem with their financial institution. 

    “We have paid the ad hoc staff who worked during the election. But we understand that there are some who have issues with their banks, and we are working with them to resolve whatever problem they might be experiencing.

    “So, what we have is just pocket of challenges that is common with banking errors. The few ones who are yet to receive will get them soon i can assure them. 

    “Even the REC, Oluwatoyin Babalola, is mostly concerned about it, which has to deal with banking errors. She has instructed that it should be fixed,” He said. 

  • NDYC decries plot to undermine INEC

    NDYC decries plot to undermine INEC

    The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has warned against attempts to undermine Nigeria’s electoral institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    In a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Israel Uwejeyan the NDYC condemned the divisive rhetoric of the ReformINEC and SackYakubu movement, describing it as counterproductive and potentially damaging to Nigeria’s democracy.

    The NDYC emphasised that INEC has made significant progress in improving Nigeria’s electoral process, citing the adoption of innovative technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results.

    The group urged Nigerians to reject attempts to discredit INEC and its leadership, warning that such actions could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s democratic stability.

    The NDYC’s statement comes at a time when Nigeria is preparing for critical future elections.

    The statement reads: “Electoral reforms must be evidence-based and debated within the context of the National Assembly, civil society, and other stakeholders—not reduced to baseless agitation or propaganda campaigns. Genuine reform is achieved through strategic advocacy and collaborative effort, not by maligning public officials without concrete evidence.

    “At a time when Nigeria is grappling with numerous challenges, from insecurity to economic recovery, it is imperative that we focus on fostering national unity rather than sowing seeds of discord. ReformINEC’s divisive rhetoric risks polarizing Nigerians along political, ethnic, and ideological lines, thereby undermining the unity and progress we so desperately need.

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    “The NDYC calls on all political and advocacy groups to demonstrate responsibility and patriotism in their engagements. Criticism must be constructive, solutions-focused, and in the interest of the Nigerian people. The future of Nigerian democracy depends not on the dismantling of its institutions but on their strengthening through informed dialogue and active citizen participation.

    “The Niger Delta Youth Congress remains committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, promoting electoral transparency, and fostering national development. We stand firmly against any attempt to derail the progress we have collectively achieved or to destabilize our democratic institutions under the guise of reform. We urge Nigerians to reject unfounded narratives and focus on building a nation where fairness, justice, and unity prevail.”