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  • Edo 2024: INEC clears 17 candidates seeking to open campaigns Wednesday

    Edo 2024: INEC clears 17 candidates seeking to open campaigns Wednesday

    • LP rejects ‘placeholder’ as running mate

    Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared 17 candidates seeking to open campaigns tomorrow for the governorship election holding in Edo State on September 21, 2024. Labour Party (LP), Edo State chapter, has rejected the final list of 17 governorship candidates and their running mates for the poll, which was published yesterday in Abuja by INEC.

    In the published list, Edo LP’s deputy governorship candidate was listed as a former chairman of the party in Owan West Local Government, Edo North Senatorial District, Mrs. Oluyinka Faith Alufohai, who was replaced about two weeks ago by the “validly-nominated running mate,” Alhaji Asamah Yusuf Kadiri, SAN.

    Edo LP Chairman Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi, in a statement, assured the party’s teeming members and supporters that the technical error would soon be corrected by the electoral umpire.

    Ogbaloi said: “Our team followed all necessary procedures and submitted Kadiri’s name and credentials as the deputy governorship candidate, well within INEC’s stipulated window. Unfortunately, a technical glitch occurred at the national headquarters of our party, during the submission process, resulting in the incorrect name appearing on the final list.

    “We are engaged with INEC officials to rectify this issue immediately, and our team has provided requisite documentations, demonstrating Kadiri’s valid nomination. We have been following up with INEC diligently, to ensure it updates the candidates’ list with the accurate information.

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    “We recognise the anxiety this error may cause, but urge our teeming members and supporters to remain calm and steadfast in their commitment to our party’s vision. Your unwavering support and activism have been invaluable thus far, and we need you to continue spreading awareness of our platform and championing the positive change we represent.

    “The LP is determined to contest the forthcoming September 21, 2024 Edo State governorship election fairly and transparently. We should not allow this minor administrative hurdle to dampen our confidence or impede our momentum. Together, we shall overcome any obstacle, minor or major, as we continue our march towards restoring Edo State to its pride of place nationally.”

    Of the 17 governorship candidates vying in Edo governorship poll, to elect the politician that will succeed Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Governor Godwin Obaseki on November 12 this year, the real contenders are All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) Senator Monday Okpebholo, PDP’s Dr. Asue Ighodalo and LP’s Olumide Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), with 14 others seen as pretenders.

  • INEC releases final list of candidates for Edo governorship election

    INEC releases final list of candidates for Edo governorship election

    One female Governorship candidate, Patience Ndidi of the People’s Redemption Party is to slug it out with 16 male candidates in the September off-cycle governorship election in Edo state.

    The name of the 50-year-old female candidate is contained in the final list of candidates for the election published on Monday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The list put an end to weeks of speculations that the Labour Party had replaced Alufohai Oluyinka Faith as its deputy governorship candidate due to disparities in her document submitted to the Commission.

    In a statement on Monday, April 22, national commissioner and chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun said political parties are now free to commence their campaign ahead of the election following the guideline released by the commission.

    The statement reads: “The commission is pleased to announce the publication of the final list of candidates for the Edo State Governorship Election.

    “Following the initial primaries, the Commission published the personal particulars of the Governorship candidates and their running mates in our State and Local Government offices in Edo State.

    “In line with the provision of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, some political parties conducted fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates by the deadline of 15th April 2024.

    “The Action Alliance (AA) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) replaced their Governorship candidates and their running mates. In addition, the African Action Congress (AAC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Boot Party (BP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) replaced the running mates of their candidates only.

    “Overall, seventeen (17) political parties are fielding candidates in the election. Sixteen (16) are male while one (1) is female. The final list, which also gives the breakdown of the candidates by age, academic qualifications and disability, has been published at our office in Edo State and also uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information.”

    The statement also said that “with the publication of the final list of candidates for the Edo State Governorship Election, the next activity is electioneering campaign.

    “As provided by Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, campaigns by Political Parties in public shall commence not earlier than 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours before that day.

    “Therefore, Political Parties are now permitted to start campaign in public from Wednesday 24th April 2024 and end at midnight on Thursday 19th September 2024 as indicated in items 8 and 12 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.

    Read Also: INEC closes in SDP/Ajaka’s suit against Ododo

    “As parties commence this critical phase of the election, the Commission reminds candidates, agents and their supporters of the provision of the law and the Commission’s guidelines governing such activity.

    “For emphasis, parties shall conduct their campaigns with civility and decorum devoid of inciting language, violence, voter inducement and other infractions mentioned in Sections 92 – 97 of the Electoral Act 2022.

    “The Edo State Governorship Election is scheduled to hold on Saturday 21st September 2024.”

  • INEC closes in SDP/Ajaka’s suit against Ododo

    INEC closes in SDP/Ajaka’s suit against Ododo

    Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has closed its defence in the petition by Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka, challenging the victory of Governor Usman Ododo of All Progressives Congress in the November 11 poll in Kogi.

    INEC’s lawyer, Uchenna Njoku, spoke while addressing the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja.

    After tendering  documents, Njoku told the three-man pane, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudo, that INEC did not intend to call more witnesses.

    “My lords, the first respondent, having reviewed pleadings in this petition, the evidence elicited from petitioners’ witnesses under cross-examination, and documents tendered in evidence by the first respondent, considers it reasonable not to belabour the tribunal with more witnesses.

    “In the circumstances, INEC applies to close its case,” the lawyer said.

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    Justice Birnin-Kudo adjourned till April 17 for second respondent (Governor Ododo) to open its defence.

    In the course of yesterday’s proceedings, Njoku told the tribunal INEC brought the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices used for the election as ordered by the court on November 25, 2023.

    Njoku tendered three sets of documents, which included a letter, dated February 22 forwarding the BVAS, a document containing summary of the BVAS devices and another document containing the BVAS’ identification numbers.

    When Njoku applied to tender the documents, Ibrahim Sanni Mohammed, who appeared for Ododo, and Ayo Asala, for APC, did not object to admissibility of the exhibits.

    Lawyer to SDP and Ajaka, Pius Akubo, objected on the grounds that only documents were tendered without actual exhibits.

    Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu admitted the documents as exhibits.

    The BVAS tendered were on seven local governments; Okehi, Ajaokuta, Basa, Ogori-Magongo, Lokoja, Adavi, and Okene.

    Ododo indicated his readiness to open his defence today.

    His lawyer, Mohammed, assured the tribunal that his client would begin his defence today.

  • Kogi poll: INEC tenders documents against SDP, Ajaka’s petition at tribunal

    Kogi poll: INEC tenders documents against SDP, Ajaka’s petition at tribunal

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday tendered electoral documents against the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka, challenging the election victory of Governor Usman Ododo.

    INEC’s counsel, Uchenna Njoku, who held the brief of Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), tendered the documents before the Kogi State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja.

    INEC conducted the Kogi governorship election on November 11, 2023.

    But the SDP and its governorship candidate in the poll are challenging the declaration of Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the poll.

    In the petition, INEC, Ododo, and APC are listed as the first to the third respondents.

    Some of the documents tendered yesterday by the commission’s lawyer before the three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, include INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of the Election; INEC Manuals for Electoral Officers and INEC Form EC8C.

    Others include INEC Form EC8B; INEC Form EC8E; List of Accredited Agents for SDP; List of Accredited Ward Agents; Receipts of Payment for Forms, among others.

    After the documents were tendered, Justice Birnin-Kudu admitted them in evidence and marked them as exhibits.

    Njoku applied for an adjournment to enable the electoral umpire present its witnesses on the next adjourned date.

    Justice Birnin-Kudu adjourned the matter till today for continuation of hearing.

    Read Also: Kogi poll: INEC tenders documents against SDP, Ajaka’s petition at tribunal

    The judge, who observed that the SDP’s petition would elapse on May 29, said there was the need to amend the number of days earlier given for the second and third respondents to present their case and for the filing of the final written addresses of the parties.

    He reduced the number of days to five instead of the earlier 10 days given for the respondents’ lawyers to present their case.

    Justice Birnin-Kudu assured the parties that where five days would not be enough, the panel would not hesitate to give additional days.

    The judge solicited the cooperation of the parties in this regard.

    But APC’s counsel, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), pleaded with the tribunal not to reduce the earlier days given to prepare their defence.

    Ukala, who pledged the cooperation of the respondents in ensuring timely completion of their case, pleaded that the order on the schedule for hearing should not be amended.

    The panel averred that the amendment to the order was done off-record.

    While Joseph Daudu (SAN) led Governor Ododo’s team of lawyers, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) led Ajaka’s team.

    SDP and Ajaka had, on April 5, closed their case after calling 25 witnesses.

  • Kogi poll: INEC tenders documents against SDP, Ajaka’s petition at tribunal

    Kogi poll: INEC tenders documents against SDP, Ajaka’s petition at tribunal

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, tendered electoral documents against the petition by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka, challenging the election victory of Gov. Usman Ododo.

    INEC’s counsel, Uchenna Njoku, who held the brief of Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, tendered the documents before the Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that INEC conducted the Kogi governorship election on Nov. 11, 2023.

    However, the SDP and its governorship candidate in the poll are challenging the declaration of Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the poll.

    In the petition, INEC, Ododo and APC are listed as 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.

    Some of the documents tendered on Monday by the commission’s lawyer before the three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, include INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of the Election; INEC Manuals for Electoral Officers and INEC Form EC8C.

    Others include INEC Form EC8B; INEC Form EC8E; List of Accredited Agents for SDP; List of Accredited Ward Agents; Receipts of Payment for Forms, among others.

    After the documents were tendered, Justice Birnin-Kudu admitted them in evidence and marked them as exhibits.

    Njoku then applied for an adjournment to enable the electoral umpire present its witnesses on the next adjourned date.

    The judge adjourned the matter until April 16 for continuation of hearing.

    Earlier, Justice Birnin-Kudu, who observed that the SDP’s petition would elapse on May 29, said there was the need to amend the number of days earlier given for the 2nd and 3rd respondents to present their case and for the filing of the final written addresses of the parties.

    He, therefore, reduced the number of days to five instead of the earlier 10 days given for the respondents’ lawyers to present their case.

    He assured that where five days would not be enough, the panel would not hesitate to give additional more days.

    He solicited for the cooperation of the parties in this regard.

    Read Also: INEC publishes particulars of Edo Gov candidates

    But APC’s counsel, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, pleaded with the tribunal not to reduce the earlier days given to prepare their defence.

    Ukala, who pledged the cooperation of the respondents in ensuring timely completion of their case, pleaded that the order on the schedule for hearing should not be amended.

    The panel, however, clarified that the amendment to the order was done off record.

    While Joseph Daudu, SAN, led Gov. Ododo’s team of lawyers, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, led Ajaka’s team.

    It could be recalled that SDP and Ajaka had, on April 5, closed their case after calling 25 witnesses.

    (NAN)

  • INEC publishes particulars of Edo Gov candidates

    INEC publishes particulars of Edo Gov candidates

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published personal particulars of all candidates for the September 2024 off cycle governorship election in Edo State. 

    The publication is in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires the commission to publish the particulars of all those seeking to contest elections. 

    Members of the public, civil society organisations and the media are expected to scrutinise the particulars before the publication of the final list of candidates. 

    Seventeen out of the 18 parties that conducted their primaries meet the deadline to upload the particulars of their candidates on the INEC portal, which automatically shut down by 6.00pm on Sunday, March 24.

    In a message on its X handle, the Commission said: “In compliance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, and as indicated in our press statement dated Wednesday 27th March, 2024, the Commission today, 30th March, 2024, pasted the personal particulars – Form EC9- and other credentials of governorship candidates and their deputies nominated by 17 political parties at the INEC Edo State Office and all the I8 Local Government Offices.”

    Among the parties whose list has been published at the INEC state headquarters in Benin and the 18 local government areas of the state include the All progressives Congress (APC); Labour Party (LP); People’s Democratic Party (PDP); Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). 

    Read Also: INEC canvasses early security preparation for Edo, Ondo governorship elections

    The list also include Africa Democratic Congress (ADC); New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); Young Progressive Party (TPP); Accord Party; Allied Peoples Movement (APM); Action Democratic Party (ADP); Action Peoples Party (APP) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). 

    Following the publication of the list, parties have until April 15 to either withdraw or replace their candidates while submission of final list of candidates remains April 20.

    The Commission is expected to publish the final list of candidates for the election on April 23 while campaign is expected to official commence the following day. 

    The Edo governorship election holds on Saturday September 21, 2024.

  • 17 political parties to battle for Edo governorship seat, says INEC

    17 political parties to battle for Edo governorship seat, says INEC

    Seventeen political parties will contest the September 21, off-cycle governorship election in Edo state, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Wednesday, March 27.

    In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Sam Olumekun said the 17 parties are the ones that met the deadline for submission of names of elected candidates for the election.

    Submission and upload of names of nominated candidates for the election closed by 6.00 pm on Sunday, March 24, while the commission is expected to publish the names of the candidates on the 30 of March.

    The statement reads: “Following the conclusion of party primaries, seventeen (17) Political Parties have uploaded their candidates’ nomination forms for the Edo State Governorship Election by the deadline of 6.00 pm on 24th March 2024 when the dedicated portal automatically shut down.

    “The personal particulars of the Governorship candidates and their running mates will be published on Saturday 30th March 2024, a week from the last date for the submission of nominations as provided in Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022. 

    Read Also: Edo governorship: INEC, centre make case for persons with disabilities

    “The Commission shall publish the personal particulars by displaying copies of Form EC9 along with all academic credentials and other documents submitted by each candidate at the State Headquarters and the 18 Local Government offices across Edo State.

    “We appeal to Nigerians to scrutinise the documents. Any aspirant who participated in his/her party primaries with reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided by the candidate is false can challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court as provided in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.

    “The Edo State Governorship Election is scheduled to hold on Saturday 21st September 2024.”

    The statement was however silent on the names of parties that beat the deadline even though the Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu had told the nation that 18 political parties conducted primaries monitored by the commission.

  • Edo governorship: INEC, centre make case for persons with disabilities

    Edo governorship: INEC, centre make case for persons with disabilities

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is committed to making 2024 governorship election in Edo State more inclusive, with provision of assistive device for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

    INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, said this yesterday in Benin during a technical session on implementation of the INEC’s inclusivity tools in the election.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised in partnership with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) with the support of MacArthur Foundation.

    Prof. Ajayi, also the chairman, Outreach and Partnership Committee (OPC) of the commission, was represented by Mrs. Dorathy Bello, a director in the commission.

    Ajayi said the non-negotiable minimum of a credible and democratic electioneering process was its inclusivity.

    “That is the ability of all stakeholders to access and participate in the electoral space based on equality.

    “Section 54 (2) of the Electoral Act 2022 and other legal instruments empower the commission to take reasonable steps to ensure that PWDs, special needs, and other vulnerable persons are given support at the polling unit by the provision of assistive devices.”

  • INEC canvasses early security preparation for Edo, Ondo governorship elections

    INEC canvasses early security preparation for Edo, Ondo governorship elections

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has demanded early security preparation for the off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

    Prof Yakubu who spoke at the first quarterly meeting of the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security paid tribute to the security agencies for the role they played during the 2020 governorship elections in the two states which he attributed to early planning by the security agencies.

    The meeting paid tribute to the officers and men of the Nigerian Army who lost their lives while on a peace mission in Okuama community of Delta State.

    The INEC boss said “It is important to start security preparations very early. In particular, the number of personnel and other assets to be deployed to strategic locations should be determined and mobilised early enough.

     “It was this proactive approach that led to the successful conduct of the last governorship election in Edo State on 19th September 2020 and in Ondo State on 10th October 2020.

    “There were no security incidents, materials were delivered promptly, logistics deployed smoothly, polling units opened on time, voters attended to efficiently and results collated and announced transparently.

     “Let us replicate the successful conduct of the last governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states. In fact, working together, we should ensure that the 2024 governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states are an improvement on the success story of 2020.

    “In the next few months, there will be further engagements with the security agencies and other members of ICCES at both national and state levels. We look forward to your plans to secure the environment without which INEC cannot successfully conduct elections.”

    Prof Yakubu reminded political parties participating in the Edo governorship elections that the nomination portal for the election will automatically shut down on Sunday, March 24, asking those yet to upload the names and particular of their candidates to do so without further delay.

     He said “the major activities in the electoral calendar for this year are the two off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states. The timetable and schedule of activities for the elections were released by the Commission in September last year.

    “The Edo governorship election will hold on Saturday 21st September 2024 while that of Ondo State is scheduled for Saturday 16th November 2024. We have just six months to the Edo State governorship election and only eight months before the Ondo State governorship election.

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    “The election in Ondo State will hold two months after Edo. It is therefore appropriate to acquaint you with the delimitation details to enable early preparations for security deployment.

    “Both Edo and Ondo states have 18 Local Government Areas each. At the moment, Edo has 2,501,081 registered voters, 192 Registration Areas/Wards and 4,519 Polling Units while Ondo State has 1,991,344 registered voters, 203 Registration Areas/Wards and 3,933 Polling Units. However, the terrain differs in the two states.

    “While there are a few riverine locations in Edo State, two local government areas in Ondo State (Ese Odo and Ilaje) are predominantly riverine.

    “For Edo State, 18 political parties conducted their primaries monitored by the Commission. They have since commenced the uploading of the list and personal particulars of their candidates to our dedicated web portal.

    “The deadline is 6pm on Sunday 24th March 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down. So far, 12 political parties have uploaded the list of their candidates to the portal.

    “For Ondo State, political parties will commence their primaries in the next two weeks. At the moment, 17 out of 19 parties have indicated interest in participating in the election”.

  • INEC canvass early security preparations for Edo, Ondo Gov polls

    INEC canvass early security preparations for Edo, Ondo Gov polls

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakubu has advocated early security preparation for the off cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. 

    Yakubu, who spoke at the first quarterly meeting of the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security, paid tribute to the security agencies for the role they played during the 2020 governorship elections in the two States which he attributed to early planning. 

    The meeting paid tribute to the officers and men of the Nigerian Army who died while on a peace mission in Otuama community of Delta State. 

    The INEC boss said “It is important to start security preparations very early. In particular, the number of personnel and other assets to be deployed to strategic locations should be determined and mobilised early enough. 

    “It was this proactive approach that led to the successful conduct of the last Governorship election in Edo State on 19th September 2020 and in Ondo State on 10th October 2020.

    “There were no security incidents, materials were delivered promptly, logistics deployed smoothly, Polling Units opened on time, voters attended to efficiently and results collated and announced transparently. 

    “Let us replicate the successful conduct of the last Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. In fact, working together, we should ensure that the 2024 Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States are an improvement on the success story of 2020.

    “In the next few months, there will be further engagements with the security agencies and other members of ICCES at both national and State levels. We look forward to your plans to secure the environment without which INEC cannot successfully conduct elections.”

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    Yakubu reminded political parties participating in the Edo governorship elections that the nomination portal for the election will automatically shut down on Sunday, March 24, asking those yet to upload the names and particular of their candidates to do so without further delay. 

    He said: “The major activities in the electoral calendar for this year are the two off-cycle Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. The Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the elections were released by the Commission in September last year. 

    “The Edo Governorship election will hold on Saturday 21st September 2024 while that of Ondo State is scheduled for Saturday 16th November 2024. We have just six months to the Edo State Governorship election and only eight months before the Ondo State Governorship election. 

    “The election in Ondo State will hold two months after Edo. It is therefore appropriate to acquaint you with the delimitation details to enable early preparations for security deployment.

    “Both Edo and Ondo States have 18 Local Government Areas each. At the moment, Edo has 2,501,081 registered voters, 192 Registration Areas/Wards and 4,519 Polling Units while Ondo State has 1,991,344 registered voters, 203 Registration Areas/Wards and 3,933 Polling Units. However, the terrain differs in the two States. 

    “While there are a few riverine locations in Edo State, two Local Government Areas in Ondo State (Ese Odo and Ilaje) are predominantly riverine.

    “For Edo State, 18 political parties conducted their primaries monitored by the Commission. They have since commenced the uploading of the list and personal particulars of their candidates to our dedicated web portal. 

    “The deadline is 6pm on Sunday 24th March 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down. So far, 12 Political Parties have uploaded the list of their candidates to the portal.

    “For Ondo State, Political Parties will commence their primaries in the next two weeks. At the moment, 17 out of 19 Parties have indicated interest in participating in the election”.