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Tag: Inec

  • Civil Society challenges  INEC on poll preparation 

    Civil Society challenges  INEC on poll preparation 

    Civil Society Organisations have called on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prepare ahead of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi November elections.

    Speaking in Abuja, Lead Trustee of International Leadership Initiative, Stafford Bishop, said INEC should ensure the efficiency of its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) machine.

     He called on politicians to discourage violence perpetrated by their followers, saying politicians should stop seeing politics as a do or die affair.

    Read Also: Akeredolu’s return imminent, says spokesman

     Bishop hailed INEC’s technological advancements in the electoral process, noting “because of peculiar riverine terrain in these states, INEC should make adequate logistics preparations in ensuring materials get to polling units on time.   While we applaud advancements in the process, INEC should ensure seamless process for efficiency of BIVAS machine”.

  • INEC most improved institution, says Civil Society

    INEC most improved institution, says Civil Society

    Civil society organisations (CSOs) have said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the most improved government institutions.

     They noted despite challenges the commission faced during last elections, it had improved in all departments.

    They spoke yesterday in Lagos at a post-election review organised by Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) in collaboration with National Orientation Agency (NOA).

     PAACA Executive Director, Ezenwa Nwagwu, said INEC meets with stakeholders from the civil society, media, and other groups on a quarterly basis, as compared to other organiaations.

     He said election observers are supposed to be impartial though some do not understand their obligations.

     Nwagwu advised CSOs to evaluate their duties and how they could help elections to run smoothly.

     “In that meeting, INEC will tell you its plans and how it intends to actualise them. Questions are raised and that helps our work.

    “INEC is doing a review and civil society groups and media houses are invited. Most public institutions are opaque; we don’t know what they are doing.

     “The argument for me is that in the aftermath of the elections, everybody is doing a review. And oftentimes, the reviews are just outsourcing blames. There is no mirror reflection in terms of how we value our contributions.

    “So, as civil society groups, especially those of us who observed those elections, it is  important we have a reflection meeting, and say: how did we fare? Did we do well?

     “My description of an election observer is like a commissioner in a football match. Oftentimes, we want to be able to see whether you jumped when a goal is scored by a team and whether you are angry when a goal is not scored. 

    Read Also: Akeredolu’s return imminent, says spokesman

    “We’ve had leapfrogs. Unfortunately, that’s part of what we are not admitting. Our election has leapfrogged from a situation in which, for instance, you are dealing with incidence forms.

     “We had an election in which many of the big pockets for instance, the people who we believed had control, including those who were in government lost elections in which they were supposed to win. There have been changes and we hope to see more in elections.”

     NOA Director General, Dr. Garba Abari, said it is evident  our election process is improving.

     Abari, represented by his Head of ICT and Social Media, Jessica Akiga, said NOA noticed that many voters, parties, and politicians in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo states had not fully understood the value of Electoral Act 2022.

     “The innovations, reforms and peaceful conduct witnessed before, during and after the polls are testimonies to the fact that although our electoral process may not yet be where we wish, it is not where it used to be.

     “It is important to hold meetings which provide stakeholders opportunity to review what worked and what didn’t work, thus enabling us to make recommendations to improve the process. 

    “Ahead of governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo, NOA has observed many voters, but most importantly even major players, such as parties and politicians, do not as yet understand the importance of the Electoral Act 2022 and importance of deployment of technology,” he said.

  • INEC witness contradicts self over result

    INEC witness contradicts self over result

    Abia State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia continued its hearing yesterday of the petition brought by Chief Ambrose Okechukwu Ahiwe, challenging the declaration of Mr. Alex Otti as winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) opened and closed its defence by calling one witness (DW1), Mr. Nkemjika Kelechi Okere, who served as INEC’s Electoral Officer for Obingwa Local Government.

    He adopted his written deposition and relied on same as his evidence, conceding that exhibit P188 before the court was the authentic result sheet for Obingwa Council.

    However, in a sudden twist and in the same breath, he denied that the same exhibit P188 (Obingwa LGA result) was ever rejected, taken to INEC headquarters in Abuja and declared after three days by the State Returning Officer, Prof Nnenna Otti.

    Read Also: NADDC, Coscharis, Stallion, others back NAJA workshop

    Under cross-examination by the petitioner’s counsel, Mr. Nkemjika Kelechi Okere was reminded that Prof. Nnenna Otti brought a result from Abuja which was not signed by any party agent and declared same as Obingwa LGA result after three days. The witness, however, said it was not true. At that point, there was a loud murmuring in the court because the counsel’s submission is a known fact not only to ‘Abians’, but also to Nigerians as a whole and those present in court found it strange that an INEC official would attempt to deny that fact.

    Closing his defence, Mr. J. C. Nnodim, SAN, announced that INEC would no longer call any witness from the five earlier scheduled to be called.

    The tribunal adjourned till today for Alex Otti to open his defence.

  • INEC should use its server for Kogi poll, says Aro

    BY GBADE OGUNWALE

    The deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State, Samuel Bamidele Aro, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to activate its central server for the poll. He spoke with GBADE OGUNWALE on the need for the umpire to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot box.

    There is no legal backing for the use of the central server installed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for recording and storing results transmitted from the various polling centres during elections. That was why the use or non use of the server became a source of controversy in the electoral petition filed by the presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2019 elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    While Atiku had insisted that INEC used the server to record results in the presidential election, the electoral body denied using the device. After days of arguments by the two parties, the court had to make its ruling and the rest is history.

     

    Legality of server:

    However, the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP in the upcoming Kogi election, Sam Aro, has called on the umpire to deploy the server for use in the November 16 governorship election. According to him, “INEC has every right to use the central server for electronic transmission of results in the Kogi election. The argument that President Muhammadu Buhari declined assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill should not deter INEC from using the server.”

    Aro argued that as an independent body charged with the conduct of elections in the country, no authority can question any decision taken by INEC to deliver free, fair and credible elections in the country. Canvassing the use of the server further, Aro is of the strong view that it will reduce incidents of ballot snatching and falsification of results at coalition centres. Citing the high political volatility of the state during elections, the PDP chieftain stressed that electronic transmission of results would lend credibility to the outcome of the poll. “There would be nothing left for ballot snatching thugs and their sponsors if they know that the results of the elections have been transmitted and received at the INEC headquarters. I believe that any political party that does not set out to rig elections should embrace electronic transmission of results. I don’t believe that any political party ready to respect the integrity of the ballot would kick against electronic transmission of election results because the device is meant to sanitise the electoral process,” Aro added.

     

    Utility of server:

    The PDP chieftain argued that the high number of election petition cases recorded in the various categories of elections across the county would have been averted if the electoral body had made use of its central server in the 2019 general elections. “Above all, it would have gone a long way to establish the integrity of the umpire and the credibility of the electoral process. This would have been to the credit of INEC and a pass mark for the country’s electoral system,” Aro emphasised.

     

    Electoral security:

    Raising concerns over security of lives and property before, during and after the election, the PDP candidate called on the electoral body and the security agencies to live up to expectations of the voting population in Kogi State. Stating that violence and intimidation cannot win elections, the former member of the House of Representatives said even though the PDP has no agenda for violence and intimidation of voters during the election, he would not say the same for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. He deplored the spate of sustained violent attacks on opposition elements in the state in recent times, saying that most of the victims happened to be chieftains and known supporters of the opposition. Aro expressed regrets that weeks after the gun attacks during the September 3 primary election of the PDP at the Lokoja Township Stadium, the security agencies have yet to arrest anyone in connection with the incident. He said that although the opposition is worried over possible violence during the election, the PDP will defend its votes by every legitimate means available.

     

    Power of incumbency:

    Aro said there is no fear of an incumbent governor with poor performance, stressing that the PDP defeated a number of non performing incumbent APC governors in the 2019 general elections. According to him, if the PDP could defeat incumbent APC governors in Oyo, Bauchi, Adamawa and Imo states, then, Kogi will not be an exception. He added that the Kogi state governor has performed far worse than the APC governors in the four states that were taken over by the PDP. “So you can see that Kogi is going to be a walk over for the PDP,” he added.

    On the N30.6 billion bailout recently released to the Kogi State government for payment of workers salary arrears and pensions

    The PDP candidate said much as he would not question the wisdom in the release of the funds close to election, the timing is another thing entirely. “The questions to ask is, is the money being used for the purpose for which it was released. What percentage of the money has been used in paying salaries and pensions. Has the authority that released the money bothered to find out if the money is being used to serve the purpose for which it was released? The truth is that the workers and pensioners who are being owed years of arrears in salaries and pensions are no fools. They are going to answer these questions with their votes on election day.”

     

    Choice before Okunland:

    The candidate said his integrity and credibility will speak for the PDP, stressing that the Kogi West District has always remained a stronghold of the PDP. “Besides, the people in my Kogi West District are the major casualties of the four years of maladministration under the present APC. More so, my track records during my tenure as member of the House of Representatives speak for me. Above all, the PDP is presenting a formidable candidate in person of Engineer Musa Wada who is coming into politics with no baggage of any kind. Wada has an enviable record of public service and he is coming with policies and ideas that will break the chains of poverty, unemployment, insecurity and an atmosphere of despair that the present administration has entrenched in the state. I can tell you without any equivocation that the PDP holds the winning ticket in the November 16 election.”

  • Kogi poll: INEC trains 210 security personnel

    Ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Kogi State, the Independent National Electoral  Commission (INEC), has begun the ‘training the trainers’ programme on election security.

    The participants drawn from across the 21 local government areas, include officers of the Nigeria Police, the Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other paramilitary forces.

    Speaking at the opening of the training session for personnel from Kogi West in Lokoja the state capital, Dr Sa’ad Idris, who was represented by his deputy, Victoria Ettah-Messi, noted that the INEC is not empowered by law to make arrests.

    She explained that it is the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, that is charged with maintaining law and order on election day.

    She said: “We cannot conduct an election in an atmosphere that is not peaceful or conducive, but INEC is not charged with keeping the security, and that is why we need you during the conduct of the election, as you will help us conduct free and fair election.”

    Ettah-Messi called on the participants to do their best in impacting what they have learned on others in their various areas of operation.

    She commended the European Centre for Electoral Services (ECES), for their efforts in promoting electoral success in Nigeria, noting that the gesture has continued to advance.

  • INEC urges UNDP to resuscitate support to democratic empowerment

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has beckoned on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to resuscitate the implementation of its Support to Democratic Empowerment (SDE) Phase 1, in Nigeria.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the call when he received the UNDP new Resident Representative to Nigeria, who paid a courtesy visit to the commission on Wednesday in Abuja.

    SDE is aimed at enlighten and mobilize stakeholders including the women groups, youths, traditional and religious leaders to participate massively in the general elections.

    The programme is also to conduct civic and voter education, as part of the media campaign, in order to sensitize and create awareness among the citizens for effective participation in the general elections.

    Yakubu said that the programme should have commended in 2018 but was suspended due to the challenges of time and funding.

    “There is one pending issue that we need to resuscitate immediately, which is implementation of the Support to Democratic Empowerment (SDE) Phase 1.

    “The implementation should have commenced in May 2018 through to December 2019.

    “The plan was not fully implemented for a number of reasons, but essentially the pressure on time on the commission because of general elections as well as the issue of funding.

    “I am glad to note that the plan is being revised by our technical teams. I look forward to the work of the two teams.

    “I wish to once again reassure you that we will jointly implement the recommendations in the current electoral circle and beyond,’’ Yakubu said.

    Yakubu described the UN and UNDP in particular as long term partners in support of elections, good governance and democracy in Nigeria.

    He said that INEC valued their partnership and it would continue to work with UNDP in promoting democracy and good governance.

    Yakubu recalled that in 2017 the UN Secretary General sent a Need Assessment Mission to Nigeria, as well as the Special Representative for West African and the Shahel, Mohammed Chambas who also visited before and after the last general elections.

    “We profoundly appreciate the support of the union and its agencies in promoting peaceful elections and good governance in Nigeria. We have worked closely with the UNDP in many areas since 2011.

    “These include technically and advisory support for voter registration in 2011; the formulation and validation of the commission gender policy; the formulation, validation and revalidation of the commission’s communication policy; down to support to voter education and publicity.

    “Induction and retraining for new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Uyo in 2017: the printing of two volumes election project plan in 2018; and many other activities to build capacity of the commission both technical and human.

    Read Also: INEC trains security personnel for Kogi Gov race

    “I want to reassure you of our continue willingness to collaborate, cooperate and work in partnership with you. We will extend the support to you that we have extended to all your predecessors.’’

    Speaking earlier, the UNDP Resident Representative, assured the country of the organization’s continue support and engagement with INEC in deepening credible elections and democracy in Nigeria.

    He said that the UNDP recognised INEC as a critical institution for deepening democracy.

    He said, “For UNDP globally, electoral commissions have been a key part for the work that we do, in deepening democracy and delivering the voices of those who have voted in a way that is credible and transparent.

    “So, the work that you do, commissioners and chairperson, is critical for democratization to take its root in this country and across the continent.

    “For me coming here is one of the key aspects of my duties.

    “I want to thank you and your team for the work you have done in the past, but also to congratulate you for delivering 2019 general elections.

    “Also listening and learning from the experiences that you had in the last circle and also listening to what we can do together as we move forward,’’ Yahaya said.

    On his agenda in Nigeria, Yahaya said that the UNDP would supports Nigeria’s plans, including making INEC stronger.

    “We are a leading development agency in the UN system, specifically the work on governance, reduction of poverty. For today engagement we are focus on how to engage INEC to make it stronger than it is.’’

     

  • Kogi 2019: INEC clear 52

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared 52 candidates and their deputies to contest the November 16 governorship election in Kogi State.

    The names of the cleared candidates and their details have been made public in Lokoja by the INEC.

    Five of those cleared as governorship candidates are women.

    It was also observed that seven women were cleared to contest the election as deputy governors.

    Those cleared to contest the election against the incumbent Yahaya Bello  of the All Progressives Congress (APC) include:  Mr. Musa Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mrs. Justina Abanida od the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    Also given the nod to contest the governorship election are: Miss Natadha Akppti of the SDP; Ibrahim Itodo of ZLP; Idris Abegunde of NNPP; Abu Omogani (UPC); Abdulahi Mohammed (Accord Party); Abdulmalik Mohammed of the HDP; Shaibu Sani Teidi (YDP) and Mr. Dele Bello-Williams of the GDPN.

    Read Also: Kogi PDP’s rubble after electoral storm

    Others are: Umar Zekeri (ABP); Chinga David (YPP); Ndako Tanko (ADP); Mr. Kabir Abdulwasiu (AAC); Mr. Abdulhamid Yusuf (AAP); Mrs Anne Oluwaseun (DPC); Mr. Danjuma Mohammed (MRDD); Mr. Mohammed Dangana (NCP); Mr. Alonge Methusela, (Mega Party of Nigeria; Mr. Niyi Ejibunu (AGAP); Mr. Abdulrazak Emeje (UDP) and Mr. Godwin Atawodi (DA).

    Others are: Mr. Ephraim Medupin (AD), Musa Sadiq (APP), Victor Akubo (UPP), Mrs Harirat Yakibu (LP), Alfa Oboy (JMPP), Atiku Isah (ANP), Ayodele Ajibola, (PRP), Sheik Ibrahim Jibril, (APGA), Samuel Abolarin (ASD), Okpanachi Nichol (KOWA), Rev. Moses Dridu, (PPN), Ikwueje Samuel (PDC), and Mr. Jimoh Yusuf (MAJA).

    The INEC also cleared Mr. Orugun Emmanuel of the ANRP, Mrs Grace Adepoju, (MMN), Idris Isah (CAP), Sule Daniel (SNG), Mohammed Aliu (NPC), Noah Abiodun (PPA), Obagaye Raphael (BNPP), Yisuf Dantale (APM), Usman Imam (DP), Victor Akubo (GPN), Ukuwonu Joseph (PPN), Elegbe Amos (PDC), Usman Salifu, (ANDP) and Yusuf Nagari of (APA).

  • Tribunal affirms Orji’s victory

    The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal I sitting in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, yesterday affirmed the victory of Theodore Orji of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the senator representing Abia Central in this year’s general election.

    The immediate past senator for the district, Nkechi Nwaogu, had sought the nullification of the election.

    He also called for a rerun of the poll for what she called the gross irregularities that allegedly characterised the election.

    Delivering the tribunal’s judgment, its Chairman Justice Adeyinka Adebirigbe said the evidence of the petitioner failed on its own, while the petition itself also failed based on “non-availability of cogent and credible evidence”.

    Read Also: Tribunal decides Atiku’s petition against Buhari today

    The chairman stressed that “practically, there is no evidence the petitioner could rely upon” and he dismissed the petition.

    Speaking through his Umuahia Liaison Officer, Ifeanyi Umere, Senator Orji expressed gratitude to God for the affirmation of his victory at the tribunal.

    He thanked his constituents for standing solidly behind him all the while.

    Orji urged Nwaogu to see reasons and join hands with him to develop the state.

    In a telephone chat, Nwaogu said she was not expecting anything different from the tribunal’s judgment.

    According to her, she and her team of lawyers were studying the judgment and would decide on the appropriate line of action.

  • BREAKING: Court sets aside order stopping APC primaries

    The Sagbama High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has set aside an interim order stopping the All Progressives Congress(APC) from conducting its governorship primaries in the state using direct method.
    Details later…

  • Tribunal dismisses petition challenging Gov Fintiri’s election

    The Adamawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed a petition by the Action Peoples Party (APP) and its substitute candidate in the last governorship election,  Bitrus Meda, challenging the election of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

    The APP and Bitrus Meda had asked the tribunal to nullify the election because they were excluded ‘unlawfully’ from the election.

    Delivering judgement on the petition on Saturday, however, the tribunal said it could not grant the prayers of the petitioners because they failed to give valid proof of their claim of unlawful exclusion.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had presented the name Rukaya Audu as the APP candidate for the last governorship election, because although Rukaya Audu who was the original candidate had announced intention to withdraw from the poll, she did so only verbally.

    The APP which had relied on that verbal action of Rukaya Audu to substitute her with Bitrus Meda, went to the tribunal after INEC had gone ahead to print Rukaya Audu on the ballot, resulting in a 180-vote for the APP with not Bitrus Meda but Rukaya Audu as the candidate known to the electorate.

    Read Also: Election Petition Tribunal changes sitting date

    Chairman of the governorship election petition tribunal,  Justice Adediran Adebara, who read the text of the judgement, said the petitioners had no valid case, considering the issues around it.

    He dismissed the petition and awarded legal cost of N1 million against the petitioners.

    In a response to the judgement, Counsel to the petitioners, Solomon Garba, said they had accepted the judgment in good faith.

    On his part, Counsel to the PDP, Tahir Shehu, said: “We knew quite early enough that the petition was frivolous, and the tribunal just confirmed our position.”

    Also making a remark, Governor Ahamadu Fintiri attributed his victory to God.

    Speaking to newsmen Saturday afternoon at the Government House, Yola, Fintiri said: “All praises to Allah the giver of power who has made it that this time I should be the governor of Adamawa State

    “For the judiciary, I congratulate them for reaffirming what Adamawa people demonstrated last general election.”