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Tag: Inec

  • Ohanaeze to INEC chair: convince Nigerians you can conduct credible polls

    Ohanaeze to INEC chair: convince Nigerians you can conduct credible polls

    President of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide Anambra chapter, Maazi Chukwuma Okpalaezukwu, has described Saturday’s Anambra Governorship Election as an opportunity for the new Chairman l of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Prof Joash Amupitan, to rebuild people’s confidence that their votes can count.

    Okpalaezeukwu spoke after a meeting of the State Executive Council of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, in Awka, where the organisation deliberated on developments.

    Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Okpalaezeukwu said after monitoring pre-election activities, they are satisfied with what the INEC has done so far, but urged the electoral umpire to use the Anambra governorship election to redeem its image.

    The Ohaneze Ndigbo Anambra President said the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization will set up a situation room to monitor the election, to ensure that all goes as planned.

    “Campaigns have come and gone and we must commend the political parties for abiding by the rules, which ensured a peaceful campaign period.

    “Now, Anambra people and Nigerians alike are expecting INEC to deliver as expected, starting from adequate and timely distribution of electoral materials so that voters are not left stranded, down to ensuring that the outcome of the election is credible. 

    “Before now, many Nigerians had lost faith in the INEC, but with the changes in the institution, we hope that the new INEC chairman. With his pedigree, will live up to expectation.

    “We have heard and encountered how poor network had frustrated elections. Now that our voting processes are largely dependent on the digital devices such as iREV and BVAS, we are not expecting to encounter what we saw during the voter registration exercise, where the machines do not have sufficient network to function appropriately.

    “It is expected that INEC Chairman must seize this opportunity to restore the confidence of Nigerians, especially Anambra people, in the confidence of the commission to conduct credible elections,” he said.

    The Anambra Ohanaeze leader observed the massive deployment of security personnel across the state, noting that they appear poised to provide adequate security.

    He emphasised that having gone round the state to sensitize and mobilise the people to defeat voter apathy, the organisation is convinced that they will come out en masse to exercise their franchise.

  • Anambra poll: Situation room decries high deployment of security agencies

    Anambra poll: Situation room decries high deployment of security agencies

    Situation room on Friday raised the alarm over deployment of high number of security agencies in the Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Anambra state.

    The group described deployment of 45,000 security operatives for the exercise as clear manifestation of deficits within the democratisation process. 

    Addressing newsmen in Awka, Election Expert Achike Chude also expressed concerns over lack of competitiveness demonstrated by several political parties participating in the election.

    He however was optimistic security agencies’ presence would provide level-playing environment for parties, deter vote buying and selling, and uphold the sanctity of the election results. 

    He said, “We note the deployment of personnel by the security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force with a contingent of 45,000 personnel. 

    “We note that this is a rather high number and while we acknowledge the need to secure the election, the number of deployment in this election is a clear manifestation of deficits within our democratization process. 

    “After 26 years of regular elections, it is expected that with each election cycle, there will be a draw down in the number of security personnel in elections. 

    “The presence circumstances, partly created by antics of desperate politicians, is unacceptable. 

    “The conduct of security personnel deployed for this election must be professional and not seen as intimidating to voters in any way. 

    “Situation Room expects that the presence of security agencies in Anambra State will provide a level-playing environment for all parties, deter vote buying and selling, and uphold the sanctity of the election results. 

    The group further called on Police and other security agencies to ensure active contact centres capable of responding effectively to reported issues especially in flashpoints that have been identified prior to now. 

    “Situation Room notes with some degree of satisfaction the relatively peaceful atmosphere in Anambra State. This is in contrast to the very tensed situation under which the last governorship election held in the State. 

    “Situation Room believes that the state of anomaly was partly due to incessant and deliberate acts of misinformation and disinformation that permeated the state at the time. 

    “Situation Room hopes that this positive ambience will help drive voters to the polls to exercise their democratic franchise tomorrow, Saturday, 8th November 2025 given that Anambra State continues to be among the states with the lowest rate of voter turnout.

  • Group urges INEC to ensure votes count in 2027

    Group urges INEC to ensure votes count in 2027

    The Collective Movement (TCM) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that every ballot counts in the 2027 general election.

    It also urged the commission to ensure that bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) work without compromise during the polls.

    The group said this at a press conference where it called on former vice president, Atiku Abubakar to run for the 2027 presidential election.

    Spokesperson, TCM, Nasir Aminu, who read the text of the press conference, also called on INEC to ensure electronic transmission of results across all polling units during the election.

    The group urged security agencies to protect voters, not intimidate them during the 2027 election.

    “For Nigerians to trust the 2027 elections, INEC must guarantee a process that is transparent, impartial, and technology-driven.

  • INEC distributes BVAS, Forms EC8A and EC8B to local govts

    INEC distributes BVAS, Forms EC8A and EC8B to local govts

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distributed sensitive materials for Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State to all 21 local government areas.

    The materials, which include the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices and Forms EC8A and EC8B, were distributed on Thursday at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office in Awka under the supervision of security agencies and media representatives.

    Addressing journalists at the venue, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, urged eligible voters to come out en masse to cast their votes rather than staying at home.

    “People should come out and vote; participate in this election process. Do not stay at home thinking your vote will not count, and do not assume your candidate has already won,” she said. “INEC is fully prepared for this election, and we assure the people of Anambra State of a credible and peaceful exercise.”

    Dr Agwu explained that the distribution of materials began as early as 9 a.m. and proceeded smoothly without any challenges, reflecting the commission’s readiness for the poll.

    “We have been at the CBN since 9 a.m., and everything has gone smoothly without any challenge or complaint. This shows our readiness and commitment to delivering a credible election,” she added.

    She said the commission had commenced the movement and distribution of three key sensitive materials — BVAS, Forms EC8A, and Forms EC8B — to the various Registration Area Centres (RACs) as part of final preparations for the election.

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    Dr Agwu reaffirmed that INEC had made comprehensive arrangements in collaboration with political parties, security agencies, and civil society organisations to ensure that the exercise is free, fair, transparent, and credible.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Anambra election, Abayomi Shogunle, said the number of security personnel deployed for the poll had been increased from 45,000 to 55,000 officers to guarantee adequate security across the state.

    “The increase in security personnel is not to intimidate eligible voters but to ensure effective operations and safety at every polling unit,” Shogunle said. “We want to guarantee voters’ confidence in coming out to cast their ballots without fear.”

    According to him, the deployment includes officers from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Services (DSS), and other sister agencies.

    At least three security personnel are expected to be stationed at each polling unit across the state to safeguard both voters and electoral officials during the exercise.

  • His Lordship has spoken

    His Lordship has spoken

    By hardball (PIX)

    A federal high court in Abuja lately highlighted an aspect of Nigerian law that people most concerned would prefer abides in permanent abeyance. The court sacked Abubakar Gummi, representing Gummi/Bukkuyum federal constituency of Zamfara State in the House of Representatives, for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Cross-party defections by political actors is the in-thing currently in Nigerian pollical culture. But Justice Obiora Egwuatu, late last week, held that Gummi’s defection was unconstitutional since there was no division in the PDP at the time he left the party in 2024. The judge restrained House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas from further recognising the Zamfara lawmaker as a member of the green chamber. Among other things, he also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh election to fill the vacant seat within 30 days.

    In a suit filed through their lawyer, Ibrahim Bawa, SAN, the PDP and its Zamfara chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki, had asked the court to determine whether Gummi’s defection from the PDP – that sponsored his election – to the APC was lawful, and whether the House speaker’s failure to declare his seat vacant violated Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The referenced section states: “(1) A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the house of which he is a member if – (g) being a person whose election to the house was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that house was elected; provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored.”

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    Gummi, in his defence, argued that his defection was warranted by “lingering unresolved internal and external crises” within the PDP at both national and constituency levels. He said the situation made it impossible for him to effectively represent his constituents and ensure equitable distribution of democracy dividends.

    Justice Egwuatu, however, dismissed Gummi’s defence and criticised the growing trend of political defections, describing it as a betrayal of the electorate’s mandate. “In a situation where the electorate have made their choices between different political parties and their candidates based on the manifestos and marketability of such a political party, it is legally and morally wrong for a politician to abandon the party under whose platform he or she was elected into office and move to a rival party without relinquishing the mandate of his or her former party. If a person must decamp, don’t decamp with the mandate of the electorate. Don’t transfer the votes garnered on the platform of one party to another party,” he ruled inter alia.

    As His Lordship pleases…

  • Pre–election tussles account for 75% of litigations – Amupitan

    Pre–election tussles account for 75% of litigations – Amupitan

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 75 per cent of pre-election litigations the commission was joined in were due to lack of internal democracy and leadership tussles among political parties.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitah, in an interview with the newsmen in Awka on Wednesday, when responding to question if he was concerned about issue of lack of internal democracy among registered political parties in Nigeria.

    Amupitan said that he was bordered by the menace because of the impact on the electoral process and Nigeria democracy.

    “It bothers me because of the money and the time wasted. Every party going to court, they must join INEC. When INEC is joined, the commission must go to court, engage lawyers, we pay for them, which is not cheap.

    “I was informed that 75 per cent of our litigations are in respect of pre-election matters, mostly dealing with political party tussles, and leadership.

    “Also, primaries that are conducted contrary to the provisions of the constitutions of the party,’’ he said.

    Amupitan said that Nigerians continue to scrutinise the country’s elections but ignored the political party’s recruitment process for their candidates and internal democracy.

    He said that INEC, saddled with the responsibility to monitor the parties was strengthening its “monitoring capabilities’’ to ensure that they were well regulated.

    “That does not mean it’s not being done. However, we have also seen some loopholes within the law such that, like all these leadership problems of one party today.

    In fact, as you were speaking, an Abuja Federal High Court says PDP don’t hold convention. Another order from Ibadan, says PDP must hold convention,’’ he said.

    Also responding to question on new party registration, Amupitan said that the party was bond by the law to registered political associations that meet the requirements for registration.

    He cited a court case involving Musa and INEC, where the Supreme Court made it clear that it’s part of INEC constitutional responsibility to register political parties.

    “We are constrained in several ways. If you meant the requirement of the Constitution and of the Electoral Act, of course, the freedom of association. That was the argument of the courts.

    “As speak today, we are looking at some applications. So if you meet the criteria that is established, after proper evaluation and monitoring, then we can consider registration of additional political parties.

    On his view for calls to establish special court to for election related matters, Amupitan said election tribunals were already special court for election related matters.

    He said that the creation of another special court required constitution amendment process, noting that while constitutional amendment process is ongoing right, it remains a very tedious task.

    “Let me also say that the election tribunals established under the constitution, they are also special courts, because they are courts specifically for the purpose of the election.

    “ After the election proceedings, up to the Court of Appeal, they cease to be election petitioner tribunals. Even though they are manned by regular judges.

    “For instance, when the Court of Appeal is exercising its powers as presidential election tribunal, it’s not the Court of Appeal anymore, It’s a special court.

    “Even if you’re sitting in Abuja, you don’t have the same panel in Abuja. A special panel is created for that purpose.

    “So, we already have specialised courts for the purposes of handling election petition, but the issues have to do with maybe the time it takes to conclude election matters.

    “That is part of what is going on in the amendment process, to see how the time can be reduced and maybe some of the technicalities can also be addressed,’’ he said.

    (NAN)

  • INEC convenes stakeholders’ forum with eminent citizens

    INEC convenes stakeholders’ forum with eminent citizens

    Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will tomorrow (Tuesday) hold a crucial stakeholders’ meeting in Awka.

    The meeting will be attended by prominent personalities from the state, including former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze; businessman, Sir Emeka Offor; and the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi.

    Also expected at the meeting are Governor Chukwuma Soludo and all 16 governorship candidates contesting in the November 8 poll, alongside other key stakeholders.

    Representatives of various security agencies, including the Police, Army, Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), are equally scheduled to attend.

    According to INEC, the forum will focus on discussing the processes, procedures, and general state of preparedness for the Anambra governorship election.

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    The information was contained in a document obtained by The Nation on Sunday in Awka. The statement, e-signed by Obianyo K.C., Administrative Secretary for the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, also invited political party leaders to attend.

    “The forum will have in attendance political parties participating in the election, their candidates, the media, and civil society organisations (CSOs), election observers, security agencies, as well as ordinary citizens,” the statement read.

    The event will be held at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre, Awka.

    Confirming the meeting, the Head of Department (Voter Education and Publicity), Mrs Ijeoma Obali, told The Nation that the presence of Anambra’s eminent citizens, such as Anyaoku and Eze, would add great value to the deliberations.

    “The commission is doing everything possible to make a strong statement through the Anambra election on Saturday,” she said. “We’ll get there by doing our best.”

  • INEC warns against attempts to discredit Anambra Gov election

    INEC warns against attempts to discredit Anambra Gov election

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan has warned against attempts by vested interests to discredit the Anambra Governorship election, saying INEC remains focused and undeterred in the discharge of its constitutional mandate.

    The INEC Chairman, who spoke while on a working visit to the INEC office in Awka, assured the commission was fully ready for the election scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025, assuring citizens and stakeholders of a peaceful, transparent and credible process.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Dayo Oketola, Amupitan said: “Our responsibility is to the people of this nation. We are fully prepared to deliver an election that is fair, credible, and reflective of the people’s will”.

    He asked all stakeholders to work together in support of a seamless process, adding that strong security arrangements has been made to safeguard personnel, voters, and materials throughout the process.

    He said wth these comprehensive assurances, INEC has sent a strong signal of its operational capacity, vigilance, and unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of the electoral process in Anambra State.

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    “We are committed to carrying every stakeholder along in this process. Transparency and partnership remain the bedrock of our credibility,” Amupitan said. 

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Elizabeth Agwu. said all non-sensitive materials had been distributed to the 21 Local Government Areas, adding that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) had been fully configured, tested, and adjudged ready for deployment.

    “We have left nothing to chance. From the training of personnel to the deployment of materials, every necessary step has been taken to ensure a smooth, credible and technology-driven election,” Agwu stated.

    “Generators have also been deployed to ensure uninterrupted power supply at critical locations,” she added.

    As part of the readiness review, the INEC Chairman, accompanied by National Commissioners — Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Professor Abdullahi Zuru, Mr. Sam Olumekun, Prof. Sami Adam, Dr. Baba Bila, and Prof. Sunday Aja — also visited INEC offices in Oyi and Awka South Local Government Areas to assess final preparations.

  • BREAKING: Court bars INEC from recognising PDP’s national convention’s outcome

    BREAKING: Court bars INEC from recognising PDP’s national convention’s outcome

    A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday issued an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the national convention planned for Ibadan, Oyo State on November 15 and 16 by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, held that the PDP failed to comply with relevant conditions under its constitution and laws stipulating the necessary steps to be taken before conducting such a  convention.

    Justice Omotosho also held that evidence supplied to the court by  INEC and some of the respondents showed that congresses were not held in some states of the federation in breach of the law.

    Justice Omotosho equally held that the signing of notices and correspondence of the PDP by its National Chairman, without the National Secretary, violated the law and consequently made such notices and correspondences a nullity.

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    The judge stated that the PDP failed to issue the mandatory 21 days notice of meetings and congresses to enable INEC carry out its mandatory duty of monitoring such meetings and congresses.

    He also said that the failure of the PDP to comply with the law has put the planned convention in jeopardy and subsequently advised the PDP to do the necessary before going ahead with the election.

    The judge proceeded to restrain INEC from receiving, publishing or recognizing the outcome of the convention slated for Ibadan, until the law has been complied with.

    The judgment was on a suit,asked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 filed by three aggrieved members of the party.

    The plaintiffs – Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman) and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South) – said they are unhappy with the manner the national chairman has ran the affairs of the crisis-ridden party.

    Details shortly…

  • INEC to verify ADA, CDA, six others as political parties

    INEC to verify ADA, CDA, six others as political parties

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has passed eight of the 14 associations seeking registration as political parties.

    The commission said they have met the criteria to proceed to the next stage of the registration.

    They are: All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA), Abundance Social Party (ASP), African Alliance Party (AAP), Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Green Future Party (GFP), National Democratic Party (NDP), and Peoples Freedom Party (PFP).

    The commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, announced this in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

    He said the eight associations successfully uploaded the required information on INEC’s dedicated portal at the close of the exercise on October 18.

    The commission had prequalified 14 associations out of about 171 that submitted letters of intent for registration as political parties.

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    The statement reads: “Further to the commission’s earlier update on Thursday, September 11, 2025, on the ongoing process for the registration of political parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) held its regular meeting today, Thursday, October 30, 2025, and, among other issues, reviewed the progress made since that announcement.

    “Following the briefing held for 14 pre-qualified associations on Tuesday, September 17, 2025, the commission opened its dedicated portal for the upload of required documents from Wednesday, September 18, to Friday, October 18, 2025 at midnight.

    “As of Saturday, October 19, 2025, eight out of the 14 pre-qualified associations successfully completed the upload of all necessary information and documentation.

    “The associations are: All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA), Abundance Social Party (ASP), African Alliance Party (AAP), Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Green Future Party (GFP), National Democratic Party (NDP), and Peoples Freedom Party (PFP).

    “The next step in the registration process is the detailed assessment and verification of the information and documents submitted by each association. This stage will ensure conformity with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and the commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties (2022).

    “The commission wishes to reaffirm its commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and the deepening of Nigeria’s democratic culture.”