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Tag: 2019 general elections

  • 2019 general elections will cost N242.4bn, Buhari tells NASS

    President Muhammadu Buhari has presented a supplementary budget to the National Assembly in which he sought the approval of N164bn out of the N242bn budgeted for the 2019 general elections.

    Buhari said the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies would need N242bn for the elections, asking the legislature to provide N164bn through virement in the 2018 budget or supplementation, while the balance of N78bn would be covered by the 2019 budget.

    Buhari, in his letter to the National Assembly, titled, ‘Request for virement and supplementary 2018 budget,’ specifically asked the legislature to re-allocate part of the N578bn voted to the projects inserted into the 2018 Appropriation Act by the lawmakers to fund the elections and critical infrastructure.

    The President specifically asked the legislature not to increase the current size of the 2018 Appropriation Act from N9.21tn but to vire N228bn from the N578bn to the elections as well as the critical projects as earlier proposed by the executive in the 2018 Appropriation Bill.

    President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, read the proposal at the plenary on Tuesday.

    INEC to spend N189.2bn; NSAO, N4.2bn; DSS, N12bn; NSDC, N3.5bn; Police, N30.5bn; NIS; 2bn

    Giving the breakdown of the running costs for the polls, Buhari said INEC needed N143, 512, 529, 445 for 2018 supplementary and N45, 695, 015,438 in 2019 budget, totalling N189, 207, 544, 893.

    He said the Office of the National Security Adviser needed N3,855,500,000 for 2018 supplementary and N426,000,000 in 2019 budget, amounting to N4,281,500,000.

    The Department of State Services wants N2,903,638,000 as 2018 supplementary and N9,309,644,455 in 2019 budget, totalling N12,213,282,455.

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps requires N1,845,597,000 as 2018 supplementary and N1,727,997,500 in the 2019 budget, totalling N3,573,534,500.

    Also, the Nigeria Police needs N11,457,417,432 as 2018 supplementary and N19,083,900,000 in 2019 budget, to get a total of N30,541,317,432.

    The Nigeria Immigration Service also needs N2,628,143,320, out of which N530, 110,078 would come from 2018 supplementary and N2, 098,033,142 from the 2019 budget.

    Buhari said, “As you are aware, the 2019 general election is scheduled to be conducted early in 2019. To ensure that adequate arrangements are made for free and fair elections, it has become necessary to appropriate funds to enable the relevant agencies to commence preparations. INEC and the security agencies have accordingly recently submitted their requests. These have been subjected to the usual budget evaluation. The aggregate cost of the election is estimated at N254,445,322, 600.

    “However, in line with the prevailing fiscal constraints, I am proposing that the sum of N164, 104, 792, 065 be provided for through virement or supplementation of the 2018 budget. I propose that the balance of N78, 340, 530, 535, mostly related to personnel allowances, fuelling and other costs not required until election proper, be provided in their 2019 budget.”

    The President said the critical projects, whose allocations were cut by the lawmakers, required N64bn, asking that the amount should also be taken out of the allocation to the inserted projects.

    The lawmakers had introduced 6,403 projects into the budget amounting to N578bn.

    Buhari said, “You will also recall that when I signed the 2018 Appropriation Act, I indicated the need for the reinstatement of certain cuts made to certain critical projects provided in the original executive bill. I am therefore submitting for your consideration the reinstatement of the most critical of such cuts totalling N64,749, 216, 150 which are summarised in Page 1.

    “The total amount required to be provided for in the 2018 budget for the 2019 general elections and to restore the identified critical projects to the amount earlier proposed is therefore N228, 854, 800, 215. Implementing a budget of N9.12tn for 2018 is extremely challenging and, therefore, I do not consider it expedient to propose a further increase to the size of the 2018 expenditure framework to fund these very important and critical expenditure items.

    “Accordingly, I invite the distinguished Senate to consider, in the national interest, relocating some of the funds appropriated for the new projects which were inserted into the 2018 budget proposal totalling N 578, 319, 951, 904 to cover the sum of N228, 854, 800, 205 required as noted above.

    “A schedule setting out a comprehensive list of these inserted projects is attached to this letter for ease of your consideration. Further to the above, kindly find attached a supplementary budget and virement proposal for your consideration.”

    The two chambers of the National Assembly had passed the 2018 Appropriation Bill on May 16, 2018. The legislature had increased the budget from N8.612tn as proposed by the executive to N9.12tn.

    The lawmakers had said the additional N508bn was based on the agreement between the executive and the legislature based on the increase in prices of crude oil, which led to the raising of the oil benchmark from the proposed $45 to $51.

    However, the President had, while assenting to the bill on June 20, complained about the adjustments made to the estimates in the budget by the legislature.

  • Saraki, wife stun in Easter IG photo

    Senate President Bukola Saraki on Sunday in the spirit of Easter celebration with “Christian brothers and sisters across the nation” shared a stunning photograph of himself and his wife, Toyin Saraki on Instagram.

    TheNewsGuru reports Saraki had in an Easter message urged Christians and Nigerians across the nation to emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ as epitomised by his passion, persecution, death and resurrection during Easter.

    ALSO READ: 2019: Saraki’ll run for president with Ekweremadu as his running mate – Dele Momodu

    In the message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu in Abuja, Saraki also urged Nigerians to constantly work toward promoting unity across all lines.

    He said it was imperative for Nigerians to come together to build a country that both present and future generations would take pride in “just like the work of Christ which endured for over 2000 years and continued to inspire generations.

    “This weekend, we join our Christian brothers and sisters across the world to celebrate Easter.

    “This commemoration is a time for deep reflection as it marks the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and his victory over death. It is a time to reach out to our brothers and sisters in need.

    “It is also a time for all of us, regardless of faith or ethnicity, to come together and pray for peace in our nation. We must all remain constant in efforts to promote unity across all lines because our nation will remain stronger when united.”

    Saraki also stressed the need for Nigerians to all play their part in the development of the country.

    The Sunday photo shared by the Senate President carries the message: “Happy Easter to our Christian brothers and sisters across the nation”.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BhBzuZLgJhZ/?taken-by=bukolasaraki

    Recent reports have it that the Senate President is to contest the post of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the forthcoming 2019 General Elections.

     

  • We have special interest in Nigeria’s 2019 general elections – U.S.

    The U.S. says Nigeria’s 2019 general election and a peaceful transition are its major priority in view of the country’s strategic position in the region.

    The U.S. Department of State, Rex Tillerson, said thus during a background briefing on the first trip of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Africa.

    Tillerson would meet with Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari and other top government functionaries, and also leaders of Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya during his travels from Tuesday, March 6 to 13.

    The department said over two decades ago, the number of countries in Africa with really democratically elected government were really very few – only three or four.

    It said, however, now we had over two dozen African countries with democratically elected governments and which are hopefully not going to have transitions in government through coup d’etats and other illegal methods.

    “As we look at the 20 elections, obviously Nigeria, though it’s not this year – it’s going to be next year – that really is a major priority focus, because that’s going to be the third most populous country in the world by 2050.

    “It has really very complex political issues and ethnic and tribal issues and security issues,

    “And that’s an area that we really are focusing on how to do a peaceful transition, a democratic transition, but more important is how to hold governments accountable to the people,” the state department said.

    The department explained that obviously, a lot of those African countries were still fragile democracies and the U.S. was trying to strengthen them.

    The U.S. commended the most recent elections in Liberia, saying it was the first open, fair, and peaceful transition of governments in over 75 years, saying that is a good thing.

    It regretted what it called the “horrendous rule of Charles Taylor and the degradation of the institutions there, but now we’ll going back and they’re building, and I think with the election of George Weah that’s going to be a positive thing”.

    The U.S. also noted the election of Nana Akufo-Addo in Ghana, Alassane Ouattara in Cote d’Ivoire and Macky Sall in Senegal, describing them as you positive developments.

    It said, however, that Ethiopia remained a challenge for the U.S. and a focus for it as well and an opportunity.

    The U.S. explained that it was looking at trying to build institutions, really strengthen institutions, and also have peaceful transitions and hold governments accountable to the people in Ethiopia.

    It said it was also looking at how it could have reconciliation and dialogues between all of the different groups – the Oromos, the Amharas, the Tigrays, and also in Kenya with the opposition and with the ruling government.

    Accordingly, the department said building strong institutions and holding governments accountable are some of the things that are certainly going to be the subjects of discussion during Tillerson trip.

    “How do we advance political and economic reform that will help in the transition process? Those are issues too that we’re working in Zimbabwe with the transition between Robert Mugabe and Emmerson Mnangagwa.

    “And also we’re looking hopefully at South Africa with the election of Cyril Ramaphosa from Jacob Zuma and seeing how that’s going to transition,” the state department said.

  • PDP will win presidency back in 2019 – Okowa

    PDP will win presidency back in 2019 – Okowa

    The Chairman of the 2017 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Special Non-Elective National Convention and Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that the party is set to take over power at the national level in 2019.

    Mr. Okowa stated this on Wednesday at the meeting of the Convention Planning Committee at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja.

    The committee chairman noted that the party has realised areas they didn’t meet up with the expectations of Nigerians and has vowed to make corrections and provide Nigerians with good governance, anchored on accountability, rule of law and improved welfare of the citizenry.

    “Yesterday, we were inaugurated with the task of organising a successful National Convention for our great party. It is our hope that the various committees will set out to work immediately as we have barley few days to go.

    “As an organised party, I’ve confidence in our leaders of the various sub-committees that we will be able to deliver a successful National Convention that we can all be proud of.

    “I trust in your abilities because I have seen a good number of committed party members who are dedicated to the cause of ensuring we return back to power in 2019,”

    “Our party is back alive and with the National Convention, PDP will send a very strong message that will make Nigerians to realise that we are very much ready to take over power come 2019,” he said

    Members of the planning committee including Kelechi Igwe, John Jonah, Deputy Governors of Ebonyi and Bayelsa States, and Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen, Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries of all the Sub-Committees attended the meeting.

  • 2019: INEC to register more political parties

    2019: INEC to register more political parties

    Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it may register more political parties.

    The commission stated that the process of registering new political parties would continue until six months to the conduct of the next general elections as stipulated under the law.

    It added that the registration of five new political parties on Wednesday was not final, noting that any political association that meets its requirements will be registered.

    The Director of Publicity and Voter Education at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Oluwole Ozassi-Uzi, told our correspondent on Friday, that those who had put in application for registration of new political parties should not lose hope.

    The commission had said that 95 political associations put in applications to the commission to be registered as political parties.

    While it said two of the associations withdrew their application letters, five others have been registered as political parties.

    The five successful parties are Young Progressive Party, Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance, New Generation Party of Nigeria, All Democratic Peoples Movement and Action Democratic Party.

    In registering the parties, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Adedeji Soyebi, had stated that the commission approved the applications of the five associations because they fulfilled “the constitutional requirements for registration.”

    With the registration of the new parties, there are now 45 political parties in Nigeria.

    Ozassi-Oluwole said, “Yes, I can confirm to you that we have not closed our doors to the registration of new political parties before the conduct of general elections in 2019.

    “We registered the five that we announced based on the criteria in the constitution and I can tell you that if new associations come up tomorrow and meet those conditions, they would equally be registered.”

  • INEC inaugurates planning committee for 2019 general elections

    INEC inaugurates planning committee for 2019 general elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday inaugurated an Election Project Plan Committee (EPPC), charged with the responsibility of planning for the 2019 general elections.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Prince Adedeji Soyebi, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, after its weekly meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

    The statement also disclosed that the Commission at the meeting also approved the 2017- 2021 Strategic Plan for immediate implementation, following its validation by stakeholders.

    The inaugurated committee chaired by a National Commissioner, Prof Okechukwu Ibeanu and Ndeche Okechukwu, Director, Planning and Monitoring as Secretary is to coordinate all departments and state inputs into planning for the elections.

    The committee is also to monitor the performance of the two-year budget for the general elections, identify gaps and advise the commission appropriately.

    The committee is to produce a comprehensive, cost estimate Election Project Plan (EPP) for the commission’s approval and alsoensure the integration of the EPP and the EMS for effective implementation and monitoring.

    The statement quoted INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu while inaugurating the committee, as asking its members to immediately devote themselves to ensuring that the 2019 general elections were better than the previous ones.

    Yakubu also charged the committee members to commence the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2017-2021 and to ensure the actualisation of all its envisaged goals.
    He stated that with the inauguration of the committee and the approval of the Strategic Plan, the commission “is now in an election mode.’’

    Chairman of the Committee, lbeanu pledged that members would immediately devote themselves to the onerous task of making the 2019 general elections a success.

    Ibeanu added that the members regarded the assignment as a great honour and privilege for which no stone will be left unturned to achieve the commission’s goals.

    Members of the committee are National Commissioners Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, Mr Abubakar Nahuche, Prof. Bolade Eyinla, Chief Technical Adviser to INEC Chairman and Prof Mohammad Kuna, Special Adviser to the Chairman.

    The members also include Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman; Prof Abubakar Momoh, Director General Electoral Institute, Mr AT Yusuf, Director, Operations, and Mr Chidi Nwafor, Director of ICT.

    Others are Mr lro Gambo, Director, Voter Registration, Mr Aminu ldris, Director, EPM; Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola Director, Legal Services, Mrs Ruth Endeley, Director, Estate and Works, Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzi, Director, Voter Education & Publicity, and Mr Kenneth Ukeagu, Director Procurement.

  • Future elections will be better than 2015 –INEC

    Future elections will be better than 2015 –INEC

    The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission was committed to making future elections in the country better than the 2015 exercise.
    Yakubu made the pledge when he received the new United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington at INEC headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He expressed gratitude to the U.S. Government for its commendation of the 2015 polls.

    According to him, you have noted that the elections were well organised and were of international standard and accepted, contrary to situation in the past where there were protests on the street after elections.

    “After the 2015 elections, there were jubilations on the streets and this further underscored the achievement of the commission and the steps that Nigeria has taken towards consolidating its democracy.

    “We appreciate your kind words; 2015 was a defining moment for Nigeria elections, but we want to assure you that the commission is conscious of its responsibility and we are committed to making future elections even better.

    “It is for that reason we are have taking some steps in ensuring that the 2019 general elections are better that 2015 general elections,’’ Yakubu said.

    He said that one of the steps being taken was proper planning.

    “We have been planning ahead for 2019 general elections and beyond, and we have done so in many other areas in two ways.’’

    He disclosed that the commission would, from next week, commence the process of implementing its “2017-2021 Strategic Plan’’.

    The chairman said that the commission would also clean up voter register, conclude ongoing continuous voter registration in 774 local governments before the 2019 general elections, and continue the exercise later.

    He also listed the fixing of specific dates ahead of the 2019 general elections as well as deepening the use of technology as other steps being taken to improve on the country’s electoral system.

    Yakubu pledged that the commission would continue to work more closely with the US embassy to strengthen the country’s democracy and electoral process.

    “There is a lot we share in common with the US in terms of our democratic evolution. America practices presidential system, Nigeria also practices the presidential system.

    “Many people don’t also realize that the Nigeria presidential democracy is second only to the US in terms of the size of registered voters.

    “As I speak today, Nigeria has 70 million registered voters, and US is the only country that practices presidential democracy that has more registered voters than Nigeria,’’ he added.

    Earlier, Symington had said that his visit to INEC was to learn how Nigeria conducted its elections, and commended the commission for the success of 2015 general elections.

    He said that conducting widely accepted elections had helped Nigeria to play a leading role expected of it in Africa.

    Symington said that majority views across the globe on the 2015 general elections was that the elections were conducted in the atmosphere of peace imposed by wind of hope and shaped by the certainty of comfort.

    “So, the combination of peace, hope and comfort seems to me a sort of key that is needed, going forward,’’ he said.

    He, however, listed good relationship and confidence between the leaders and the followers as some of the key factors required for good governance across the globe.