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Tag: festus okoye

  • 2023: INEC disowns purported final list of candidates

    2023: INEC disowns purported final list of candidates

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distanced itself from a purported final list of candidates for the 2023 general elections,  purpotedly  released on Sunday.

    The commission in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye in Abuja on Monday,, said INEC did not release any list on Sunday.

    “The attention of the commission has been drawn to reports widely circulated by a section of the media today, Monday Jan. 9,  that the final list of candidates was released on our website on Sunday Jan. 8.

    “The commission wishes to state categorically that no new publication of the final list of candidates was released as reported. The public should therefore discountenance the story.’’

    Okoye said that for the record, the final list of candidates for the 2023 general elections was published at least, 150 days before the day of election in compliance with the provision of Sec. 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.

    “Accordingly, the final list for presidential and national assembly elections was published on Sept. 20, 2022 while that of governorship and state assembly elections was published two weeks later on Oct. 4, 2022.

    “These are clearly indicated as item eight  on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Elections released by the commission on Feb. 26, 2022.’’

    Okoye said there could not be a final list of candidates with just 46 days to the general elections,  except for names published as substitutions for candidates nominated earlier in compliance with Court Order.

    “Moreover, some of the candidates that allegedly made the new “final” list are still in court and the matter is therefore,  subjudice.

    “Political parties, litigants and the public should be guided accordingly,’’ Okoye said.

  • Collection of PVCs at registration areas/wards begins today

    Collection of PVCs at registration areas/wards begins today

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at registration areas/wards across the country will commence today.

    In a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye on Thursday in Abuja, the commission said that the collection of PVCs at ward level would end on Jan. 15.

    Okoye urged all registered voters yet to collect their voter’s cards to use the opportunity to do so.

    “The devolution of PVC collection to the wards commences… Friday, Jan. 6 2023, and all validly registered voters who are yet to collect their PVCs are encouraged to seize the opportunity of the devolution to the wards to do so.

    “After Jan. 15, the exercise will revert to the Local Government Offices of the Commission until Jan. 22. All eligible and valid registrants can collect their PVCs from 9am to 3pm daily, including Saturdays and Sundays.

    “All those that applied for replacement of lost, damaged, or defaced PVCs can collect their PVCs at the Registration Area/wards during this period and the same thing applies to those that registered prior to the 2019 general election and are yet to collect their cards.

    “The PVCs of those that applied for transfer are available for collection in the Local Governments and Registration Areas where they intend to vote and not in the State or Local Government where they carried out the transfer.”

    Okoye said that INEC appreciated the patience and understanding of Nigerians who trooped to its various Local Government Offices to collect their PVCs.

    He said that in making the cards available for collection, INEC was also working to ensure that the process was simple and hitch-free for Nigerians.

    It would be recalled that the commission held a retreat in Lagos with all the Administrative Secretaries and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory from Nov. 28, 2022 to Dec. 2, 2022.

    INEC at the retreat finalised the procedure and the timetable for collection of PVCs and consequently the collection of PVCs commenced in all the 774 local government offices of the commission throughout the Federation.

    The commission also resolved that collection of PVCs should begin in the 8,809 Registration Areas/Wards from Friday Jan. 6 to Sunday Jan. 15.

  • INEC takes delivery of last consignment of BVAS machines

    INEC takes delivery of last consignment of BVAS machines

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken delivery of its last consignment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.

    Mr Festus Okoye, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee made this known on Wednesday.

    Okoye disclosed INEC’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, National Commissioners and senior officials took delivery of the machines on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said officials of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company and airport security officials were on hand at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to receive the INEC team.

    “To facilitate the smooth delivery of the machines, the Commission created four airport hubs in Abuja, Kano, Lagos, and Port Harcourt.

    “Over the last four months, several flights delivered the BVAS to the designated airports for movement to states of the federation ahead of the 2023 elections,’’ Okoye told newsmen.

    He said with the arrival of the last consignment in Abuja on Tuesday, INEC had now taken delivery of the required number of BVAS machines for all polling units in the country.

    He said the consignment included extra machines that would become handy in the event of an emergency.

    Okoye appreciated the support of all Nigerians in INEC’s determination to deploy technology in the conduct of free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive 2023 general elections.

  • 2023: We are poised to conduct freest, fairest election in Africa – INEC

    2023: We are poised to conduct freest, fairest election in Africa – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the time had come for it to organise the freest and fairest election in Africa.

    The National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mr Festus Okoye, said this on Wednesday at the 2022 Calabar Carnival, while sensitising Nigerians on the upcoming General Elections.

    Okoye, therefore, urged officials of the commission “to show Nigerians that they have the capacity to do so.

    He said that the commission decided to participate in the carnival to sensitise and encourage Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and vote in the elections.

    Okoye said that Nigerians needed to know that their PVCs have potency.

    According to him, if it hadn’t, politicians will not be struggling to buy them from prospective voters.

    “My message to Nigerians is that only the PVC can change their circumstances.

    “Therefore, those who do not have their PVCs have no business in the electoral process.

    “Our responsibility is to ensure that the PVCs are available for the people and to organise free, fair and credible elections.

    “It is also to ensure that those Nigerians say should win the 2023 election won.

    “The time had come for us to organise the freest and fairest election on the continent of Africa,” he said.

    Okoye further said that the commission had no political party and owed no allegiance to any or individuals but the Nigerian people.

    He said that the commission needed to mobilise all the national assets to ensure that the 2023 polls were credible and the best the country ever had.

  • 2023: INEC warns politicians against PVC buying

    2023: INEC warns politicians against PVC buying

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned politicians against engaging in buying Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    An INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, gave the warning on Wednesday at a capacity building workshop for journalists in Ibadan, saying such “is an exercise in futility”.

    The capacity building workshop was facilitated by the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ) and supported by INEC.

    Okoye, the Chairman, INEC Information and Voter Education Committee, was represented by Ndidi Okafor, the Deputy Director on Voter Education and Gender.

    He said that the current system adopted by the electoral body had foreclosed any form of malpractices related to identity theft.

    According to him, nothing will deny the right of any registered voter to cast their vote, except identity theft.

    “It was the only reason why the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will not read a PVC,” he said.

    The INEC official urged journalists to discharge social responsibilities, while ensuring those in public offices are accountable to the people.

    Okoye said that the training was to further equip journalists on the legal and new system to be deployed by INEC toward a credible 2023 general elections.

    “Journalism raises alarm, but such should not be false alarm. Let me remind you all that accuracy should override speed.

    “It is compulsory to uphold objectivity and apply great sense of responsibility. The media is a great stakeholder in the electoral process,” he said.

    Also, Dr Adeniran Tella, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), said that INEC would always be up to the task and available to attend to everything within the ambit of its mandates as enshrined in the Constitution.

    Tella, represented by the Administrative Secretary, Alhaji Abiodun Amosun-Onikate, said the information was very apt as the 2023 general election approaches.

    He said that media was a major factor in fostering democracy, adding that the media play major role in keeping the citizens abreast of the current events and raising awareness in any society.

    “Journalists are expected to have thorough understanding of all issues pertaining to elections, so as to help them convey details to citizens in simple and clear terms aimed at deepening democratic dividends.

    “It is my prayer that our efforts and your inputs shall work for the development of our democracy and entrench good governance in our country,” Tella said.

    In his remarks, Chief Chris Isiguzo, the NUJ National President, said it was necessary that journalists should advance the course of peace and as well ensure a credible and peaceful transition.

    Isiguzo, represented by NUJ National Trustee member, Mrs Abimbola Oyetunde, said it was obligatory for every journalist to maximally comply with the ethical principles and professional standards.

    “Journalists in Nigeria should work toward the advancement of the Right of Freedom of Expression, Access to Information, Freedom of the Press, Media Independence, conflict transformation and peace building.

    “The pursuit of truth and public good must be the cornerstone of journalism practice in Nigeria, if journalists could properly advance public interests, earn public trust and be watchdogs of the society.

    “These are prerequisites for open governance and development, which ultimately serve the public interest,” he said.

    The union president said that journalists should ensure level playing field was provided for all political actors and ensure that peoples’ votes count.

    He said that such could be achieved through a highly professional management of news by journalists who are equipped with international best practices.

    Isiguzo, also said it was obligatory for every journalist to be entitled to decent wages, protection from attacks or hazards and conducive working environment.

    Contributing, Mrs Ronke Samo, the NUJ Vice-President, Zone ‘B’ and Mr Ademola Babalola, the State NUJ Chairman, advocated bail out for media houses to serve as lifeline for journalists in the discharge of their duties.

    The duo said that such should be specially dedicated to support journalists in carrying out their statutory roles in the nation building.

  • INEC warns against PVC purchase, hints on identity theft

    INEC warns against PVC purchase, hints on identity theft

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned anyone buying Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2023 general election to desist, noting that identity theft may deprive many Nigerians from voting.

    The commission said such people are only wasting their time, energy and resources.

    Speaking in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during a training programme for journalists, organized by the state Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in collaboration with the commission, INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Publicity- Festus Okoye, noted that technology has helped the electoral umpire to curb vote-buying.

    He said the commission now deals with the fingerprints and faces of voters, which makes it difficult for impersonation.

    “If your finger did not match, then your face must match. If your fingerprint did not match and your face did not match, then you cannot vote. That means you are not the owner of the PVC. That is identity theft,” Okoye said.

    The national commissioner, who was represented by the Deputy Director in charge of the Gender Department, Ndidi Okafor, said anyone buying PVCs is embarking on an exercise in futility.

    Okoye also said journalists play critical roles in deepening democracy, hence the need for the training at a time Nigeria is approaching another general election.

    INEC warns against PVC purchase, hints on identity theft
    Festus Okoye

    “It’s because the media is a stakeholder, a critical stakeholder for that matter. So, I want to appeal to you the media, you are a stakeholder.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Identity theft occurs when someone uses another person’s personally identifying information, like a person’s name, Social Security number, or credit card number or other financial information, without permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

    Also, Identity theft happens when someone takes your name and personal information (like your social security number or PVC) and uses it without your permission to do.

  • JUST IN: INEC suffers another attack in Imo

    JUST IN: INEC suffers another attack in Imo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suffered another attack in Imo as hoodlums vandalised its Isu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee said this in statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Okoye said that the attack was the fourth in the state, after that of Orlu and Oru West LGA, as well as the State Headquarters in Owerri.

    He said that the state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Sylvia Agu, reported the attack in the early hours of Tuesday, adding that eight windows were smashed and burglary proofs removed.

    “Fortunately, the attackers could not access the building, movable and immovable equipment as well as other materials were not removed or vandalised.

    “However, as a precautionary measure, critical materials such as ballot boxes and voting cubicles have been evacuated to another INEC facility for safe keeping.
    “Similarly, all uncollected PVCs have been secured, while security will be deployed to ensure the continuous collection of the cards by registered voters in the same premises,” he said.

    Okoye said that the incident had been reported to the police and other security agencies for necessary action.

  • 2023: Purchasing of PVCs to rig elections is a futile exercise – INEC

    2023: Purchasing of PVCs to rig elections is a futile exercise – INEC

    Ahead of the 2023 general elections in the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), has said that politicians or anyone purchasing  Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to manipulate the elections are engaging in a wasteful exercise.

    This was made known yesterday by the INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, while featuring on a political programme  Sunday Politics on Channels TV yesterday.

    Recall that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, had alleged that politicians are buying PVCs from poor voters to manipulate the forthcoming general elections in the country.

    Okoye said the Bimodal Voter Registration System (BVAS) will reject biometric data of persons who are not original owners of the traded PVCs.

    He described the plan by some desperate politicians who are already harvesting PVCs to rig the next election as an impossibility.

    “Anybody who is purchasing a permanent voter card is just engaging in an exercise in futility. The only thing any person can do is to make sure the voter does not vote on election day but for you to come to the polling unit on election day with voter’s card belonging to someone else, and you attempt to vote with it, that is an impossibility, the BVAS will not capture your fingerprint,” Okoye said.

    Recently, a video went viral of a man who kept many PVCs in a hole in a community in Ogun State.

  • Again, INEC office set ablaze in Imo

    Again, INEC office set ablaze in Imo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its office in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State undergoing renovation was attacked on Thursday.

    INEC disclosed this in a statement issued by its National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye on Friday in Abuja.

    Okoye said that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Prof. Sylvia Agu, reported that the commission ‘s office in Orlu was attacked.

    “The incident occurred on Thursday, 1st December, 2022. The building, which is undergoing extensive renovation following an earlier attack, was vandalised and partially set ablaze.”

    Okoye said that three out of seven construction workers were abducted but later released.

    “The damage would have been more extensive but for the quick response of the Nigeria Police which has deployed its personnel to the site.

    “This is one attack too many. The Commission once again expresses its concern over the spate of attacks on its facilities and the negative consequences on our preparations for the 2023 general election.”

  • BREAKING: INEC announces dates for collection of PVCs nationwide

    BREAKING: INEC announces dates for collection of PVCs nationwide

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finally announced dates for the collection of permanent voter’s cards (PVC) across the country ahead of the 2023 general election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports INEC fixed Monday 12 December 2022 to Sunday 22 January 2023 as the dates for the collection of PVCs in all the 774 Local Government Offices of the Commission throughout the Federation.

    This is following a retreat held by INEC in Lagos State with all the Administrative Secretaries and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory from 28th November to 2nd December 2022.

    At the retreat, the Commission finalised the procedure as well as the timetable for collection of PVCs.

    The Commission also resolved to devolve PVC collection to the 8,809 Registration Areas/Wards from Friday 6th to Sunday 15th January 2023. Those that are unable to collect their PVCs at the Local Government Offices of the Commission can do so at the Registration Areas/Electoral Wards. After the 15th of January 2023, the exercise will revert to the Local Government Offices of the Commission until 22nd January 2023.

    According to a statement released by Festus Okoye, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, all eligible and valid registrants can collect their PVCs from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm daily, including Saturdays and Sundays.

    The statement reads in part: “All the RECs and Electoral Officers (EOs) have been directed to convene a meeting with the critical stakeholders in their States and Local Government Areas, including traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups, community-based organisations and the media to brief them on the modalities for the collection of the PVCs in order to sensitise the public and ensure seamless exercise.

    “Similarly, RECs and EOs have also been directed to set up help desks to assist registrants with complaints about their PVCs or with the PVC collection procedure for immediate redress.

    “The Commission appreciates the patience and understanding of Nigerians, especially those who registered as voters or applied for transfer/replacement of their cards from January to July 2022. In making the cards available for collection, the Commission is also working to ensure that the process is simple and hitch-free for Nigerians”.