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Tag: INEC

  • Edo Decides 2024: No campaign at polling units – INEC warns

    Edo Decides 2024: No campaign at polling units – INEC warns

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties and candidates in Edo against engaging in electioneering campaigns beyond the Thursday midnight deadline.

    Mr Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, gave the warning in a statement, on Thursday in Abuja.

    Olumekun said that in line with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, and item 12 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2024 Edo Governorship election, all campaigns by political parties end at midnight Thursday.

    “It is, therefore, illegal for any political party in Edo State to engage in rallies, processions or media campaigns from midnight today. These prohibitions, including sanctions, are provided for in Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2022,” he said.

    Olumekun also warned parties, candidates and their supporters not to appear at the polling units in their campaign attires or carry any campaign materials with them, on election day.

    “We urge parties, candidates and their supporters to take note of the provisions of the law for compliance,” he said.

  • Edo election: INEC begins distribution of sensitive materials

    Edo election: INEC begins distribution of sensitive materials

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun  distribution of sensitive materials to the 18 local government areas ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo.

    NAN reports that the distribution process commenced at the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Benin, on Thursday.

    The materials  were inspected by representatives of various political parties, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and representatives of security agencies , before dispatch.

    The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Onuoha Anugbum, said the distribution was  part of efforts to ensure hitch-free conduct of Saturday’s election.

    “What we are moving out to the 18 local government areas today  with the sensitive materials and we hope to see  seamless conduct of Sept.21 governorship election in Edo,’’ he said.

    He assured that the all the materials would get to the local government offices of INEC by the end of Thursday (today).

    The REC added that the materials would  later be moved  to the Registration Area Centres (RAC) on Friday.

    The materials were being  conveyed  to the various local government areas in hired commercial buses

  • INEC has no powers to deregister political parties – LP tells Usman

    INEC has no powers to deregister political parties – LP tells Usman

    The Labour Party (LP) on Tuesday said  the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lacked the powers to deregister any political party in the country.

    Mr Obiora Ifoh, National Secretary of the party made this known in a statement in Abuja.

    He said the attention of the party’s leadership had been drawn to a statement issued by Sen. Nenadi Usman, who he said was a PDP member regarding the intervention of INEC in the party’s affairs.

    He quoted Usman, an ex-minister of finance, as saying that the intervention of some leaders of the party at the September 4, 2024 at a  meeting in Umuahia saved the party from being deregistered by INEC.

    “The Labour Party leadership wishes to refute that statement as ludicrous and unsubstantiated .

    “We wish to state emphatically that the Labour Party is in a good shape at the moment, having fully abided by the laws of the land and therefore cannot be deregistered by INEC.

    “These leaders have also mischievously leveraged on INEC’s misinformed and erroneous disposition that the tenure of the party’s current executives has expired.

    “It is paradoxical that some of these leaders who were victims of INEC’s mismanagement of the 2023 general election are now the ones quoting INEC, in order to victimise the leadership of the Labour Party,” Ifoh said.

    He maintained that the September 4 Stakeholders meeting  was unconstitutional and illegal as the party’s constitution clearly stated all the organs of the party which have powers to organise such a meeting.

    “Sen. Nenadi’s claim that the stakeholders saved the party from being deregistered by the INEC is equally preposterous.

    “This is because the existence of the Labour Party is not under any threat. Perhaps, Nenadi Usman is not aware that Appeal Courts both in Edo and FCT have affirmed Julius Abure as the rightful National Chairman of the party.

    “She is probably unaware that a Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice J.K Omotosho had also declared that the national convention of the party held in Nnewi on the March 26, 2024 is valid.

    ‘Even the Supreme Court in several judgements had ruled that issues regarding delegates at a National Convention or how the convention is planned and executed by a political party are internal affairs of a party.

    “We also contend that the allegations that the Labour Party did not meet the 21 days required notice to INEC to conduct the convention, has since been laid to rest by Justice Omotosho”, he said.

    Ifoh said the leadership of the party was aware of the moves to shop for courts in Abia that would be willing to facilitate the Umuahia group to carry out their activities.

    “We advise the stakeholders to stop dissipating energy in forum-shopping particularly with a court that lacks territorial jurisdiction.

    “It is laughable because, both INEC and Labour Party have their headquarters in Abuja and the stakeholders are shopping for a court in Aba, where they hope to get political patronage. We urge them to seek proper counsel.

    “Finally, we urge Senator Usman and her co-travellers to retrace their steps for the interest of the party and Nigerians as 2027 is fast approaching.

    “We want to remind them that factionalising the party will help no ones interest,” Ifoh said.

  • Edo 2024: 2.2m voters to decide Akpata, Okpebholo, Ighodalo’s fate

    Edo 2024: 2.2m voters to decide Akpata, Okpebholo, Ighodalo’s fate

    A total of 2,249,780 (two million, two hundred and forty nine thousand, seven hundred and eighty) registered voters will participate in the governorship election set to hold in Edo State on Saturday.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disclosed on Tuesday that the figure is the number of registered voters who have collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) ahead of the governorship election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Olumide Akpata, Monday Okpebholo and Asue Ighodalo are the governorship candidates of the frontline political parties set to participate in the electoral contest and would have their fate decided by the 2,249,780 voters.

    While Akpata is the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Okpebholo is the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ighodalo represents the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Giving a breakdown of the registered voters who have collected their PVCs, Mr Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed that the 2,249,780 figure represents 85.57% of the 2,629,025 total registered voters in the State.

    Olumekun stated that 379,245 PVCs, representing 14.43 per cent, were uncollected as of Monday September 16, at the end of the extended period for PVC collection in the State.

    He said that consequently, INEC was making available data on PVC collection on Polling Unit basis in Edo ahead of the governorship election to hold on Saturday, September 21.

    “There are 4,519 Polling Units in the State. Voting will take place in each unit. The detailed breakdown of the number of PVCs collected, as well as the number uncollected in each unit, has been uploaded to our website for guidance of political parties, candidates and public information,” Olumekun said.

    He advised persons interested in viewing the 128-page document to visit the commission’s website: https://inecnigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/PU-LEVEL-FOR-PVC-COLLECTED-FOR-2024-EDO-GOVERVORSHIP-ELECTION.pdf.

    TNG reports seventeen (17) political parties are fielding candidates in the election. Sixteen (16) are male while one (1) is female. Some of the political parties include Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC), African Action Congress (AAC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Boot Party (BP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

  • LP crisis: Stop parading yourself as LP Chairman- INEC Directs Julius Abure

    LP crisis: Stop parading yourself as LP Chairman- INEC Directs Julius Abure

    Following the crisis rocking the party, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ordered Julius Abure to henceforth stop parading himself as the chairman of Labour Party.

    This was made public in a counter-affidavit filed by Ayuba Mohammed, an Executive Officer in INEC’s Litigation and Prosecution Department, in suit NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024.

    This was in response to a suit by the Labour Party contesting its exclusion from the commission’s refresher training for uploading party agents before the Edo and Ondo gubernatorial elections.

    The development follows the expiration of Abure’s tenure on June 9, 2024, as confirmed by the party’s Board of Trustees Secretary, Salisu Mohammad.

    INEC claimed it did not monitor, participate in, or recognise the purported National Convention of the Labour Party held on March 27, 2024, in Anambra, where Abure claimed to have been re-elected.

    The Commission argued that the convention was conducted in breach of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, INEC’s regulations and guidelines for political parties 2022, and the Labour Party constitution 2019.

    Citing its regulations, INEC stated that it only deals with valid and subsisting national chairmen and secretaries of political parties in issuing notices and correspondence.

    The Labour Party has been embroiled in a leadership crisis, with Lamidi Apapa declaring himself the “original” chairman, opposing the INEC-recognised Abure faction.

    In a bid to resolve the crisis, the National Executive Committee (NEC) established a 29-man Caretaker Committee, led by Nenadi Usman, to conduct democratic congresses and elect new party leadership at all levels.

    The leadership crisis has sparked concerns about the party’s future, with some members accusing Abure’s leadership of “illegalities” and “corruption”.

     

     

  • Edo: INEC reacts to PDP’s call to remove Wike’s cousin as REC ahead of guber elections

    Edo: INEC reacts to PDP’s call to remove Wike’s cousin as REC ahead of guber elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has turned down the request of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to remove Anugbum Onuoha as the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) ahead of the September 21, 2024, governorship election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Governor Godwin Obaseki and the national leadership of the PDP, had expressed fear that Onuoha’s alleged close relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike could potentially compromise the election.

    Escalating the situation, the Chairman of the Edo State PDP, Anthony Aziegbemhin submitted a formal letter of protest to INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, demanding Onuoha’s immediate redeployment.

    In the letter, Aziegbemhin emphasised that Onuoha is a cousin of Wike, raising further concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.

    “The ties between these two are too close to ignore as they share familiarities and are also close associates. To be clear, the relationship between the two is outlined below:

    “The said Edo REC is a cousin to the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Wike. He also served as a former Commissioner and Special Adviser for Lands, Survey, and Housing to Mr. Wike during his tenure as Rivers governor,” the letter read in part.

    However, in response,  INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, in a statement insisted that Onuoha would not be redeployed.

    Oyekanmi further urged PDP to concentrate on the electoral process rather than focusing on officials.

    He also highlighted the transparency of the voting process, explaining that polling results would be declared in the presence of party agents and stakeholders, with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) being used to upload results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

    He reassured the public that INEC would provide a level playing field for all political parties, while dismissing allegations that the commission rigs elections.

    “The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State will not be redeployed. The governorship election will be conducted on 21st September 2024 in 4,519 polling units, not in the REC’s office.

    “In the same manner, polling unit results will be declared by the respective Presiding Officers after the voting, ballot sorting and counting processes, in the presence of accredited party agents and other stakeholders.

    “The PO will also take a picture of the PU result in each polling unit with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, and upload same to the INEC Result Viewing portal. This process is not the same as electronic voting or electronic transmission and collation of results. The IReV is for transparency purposes. The Nigerian constitution does not yet recognise eletronic voting. Copies of the PU results will be given to accredited party agents.

    “Thereafter, the various collation stages will be undertaken before the declaration of the final result at the State Collation Centre in Benin-City.

    “The PDP should, therefore, focus on the process, not on the REC or other officials of the commission. The conduct of the election and result collation activity will take place in the open and accredited party agents will witness every step,” Oyekanmi stated.

    He further said, “INEC does not rig elections. The current commission conducted two governorship elections in Edo State in 2016 and 2020 successfully and nobody accused us of rigging.

    “We assure all the political parties, registered voters and other stakeholders that the commission will provide a level playing field and not give any advantage to one political party or candidate over the other.”

  • Edo, Ondo guber polls: Anyaoku sends strong message to INEC

    Edo, Ondo guber polls: Anyaoku sends strong message to INEC

    Ahead of the forthcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections, elder statesman and former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the elections are free and fair.

    Anyaoku in an interview in Lagos on Sunday said the expectations of the people and indeed the international community were that the two governorship elections would be credible.

    The elder statesman urged the government, particularly INEC, the security agencies and other relevant institutions, to meet the expectations of the people.

    Anyaoku said the rest of the world was carefully watching Nigeria and the conduct would determine how the country would be viewed and treated by the international community.

    “As our country is preparing for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections, I have three observations to address the Nigerian government, INEC and others.

    “First, Nigeria’s friends and the whole of the international community are watching the behaviour of the federal government and its agencies.

    “The international community is watching the police, the army and the other law-enforcement agents, to see how far we respect the country’s constitution, the rule of law and the obligation to act well in playing their roles in respect of the elections.

    “From my long experience in international politics, I must say no country is an island unto itself, especially in our increasingly globalising world.

    “Therefore, our Nigerian government, like other governments all over the world, while guarding its sovereignty, should pay heed to the views of the international community.

    “My second observation is that INEC had earned deserved compliments for its commendable handling of the general elections.

    “I urge INEC to remain aware of the fact that the credibility of the results of the forthcoming elections would depend on the level of impartiality and transparency it demonstrates.

    “This is in ensuring all aspects of the elections are free and fair, thereby making the results truly represent the will of the people”.

    He stressed that the image and standing of the country within the international community will be significantly affected by how the elections are conducted.

    The Edo governorship election is scheduled to hold on Sept. 21, while that of Ondo is scheduled to hold on. Nov. 16.

     

  • Edo Decides: PDP calls for redeployment of INEC REC

    Edo Decides: PDP calls for redeployment of INEC REC

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State on Thursday called on Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, to redeploy the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Anugbum Onuoha, over alleged ties with FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

    Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, the state Chairman of PDP told newsmen in Benin that the party lacked confidence in the REC’s ability to conduct the election without bias. Aziegbemi also alleged that the recruitment of the Supervising Presiding Officers (SPOs) for the election had been compromised.

    A protest letter to the INEC chairman, made available to newsmen during the press conference, reads:

    “It is with a deep sense of concern that we bring to the notice of your good office a very disturbing trend that may threaten the credibility of forthcoming Edo governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.

    “We believe that, as the umpire in the election, it is in the best interest of INEC to be made aware of unfolding issues and the need to act swiftly to restore the confidence of all parties.

    ”The matter pertains to the close links between the serving Edo REC, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha and a known partisan opponent of Edo PDP, the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike.

    “The ties between these two are too close to ignore as not only do they share familiarities but are also close associates. To be clear, the relationship between the two is outlined below:

    “The said Edo REC is a cousin to the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Wike. He also served as a former Commissioner and Special Adviser for Lands, Survey and Housing to Mr Wike during his tenure as Rivers governor..

    “The antecedent between these two, we are not comfortable that the Edo REC will conduct himself creditably before, during and after the election,” he said.

    According to Aziegbemi, We are therefore requesting the redeployment of the Edo REC as we are not confident that he would be fair, just and equitable in the conduct of the election.

    He also called on the INEC Chairman to investigate the recruitment of the SPOs, adding that most of them were recruited and given fake ministry identity cards

    ”We hereby demand the removal of these impersonators from the SPOs list,” he said.

    According to him, while appreciating your kind consideration and prompt action on this matter Mr Chairman, kindly accept the assurances of our highest esteem.

  • Edo Guber: PDP candidate refuses to sign peace accord

    Edo Guber: PDP candidate refuses to sign peace accord

    Barely nine days to the Edo State governorship election, seventeen out of 18 political parties contesting have signed a peace.

    Chairman Of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anthony Aziegbemi and the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who were present during the signing of the peace accord, refused to sign.

    Aziegbemi told newsmen that they were declining because 10 members of the party were currently being detained by the police in Abuja.

    “We are here to register our protest before the peace committee and to say that the PDP will not sign peace accord when 10 of our members have been arrested and detained by the police in Abuja.”

    The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Wednesday during the stakeholders meeting, said he was not aware that PDP members were arrested in the state.

    “However, I am aware that individuals who committed crimes and political violence in the state have been arrested,” Egbetokun said.

    The Convener of the National Peace Committee, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, charged the candidates to see peace as a foundation for credible election.

    Kukah said that the task before the committee was to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a peaceful election devoid of violence.

    “We should be thankful for our country because some other African countries are in crisis because of unresolved political issues.

    ”Let us thank God that we have the opportunity in Nigeria to stretch our hands in search for justice.

    ”I am happy that Nigerians are having confidence in the electoral process. A worst election is remedied by another election,” he said.

    Kukah urged Edo people to go out and cast their votes, saying that Edo should count themselves lucky having produced top politicians in Nigeria.

    In his welcome remarks, the Chairman, National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, said the ceremony was a commitment to uphold the peace, unity, and democratic values of the nation.

    Abubakar noted that since the committee formation in 2014, it had worked tirelessly to foster an environment where every Nigerian could exercise their constitutional right to vote without fear of violence or intimidation.

    He appealed to candidates, parties and their supporters to remember that peace was the foundation upon which progress and development was built and established.

    Also speaking, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, assured that INEC would continue to play its part in line with the electoral laws.

    Yakubu thanked the Peace committee for bringing the political parties and their candidates together to agree to a peaceful election.

    The Inspector-General of Police, on his part, noted that the police in collaboration with other security agencies would be supporting INEC in conducting the election.

    According to him, “we will remain impartial, professional and vigilante while providing a level playing ground for political parties and their candidates.”

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki, however, assured the Peace Committee of the safety of all stakeholders during and after the election.

    Obaseki, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Joseph Eboigbe, expressed concerned over the continuous detention of PDP members in Abuja.

  • INEC extends PVC collection in Edo

    INEC extends PVC collection in Edo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to Sept. 15 in Edo, preparatory to the state’s governorship election on Sept. 21.

    INEC National Commissioner Sam Olumekun announced this in Benin, noting that the extension would begin from Sept. 13.

    Olumekun said that stakeholders unanimously appealed to the commission to consider an extension of period for the collection of PVCs to enable more voters to collect their cards.

    “The commission held an interactive meeting with stakeholders in Benin ahead of the governorship election.

    “The meeting was well attended by chairmen of political parties, candidates, traditional and religious leaders, security agencies, civil society organisations and the media.

    “The chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, addressed the stakeholders and responded to their electoral and security concerns.

    In view of that, a three-day extension has been granted from Friday, Sept. 13 to Sunday, Sept. 15.

    “The cards will be available for collection in our 18 local government offices across the state from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily”, he said.

    He urged all registered voters who had yet to collect their PVCs to seize the opportunity of the extension to do so.

    He said that there would be no collection by proxy, in line with the commission’s policy.