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Tag: INEC

  • Isiaka Adeleke: INEC fixes July 8 for by-election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed July 8, to conduct the by-election to fill the Osun West Senatorial District vacant seat at the upper legislative chamber.

    This was contained in a notice made public on Monday and signed by the Administrative Secretary of INEC in Osun State, Ademusire E.A.

    “Consequent upon the provisions of the enabling statutes that bye-elections to fill the declared vacant seat by the National Assembly be conducted within 30 days upon the declaration, take notice that by the directives of the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Bye Election for Osun West Senatorial seat will hold on Saturday 8th July 2017,” it read.

    A former governorship aspirant on the platform of the Labour Party, Mr. Wale Alakinde, has already confirmed he will run for the position, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The position was previously held by Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who died April 23, after he was said to have attended to guests till around 2am the same day.

  • Dino Melaye disgracing us in NASS, we want him recalled – Aggrieved constituents tell INEC

    Constituents of Kogi West Senatorial District on Friday gathered at the All Progressives Congress, APC, secretariat in Kabba, headquarters of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of the state to demand the immediate recall of their representative at the Senate, Dino Melaye, whom they accused of deliberately enmeshing in scandals to bring disgrace to the district.

    The protesters had earlier gathered at the Kabba Township Stadium, from where they proceeded to the INEC office, Lokoja, to initiate the process of recalling Melaye, who represents Kogi West at the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

    The protesters listed 18 offences against the lawmaker, saying he deserved to be recalled. Reading from a prepared text, one of the leaders of the ‘Senator Melaye Recall Groups’, Hope Kolawole, said, “We the combined people of Kogi West Senatorial Zone in Kogi State are here today to initiate the process of recall for Senator Dino Melaye.

    We are here to pick the forms to commence the process from INEC.

    “Let it be known that all of the local government areas comprising Kogi West Senatorial Zone are united in their resolve to recall Senator Dino Melaye and remove the disgrace he has become to all us. (Sic).

    We have compiled the key reasons below to show the world that Senator Dino Melaye’s recall is not only long overdue, but the right thing to do in the best interest of Kogi West Senatorial zone, Kogi State, Nigeria, and in fact the institution and dignity of the distinguished Senate of the Federal Republic (of Nigeria).”

    Some of the infractions they listed against Senator Melaye are: “Not deeming it fit to have a constituency office in Kogi West Senatorial Zone even after two years in the Senate; he has no projects initiated in the constituency after two years in the Senate; he is known for a continuous flow of irresponsible utterances which embarrassed the constituency.

    “He is enmeshed in a pending certificate scandal. His source of wealth is questionable to us and certainly not the model we wish our youth to emulate. He is an electoral fraud and has been caught on audio offering a judicial officer money to decide an electoral matter in his favour.

    “Whether the appropriate authorities act or not, we the people of his (Melaye) constituency who are at the receiving end of his shameful deeds have run out of patience and are resolved to recall and replace him with a decent and people-oriented Senator.

    “We understand the requirements of Section 69 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) regarding the recall of such a member of the National Assembly and hereby assure everyone that Kogi Central Senatorial Zone is united in this and will achieve it.

    “We hereby give the Kogi State Government notice that we are going through with this and if they will not help us, they must also not try to stop us or put obstacles on our way, in particular, everything the law requires to be done by the administration in Lokoja in aid of this process must be done with despatch.”

  • CVR: INEC to take legal action against Gov Bello for double registration

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has accused Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State of registering twice in the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration, in breach of the federal electoral law.

    The electoral umpire also chided governor for registering at unapproved registration centres.

    It explained that Bello acted “illegally” to have registered for voter’s card in Abuja and Kogi, but said it could not take action against the governor because he is constitutionally protected from prosecution while in office.

    According to a report by Premium Times, Bello’s criminal behaviour came to light when photographs showed him being registered for by INEC officials in his office in Lokoja, his state capital. He had earlier been registered in Abuja.

    The electoral commission, INEC, made its position on the scandal known on Thursday.

    “The Governor’s double registration and doing so outside INEC’s designated centres are both illegal,” INEC’s national commissioner and chairman voter education committee, Solomon Soyebi, said on Thursday.

    The commission denied authorising any staff or citizen to “re-register him or any citizen or to do so outside our designated CVR centres”.

    He said the commission “is taking disciplinary action against the INEC staff involved”, but regretted the governor’s immunity would help him escape prosecution.

    “As for the State Governor, Section 308(1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) precludes INEC from prosecuting him while in office,” Soyebi said.

    Nevertheless, his second and illegal registration now stands cancelled.

    “However, INEC wishes to state that it has cancelled his second and illegal registration forthwith because our Electoral Law and the Commission’s guidelines make no exception for anyone to register more than once and outside the designated areas,” Mr. Soyebi said.

    The spokesperson for the governor, Kingsley Fanwo, had said his principal had to register again in Kogi, because nothing had come of efforts to get INEC to transfer his voter’s card from Abuja to Kogi.

    Soyebi did not address the alleged non-transfer of Bello’s voter’s card from Abuja to Kogi in his statement.

    A group, Kogi For Change, in a statement signed by its chairman, Omeiza Yakubu, said it would take legal action in view of the illegality of Bello’s action.

    “The impunity that unleashed the governor on the state is at work again and we are not going to take it lightly. As a matter of fact we have decided as a group to take the matter to talk. It is a criminal offence to engage in double registration,” the group said.

  • Alleged corruption: Court transfers INEC officials case from Abuja to Port Harcourt

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday transferred the case filed by the Police against 23 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to Port Harcourt division of the court.

    The officials were docked for allegedly receiving N360 million as bribe from the Rivers Government to compromise the results of the Dec.10, 2016 re-run parliamentary elections in the state.

    In his ruling, Justice John Tsoho said the argument of the Police that the insecurity in Rivers would affect the trial was not tenable.

    He said that there was no evidence placed before the court to show pervasive insecurity in Rivers.

    Tsoho further said that the video clips and photographs tendered by the Police were incidences that happened before the Dec. 10 rerun elections.

    He said that the responsibility of providing security in any part of the country rests on the security operatives and not the court.

    “I haven’t found out that Rivers has become ungovernable based on the alleged security situation in the state.

    “So, based on Section 22 of the Federal High Court Act, the case has been transferred to the Port Harcourt division of the Federal High Court.

    “Also, in line with Section 93, Sub.1 and 2 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Section 45 of the Federal High Court Act, which states that the trial of a case should take place where the offence was committed, I hereby transfer the case,” he said

    The defence counsel, led by Ahmed Raji(SAN), had on the last adjourned date urged the court to decline hearing of the charge on grounds of territorial jurisdiction.

    Alternatively, the defence asked the court for an order transferring the matter to the Port Harcourt division of the court.

    The defence said the prosecution has not placed any evidence before the court to support the reason for charging the defendants before a court in Abuja for offences allegedly committed in Port Harcourt.

    “We are challenging the court’s jurisdiction because all the alleged acts took place in Port Harcourt and none of the 1st to 20th defendants live here in Abuja.”

    They also had argued that the defendants’ trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja was in breach of the constitution and the Criminal Justice Act.

    The prosecuting counsel, Aliyu Alilu, however, argued that there was insecurity in Rivers , which could interfere with the trial.

    Alilu urged the court to dismiss the defendants application challenging the court’s jurisdiction as it lacked merit.

     

     

     

    NAN

  • 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.

  • Alleged money laundering: Court convicts, sentences INEC official

    A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Wednesday sentenced an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Yisa Olarenwaju, charged with obtaining proceeds of unlawful act.

    Justice Mohammed Idris sentenced the INEC official based on a plea bargain agreement he reached with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    EFCC had rearraigned, in absentia, the immediate past Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, alongside three officials of INEC -Christian Nwosu, Yisa Olarenwaju and Tijani Bashir.

    They were brought to court on a six-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N500 million, which they pleaded not guilty but the second defendant later changed his plea to guilty.

    Olarenwaju, thereafter, entered into a plea bargain agreement with the EFCC on May 2.

    At the resumed hearing, Justice Mohammed Idris convicted and sentenced the INEC official.

    In sentencing the INEC official, Olarenwaju, who is the second defendant, Justice Idris held that, “there is no doubt that the second defendant is an elderly man.

    ” It is also not in contention that the second defendant is a first time offender.

    “This court will temper justice with mercy.

    “The court hereby adopts the plea bargain agreement as the judgment of the court”.

    The plea bargain agreement stated that,” Upon the conviction of the second defendant, he should forfeit to the Federal Government of Nigeria all the parcel of land and its appurtenances which was acquired with the sum of N23 million, the proceeds of the second defendant’s unlawful acts.

    “That a fine of N10 million be imposed on the second defendant, upon his conviction based on count four of the amended charge.

    ” That in paying the fine of the sum of N10 million, the second defendant shall raise a draft of N5 million in addition to the sum of N5 million already recovered from him.

    “He shall within seven days after the payment of the fine imposed by the court, enter into a bond with the EFCC, never to be involved in economic and financial crimes within and outside the shores of Nigeria”.

    At the last hearing, Justice Idris had thrown out an earlier plea bargain arrangement reached by the first defendant, Christian Nwosu.

    The judge had clearly maintained that the plea bargain arrangement could not save Nwosu from serving a stiffer sentence.

    Justice Idris made a declaration that the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) stipulates that such a convict deserves a sentence that was stiffer.

    Meanwhile, the third defendant, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, was admitted to bail in the sum of N50m with two sureties in like sum.

    Idris held that the sureties must be owners of landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.

    The case was adjourned until May 15, for counsel to return and address the court on whether the case should be transferred to another judge for it to start afresh.

     

     

    NAN

  • We are not aware of Adeleke’s death – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it cannot declare Senator Isiaka Adeleke’s seat vacant, because the National Assembly has not informed it about his death.

    The Administrative Secretary of INEC in Osun, Mr. Ademusire Emmanuel, stated this in Osogbo on Thursday, while addressing a press conference shortly after the official commencement of the continuous voters’ registration exercise.

    He also confirmed that those to be registered now, would not be part of the by-election.

    “Newly registered voters won’t be part of the by-election that would be conducted in Osun West Senatorial District to replace Senator Isiaka Adele.

    “That election is for the 8th assembly and the voters register used for the election initially would be used for the by-election.

    “I also need to tell you that INEC is not yet aware of the death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke because the commission has not been told officially. When we are informed, necessary process would be carried out and the bye-election would be conducted at the appropriate time,” he said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the first civilian governor of Osun State died in the early hours of Sunday at a private hospital in Osogbo after succumbing to a protracted ailment. He was aged 62.

     

  • 2019 elections: 91 groups seek registration with INEC

    Not fewer than 91 political associations have approached the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, applying to be registered as political parties ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Although the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, had said at the stakeholders’ validation conference on the 2017 INEC’s Strategic Plan in Abuja on March 20, 2017, that the commission had received 87 applications for party registration, the figure has increased by four.

    Currently, the country has a total of 40 registered political parties.

    The Director of Voter Education and Publicity of INEC, Mr. Oluwole Osage-Uzi, confirmed to our correspondent on the telephone on Wednesday that 16 out of 91 associations had paid the compulsory N1m

    He said, “91 political associations have signified interest to be registered as political parties and N16 of them have paid the compulsory N1m

    “Also, 12 of them have been verified and verification is ongoing.”

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of INEC, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, urged the political associations to give the commission time to follow due process of party registration.

    Oyekanmi said in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Wednesday that the commission would not be stampeded into taking decisions as it was bound to follow the processes.

    He stated, “Without prejudice to what is going on, parties need to give some time. And I am sure that when you pay, there is a process political parties would have to go through. INEC has a set of rules and regulations; they have to check so many things, they have to check the applications and these things take time.

  • Sellers, buyers of PVCs now risk 2-years jail term, N.5m fine – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has warned that people who engage in selling and buying of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) now risk two years jail term and a N500,000 fine.

    This was revealed by the Commission’s Administrative Secretary in Sokoto State, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq on Wednesday in Sokoto, at a one-day Stakeholders’ Forum on the Continuous Voter Registration Exercise, scheduled to begin on Thursday.

    The exercise is expected to be flagged off by Mrs. Amina Zakari, INEC National Commissioner in charge of the North West.

    He said that a similar punishment would be meted to any person found to be in possession of a voter’s card unlawfully.

    “There is also a one-year jail term, N100,000 fine, or both, for any person who makes a false statement, fails to give information or facilitate the registration of a fictitious person,” he said.

    He said that a five-year jail term, N500,000 fine, or both, awaited anyone who induced any person to refrain from registering a voter.

    According to Sadiq, same punishment will be meted out to any person who hinders another from registering as a voter.

    The official said that the offences contravened the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, and warned members of the public to steer clear of them.

    He said that INEC was working with security agencies to prevent political parties from hijacking the exercise.

    Sadiq warned INEC staff to avoid any action that could compromise the integrity of the exercise, saying that anyone caught would be sanctioned.

    A cross section of the stakeholders, who spoke with NAN, commended the commission for being proactive, and promised their support toward the success of the exercise. (NAN)