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Tag: INEC

  • NNPP laments over INEC’s delay in uploading list of current national executive

    NNPP laments over INEC’s delay in uploading list of current national executive

    The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has decried the delay by INEC in uploading the list of its new leadership on the commission’s website.

    The NNPP noted that the delay had also affected its smooth operations nationwide, especially in the build up to some state and other elections.

    This is contained in a statement by NNPP’s National Secretary, Mr Ogini Olaposi on Friday.

    The NNPP described INEC’s refusal to comply with Court orders on new executive of the NNPP as disappointing .

    “The NNPP is gravely concerned and utterly disappointed by  INEC ‘s delay in  complying with binding judicial pronouncements that unequivocally recognised Dr Agbo Major as the authentic National Chairman of our great party and Olaposi as our national secretary.

    “This marks the third reminder  from us  to INEC, despite the commission’s active participation in the legal proceedings culminating in the judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory delivered on April 3, 2025 (Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/5518/2024).

    “This judgment remains valid and binding, including that of Abia State High Court.

    “INEC:s delay undermines the integrity of our constitutional democracy and rule of law, especially when the convention ordered by court that led to the emergence of the new NNPP executive held in  March.

    “INEC’s persistent delays is an administrative negligence that is frustrating our party from fully participating in future electoral processes,” the party stated.

    According to the party, the lack of clarity by the commission is the reason why some expelled members are still claiming leadership of the NNPP.

    “The expelled members are using INEC’s lapses to weaken our party, knowing the party’s rising popularity and strong grassroots support across Nigeria.

    “This is a dangerous assault on the Constitution, the judiciary, and the democratic rights of millions of Nigerians.

    ” The commission’s actions threaten to plunge the nation further into political instability by reducing confidence in it as  the electoral umpire.”

    According to the party, the worst scenario is that the expelled members have used the NNPP  platform as an avenue for unfounded allegations against the current administration, which is capable of instigating unrest.

    “We have not forgotten the allegation that the Federal Government was marginalising the North in infrastructure, levelled against  President Bola Tinubu by our expelled 2023 presidential candidate, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso.

    “So many issues abound where Kwankwaso and members of his Kwankwasiya movement,  whose MoU with NNPP was cancelled after the presidential elections, still make unguarded utterances against the government,  claiming to speak as our members.

    “We have had to issue statements, rejecting those positions but we think INEC stands to make the issue simple by doing the needful as an unbiased umpire.

    “We recall our letters,  dated April 11 and April 14 2025, and our latest final reminder,  on  July 30 2025 to the commission, yet it continues its delay.”

    According to the party, Nigerians and the international community are now watching closely to see how far INEC is willing to go on this matter, which is clearly denying the NNPP opportunities to participate in elections nationwide.

    “Let it be known that the NNPP will not be silenced, cowed, or intimidated.

    “We will deploy every constitutional means, including contempt proceedings and other coercive legal measures, to ensure that INEC obeyed the law.

    “The NNPP remains resolute that the rule of law will ultimately prevail over the machinations of those afraid of the our growing strength and popularity.

    “Democracy cannot survive in Nigeria if those charged with protecting it continue to undermine honour and integrity.

    “Enough is enough. Nigerians deserve better, and we shall not relent in defending the integrity of our party and the sanctity of our democracy.”

  • INEC distributes election materials for Anambra by-elections

    INEC distributes election materials for Anambra by-elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the by-elections in the Anambra-South Senatorial District and Onitsha-North 1 State Constituency.

    The INEC had scheduled the elections for Aug. 16.

    The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr. Elizabeth Agwu made this known while distributing the material on Thursday in Awka.

    The exercise was carried out at the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), before the representatives of various political parties, security agencies and the media.

    “We have been planning for this Anambra South Senatorial district by- election and Onitsha South State House of Assembly by-election. These by-elections were generated as a result of deaths of the two occupants of these seats.

    “We are at the CBN today with all the concerned parties to access the sensitive materials such as ballot papers, results sheets.

    “We packed the other sensitive materials such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and Electronic Voter Registration (EVR) at the INEC office.

    “We came over to the CBN to open other sensitive materials which we received on Wednesday night at the CBN here,” she said.

    Agwu disclosed that the sensitive materials kept with the CBN arrived on Wednesday night, while the non sensitive materials had already been received by the commission.

    According to her, all the parties are here; the observers, media and security agencies and we opened everything before everybody and they testified that there was no  “magomago” (fraud) and everything went on fine.

    All the materials for the two elections were received and signed for onward movement to the eight local government areas where the polls will take place on Saturday by the concerned political parties and party agents.

    She explained that the two by-elections in the state aim at filling the vacant seats at both the Senate and State House of Assembly, following the deaths of late Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah, Young Progressives Party (YPP), who represented Anambra South and late Mr Justice Azuka, Labour Party (LP), who represented Onitsha North Constituency 1 at the Anambra  legislature.

    The REC urged voters to come out en masse to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice.

    “We want the electorates to do away with rumour making the rounds that the commission had already written results of the elections or will rig the process in favour of anybody,” she said.

    According to Agwu, as we are speaking now, the vehicles are loading and they are going to the local government areas where they would continue the election process.

    She said that 8,400 adhoc staff with four adhoc staff per polling unit would participate in the elections.

    Agwu said that over 8,170 registered voters are expected to come out to cast their votes during the Onitsha North 1 State constituency poll while the figure for the Anambra South Senatorial poll could not be ascertained as of the time of this report.

    She assured the public of adequate security, following a resolution after a meeting of Inter Security Agencies for Election Security and stakeholders of the eight Local Government Areas towards ensuring a hitch free, peaceful and transparent exercise.

    “All the security agencies for the election have been moved to different areas for the election. They include the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services (DSS) and others.

    “We are poised for success, security agencies have assured Anambra people that there will be no loss of lives.

    “They warned that people should mind their businesses, if you have no business with voting and election on that day stay in your house,” she said.

  • INEC assures credible bye-election in Zamfara

    INEC assures credible bye-election in Zamfara

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Zamfara, has assured conduct of free, fair and credible bye-election into the Kaura Namoda-South State Constituency. INEC had fixed Aug. 16, for the bye-election in the area.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mahamud Isah said this during the distribution of sensitive and non sensitive election materials, on Thursday in Gusau.

    He said the materials would be transported to the 109 polling units (PUs) in good time to facilitate smooth conduct of the election, stressing that the process would be transparent.

    The Zamfara State House of Assembly had declared the Kaura Namoda-South Constituency vacant, following the death of Aminu Kasuwar-Daji on April 9.

    Kasuwar-Daji had won the election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Also, Abbas Abubakar, Head of Operations, INEC, said the election materials would be distributed to 109 Polling Units (PUs) across six Registration Areas (AEs) with 59,488 registered voters.

    The distribution exercise was attended by representatives of the eight political parties that fielded candidates for the election.

    They include All Progressives Congress (APC); Accord Party (AP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Action Alliance (AA), Boot Party (BP), All Peoples Party (APP) and African Democratic Party (ADP).

  • By-elections: INEC tells parties, candidates, others to adhere to law

    By-elections: INEC tells parties, candidates, others to adhere to law

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to political parties, candidates and all stakeholders participating in the Saturday by-election to adhere strictly to the provisions of the law, regulations and guidelines.

    INEC, in a statement by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, on Thursday in Abuja, said that doing so would ensure seamless processes.

    Olumekun said that the commission, at its regular weekly meeting on Thursday, discussed about its final presentation for the by-election, among other matters.

    He said that the commission also discussed about the resumption of continuous voter registration (CVR) and the publication of the personal particulars of candidates for the Feb. 21, 2026 area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Olumekun disclosed that all non-sensitive materials for the by-elections had been delivered to the affected states, while election technology, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), had been configured for the exercise.

    “The recruitment and training of ad hoc staff as well as security and logistics arrangements have been concluded. The final consignment of sensitive materials will be delivered today as scheduled.

    “The commission wishes to remind political parties and candidates that campaigns end at midnight today, Thursday, Aug. 14.

    “With less than 48 hours to the opening of polls, the commission reiterates its appeal to all those involved in the by-elections as political parties, candidates, voters, party agents, observers and the media to adhere strictly to the provisions of the law, regulations and guidelines.

    “Doing so will ensure seamless processes,” he said.

    The by-elections, schedule for Saturday, will be held in 16 constituencies across 12 states of the federation.

    The by-elections involve two senatorial districts in Anambra and Edo states, five federal constituencies in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun and Oyo states, and nine state constituencies in Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna (2), Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba and Zamfara states.

    The by-elections were occasioned by the resignation or death of serving members of the national and state assemblies.

    On the resumption of CVR, Olumekun reminded Nigerians that the exercise would resume on Aug. 18 nationwide with the online pre-registration of voters.

    He added that the physical or in-person registration would follow on Aug. 25 at all the 811 INEC state and local government offices across the country.

    Olumekin said that the list and locations of the centres, including dedicated telephone numbers for citizens in need of assistance, could be obtained from INEC website and other online platforms.

    According to him, the active CVR locator will go live on Aug. 17.

    “During the CVR, citizens will also have the opportunity to transfer their registration within a state or to other states of the federation. Similarly, damaged or lost PVCs will be replaced as provided by law.

    “It needs to be re-emphasied that the CVR is only open to Nigerian citizens who are 18 years or older, and who have not registered before, as double or multiple registration is a punishable offence under the law,” he said.

    On the FCT area council elections, Olumekun stated that 17 political parties had uploaded their candidates’ nomination forms as at 6 p.m. of Aug. 11 when the dedicated portal automatically shut down.

    He said that in line with the provisions of Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the commission would, on Aug. 18, publish the personal particulars of the candidates by displaying copies of their Form EC9.

    The publication, he said, would be done along with all the accompanying academic credentials and other documents submitted by the candidates in all INEC offices in the six area councils of the FCT.

    “The 17 parties participating in the election nominated 637 candidates for the 68 seats (six chairmen and 62 councillors) in the FCT,” he said.

    Olumekun appealed to Nigerians to scrutinise the documents.

    “Any aspirant who participated in his/her party primaries with reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided by a candidate is false can challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court as provided in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    “The final list of candidates will be published on 22nd September, 2025 which is at least 150 days before the day of the election,” he said.

    This, he added, was in line with the provisions of Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and listed as item seven on INEC timetable and schedule of activities for the elections.

    Olumekun pledged that INEC would continue to update Nigerians on all its activities.

  • Edo bye-elections: INEC distributes sensitive materials

    Edo bye-elections: INEC distributes sensitive materials

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (lNEC) has commenced the distribution of sensitive materials to Ovia Federal Constituency and Edo Central Senatorial District  ahead of the Saturday bye-elections.

    The Edo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Anugbum Onuoha, and other officials of the commission supervised the distribution of the sensitive materials.

    The exercise, which took place in the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Benin, had some agents of the political parties of APC , PDP, AA, and ADC, among others, on ground to monitor the exercise.

    Security agencies were also on ground to ensure the smooth process of the distribution exercise

    Addressing newsmen, Onuoha noted that the sensitive materials had been distributed to the five local government areas in Edo Central and two local governments in Ovia, where the bye elections would hold.

    He said that the commission was fully prepared to ensure that the election was hitch free and called on the electorate to come out enmass to vote for their choice candidates.

  • INEC assures credible Kano by-elections

    INEC assures credible Kano by-elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano State says it is fully prepared to conduct peaceful, credible, and transparent by-elections in parts of the state on Saturday, Aug. 16.

    The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Amb. Abdu Zango, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kano on Thursday.

    Zango said the State Assembly by-elections would take place in Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari (Kunchi)/Tsanyawa Local Government Areas.

    He said non-sensitive materials were dispatched to the local governments three weeks ago, sorted according to registration areas and polling units, while sensitive materials had arrived for onward distribution.

    “We are starting the election at 8:30 a.m. prompt, in line with standard directives, and all arrangements have been completed,” he said.

    He added that all 1,400 ad hoc staff had been trained, deployed, and were already at their respective locations to ensure the smooth conduct of the exercise.

    The REC explained that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices had been configured, tested, and charged, noting that only voters with valid Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would be allowed to vote.

    On security, Zango said the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) had assured the commission of adequate personnel and resources to guarantee safety before, during, and after the polls.

    He said stop-and-search operations and other security measures had already commenced in the affected areas.

    “We have zero tolerance for lack of transparency or partisanship. INEC remains neutral. The only political party we recognise is the citizens, and whoever they choose will be declared winner,” he said.

    Zango said the Ghari election was a court-ordered rerun in 10 polling units, with 5,200 registered voters, contested by the APC and NNPP.

    He added that about 75,000 registered voters would participate in the Bagwai election, which has candidates from 11 political parties.

    The REC said political parties and candidates had signed a peace accord to conduct themselves responsibly and avoid violence.

    He said polling unit results would be announced at the respective units before being taken to the Registration Area Centres (RAC) for collation and declaration.

    He added that the Ghari supplementary poll collation would take place at INEC headquarters.

    Zango urged voters to come out en masse to exercise their franchise without fear, assuring them of safety and the integrity of the process.

  • 2027: INEC warns against premature campaigns

    2027: INEC warns against premature campaigns

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned aspirants in Nasarawa against premature campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Shehu Wahab, gave the warning at a stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday in Lafia, ahead of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) scheduled to begin on Monday, Aug.18.

    Wahab, however, expressed concern over “the disturbing indiscriminate abuse of campaign posters and billboards by aspirants before the official campaign period”.

    “This not only undermines the electoral process but also sets a precedent that can erode the standards of political conduct in the country.

    “As stakeholders, you must collectively advocate for adherence to the electoral guidelines and promote a culture of respect for the democratic process”, he said.

    The REC said mobilising citizens for the CVR was the responsibility of the commission and frowned upon politicians sponsoring advertisements in that regard.

    “There is an aspirant who sponsored an advertisement and produced jingles, calling on the people to turn out for the CVR.

    “The worst part is that the aspirant clearly mentioned his aspiration for the 2027 election in the advertisement and jingles,” he said.

    Wahab said that the online pre-registration of the CVR would commence on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, while the in-person registration would start on Aug. 25.

    He explained that the exercise complied with the law to ensure that every eligible citizen had their name in the voter register.

    “The idea of CVR is deliberately crafted to allow for voter mobility, correction of details and fresh registrations for those who did not do so before or those who turned 18 after the last exercise,” he said.

    The REC further urged stakeholders to advice residents in the state against underage registration and multiple registration, adding that anyone caught would face sanctions.

    He also urged the public to take advantage of the exercise instead of waiting for the end to ask for an extension of time.

    Similarly, INEC Director of Operations in the state, Sale El-Mahmoud, said that the exercise would begin from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the INEC headquarters in Lafia and in the 13 Local Government Areas in the state.

    El-Mahmoud added that INEC personnel would be at the designated centers from Mondays to Fridays, excluding public holidays.

    He explained that the exercise would include fresh registration, voter transfer, update of voter information, replacement of lost Permanent Voter’s Cards and defaced or damaged cards.

  • By-election: LP candidate’s name still missing on INEC list – Chairman

    By-election: LP candidate’s name still missing on INEC list – Chairman

    Chairman, Labour Party (LP), Oyo State, Sadiq Atayese, says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) hasn’t listed the party’s candidate name for the Aug.16 Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election.

    Atayese, who stated this while speaking with NAN in Ibadan on Wednesday, noted that the omission of the candidate’s name had affected voters’ perception of the party’s participation in the by-election.

    This, he said, had seriously affected the party’s campaigns and other preparations for the forthcoming by-election.

    According to him, the party has gone to court to compel INEC to list the party’s candidate’s name, and they are currently awaiting the date for the first hearing of the case.

    “We have equally staged a peaceful protest at the INEC office to register our displeasure on the matter and also to demand the next thing they want us to do.

    “We have been trying to find out the basis for the omission. We don’t know whether it is a sponsored action by those who felt threatened or a technical glitch.

    “As we speak, we are still asking INEC to explain the reason for the omission, but there has been no response yet,” he said.

    Atayese described the situation as frustrating, depriving the constituents of a candidate with a good track record and the capacity to deliver dividends of democracy.

    Recall that the seat of the Ibadan North Federal Constituency became vacant following the demise of Hon. Olaide Akinremi in July 2024.

    Akinremi, who died at the age of 51, represented the constituency at the green chamber on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He was first elected in 2019 and was re-elected in 2023.

  • Osun governorship election will be transparent, fair – INEC vows

    Osun governorship election will be transparent, fair – INEC vows

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will ensure transparency, fairness, and professionalism in the conduct of the Aug.8, 2026 governorship election in Osun.

    The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Mutiu Agboke, said this during a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday in Osogbo.

    “Let me assure you all that INEC shall ensure a credible process in the upcoming 2026 governorship election in the state. Your votes will count.

    “We shall do the right thing at all times. We shall ensure we do our best to ensure your vote counts,” he said.

    Agboke also said that the notice of the election had been duly pasted in all the local government offices, including the area office in Modakeke.

    He said that with the notice, all activities that would culminate in the governorship election in the state had commenced.

    “As of July 31, INEC has registered 1,954,800 electorates; 1,594,006 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) had been collected by the electorate, while 360,794 were yet to be collected.

    “Residents of voting age who are yet to register for their PVCs are urged to take advantage of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), which will commence on Aug.18,” he said.

    Agboke, however, said that a critical examination of the PVC statistics showed that a large number were yet to be collected.

    “Concerted efforts are being made with stakeholders to continue creating awareness for the electorate, not just to register but to ensure the collection of the cards. Let me reiterate here that as it stands now, no PVC, no voting,” he said.

    He urged youths to shun violence and refuse to be used as agents of destruction, fake news and other electoral malpractices during the election.

    Agboke also appealed to political parties and other major stakeholders to shun vote buying and violence during the election.

    “Electorate should be educated to eschew vote buying and selling by anyone who may want to trade with their votes.

    “It should be noted that both violence, vote buying and selling are punishable under the Electoral Act. We must all shun them. The media should help against this cankerworm.

    “Civil societies must not keep silent in any manner. I appeal to you all to rise up and continue to support INEC Osun State to deliver a credible election,” he said.

    Agboke also urged the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to ensure its members avoid hate speeches during campaign activities.

    Representatives of security agencies at the meeting promised to ensure a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the election.

  • By-election: Candidates sign peace accord in Oyo

    By-election: Candidates sign peace accord in Oyo

    Candidates in the August 16 Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election in Oyo State, on Wednesday, signed an agreement to ensure a peaceful, free, fair and transparent election.

    The agreement was signed at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) State Headquarters in Ibadan, and witnessed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Dr Adeniran Tella and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Femi Aruna.

    Other stakeholders in attendance were representatives of the Nigeria Army, National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Security (DSS), NDLEA and NOA.

    In his remarks, Tella said the essence of the peace accord was to foster a conducive environment for voters to exercise their rights, “ultimately contributing to the legitimacy and credibility of the electoral process”.

    He said that INEC had constant engagements with the members of Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), which has the Commissioner of Police in the state as the lead security agency, on the peace accord.

    The REC said that candidates from five political parties contesting in the by- election signed the peace accord.

    The candidates are Akin Alamu – African Democratic Party (ADC); Haastrup Olatunji – All Progressive Congress (APC); Olabisi Odususi – All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA); Sunday Oyekunle – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Hammed Badmus – Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

    He urged the five political parties and their candidates to adhere to the peace accord signed, admonishing that there shouldn’t be any form of voters’ intimidation on election day.

    Speaking further, Tella made it known that all the non- sensitive materials for the forthcoming by-election have been received and deployed to the concerned local government area.

    He said that the by-election would hold in 512 polling units with 272,196 registered voters expected to participate in the exercise.

    The REC added that the commission had configured a total of 526 Bimodal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS) machines with additional 48 back-up BVAS machines for the by-election.

    He emphasised that the use of technology would be deployed through the use of BVAS machines “and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) for uploading of results on election day.”

    The candidates of the APC and PDP, Olatunji and Oyekunle respectively pledged to abide with the peace accord.

    Olatunji commended INEC and security agencies for their preparations towards ensuring peaceful conduct of the Aug 16 election. Oyekunle urged INEC to conduct free, fair and transparent by-election.