TheNewsGuru

Tag: Mahmood Yakubu

  • INEC solicits NASS support on conversion of voting points to polling units

    INEC solicits NASS support on conversion of voting points to polling units

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has solicited the National Assembly’s support to convert existing voting points in the country to polling units.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the appeal on Tuesday during a presentation on the state of voter access to Pulling Units (PUs) in Nigeria, to the National Assembly Joint Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters, in Abuja.

    He said that some of the voting points when converted to polling units would be relocated to underserved areas.

    Yakubu also urged the lawmakers and stakeholders to help de-politicise issues around the intention of the commission saying that the situation affected all parts of the country.

    He said the voter access to polling units across the country was presently in a state of crisis as the existing 119,973 polling units was established by the defunct National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON) 25 years ago.

    He noted that the existing PUs were projected to serve 50 million registered voters, which increased to over 84 million in 2019 and still expected to increase before the next general elections.

    Yakubu said the existing number of polling units were not only inadequate but not conducive for voters to exercise their rights to vote fairly, especially in the context of COVID-19.

    He added that it had not also been suitable for INEC to properly manage election and ensure that rules and regulations were strictly adhered to.

    The INEC boss said the commission had made several efforts in the past to address the problem but it was misunderstood by Nigerians due to lack of proper sensitisation and the decisions were made closed to elections.

    According to Yakubu, some of the efforts by the commission to address the problem included the creation of baby units in 2007, voting points in 2011 and voting points settlements in FCT in 2016.

    He said the commission believed that by converting the existing voting points in use since 2011 to polling units and relocating some of them to underserved areas, majority of the challenges faced by voters and INEC would be addressed.

    Yakubu said apart from starting early this time around, the commission decided to engage with stakeholders to ensure that the lingering problem was addressed.

    He disclosed that already, the commission had received no fewer than 9,000 requests from communities and individuals for the creation of new polling units across the country.

    “We received 5,747 requests in Oct. 2020 to establish new polling units. The commission did not tell citizens to apply or to request for the creation or whatever units.

    “As at last week, Feb. 23, the number of requests has increased to 9,092, which is additional 4,300 requests since over a period of four months and the number keeps increasing,” he said.

    He assured that in converting the voting points to polling units, the commission would take into consideration the number of registered voters in the polling units as well as the distance, to ensure that justice was done and the problem adequately addressed.

    In his remarks, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, pledged the support of the National Assembly to INEC to provide better voting environment for Nigerians through creation of more polling units.

    “I want to assure the chairman of INEC and indeed Nigerians that the National Assembly will support INEC fully, completely and wholly in ensuring that we provide a better voting environment for our citizens.

    “We will do whatever it takes, because democracy is about participation and voting is probably the most important thing,” Lawan said.

    Yakubu was accompanied by national commissioners and some of the management staff of the commission.

  • PDP sets agenda for newly confirmed INEC Chairman, Yakubu

    PDP sets agenda for newly confirmed INEC Chairman, Yakubu

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised the reappointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to use the more than two years ahead of the 2023 general election to rejig the electoral commission.

    The party gave the advice in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Ologbondiyan advised Yakubu to use the period to work out legislations and operational rules that would guarantee a free, credible and all-inclusive electoral process.

    He advised him to go to Ghana and U.S. and take a study from their electoral bodies on how to conduct free, fair, transparent and credible general election.

    He advised Yakubu to learn from the Ghana electoral commission, which was making more room for a more all-inclusive electoral process by starting special voting system to enable personnel of critical service providers to cast their ballots days ahead of the Dec. 7, election date.

    He also advised the INEC Chairman to study how the U.S. credibly conducted a keenly contested 2020 presidential election without recourse to government influence and use of security to suppress the wishes of citizens as expressed at the polling units.

    He advised Yakubu to engage political stakeholders for legislations, rules and field procedures, so as to curb violence, ensure the security of electoral materials and guarantee the safety of voters.

    “The INEC Chairman should initiate processes and procedures that will guarantee prompt arrival of ballot materials, rapid accreditation and voting, instant transmission of results from polling units as well as seamless collation of figures.

    “Our party demands Prof. Yakubu to improve on legislations that restrict the involvement of security agencies in voting and collation processes, check underage and alien voters, vote-buying, alteration of results and manipulation of voter register.”

    Ologbondiyan urged Yakubu to pursue an amendment to the electoral act to make it mandatory for INEC to publish voter register online, thus terminating the doctoring of the register and accreditation process.

    “It is therefore instructive to restate that with the new appointment, Yakubu has been given an ample time and opportunity to redeem the image of the commission and give our nation a credible election.

    “Credible election that will be devoid of the failures, disappointments, miscarriages and litigations.

    “Our party urges the reappointed INEC Chairman to note that the 2023 general election will hugely impact on the fate of over 200 million Nigerians.

    “As such, he must ensure that the nation does not go down in his hands,” Ologbondiyan said.

  • BREAKING: Senate confirms Yakubu as INEC Chairman

    BREAKING: Senate confirms Yakubu as INEC Chairman

    The Nigerian Senate has confirmed Prof Mahmood Yakubu as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a second term of 5 years.

    The Senate confirmed Yakubu on Tuesday during plenary following a motion by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Kabiru Gaya, which was seconded by Senator Haliru Jika.

    Debating the motion, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for nominating Yakubu for a second term, saying this was the first time the Chairman of INEC is re-nominated.

    “Let me thank the Committee on INEC for bringing forth what most of us do not know. I stand to support this nomination not because of all that have been said about him but because of the way he has carried out the affairs of INEC.

    “I have worked with him and I am very happy that he is ready to carry out most of the report submitted by the INEC Committee. So I support this nomination,” he said.

    Meanwhile, on his part, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said during the debate that “usually the Heads of INEC usually come into Senate and we act in Committee of the Whole in plenary.

    “Certain positions like the INEC position means that if after the term of office there are new experience that he has gathered that we all need to ventilate. What is important for is to make sure that votes count and votes matter”.

    Also, Senator Sam Egwu said, “I want to commend the report of the Committee on INEC and I will say that I am not disappointed. When I was a Minister, I worked with Professor Mahmood Yakubu, and so I am not surprised about all that have been said about him.

    “I want to urge him to continue the good work and to ensure that our elections are free and fair, and that the votes of Nigerians will continue to count”.

    On his part, Senator Sirajudeen Ajibola said, “I join other colleagues in supporting this nomination because the importance of electoral integrity is very crucial to democracy and to development. I join my colleagues to recommend that this nomination is confirmed”.

    Meanwhile, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha said, “Professor Mahmood Yakubu distinguished himself. Experience is key in accessing the performance of a public servant. The reports here have shown that in the last year, Professor Mahmood is well experienced and has done well.

    “Let us give him the opportunity to do more and to bring in new ideas that we need especially in this time of our political system”.

    Following the debate, the Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider the report of the Committee on INEC on the Confirmation of the nomination of Yakubu.

    After reverting to plenary and, the nomination of Yakubu was confirmed as Chairman, INEC.

  • Senate to confirm Yakubu as INEC chairman for 2nd term in Dec

    Senate to confirm Yakubu as INEC chairman for 2nd term in Dec

    The request by President Muhammadu Buhari to confirm Prof Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a second term has been referred to the Senate committee on INEC.

    This is after the Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved that the Senate do consider the request of the President in accordance with the provision of Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

    The request of the President to confirm the nomination of Prof Yakubu for appointment as Chairman of the INEC was referred to the Senate committee on INEC for further legislative action and to report back on Tuesday, December 01, 2020.

    TNG reports that the confirmation of the nomination of Prof Abdullahi Abdu Zuru for appointment as national commissioner of INEC was also referred to committee on INEC for further legislative action and to report back on Tuesday, December 01, 2020.

    Barring any unforeseen occurrence, the Senate is likely in December to confirm Prof Yakubu, who stepped aside for Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Mu’azu (Retired) to take over the affairs of the commission in the interim.

  • BREAKING: Mahmood Yakubu steps aside as INEC chairman

    BREAKING: Mahmood Yakubu steps aside as INEC chairman

    Prof Mahmood Yakubu has stepped aside as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Prof Yakubu handed over to Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Mu’azu (Retired) on Monday.

    Mua’zu will handle the affairs of the Commission pending the confirmation of the re-appointed INEC Chair at the Commission’s headquarters, Abuja.

    Speaking at the handover ceremony, Yakubu recalled that the current Commission was inaugurated in three batches.

    The Chairman and five Commissioners were sworn-in on 9th November 2015, followed by another six Commissioners on 7th December 2016 and one more Commissioner on 21st July 2018.

    The Commission is a constitutional body whose members are appointed for five years which may be renewed for a second and final term.

    This means that Yakubu’s tenure and that of the first set of five Commissioners ended today.

    “As you are already aware, the renewal of my tenure as Chairman of the Commission has been announced, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

    “Our work as election managers requires us to enforce the law, regulations and guidelines.

    “In doing so, we must demonstrate strict respect for, and compliance with, the Constitution of Nigeria and subsidiary laws.

    “Consequently, it will be inappropriate for me to remain in office beyond today, 9th November 2020, without confirmation by the Senate and swearing to another oath of office as provided by law.

    “Pending the conclusion of the statutory process, the remaining National Commissioners have resolved that AVM Ahmed Mu’azu (rtd) will oversee the affairs of the Commission. It is therefore my pleasure to hand over to him in the interim.

    “We have worked as a team for the last four years. Therefore, there is nothing new to anyone of them,” Yakubu stated.

  • Budget defence: Drama as Reps INEC C’ttee Chairman bars commissioners

    Budget defence: Drama as Reps INEC C’ttee Chairman bars commissioners

    …disagrees With Members, Holds Defence Behind Closed Doors

    It was confusion galore on Wednesday during the budget defence session of the House of Representatives, as Chairman on Electoral matters members bars INEC commissioners from its proceedings.

    Members of the Committee also disagreed with their chairman on the modalility she adopted in engaging the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmud Yakubu concerning the performance of his commission’s 2020 budget.

    The committee also surprisingly asked out all National Commissioners of INEC on the entourage their Chairman, Prof. Yakubu, as it opted to meet with only the Chairman in a closed door session.

    Chairperson of the committee, Rep. Aishatu Jibril Dukku had after making her opening remarks called on Yakubu to give appraisal of the Commission’s 2020 budget performance, as well as make presentation of the 2021 estimates, but was immediately challenged by one of her colleagues, Hon. Solomon Bob from Rivers State, to the effect that “the committee did not carry out any oversight on the commission in the year, but here are we, being called upon to superintendent over another budget”.

    Repeated attempts by Dukku to explain that 2020 was ruptured by the lockdown occasioned by outbreak of the Covid-19 could not stop Bob, who insisted that he must be allowed to land. “Honourable colleague, I rule you out of order”, a visibly angry Dukku told the man and hit the gavel, urging Yakubu to commence his presentation.

    As a result, the committee was forced to move into a closed door session, after the INEC Chairman ended his appraisal of the Commission’s 2020 budget performance, following a suggestion to that effect on the 2020 budget by Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, (PDP, abia), which was immediately supported by Hon. Tajudeen Yusuf, (PDP, kogi).

    “The executive session is very important because 2020 is where the issues are. The budget has been implemented, so that we don’t have to be asking the Chairman (Yakubu) subjective questions on the issue raised”, Yusuf said.

    One of the National Commissioners who were asked to stay outside, Mr. Festus Okoye, however told journalists that there was nothing strange about the committee opting to meet with only Yakubu behind closed doors.

    “They have their own rules, they set their own rules so we have to comply. They can invite only the chairman for a meeting, so there is nothing strange in what is happening now”, he said.

    The chairman of the apex electoral body had earlier informed the panel that the Commission had to revert to its special fund, created under section three of the Electoral Act, in order to meet its mandates, due a drastic reduction of its budget after the review.

    He explained that, its initial budget of N40 billion was reduced to N36 billion, when the Commission was already in the middle of implementation, and so had to draw N5.2 billion from the INEC Fund in order to deliver on its mandate.

  • Reappointment: Yakubu’s first tenure as INEC chair characterised by failures, dissappointments, miscarriages – PDP

    Reappointment: Yakubu’s first tenure as INEC chair characterised by failures, dissappointments, miscarriages – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed the optimism that the reappointment of Prof Mahmood Yabuku as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will serve as impetus to credible elections in the country.

    In a statement on Wednesday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said the reappointment has entrusted Prof Yakubu with the fate, hope and future of over 200 million Nigerians, as well as those of generations yet unborn.

    The PDP said, “We consider this reappointment by President Buhari as an impetus to demonstrate a readiness for a free fair and credible election, which Mr. President had always promised to bequeath at the end of his second and final term in office in 2023.

    “In the light of this five-year extension, our party hopes that the failures, disappointments and miscarriages that characterised the first five years tenure of Yakubu will have no place in the new order.

    “It is therefore instructive to state that with his re-appointment, Prof Yakubu has been given an ample time and opportunity to redeem himself, the image of the commission and preparation for credible, free and fair elections in our country.

    “At least, with this reappointment, whatever happens in our future elections cannot be ascribed to inexperience and lack of adequate preparedness on the side of INEC”.

    The main opposition party changed the INEC chairman to spend the nearly three years ahead of the next general election to rejig the commission.

    It also charged him to work out appropriate electoral policies and guidelines and to push for amendment of the Electoral Act, in conjunction with the National Assembly, with a view to giving the nation a credible electoral process.

    Urging Professor Yakubu to be mindful of the aphorism that to whom much is given, much more is expected, the PDP said the reappointment comes with a lot of expectations from Nigerians.

    “He must quickly take painstaking look into issues that aid manipulations, rigging, violence and inconclusive elections which marred most of the exercises conducted in his previous tenure.

    “Prof. Yakubu should note that the future, stability and corporate existence of our nation have been entrusted in his hands as credible election is the bedrock of any democratic society”, it added.

    The party also urged the National Assembly, particularly, the Senate, to focus on these pertinent issues in the course of screening Prof. Yakubu to ensure that the failures of the past are not given accommodation in the new era.

  • BREAKING: Buhari re-appoints INEC chairman

    BREAKING: Buhari re-appoints INEC chairman

    President Muhammadu Buhari has reappointed Mahmood Yakubu as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari announced the reappointment of Yakubu for another term of five years on Tuesday.

    This was contained in a statement released by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.

    The statement reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari has presented the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, for a second term in office.

    “In a letter to President of the Senate, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, the President said in accordance with the provision of Section 154 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), “I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate, the nomination of Professor Mahmood Yakubu for appointment as Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a second and final term.”

    Yakubu was first appointed by President Buhari in November 2015.

  • INEC takes another giant step closer to e-voting in Nigeria

    INEC takes another giant step closer to e-voting in Nigeria

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken another giant step in its continuous effort to deepen electoral integrity in Nigeria through the deployment of technology.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Commission on Monday carried out a demonstration of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at the conference room of the INEC headquarters in Abuja, the federal capital territory.

    In his brief remarks, while reassuring Nigerians of commitment to expedite the process leading to the deployment of EVMs in elections in earnest, INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu said the Commission was aware that Nigerians want the use of technology to deepen elections in the country.

    The remarks read: “I welcome you all to this occasion which is another giant step in the Commission’s continuous effort to deepen electoral integrity in Nigeria through the deployment of technology.

    “Over the years, the Commission has been automating the critical pillars of the process. The biometric register of voters has been updated continuously.

    “At the moment, the INEC register of voters is the largest data base of citizens in Nigeria. In addition, the combination of biometric voters’ cards commonly known as the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and the Smart Card Reader (SCR) has revolutionized the accreditation of voters during elections.

    “More recently, the introduction of a number of portals has facilitated the seamless nomination of candidates for elective offices by political parties as well as the accreditation of observers and the media.

    “Most significantly, the Commission now uploads polling unit level results in real-time on Election Day to a portal for public view. These are significant innovations that have deepened the transparency and credibility of elections and the electoral process in Nigeria.

    “Today, the Commission is taking yet another decisive step towards the full automation of the electoral process. For some time now, the Commission has been working on the deployment of technology in voting during elections to replace the current manual system which is tedious and requires enormous logistics to deliver huge quantities of printed materials and a large number of ad hoc staff to administer the process.

    “To this end, the Commission developed the specifications of the functions required of the machine. After extensive discussion and review, the Commission took the decision to invite original manufacturers of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) around the world for a virtual or practical demonstration of the machines.

    “Over 40 companies that indicated interest will demonstrate to the Commission how their IT solutions meet our specifications. I wish to emphasize that this is only a demonstration that will enable the Commission to evaluate the available technology and where necessary finetune our specifications before proceeding to the next stage which will involve the participation of stakeholders. Details of the next steps will be given at the end of the demonstrations.

    “The Commission is aware that Nigerians want us to deepen the use of technology in elections. Let me reassure Nigerians that the Commission is committed to expediting the process leading to the deployment of EVMs in elections in earnest”.

  • INEC clears air on purported plans to shift Edo polls

    INEC clears air on purported plans to shift Edo polls

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has it would not shift the Edo State gubernatorial election on the strength of threats of violence by political parties and their candidates.

    INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye made this known on Saturday, stressing that even though the Commission is disturbed by the situation in the State, it is not considering postponing the polls.

    According to him, INEC has sufficiently warned candidates and parties participating in the election that it will not take kindly any attempts to compromise the electoral process by inviting violence.

    “INEC has warned that it will halt the process if the parties result to violence. We have met over the matter and warned that we will not allow any act of violence. But that does not mean that we are shifting the poll,” he said.

    Meanwhile, INEC National Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu had said that the Commission would invite not just the candidates and their parties, but the Campaign Councils to discuss ongoing situation in the State.

    “We are carefully monitoring what is happening in Edo State and also in Ondo. The Commission will be meeting tomorrow and given the urgency of the situation in Edo State, we may have to immediately call a meeting of not just the candidates and the political parties but also the Campaign Councils, but whatever we have to do to stem the ugly report of violence so far or threat of it,” he said.