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Tag: Mahmood Yakubu

  • INEC and burden of neutrality – By Carl Umegboro

    INEC and burden of neutrality – By Carl Umegboro

    By Carl Umegboro

    Recently, the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu reiterated his commitment to give the country a credible, free-and-fair elections in the forthcoming polls, and emphatically assured of neutrality to all the political parties. However, the pledge is not different from all the ones made during the previous elections that were marred by intimidations and bias. Most of the time, people talk the talk but renege to walk the walk. For instance, the crisis rocking the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) presently is traceable to infidelity, repudiating pledges and agreements. So, it is becoming a ‘model’ in the political terrain that words and pledges do not matter. To some politicians, integrity means nothing, and that has been the root-cause of the country’s problems.

    At the fourth Abubakar Momoh Memorial Lecture organized in honour of the erstwhile Director-General of The Electoral Institute (TEI), the late Prof Abubakar Momoh titled “Electoral Act 2022: Imperatives for political parties and the 2023 general elections”, the INEC boss said, “Once again, I wish to assure you that INEC has no preferred candidate. We shall only ensure that all valid votes count and the winners are decided solely by the voters”. This is reassuring and we say ‘Amen’. However, while giving Prof Yakubu the benefit of the doubt, a horrid incident that believably, was premeditatedly repeated during the previous general election in 2019 under his watch amid his pledges necessarily must be highlighted.

    The 2023 general elections timetable has been released, campaigns commenced and political parties expected to vibrate till the time limit. But an episode that is becoming worrisome is the ‘mysterious’ postponements of polls. For emphasis, in 2015, the agency then led by Prof Attahiru Jega during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), under the guise of “intelligence report” postponed the election after political parties had exhausted their resources and strength on campaign, waiting for the ballot. The postponement was announced a week prior to the poll, precisely on 7 February 2015. By this action, political parties were muddled as they struggled to effectively participate in the new date of the election.

    Again, in 2019, Prof Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government repeated it in a tougher manner. The umpire in the early hours of the election day, precisely at 2.30am on Saturday 16 February, 2019 after a façade-stretched stakeholders meeting postponed the poll under the guise of “logistics and operational problems”. As the table turned and it was repeated under the APC-ruling government, PDP went mute, conceivably due to a guilty conscience. This attests that ‘he who pays the piper dictates the tone’. Sadly, every political party would always enlist a ‘fight against corruption’ in the manifesto, but by actions, promotes corruption with impunity.

    The absurdity must not continue. Sensibly, if the agency has any reason to alter its timetable, it must be when the campaign is active and not after political parties had exhausted their resources and closed campaigns according to the timetable. A soothsayer is not needed to know that any ruling party has overwhelming influence on the umpire irrespective of ‘independent’ attached to it. Nonetheless, for the umpire to connive with any ruling party to leave the opposition parties relying on the timetable, exhaust their resources and then suddenly postpone the poll is malicious and should destroy the credibility of a poll. From observations during the two separate postponements, members of the respective ruling party knew ahead, bragged and anticipated it and on account, reserved its resources for the real day unlike other political parties that even mobilized party agents which points to a biased umpire. In fact, the 2019 incident postponed about 5 hours to the election was most painful as other political parties had mobilized, disbursed everything not knowing the poll wouldn’t hold as scheduled.

    The forthcoming election must be different. By the unprecedented masses’ overwhelming interest in the processes, the umpire must not create a space for any mischief. If the polls must be postponed, it must be at least weeks ahead of the date, and not to repeat the schemes like the disgusting previous postponement that was announced after many people had travelled, arrived at their designated registration areas for the poll which certainly affected those that obtained permission from places of work, and therefore couldn’t travel again. Supporters of the opposition parties unaware of the script mostly received the uppercut. So, the professed, pledged neutrality must manifest by deeds.

    Of course, the financial implications alone inarguably hindered many voters from travelling the second time, hence they didn’t vote. Such scripts usually orchestrated from the ruling party must not repeat itself so that voters can exercise their franchise accordingly. The date of the elections must be authenticated weeks ahead of the polls to enable political parties and electorates to prepare accordingly, and not to frustrate them. Legitimately, every registered voter must be given an opportunity to exercise franchise considering that to deprive registered voters their right to vote is a weighty oversight in any democracy. Election irregularity comes in diverse ways, and not necessarily by fake figures. To encumber, frustrate voters is equally an irregularity.

    Convincingly, if the umpire would allow the game played according to the rules without any form of manipulation as witnessed over the years, major part of the problems facing the country will be nearing solutions as it will give people the opportunity to decide, elect capable, credible minds to lead them henceforth, and not desperadoes that arrogantly claim it is their birthright. The masses are eager, ready to choose their leaders this time but the challenge is INEC’s true strength alongside other state-actors for a free-and-fair ballot. The Electoral Act has improved, funds provided accordingly, and peoples’ interest through the updated registrations also grew, but will INEC flawlessly deliver? Thus, INEC must shun, resist any form of conspiracy theory.

     

    Umegboro, a public affairs analyst and social advocate writes through umegborocarl@gmail.com                                (08173184542-sms only)

  • 2023: We will monitor spending by political parties – INEC vows

    2023: We will monitor spending by political parties – INEC vows

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised to monitor political parties’ campaigns and expenses for the 2023 general elections to ensure compliance with the laws.

    The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this at the signing of the peace accord for peaceful campaign organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) on Thursday in Abuja.

    Yakubu said that would be done to ensure that parties shun abusive language and comply with spending limits for elections.

    He said the Electoral Act 2022 provided for campaign in public by political parties to commence not earlier than 150 days before polling day of which that of national elections had officially commenced Sept. 28.

    He added that campaign would continue until 24 hours before polling day (Feb 23, 2023) for national elections (Presidential and National Assembly), and March 9, 2023, for state elections (Governorship and Houses of Assembly).

    “The implication is that for the next 148 days, political parties, candidates and their supporters are free to traverse the country holding meetings, rallies, processions and door-to-door campaigns.

    “They will grant interviews, sponsor indoor and outdoor advertisements and publish other campaign materials. This is often a delicate period characterised by excitement and anxiety.

    “In line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and in our determination to play our role as a regulator, the Commission will vigorously monitor compliance.

    “To ensure that parties shun abusive, intemperate or slanderous language as well as insinuations or innuendoes likely to provoke a breach of the peace during the electioneering campaigns.

    “Similarly, the Commission will also closely monitor compliance with the limits on campaign spending under the Electoral Act. There are sanctions provided by law.

    “Political parties and candidates should study and familiarise themselves with the electoral legal framework to avoid any infraction of the law and the unhappy consequences that will follow any act of misdemeanour.’’

    Yakubu therefore urged all political party candidates to show appreciation to the work of the NPC by abiding and showing commitment to the peace accord that they signed.

    “Therefore, the commitment to peaceful and issue-based electioneering campaign should resonate beyond the 18 Party Chairmen and Presidential candidates present here today.

    “It is not enough to simply sign the Peace Accord. What is more important is to abide by its letter and spirit.

    “You should similarly pass the message to all your candidates, members and supporters across the country for compliance.

    “This will be your own way of showing appreciation for the work of the NPC and an affirmation of your contribution to electoral peace in Nigeria.”

    Yakubu disclosed that the 2023 General Election would be conducted for 1,491 constituencies nationwide made up of one Presidential constituency, 28 Governorship elections, 109 Senatorial Districts, 360 Federal constituencies and 993 State Assembly constituencies.

    He commended the Chairman of the NPC, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as the convener and members of the Committee, saying INEC appreciated their partnership for peaceful elections.

    He said that the signing of peace accord, which started in 2015 general elections, has continued to yield positive result.

    “The result is not only the peaceful conduct of these elections, but the process keeps improving one election after another,’’ Yakubu said.

    The Head,Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Amb. Samuela Isopi, urged Nigeria to continue to take decisive steps to seek a further consolidation of democracy, peaceful, inclusive, credible and transparent elections.

    Isopi said that as the largest democracy in Africa, Nigerian elections do matter, not only for Nigeria but also the future of democracy in West Africa and the continent.

    “Nigeria has an opportunity to lead to contribute to reversing the trend of undemocratic change of power and to its leadership, consolidate democracy in the region and beyond.

    “As leaders of political parties and presidential candidates, you have a vital role to play in ensuring peaceful elections in engaging in peaceful and issue based campaigns, in taking a firm stance against violence, against hate speech, against misinformation and fake news.

    “ As you well know, in politics, words, do count and as political leaders you are role models for your candidates, for your supporters, for voters and for citizens,’’ Isopi said.

    The ambassador called for the needed support to INEC to conduct credible election, while also calling on security agencies to demonstrate neutrality and professionalism toward the conduct of credible elections.

    “We have to keep the neutrality and guarantee safety of all campaigners and voters and in particular of women, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups,’’ Isopi said

    She also called on the media as the watchdogs and public educators to adhere to their own common code of conduct.

    Isopi expressed the commitment and support of international community, especially the European Union and its member states in particular to peace elections in Nigeria.

    “But also to stress our impartiality. We are not here to support any particular party or any particular candidate.

    “We are here at your invitation to support the process through international expertise, independent observation and support for key institutions.

    “We are committed to continue supporting the consolidation of the democratic process in Nigeria with our technical support, sharing of experience and good practices and political engagements.’’

  • Can INEC conduct a free presidential election? – By Sonnie Ekwowusi

    Can INEC conduct a free presidential election? – By Sonnie Ekwowusi

    Last week the INEC Chairman Prof Mammod Yakubu publicly promised that notwithstanding the gargantuan challenges facing the commission it would conduct free and fair elections or would deliver electoral justice in 2023. “Only the votes cast by Nigerians will determine who wins and this is our commitment to the nation,” said Prof Yakubu.

    Beyond mere verbal undertaking, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu led-INEC must truly and really conduct an impartial, free, fair and credible 2023 elections especially the Presidential election. Of all the elections the Presidential election is the crucial election which outcome will make or mar Nigeria. In fact guaranteeing peace, unity and stability in Nigeria in 2023 depends so much on the outcome of the 2023 Presidential election. The truth of the matter is that the people want a breakaway from the pre-existing ruinous legal order. They want total breakaway from the two political parties-APC and PDP-which are hanging on the same leprous hand. There is a time for everything under the sun. This is the time for breakaway or severance from the yolk of slavery and oppression. That is why the teeming population of young people that constitutes the bulk of the population of Nigeria has trodden the streets and alley ways across Nigeria, in reminiscent of the storming of the Bastille, to demand for a new political order where commutative justice, equity, character, competence shall flourish. Armed with their respective Permanent Voting Cards (PVCs) most young people across the geo-political zones of the country are poised to cast their votes for the Presidential candidate of their choice in the forth-coming Presidential election.

    In the past, the country’s youths had displayed a somewhat nonchalant attitude towards elections and electoral processes. But today this attitude has changed for good. In fact, as we speak, the Nigerian youths are out in the streets, expressways and alleyways dancing, singing and demanding for electoral justice in the 2023 Presidential election. Apart from the Nigerian youths, other Nigerian voters from variegated bloodstream of Nigerian society are casting so much hope in the 2023 Presidential election. They perceive the election as the election which will bring positive change in Nigeria. Therefore INEC has no option but to conduct a free and fair Presidential election in February 2023. INEC must ensure that the will of the Nigerian people is reflected in the 2023 Presidential election. A very credible American election monitoring team which is based in Washington D.C that came to Nigeria in 2019 to monitor the 2019 Presidential election in Nigeria stated that candidate Atiku Abubarkar clearly won that election not candidate Muhammadu Buhari. Therefore INEC must not rig the forth-coming Presidential election in favour of the APC. The other day an APC chieftain was boasting that the APC would rule Nigeria for the next three decades. And President Buhari has said that he is eagerly looking forward to handing over power to another APC man in 2023.

    If President Buhari was/is the nominator and appointer/re-appointer of INEC chair Prof. Yakubu coupled to the fact Prof.Yakubu is not financially independent of the Presidency, it is not illogical to believe that Prof Yakubu would dance to Buhari’s tune. He who pays the piper calls the tune. Isn’t it ? Think carefully about what I am saying. Mind you, this is the first time the chair of our electoral body is coming from the same ethnic group as the President of Nigeria. For example, in 1979 Chief Michael Ani who was the chair of the then Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) did not come from the same ethnic group as the late President Shehu Shagari. Other successive electoral body bosses such as Prof. Eme Awa, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, Abel Guobadia, Maurice Iwu, Attahiru Jega did not come from the same ethnic group as the heads of government who appointed them. But today we have the chairman of INEC who does not only come from the same ethnic enclave as President Buhari but who was singularly handpicked and appointed the INEC Chairman by the same President Buhari. This is why the people are entertaining the fear that Prof Yakubu might manipulate the results of the Presidential election in favour of the APC. I tell people that Presidential Buhari would not want to commit a political suicide: he would not want to hand over power to a Peter Obi who, wittingly or unwittingly, would dismantle the Fulani oligarchical structures and corruption structures which he (Buhari) has been labouring to put in place in the last seven and half years.

    Granted that by virtue of the Electoral Act 2022, votes cast by voters can now be electronically transmitted. The new Electoral Act has given legal backing to INEC to deploy technology to enhance the credibility of the electoral process. This has given birth to the deployment of INEC Voter Enrollment Device (IVED), Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. But the aforesaid are not bulwark against election gerrymandering or manipulation. A technology operated by a fraudster can become a fraudster. So, notwithstanding the deployment of technology in the electoral process, INEC staffers can still rig the election in favour of any political party if they want.

    Of all the INEC officials, the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) are the most powerful and influential. The RECs are the representatives of INEC at the State level. The role of RECs is critical for the success of any election. The duties of the RECs include monitoring the activities of all INEC ad-hoc staff/RECs as well as providing for proper verification of election results. In fact, the INEC relies heavily on RECs verifications in authenticating the election results on the presupposition that RECs are people of unquestionable integrity.

    The pertinent question is: what are the names of the current RECs officiating in the 2023 elections? The coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) complain that some of the 19 RECs newly appointed for INEC by President Muhammadu Buhari are either card-carrying members of the ruling party or people who have been previously indicted for corruption. On their own part, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) also complain that the current national voters’ register has been adulterated with fake and foreign names. In response to the allegation, INEC says it is presently conducting a comprehensive Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) clean-up of the registration data by scrutinizing every record after which it would, in line with section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, appoint a period of seven days during which the register will be published for scrutiny by the public for objections and complaints”. While awaiting the publication of the register, INEC should also publish the names and designations of all the INEC’s RECs, INEC returning officers and staffers officiating in the 2023 elections to enable the public ascertain their background and antecedents. The allegation that some INEC’s RECs officiating in the 2023 elections are card-carrying members of the ruling party is a serious allegation which INEC should not just dismiss with a wave of the hand. Rather than dismiss the allegation, the onus is on INEC to rebut or counter the allegation with credible evidence, if any. INEC could even vouch for the character of the current RECs.

    It is not enough for INEC to say that it is capable of organizing free, fair and credible elections in 2023”: INEC must be seen from the outside by fair-minded and informed members by the public to be manifestly organizing, through its actions, utterances and behaviour, free, fair and credible elections. The rule against bias or likelihood of bias is predicated on the perception of the fair-minded and informed members of the public. The basis for the rule is to maintain public confidence in a public institution such as INEC. Therefore INEC cannot claim to be conducting a free and fair 2023 general election if the members of the public have lost confidence in INEC or are going about beating their chests and regretting that INEC is not impartial or “independent” as its name suggests.

  • Days of wanton manipulation of election results are over – INEC

    Days of wanton manipulation of election results are over – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says days of wanton manipulation of election results are over in Nigeria, as it has blocked all avenues for such.

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, INEC said this at a Stakeholder Roundtable on Election Result Management and the Launch of the Election Results Analysis Dashboard (ERAD) Report on Electronic Transmission of Results organised by Yiaga Africa in Abuja on Friday.

    He said that INEC recorded a breakthrough with the new Electoral Act, 2022, which empowered it to adopt electronic means for both accreditation and results management and this made it a legal requirement for INEC to transmit results electronically.

    According to him, the most critical technological tools introduced by the commission in recent times are the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal adding that while the former was a device, the latter was a web portal.

    He said the  BVAS was used for two principal purposes; to identify and accredit voters using two biometric modes: fingerprint and facial recognition, as well as capturing and uploading the image of the Polling Unit result form (Form EC8A), to the IReV portal.

    “Indeed, using the law, administrative measures and technology, the commission has drastically tackled major problems in result management in Nigerian elections.

    “Among the top ten of such problems are falsification of scores at Polling Units, falsification of number of accredited voters, collation of false results, mutilation of results and computational errors.

    “Others are swapping of result sheets, forging result sheets, snatching and destruction of result sheets, obtaining declaration and return involuntarily, making declaration and return while result collation is still in progress and poor recordkeeping.

    “It is clear that armed with an improved electoral act, administrative procedures and requisite technology, the Commission has increased the transparency and confidence of the public in its election result management processes,” he said.

    Yakubu added:“ I can confidently say that the days of wanton manipulation of elections results are over; yet, the commission is not resting on its oars.”

    He said that starting with the Nasarawa Central State Constituency by-election election, the IReV has been deployed in 105 election, involving 16,694,461 registered voters for five governorship, six Senatorial Districts, seven Federal Constituency, 18 State Constituency, six FCT Chairmanship and 62 FCT Councillorship elections.

    He said that a total of 32,985 results were successfully uploaded, giving an upload success rate of 99.13 per cent.

    “What this successful transmission of results demonstrates is that the concern about the capacity of the Commission to transmit results from all over the country may well be unfounded.’’

    He said that a total of 128,994 accounts have been opened by IReV users since it was launched two years ago August 2020.

    He said another technical concern for INEC was the repeated attempts to break through its cyber security system for the portal but it has always failed.

    Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, while presenting the ERAD Findings on Electronic Transmission of Election Results in the 2022 Ekiti and Osun Governorship Election, said there were four key roles for ERAD.

    According to Itodo, the Election Results Analysis Dashboard (ERAD) promotes transparency of election results management and support INEC by providing the public with access to election results from the polling unit in relative real-time.

    He added that it provided an independent audit and integrity test of INEC’s election results management system by tracking results from the polling units based on commission’s own published results among others.

    He said that Yiaga Africa while monitoring elections observed some things and recommended some pathways for improving the transparency of election result management .

    “INEC should invest in the training of polling unit officials, with a special focus on result transmission, ballot paper accounting as well as the capturing of polling unit results using the BVAS. It will address the capacity deficits resulting to upload of incorrect or incomplete forms and blurry images.

    “In addition to the transmission of polling unit level results, INEC should electronically transmit and publish the number of accredited voters on the IReV. This is in accordance with the Section 64(4) (5)(6) of the Electoral Act 2022.

    “INEC should deepen the transparency of the collation process, the Form EC8B, Ward collation result sheet should be uploaded on the IReV portal at the close of collation at the ward level. It will facilitate monitoring and tracking of the results collation process.

    “INEC should increase the Amazon Web Services (AWS) resources for storing the form EC8A or polling unit results in the AWS server. Increasing the bandwidth, RAM size and storage capacity of the server to improve the processing power of the IReV portal and ensure public access to results uploaded on the portal,” he said.

    Itodo urged the commission to discontinue new registrations or user account creation on the IReV portal 12 hours to election day, saying this will reduce the stress level on the IREV server on election day.

    He said the commission should review the features of the BVAS to improve picture quality and consider converting election results from PDF to jpeg and create options for varying quality for downloads similar to YouTube downloading options for easy downloads.

    He added that INEC should introduce a form like the Form E40G for reporting the cancellation of results at the polling unit, to avoid upload of documents not relevant to the IReV or handwritten letters.

  • Why political parties must study new Electoral Act very well – INEC Chairman

    Why political parties must study new Electoral Act very well – INEC Chairman

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu has charged political parties to study the new electoral act very well.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Prof Yakubu gave the charge on Wednesday while assuring Nigerians that all the winners in the 2023 General Election will be decided by eligible voters.

    Yakubu affirmed that the innovations introduced by the Commission in the last three years were intended to improve the electoral process just as he pledged that more will be done to consolidate recent achievements and ensure that votes count in all elections.

    The INEC Chairman was speaking while delivering a keynote address at the 4th Abubakar Momoh Memorial Lecture with the theme, “Electoral Act 2022: Imperatives for Political Parties and the 2023 General Election”, held at The Electoral Institute (TEI), Abuja.

    Represented by the Chairman of the Board of the TEI and National Commissioner, Prof Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, Prof. Yakubu tasked chairmen and members of political parties to study the provisions of the New Electoral Act passed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in February 2022.

    He tasked the political parties to be committed to ensuring that the 2023 General election is devoid of deliberate infractions to the Electoral Act, by allowing the electoral process to run smoothly, engender a rich democratic culture and produce an acceptable election outcome.

    On the need for political parties to understand the provisions of the new Electoral Act, Prof. Yakubu said, “as the 2023 general election draws near, it is imperative for all stakeholders, especially the political parties, to note the major features introduced by the new Electoral Act 2022 and the possible implications of these changes on the upcoming elections. The happenings that accompanied the recent party primaries attest to this”.

    He added: “These changes include amongst others, the conduct of early party primaries by political parties, technological changes in the electoral process, the Commission’s power to review the decision of a Returning Officer and overvoting based on the number of accredited voters. These initiatives, as contained in the law, served as the bedrock for the reviewed Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, released by the Commission earlier this year. This in turn dictated the review of the Manual for Election Officials (2022)”.

    Speaking on the legal backing the new Electoral Act gives INEC’s technological innovations, the INEC Chairman said; “Let me draw your attention to the fact that the use of electronic devices, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED), INEC Result Viewing Portal (IRev) and other technological devices, are now legally allowed in the accreditation process for voters, collation of results and in the general conduct of elections”.

    He continued: “Please be assured that these innovations are intended to deepen the use of technology in the electoral process in our country and their optimal performance in the just concluded governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States is an eloquent testimony to their electoral value. We shall do more to consolidate their deployment in our elections. Once again, I wish to assure you that INEC has no preferred party or candidate. We shall ensure that valid votes count and the winners are decided solely by the voters.”

    The INEC Chairman said the Commission was determined to apply the provisions of the new Electoral Act in its resolve to conduct a free, fair, credible, inclusive, and transparent general election in February and March 2023, without fear or favour.

    He explained that the Prof. Abubakar Momoh Memorial Lecture was a platform established by the Commission to project the ideals of a social activist and an advocate of citizens’ involvement in elections and nation building.

    In his welcome remarks, the Director General (DG) of TEI, Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, said the theme of the lecture was carefully chosen considering the necessity and requirements for conducting the 2023 General Elections under a new law and its implications for not only the Commission, but the 18 Political Parties that will be fielding candidates for the various elective offices in the General Electionin particular.

    Dr. Idris said: “the unfortunate preponderance of many legal cases arising even from the pre-election period up till after the conduct of the elections, indeed have at many times brought a lot of challenges to the electoral process and our country’s political development at large.

    “It is hoped that with this lecture and training for party executives, due influence can be brought to bear and reduce the swift race to the courts that has characterized our political space in the last 10 years”.

    The TEI DG expressed optimism that the memorial lecture will interrogate the relationship between the new Act and the roles of all stakeholders, particularly the Commission, the 18 Political Parties and 2023 General Elections and suggest ways of conducting free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections without unnecessary litigations that could be drawbacks to the election.

    In his presentation, the Guest Lecturer, Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), highlighted the new modifications in the 2022 Electoral Act and their implications to the Election management Body and Political Parties.

    He harped on the need for internal party democracy, pointing out that “the Supreme Court has decided in several cases that political parties must obey their own constitutions as the court will not allow them to act arbitrarily or as they like.”

    The Guest Speaker ended his lecture with a food for thought for the political actors. He said: “Politics is not anarchy; it is not disorderliness; it must be punctuated by justice, fairness and orderliness.”

    The wife of the late DG of TEI, Prof. Abubakar Momoh, in whose memory the Lecture was held, appreciated the Commission for the gesture of honoring her late husband 5 years after his demise.

    Mrs. Tawa Momoh, in her goodwill message, said it was a great honour to the family to see Prof. Momoh’s legacies being sustained by the Commission.

    There was also a Training for Political Party Executives on Critical Components of the Electoral Act 2022, immediately after the lecture ended.

    Those who attended the lecture include: National Commissioners; Festus Okoye Esq, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, Dr. Baba Bila, Mal. Mohammed Kudu Haruna, and Prof. Kunle Ajayi.

    Also present were representatives of Civil Society Organizations, the Security, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for FCT, Alh. Yahaya Bello, and Technical Aides of the INEC Chairman; Prof. Bolade Eyinla, Prof. Mohammed J. Kuna, and Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, as well as Directors and other management staff of the Commission.

  • INEC promises to deliver best-ever general elections in 2023

    INEC promises to deliver best-ever general elections in 2023

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised to deliver the best ever general elections in Nigeria in 2023.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that INEC’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made the promise when he received delegations of the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Abuja.

    He said the meeting was the first that INEC was hosting after Saturday’s governorship election in Osun and assured that it would improve on its successes in subsequent elections.

    “We are encouraged by your kind words, but there is still a lot of work to do.

    “We assure you that we will continue to work not only hard but even harder to deliver the 2023 general elections.

    “I have listened to some of the issues raised but perhaps, when we go into the working session there will be an opportunity for us to respond to some of the issues,’’ he told the delegations.

    Prof. Yakubu also spoke about the governorship elections held in Ekiti in June and that of Osun held on Saturday.

    “As for the preparation for the 2023 general elections, I want to assure you that we promised Nigerians that Ekiti was going to be good and Ekiti was a good election.

    “We promised that Osun was going to be better, Osun was a better election. We are promising that the 2023 general elections will be our best election ever and we are committed to delivering best election ever,’’ he said.

    Earlier, Mr Frank LaRose, Secretary of State for Ohio, U.S.A and leader of the delegations, commended INEC on its various efforts at improving on the conduct of elections in Nigeria.

    LaRose, who is an election commissioner in the State of Ohio, described his first visit to Nigeria as a great learning opportunity. He urged INEC to keep improving on Nigeria’s electoral system.

    “I lead a delegation of high level election experts from around the region, as well as from the United States.

    “These are delegations who share with you the common belief that the people of Nigeria deserve to continue to have free, fair, and acceptable elections, so we are working to prepare for the presidential election in 2023.

    “We took the opportunity to visit Osun because that was only the second time election has been conducted under the new Electoral Law.

    “We met with the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun and we observed many different polling locations on Election Day.

    “First, I want to commend you all for the on-going work that you do to continue to improve. We always know there is room to get better.

    “We, however, need to first recognise the continuous improvement that INEC has made to deliver safe elections; and that is something that we were able to see first-hand,’’ LaRose said.

  • INEC Chairman says voters registration will be extended

    INEC Chairman says voters registration will be extended

    Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise would be extended.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Prof Yakubu made this known on Saturday, stressing that the CVR exercise will not end on June 30th.

    Yakubu said this at the YouthVoteCount2 concert that was held at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja.

    “The second thing you want to know is when will this registration end? Is it going to end on the 30th of June, in the next five days?

    “On behalf of INEC, let me assure you, e no go end for 30th June for as long as we have you people trying to register to obtain your PVC, we will continue to register you and we will continue to make sure that you get your PVC,” Yakubu said.

    Meanwhile, a court had during the week stopped INEC from ending the registration exercise.

  • If you vote, it will count – INEC assures Nigerian youths

    If you vote, it will count – INEC assures Nigerian youths

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerian youths that if they get their permanent voter’s cards (PVCs) and vote in the coming elections, their votes would count.

    INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu gave the assurance on Saturday, the final day of the ‘Youth Vote Count 2.0’ mega concert it organised in Lagos.

    According to Yakubu, “We have heard your requests loud and clear. You will soon hear from us on extension of CVR registration.

    “Please, assure me that you will register, pick your PVCs and vote. I also assure you that your vote will count.”

    The concert, held at Tafawa Balewa Square, is part of INEC’s awareness campaign to mobilise youths for the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

    The concert had popular stars, such as Omawunmi and Waje, performing.

    The campaign was in collaboration with the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) and the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA).

  • INEC boss, Mahmood Yakubu reveals problems confronting Nigeria’s democracy

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has raised an alarm about money politics threatening Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Yakubu expressed fear that democracy being practiced in the country may soon become a government for the rich rather than a democracy for the people of the country.

    He spoke at an event organized by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in collaboration with the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Yakubu further explains that other problems confronting the country ahead of the 2023 general elections are insecurity, fake news and money politics.

    “My third area of concern is the influence of money on politics and is becoming more present and the risk is that ours may soon become a plutocracy for the rich rather than a democracy for the people.

    “The way money is exchanging hands is a source of concern, yes, we’ve collaborated with ICPC and the EFCC and only recently, we renewed our collaboration with the EFCC, saying that we’re going to do something together.

    “However, there are two dimensions to it, when you’ve willing connectors it becomes a bit more difficult to contain the situation.

    “On the one hand, you’ve brilliant examples, we all saw this on the social media in Anambra when there was an attempt to bribe voters and the women refused to accept the money and voted their conscience.” He said

  • Continuous Voter Registration closes by June 30 – INEC

    Continuous Voter Registration closes by June 30 – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will end on June 30.

    The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in his remarks at the Commission’s quarterly meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the INEC would suspend online pre-registration by May 30.

    “Both the online pre-registration as well as the physical registration at designated centres are taking place simultaneously.

    “However, online pre-registrants would require time to schedule appointments to complete their registration physically at designated centers.

    “For this reason, the Commission has decided to suspend the online registration in the next three weeks, that is May 30.

    “This will enable the online registrants to complete their registration physically at the designated centres before the exercise is suspended on June 30.

    “This will enable the Commission to clean up the registration data, print the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and compile the register ahead of the 2023 General Election,” Yakubu said.

    The INEC Chairman also disclosed that the commission would by next week finalise the regulations and guidelines for the conduct of future elections.

    These, according to Yakubu include the forthcoming Ekiti and Osun Governorship elections as well as the 2023 General Election.

    “There are many progressive provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, which require clear understanding to guide implementation.

    “One of such provisions is the electronic transmission of election results. At this meeting, we will discuss the implementation of the provisions of Sections 60, 62 and 64 of the Electoral Act 2022 regarding the management of election results.

    “We have prepared a document for discussion which is included in your folders for this meeting,” he said

    On election technology, Yakubu said that INEC had reviewed the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) following complaints received after the recent Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) held on Feb. 12 and six by-elections in four States across four geo-political zones.

    He said that in the by-elections, the BVAS functioned optimally as attested to by the reports field observers accredited by the Commission.

    “The lessons learnt from the most recent by-elections have been taken into consideration as we prepare for the forthcoming Ekiti and Osun State Governorship elections.

    “The Commission has just finished the configuration of the BVAS for the Ekiti State Governorship election.

    “We will also undertake a mock voter accreditation exercise in Ekiti State ahead of the main election on June 18, the details of which will be announced shortly,” Yakubu said.

    Speaking on behalf of the CSOs, Ene Obi urged INEC to stick to its timetable and schedule of activities for 2023 general elections against the call for two months extension for deadline for conduct of primaries being demanded by registered political parties.

    Obi urged INEC to ensure that its BVAS function optimally in the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as 2023 general elections.

    She also urged INEC to ensure there were improvement on previous elections in the conduct of the forthcoming elections.

    “If you can conduct in Anambra you can conduct election in Anywhere in the world, not just in Nigeria. Let Osun be an improvement on Ekiti. Transparency and accountability is the key.”

    Obi stressed the need for more sensitisation of voters in Ekiti and Osun State for eligible voters in the states to discourage voter apathy and encourage them to come out en mass during the states governorship elections.

    She urged security agencies to improve on the professionalism they exhibited in Anambra and previous elections.

    Obi called on EFCC to investigate the source of income of those buying parties nomination forms at exorbitant price, when many Nigerians were living in poverty.