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Tag: Mike Igini

  • AKWA IBOM: INEC organizes farewell ceremony for its REC, Barrister Mike Igini

    AKWA IBOM: INEC organizes farewell ceremony for its REC, Barrister Mike Igini

    Management of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom State has announced a farewell ceremony for its outgoing Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barrister Mike Igini.

    In a statement by the State’s INEC Admin Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbodu, the event would hold on August 12 at 10:00 am as the State’s electoral stakeholders are invited to grace the occasion.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the farewell ceremony will be held at Ibom Hall, IBB Avenue, Uyo area of Akwa Ibom State.

    His second term as INEC REC elapses on August 15, 2022. The REC would be remembered for ensuring that nobody successfully rigged election under his watch.

    Igini, who was a former union leader during his university days, had revealed that INEC has developed robust tracking systems to monitor elections.

    See invitation below:

    AKWA IBOM: INEC organizes farewell ceremony for its REC, Barrister Mike Igini

     

  • BREAKING: Ayade not eligible to run for Senate in 2023 – INEC

    BREAKING: Ayade not eligible to run for Senate in 2023 – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the incumbent Governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade is not eligible to run for Senate in the 2023 general elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mike Igini, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) made this known when he featured on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme.

    According to Igini, the APC ought to have at least notified INEC 21 days before conducting her primary as stipulated in the electoral act 2022, and before conducting her re-run but the memo was only served on the 6th and the election was conducted on the 13th of July, which is against the commission’s guidelines.

    “Secondly, only death is statutory for the substitution of candidates as INEC has no room for placeholders in the electoral act,” the INEC’s REC argued.

    TNG reports Governor Ayade last Thursday emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Cross River North Seat at the National Assembly for the 2023 poll.

    Ayade, who emerged unopposed, was elected at a fresh primary election at the Ogoja Local Government Area (LGA) of the State. The election followed the voluntary withdrawal of Mr Martins Orim, who won the ticket at the May 28 primaries.

    Mrs Sameera Tabo, Chairperson of the APC Primary Election Committee for Cross River North declared the Governor winner with 252 votes. The total votes cast was 255, while three votes were invalidated.

    According to Tabo, following Orim’s withdrawal, the fresh primary election was to ensure that the party fielded a candidate for Cross River North under the provisions of the Electoral Act.

    In his acceptance speech, Ayade expressed gratitude to the delegates for electing him. He said that after running for the office of the president of Nigeria, he returned home and then came under pressure from his people to contest for Senate.

    “They said I did very well when I was a Senator from 2011 to 2015 and insisted I go back; today I have answered their call. Of course, they recognised that this country requires a legislator that has both executive and legislative experience.

    “I am very experienced, I know the challenges of our people and possess the essential elements that will help us make the appropriate laws and legislation that will change the narrative of our people,” he said.

    The governor said he was well equipped for the senate and would bring his wealth of experience to bear in the upper legislative chamber if elected.

    Meanwhile, speaking further, Igini stressed that it is an offence under the electoral act 2022 for politicians to obtain multiple nomination forms.

    “A person who signs a nomination paper or result form as a candidate in more than one constituency at the same election [commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum term of imprisonment for two years],” section 115 (D) of the electoral act 2022 reads.

    Igini said by “constituency”, the electoral act 2022 refers to separate elections whether it is presidential, governorship, senatorial, the house of representatives or that of the state assembly.

    He said any candidate who runs afoul of this law is liable to be jailed for two years, and that section 115 (3) even states that any attempt to obtain multiple forms is an offence.

    “Section 115 (D) of the 2022 electoral act stipulates that no person shall sign, obtain more than one form as a candidate for different elections,” he said.

    “And the offence for that under subsection K, beyond the financial, he will go two years’ imprisonment.

    “Some people are claiming that they participated in one election, that they filled two forms; it’s ignorance of the law and it’s not an excuse.

    “We are preventing them from being candidates for prison and they are calling our names everywhere.

    “There are many candidates that have done this. INEC can only point you in that direction; that’s what we can do.

    “People walk their way to prison when they say that they bought two forms. Section 115 (D) prohibits that.

    “In fact, subsection 3 of 115 says that even that attempt itself will be treated as the offence.

    “If you bought two forms for different constituencies at the same time as a candidate. If they bought two forms like we have been hearing, they have run afoul of the law already.

    “Because a state assembly election is a constituency, house of representatives is a constituency, senatorial is a constituency, governorship is a constituency, presidential is one constituency.”

    Igini had insisted that INEC did not monitor the primaries that produced Godswill Akpabio, former governor of Akwa Ibom, as the senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom north-west.

    Akpabio had contested the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), but he withdrew from the race on June 7, and asked his supporters to back Bola Tinubu, former Lagos governor.

    Prior to the presidential primary election, on May 27, Udom Ekpoudom, former deputy inspector-general of police (DIG), had won the primary election organised for the Akwa Ibom north-west senatorial ticket.

    However, a parallel primary election was conducted that was won by Ekperikpe Ekpo, but which was later cancelled over irregularities, while a rerun was conducted on June 8, with Akpabio declared as the winner of the exercise.

    Ahmad Lawan, senate president, after losing the APC presidential ticket reportedly asked Bashir Machina, winner of the Yobe North senatorial primary election, to relinquish the ticket.

  • South-South APC wants Akwa Ibom REC to resign or be removed

    The APC in the South – South geopolitical zone of Nigeria wants the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Akwa Ibom State to resign or be sacked.

    The party’s Zonal Organising Secretary, Dr. Blessing Agbomhere stated this on Tuesday in a press statement.

    Dr Agbomhere said the REC, Mr. Mike Igini’s comments and role in the controversial governorship and senatorial primaries were not befitting of someone highly placed.

    Agbomhere accused Igini of being ‘biased and partial’, adding that his conduct gave him away as a man who was ‘indebted, compromised, and running higgledy-piggledy to appeal to his pay-master.”

    Related Story: 3 more APC senators resign from party

    Udum Ekpoudum remains APC candidate for Akwa Ibom North, not Akpabio; INEC says

    “My attention has been drawn to the vituperation and grandstanding by the Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mike Igini, regarding the governorship and senatorial primary elections for the Akwa Ibom State.

    As far as the APC primary elections in Akwa Ibom states is concerned, the role played by Mike Igini so far is biased, partial and reasonably shows the act of a man who is indebted, compromised, and running higgledy-piggledy to appeal to his pay-master,” he said.

    Continuing, the APC chieftain stressed that it was up to the members of the APC, not Igini, to dispute the primary election that produced the candidates forwarded by the party.

    This is even as he warned that if Igini had an axe to grind with former Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio, he should not drag other party members into their feud.

    Parties who participate in primary elections and are members of a political party are in the best position to disagree over the outcome of an election, not INEC. It is not in the place of Igini to dispute the election, except he is a member of the APC and a contestant in the said primary election.

    “Let me further emphasise that it is the duty of the political party to send names of their candidates to INEC and not Igini. If Igini has personal issues with Senator Godswill Akpabio, he should avail himself of a different forum to sort the issues out with him, as we will not allow him to stand as an impediment to the imminent victory of the APC in Akwa Ibom and the South-South of Nigeria. And having done what he has done, Igini is no longer fit to be INEC Resident Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State.

    “I, therefore, call on Igini to, without further delay, resign his position as Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State. In the event that Igini refuses to resign, I call on the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to sack Igini without hesitation in order to ensure that the political atmosphere in Akwa Ibom State does not degenerate into anarchy and the reputation of INEC is not reduced to that of a mad man, who has no shame or nothing to protect,” he charged.

  • Why did you do this, Igini questions Odumakin’s death

    Why did you do this, Igini questions Odumakin’s death

    Mike A. Igini, Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom State has described the death of Yinka Odumakin as a rude shock of monumental proportions.

    Igini, in a statement, stated Odumakin is an embodiment of commitment to the success of the Nigerian project and that he demonstrated it with integrity.

    The statement reads: “The news of the death of Patriot Yinka Odumakin came to me today as a rude shock of monumental proportion.

    “Comrade Yinka Odumakin’s death is not only a personal irreplaceable loss but a huge loss to the Nation.

    “Death! Why did you do this to us at the most trying and difficult moments in our country?

    “Odumakin is an embodiment of commitment to the success of the Nigerian project and demonstrated it with integrity during epochal events such as the Save Nigeria Project and the call for electoral reforms, where he exhibited how human agency can make or mar the destiny of a nation.

    “We cannot question God but the death of Yinka Odumakin is a painful reality. No words can sufficiently console us of his loss and the pains of his passing.

    “My family joins his beloved wife Comrade. Dr.Joe Okei-Odumakin, his family and the entire nation in grief over the loss of a Patriot.

    “He never betrayed the values and principles of the common good but rather demonstrated the courage of conviction to remain true to them.

    “He did his best, he gave his all to have a society where there will be opportunity for all and responsibility from all.

    “By his commitment to the enthronement of equity, fairness and justice to all, he engrafted enduring values of love and equity in the hearts of all.

    “Yinka Odumakin will live in our hearts for all times. Rest in peace until we meet again”.

  • Edo poll: INEC REC drags APC chairman to court, demands N10bn

    Edo poll: INEC REC drags APC chairman to court, demands N10bn

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), in charge of Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, has dragged the factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Edo State, David Imuse and the chairman of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu campaign council in the September 20 governorship election in the state, John Mayaki, before a Benin City High Court, demanding the sum of N10 billion over alleged libel.

    Igini, in a separate writ of summons with the suit numbers B/555/2020 and B/556/2020, filed on Monday, by Barrister Edwin Okonedo, on behalf of his counsel Clement Onwuenwunor, demanded the sum of N5 billion as aggravated damages each from the APC factional chairman and John Mayaki respectively.

    Also joined in the suit as co-defendants are Vanguard Media Limited, African Newspaper of Nigeria Plc, publisher of Nigerian Tribune and the Sun Publishing Limited.

    Igini also demanded for a full page unreserved apology to be published by the duo in every edition of the Punch Newspapers, Tribune, Guardian and Sun Newspapers for seven consecutive times, commencing not later than seven days after the judgement of the case.

    He also prayed the court for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, privies and or servants howsoever called from further publishing same or similar words defamatory against him.

    According to the REC, on August 30, 2020, during the just concluded governorship election campaigns, the APC factional chairman and chairman, Edo State APC Media Campaign Council, addressed journalists at a press conference titled, “Press conference on Governor Godwin Obaseki’s criminal attempt to infiltrate INEC officers like Mr. Mike Igini” in Auchi in Etsako West local government area.

    Igini averred that the press conference which was published in the three national newspapers with different headlines such as: “APC accuses Akwa Ibom REC, Igini of meeting Obaseki secretly, and INEC REC, Igini, plotting with Obaseki to rig election – APC”, was malicious, reckless, mischievous and with intent to destroy his hard-earned reputation.

    “The publications have dented the image of the claimant and people who erstwhile held the claimant in high esteem, have lost confidence in him and now avoid him.

    “The claimant states that the defendants’ publications complained of have greatly injured his credit, character, reputation, electoral impartiality and has been brought into hatred, ridicule, odium and contempt of the right thinking members of the society.

    “The claimant states that in consequence of the defendants’ published words, the claimant has been subjected to continuous ridicule and his global electoral integrity as an umpire has been adversely affected and could not be considered for special assignments in Edo State for the 2020 governorship elections like his other colleagues,” he averred.

    While denying all the allegations leveled against him at the press conference, Igini however added that he stopped over at Protea Hotel, Benin City on August 24, 2020, for refreshments in company of his two other colleagues on his way to Delta state for a burial ceremony.

    He opined that the suit becomes necessary, following the failure of the factional chairman of APC to comply with his protest letter dated August 31, 2020, demanding for the retraction of the said publications.

    He said he has the permission of the authorities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to go ahead with the suit to clear his name.

  • I have fulfilled my promise to people of A’Ibom, says REC

    The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom, Mr Mike Igini, says he has delivered on his promise on prompt commencement of voting in the governorship and house of assembly elections in Akwa Ibom.

    Igini made the announcement while inspecting polling stations at some wards in the state on Saturday.

    Igini made the pledge against the backdrop of the delayed kick off of voting during the presidential and national assembly elections in the state on Feb. 23.

    “We are happy that our promise to serve the people in the manner we want to serve them is going on smoothly,” he asserted.

    Igini said that polling officials were on ground since 5 a.m., waiting for voters and not voters waiting for polling officials.

    “This is the promise we gave to the people of the state that today’s governorship and state assembly elections will be prompt and that polling officials alongside materials will be waiting for voters.

    “This is what we have done across the state.”

    He pleaded with voters to eschew violence and to behave orderly so that they could cast their votes at polling stations across the state without any problem.

    “Let us shame those who predicted violence in Akwa Ibom State and show them that we can get it right in a peaceful manner,” he said.

    Party officials were orderly and that voters conducted themselves peacefully at most polling stations visited.

     

  • CUPP, IPAC condemn calls for re-deployment of A’Ibom REC

    The Coalition of Political Parties in Akwa Ibom has condemned calls by opposition parties for the redeployment of the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Mike Igini.

    The group under the aegis of Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and the conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), said this while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Uyo.

    The parties said that the opposition in the state never raised concerns about the REC’s integrity but only resorted to blackmail when attempts to make him compromise failed.

    “We are however, worried that the opposition just like other parties should be glad that there is an umpire in Igini’s mould who is committed to ensuring credible, free and fair elections.

    “By seeking ways of multiplying such reputation in the commission rather than working to have him conform especially in this era when Nigerians have grown an all-time-high electoral consciousness,’’ the parties said.

    Mr Aniebiet Emmanuel, State chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) said that the protest staged by the opposition in the state was an attempt to blackmail the electoral umpire.

    He said that the parties and their governorship candidates had resolved to defend the nation’s democracy and principles of free choice by ensuring that nothing untoward was imported into the conduct of the forthcoming elections in Akwa Ibom.

    According to them, they have promised to abide by the rules of engagement and would oppose and frustrate every plot aimed at derailing the peaceful conduct of the 2019 polls in the state.

     

  • Political parties in A’Ibom demand removal of REC

    The Forum of All Political Parties in Akwa Ibom has called for the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr Mike Igini.

    The forum accused the REC of working for the interest of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and therefore would not be able to conduct fair, free and credible elections.

    Addressing a press conference in Uyo on Tuesday, the forum Chairman, Mr Kingsley Akaiso of FRESH Party said INEC should remove Igini so as to restore confidence in its ability to hold free, fair and acceptable elections.

    “We have had cause in the immediate past to call attention to the failure of the INEC leadership in the state to inspire the confidence of all parties in the political process by reason of the actions of the Commission and the utterances of its leaders.

    “INEC has betrayed unbridled partisanship through the selection of its adhoc staff, some of whom are drawn from the employees of the commission, contrary to extant practices and institutional requirements.

    “Through connivance with the state government, all the adhoc staff of the Commission is made up of loyal members and supporters of the PDP.

    “In addition, the commission has acted as though it is part of the Government House in Uyo.

    “In spite of our representations to the Head Office of the Commission in Abuja, nothing has been done to allay our concern that the INEC office in Akwa Ibom State is not a fair umpire and cannot deliver a free, fair and transparent election because it is partisan and in bed with the ruling PDP government in the state.

    “This anomaly must be addressed,” the forum said.

    Recall that the All Progressives Congress (APC) youths in the state had also called for the redeployment of the REC.

    In his reaction, Igini debunked the allegations, insisting that the commission had been non partisan, fair and unbiased in its dealings with all political parties.

    He denied that the recruitment of adhoc staff was done in collusion with the state government.

    “This is untrue, totally inaccurate and wholly incorrect because poll officials of various category and the institutions from where they are sourced are well known to the Nigerian people.”

    According to him, apart from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, other election officials were drawn from federal agencies including the University of Uyo.

    “They are civil servants and by the law of the land, civil servants are not card
    carrying members of any political party.

    “In any case, the list of the collation officers were sent from the headquarters. Why would someone make up this kind of allegation,” Igini said.

     

  • Gov. Udom, 36 Governorship Candidates sign Peace Accord in Akwa Ibom

    Thirty seven governorship candidates in Akwa Ibom on Wednesday signed peace accord to ensure peaceful conduct of the forthcoming election in the state.

    The event was organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for candidates seeking elective positions in the general election in the state.

    INEC Residential Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr Mike Igini said during the event in Uyo, that the accord would help the commission to conduct free, fair, credible and non-violent election.

    He said the spirit of the accord should reflect in the lives of politicians and candidates in the state.

    “For us it is a great one to have all candidates and political parties signing the peace accord.

    “The fact that we are talking of peace accord, is an indicative of the kind of people that we have,” he said.

    Igini said the commission would stand tall and mighty to defend democracy and rule of law, adding that democracy cannot be completed without rule of law.

    According to him, election period is not a period that people will be talking about violence.

    Igini noted that the commission would not use incidence form during the general election in the state.

    He said accreditation of voters would be done with card reader machines and voters’ register.

    Igini advised political parties and candidates to nominate agents that would assist in the election procedure as set out by the Electoral Act and INEC.

    He reminded voters that the commission had banned the use of mobile phones within polling units to check vote buying.

    He appealed to politicians to be peaceful and assured that INEC would be an unbiased umpire.

    Also speaking, ACP Augustine Aruk, the Chairman of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), said the police were determined to ensure that elections are conducted in a peaceful in manner.

    “It is our role to protect electoral materials, personnel and this time security agencies are very ready for the general election.

    “We are aware of our role during the election to provide security to all sundry,” he said.

    Aruk said security agencies had been trained for the general election in the state.

    Former governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah commended INEC for bringing the parties together to sign the accord.

    He, however, stressed that a collation process devoid of manipulations would go a long way to ensure free, fair, credible and violence free election.

    Attah called on politicians to conduct themselves in a manner that would not mare the election.