The Independent National Electoral Commission has advised political parties and their candidates to adhere to electoral timetable on commencement of election campaigns ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the advice at a workshop for election professionals from the Commonwealth Africa Region on Monday in Abuja.
Yakubu reminded remind political parties and candidates that the end of primaries did not mean the immediate commencement of campaigns.
“Section 99(1) prohibits campaigns by political parties earlier than 90 days before polling day.
“Therefore, going by the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities issued by the Commission, campaign for Presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on November 18.
“Campaign for Governorship and State Assembly elections begin on December 1.
“I call upon political parties and candidates to strictly adhere to these dates,’’ he said
Yakubu said that with the conclusion of primaries by political parties yesterday, the next activity was the commencement of the process of nomination of candidates to the commission.
He reminded political parties that the dates for the submission of list of candidates (Form CFOO2) and their personal particulars (Forms C1001) for presidential and National Assembly elections were from October 10 to October 18.
Yakubu added that the date for the governorship and State Assembly elections was October 22 and November 2.
“The commission will receive the submission from political parties at Aso Hall of the International Conference Centre, Abuja, from 9.a.m to 4.p.m. daily.
“Although we have communicated these dates to all political parties, let me reiterate that there will be no extension of time.
“Similarly, in making submissions to the commission, the covering letters as well as the list of candidates must be duly signed by the National Chairmen and National Secretaries of political patties in line with the commission’s Guidelines.’’
Yakubu said that the workshop and its theme “Strengthening Electoral Democracy in the Commonwealth African Region” were topical and relevant.
He said that all the countries of the Commonwealth, Africa region, needed to further consolidate on election process so that elections were not merely periodic but also peaceful and credible.
“Bringing election managers together to share experiences and build capacities is a critical step to the consolidation of electoral democracy.’’
Yakubu said that participants would be taken through five interrelated sub-themes; ranging from the promotion of sustainable electoral democracy, strategic planning, gender and elections, electoral technology to elections and new media.
He said that hosting it in Nigeria was an indication that the Commonwealth was taking notice of the progressive improvement in the country electoral process.
The workshop participants are from all the 19 Commonwealth countries in Africa except Mozambique which is scheduled to hold its Municipal elections on October 10.
Ghana National Electoral Commission’s Chairman, AbdulRasheed Bawa in his remark, said that the conduct of elections would always bring out new challenges.
He said that the workshop would enable electoral officers in the region to proffer solutions to their various electoral challenges.
Bawa urged all electoral managers to be resolute in the discharge of their national duties, adding that the impact of poorly conducted election would not be felt in the country where it took place.
INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye said the event came at a period when INEC was at the middle of organising general elections.
Okoye said the gathering comprised those that organised elections in their respective countries.
He added that looking at challenges and sharing ideas in the Commonwealth African countries would give the commission firsthand knowledge on how things were been done.
“If election professionals do their work well, elections will begin to have credibility,” he said.
Tag: Political Parties
-
2019: INEC warns political parties against ignoring election timetable
-
Breaking: INEC presents certificates to 23 new political parties
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Thursday presented certificates of registration to 23 newly registered political parties.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the INEC Boss presented the certificates to the newly registered political parties at the Commission’s conference hall in Abuja.
The registration of the 23 new political parties brings to 91 the total number of political parties in the country.
Meanwhile, the Commission had extended deadline for continuous voters registration to 31st August.
The commission initially said it would suspend the exercise on August 17 until after the 2019 general elections.
“The exercise will continue in all the designated registration centres every day, including weekends, but excluding public holidays, between 9am and 5pm,” the Commission stated.
The Commission further informed that the ongoing collection of permanent voters card (PVCs) will not end with the CVR exercise.
“Collection of PVCs will continue until close to the general elections,” the Commission said.
-
2019: Catholic Bishops caution members against endorsing politicians, political parties
As the 2019 election year approaches, Catholic Bishops in Nigeria under the aegis of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has warned Catholics in Nigeria against supporting any person for a public office.
This came in a statement by the cleric on Tuesday after where it also cautioned that ecclesiastical properties should not be used as a platform to support any political candidate or party.
“We, the members of the CBCN, as teachers of the faith and morals do have the serious obligation to educate our faithful on their role in the political life of the country,” the statement read in part.
“We have observed that the political atmosphere is very tense and also noticed the political realignments that are taking place.
“Some politicians are changing political parties and urging their supporters to switch over their support to their new parties as well.”
The statement added that “Given this development, we wish to use this opportunity to make it clear that the Catholic Church remains ever apolitical and does not endorse or subscribe to any political party.
“Consequently, we hereby declare that no Catholic clergy or laity should publicly endorse any candidate for political office. Liturgical ceremonies must never be used as an opportunity for political campaigns.
“Similarly, ecclesiastical properties should not be used as places for support for any political candidate or party.
“All priests and laity should avoid giving the impression that the church favours one candidate over another or one political party over another.
“These are difficult times in the history of Nigeria. As people of faith, we must work hard and also pray hard for the future of Nigeria.”
-
2019: Agbakoba-led NIM denies coalition with PDP, to merge with 15 new political parties
The Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM), being spearheaded by a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), and other notable Nigerians has distanced itself from the recent merger by some political parties with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a bid to oust the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.
The group noted that it is concluding plans to make fresh merger moves with 15 political parties and groups ahead of the 2019 general elections.
In a statement on Tuesday by its Secretary, Olubori Obafemi, NIM, which has a former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke, as a member, said its ultimate aim was to dislodge the All Progressives Congress’ President Muhammadu Buhari from Aso Rock next year.
NIM clarified that neither it nor former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Coalition for Nigeria Movement spearheaded the grand alignments that gave birth to the Coalition of United Political Parties two weeks ago.
NIM said it was being calculated in its move, seeing how electoral alliances in Nigeria had, over the years, proved to be futile.
Olufemi said, “Nigeria’s political history is clearly replete with failures of the electoral alliance, especially as it concerns adopting common platforms or candidates of past alliances at the critical point of elections.
“It is to that extent that the National Secretariat of NIM was mandated in June to embark on a national consultation with leaders of political parties for the purpose of exploring the prospects of initiating a formidable alliance or merger of frontline political parties as well as groups that have yet to apply for registration with INEC or those with pending registration towards an understanding for a fusion into a common political platform for the 2019 elections in order to enable the required cohesion for ousting the ruling political platform in Nigeria.”
Olufemi said the final stage of NIM’s merger was being driven by its leaders – Agbakoba, Duke, Buba Galadima, Ghali Na’Abba, Col. Umar Dangiwa, Dr Abdujalil Tafawa-Balewa, Senator Datti Baba Ahmed, Dr John Darah, Dr Olu Agunloye, Mallam Isa Ozi Salami “among other credible leaders of the fresh breed of political movement in Nigeria.”
-
2019: We may register more political parties – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will continue to register any association that meets the legal requirements for registration as political party ahead of 2019 general elections.
The Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.
Yakubu, however, said that any party registered six months to the general elections would not be allowed to participate in the elections.
“Once associations meet the legal requirements as political parties, the commission is under obligation to register them, but the law also provides for a period of six months to general elections.
“It states that any association registered as a political party six months to the election cannot participate in the general elections.
“We have 68 political parties at the moment. As at last week, we had received applications from 130 associations for registration as political parties.
“So, we will continue to register political parties based on the position of the law.’’
He noted that as part of its duties, the commission would do what the law required of it, saying “if we don’t, they will go to the court and the court will order the commission to register them as political parties.
“But, we will not allow the commission to be dragged to court over a matter which we have responsibility under the law. So, we will continue to do the needful.’’
On why INEC was yet to conduct bye-election to fill vacancies created by death of some lawmakers, Mr Yakubu said the commission was yet to receive notification of those vacancies.
He said that while INEC had the responsibility to conduct bye-elections to fill vacancies in National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly, it had to be notified of such vacancies.
At the moment there are three vacancies in the National Assembly and two in House of Assembly of two states.
The Senate lost Ali Wakili (Bauchi South) in March and Mustapha Bukar (Kastina North) in April while House of Representatives lost Buba Jubril (Lokoja/Koto Constituency), Kogi.
Taraba House of Assembly lost Hosea Ibi (Takun I Constituency) in January and Stephen Ukpukpen of Obudu I Constituency, Cross River House of Assembly died in March.
Yakubu said the procedure for bye-election was that the presiding officers of the various legislative houses would communicate to the commission declaring vacancy “on the basis on which INEC will conduct bye-elections.
“The law says once we receive such a declaration of vacancy the commission must conduct bye-election within 30 days.
“As soon as we receive the communication, INEC will kick start the process that will lead to the conduct of bye-elections.
“Remember we received such a communication in respect of Ibarapa East State Constituency in Oyo state, caused by the unfortunate death of the former Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, who died recently.
“We have since conducted the bye-election to fill the vacancy. So we are waiting for communication.’’He said that INEC was in touch with the presiding officers, particularly of Taraba House of Assembly and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate.
“We hope very soon appropriate communication will be convened to the commission on the basis to which we conduct bye-elections.’’
Yakubu said that as a matter of procedure, INEC had already instructed its Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in the affected states to commence background preparations.
“So, as soon as we receive the vacancies, we will kick-start the process.’’
-
Ekiti 2018: 35 political parties to contest July 14 election
Thirty-five political parties will be participating in the July 14 Ekiti governorship poll, out of the 68 registered parties, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Yakubu Mahmud has said.
Yakubu disclosed this yesterday after hosting a delegation of female parliamentarians in West Africa led by Assaita Daffe.
The visiting team was at the INEC headquarters to formally present the ECOWAS publication on Gender and Election Strategic Framework and Action Plan.
The INEC boss disclosed that the timeline for submission of candidates’ names has elapsed, but added that there is still room for any of the 35 political parties to substitute candidates, if need be.
He had earlier assured his guests that the commission was committed to working with the political parties to achieve increased women representation in politics.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Aissata Daffe, through an interpreter, had underscored the need for increased women participation in appointive and elective offices.
-
2019: Obasanjo in crucial meeting with Kwankwaso, Duke, Agbakoba, 35 political parties in Lagos
As the 2019 general elections approaches, former President Olusegun Obasanjo is leaving no stone unturned to strategise on a quality performance for his movement.
As part of the strategies, the former president met with the immediate past Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke and representatives of over 35 political parties.
In one of such meetings, which held at Protea Hotel, located at 42/44 Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, Obasanjo was said to have met with 35 political parties under the aegis of the Coalition for New Nigeria.
Others at the meeting included the Co-Chairmen of the Nigerian Intervention Movement, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), and Dr. Jhalil Tafawa-Balewa, one of the children of Nigeria’s post-independence first Prime Minister, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa.
Former Governor Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; and a former Special Adviser to Obasanjo, who is the spokesman for the CNM, Mr. Akin Osuntokun, also attended the strategic meeting.
Some of the political parties represented at the meeting included the Social Democratic Party, Labour Party, Alliance for Democracy, Democratic People’s Congress, Action Alliance, Progressives People’s Alliance, Democratic Alternative and National Conscience Party.
Others, who attended the Lagos meeting, were Mr. Kenneth Udete, who represented Action Alliance Party; and Mr. Okey Chukwuendu, who represented the All Grand Alliance Party.
A source, who attended the meeting, told newsmen that Obasanjo emphasised the need to work together ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The source, who is close to Obasanjo said that the coming together of the various interest groups and individuals had become necessary as that was seen as the only way to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2019 elections.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said, “The meeting was summoned by Obasanjo. He noted that both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party have failed Nigeria and there is a need to come together. He said his association, Coalition for Nigeria Movement, and the NIM should form a merger.”
When asked why Kwankwaso was invited to the meeting despite being a member of the ruling APC, the source noted that Kwankwaso had always been an Obasanjo loyalist.
“Have you forgotten that Kwankwaso was appointed the Minister of Defence by President Obasanjo in 2003? The former governor was not invited because of his ties with the APC but because he also has a huge movement known as the Kwankwasiya in Kano and its environs. Kano is a very strategic state,” the source, a top member of one of the groups, stated.
“The meeting is not just a political one but an attempt to come up with a unified ideology and strategy for 2019.”
The source explained that Obasanjo stressed the need for the parties present to prove to Nigerians that they were different from the APC and the PDP, saying Nigerians were tired of the two parties.
When asked why the meeting was kept secret for so long, the source said Obasanjo insisted that such strategic sessions remained clandestine.
When contacted on the telephone on Saturday, Agbakoba confirmed the meetings with Obasanjo.
Agbakoba, who is a co-chairman of the NIM, said the meetings would continue to hold.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria stated, “What I can say is yes, that is true. We are exploring the option of working together and those conversations are still ongoing and we have a mutually-agreed agenda that we will have to make an impact in 2019.
“And that we will not be supporting the APC or the PDP. We have agreed on that but we have not agreed on who the candidate would be and other minute details.”
When asked if the presence of old politicians like Kwankwaso and Oyinlola in the meetings would not undermine the quest for change, Agbakoba said NIM would be circumspect.
The former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, added, “I can confirm that Kwankwaso was there and Oyinlola was there, but for us, our concern is that Nigerians need to see a new political plan and we told them in clear terms that if we are to work together, it would present a challenge if the Nigerian voting population see the same old people and then there would be no change. So, that’s where we are.
“It will be difficult in my view for us to be supporting the same old people who left the PDP and went to the APC to come and join us. It will be very difficult.”
Attempts to get a response from Kwankwaso about the meetings were futile.
Calls to the mobile of his spokesperson, Rabiu Bichi, were not returned while a response to a text message sent to him on the subject was still being awaited as of the time of filing this report on Saturday night.
Attempts to speak with Osuntokun proved abortive as he neither returned calls to his mobile on Saturday nor responded to a text message sent to his telephone.
Efforts to get Oyinlola to speak on this were unsuccessful. Calls to the former governor’s phone rang out several times while he had yet to respond to the text message sent to him on the same issue as of the time of filing this report.
-
Strong political parties key to delivering dividends of democracy – Dogara
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has called for the strengthening of political parties in Nigeria in order to make them more competitive.
He said this while receiving a delegation from the International Republican Institute, led by its President, Mr. Daniel Twinning.
Dogara said that though the electoral process is of utmost importance, emphasis must also be laid on ensuring that credible elections translate into good governance and delivering dividends of democracy.
“The concern before was that when you begin to talk about democracy, people just go straight to the ballot. Even though the ballot is essential for the growth and sustenance of democracy in ensuring that the will of the people is not supplanted in the process of translating that will from the choices the citizens have made to positions in governance. But the ballot has also produced enemies of democracy and democracy has to be competitive.”
“For it to be competitive, the political parties must be very strong in the sense that they can cooperate but at least, they must remain competitive. If they are not competitive at the end of the day, it may be one political structure mushrooming into other political structures. We had that kind of situation in Nigeria here, where I think one of the late sages in Nigeria described the five political parties in Nigeria as fingers of a leprous hand.”
“The challenge is not just organising elections that are transparent, competitive and meet all the criteria of a democratic election, but the point is what does that election translate into in the effective running of the government and the delivery of what we know here locally as dividends of democracy?”
The Speaker further stressed the need to deepen democracy in Nigeria in order to live up to the yearnings and expectations of the Nigerian people.
“It may not be the best, but the point is, it is the best that we know and we have to do everything possible to ensure that we deepen our democratic experience and practices in such a way that governance will meet the expectations and yearnings of citizens.”
He also raised concerns about prevalent practices in political parties whereby elected officials are termed leaders of the party. He said that this prevents parties from being truly independent and warned of attendant consequences on the democratic process.
“There is one problem that we must address in this country and that is that elected officials, especially those in the Executive, are always regarded as leaders of the political party. That is where we have a very serious problem in this country and if an elected Executive is the leader of the political party, the situation you find on ground is that every political actor within the entire party architecture must pander to the whims and caprices of that elected official.”
Speaking further on the need to strengthen political parties, the Speaker made reference to current happenings in South Africa which, he said, demonstrated that political parties in the country are actually independent.
Speaking earlier during the visit, the President of the International Republican Institute (IRI), Mr. Daniel Twinning stated that the work of the organisation is focused on helping political parties to be more competitive, more transparent and supporting democratic engagement.
He revealed that a major underlying reason for the meeting is to get political parties to interact more with elected officials and stressed the importance of following manifestos.
Mr. Twinning also spoke on the importance of Nigeria to democratic development not just in Africa, but on a global scale.
“We think Nigeria is central to the future of Africa and central to the future of the world. We are really excited by what is happening in Nigeria. We see all over the world how democracy is under pressure including in the developed world from populism to extremism from young people who don’t feel connected to the system. Part of our work is really about trying to optimise democracy and help it deliver for the public.”
The Speaker thanked the delegation for the work done on the Continent and pledged the support of the House towards strengthening political parties and attaining other democratic ideals. -
22 political parties raise committees on security, restructuring, 2019 polls
Twenty-two political parties, under the umbrella of Committee of Concerned Political Parties (CCPP) have constituted six committees on security, restructuring and 2019 general elections.
Interim Chairman of CCPP, Dr Onwubuya Breakforth, made this known to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.
Breakforth, who is the National Chairman of Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), said that the group was concerned about boiling national issues, including killings by herdsmen and restructuring.
He said that the group was committed to contributing its quota towards addressing them.
The sub-committees, according to Breakforth, are on restructuring Nigeria and inter-governmental affairs; national security and integration, and planning and finance.
Others are on contact and mobilisation, and on research and documentation.
He added that the committees would commence action and make recommendations on before the unveiling of the group in a few weeks.
“The CCPP also resolved to jointly discuss and proffer solutions to key national issues threatening the peace and unity of our dear country.
“It was further resolved that various options open to the group in relation to the 2019 general elections would be explored in the best interest of the country,” he said.
Breakforth said that the group had agreed to form a three-member steering committee to pilot its affairs.
He added that additional sub-committees were formed to articulate overall objectives for the group and other on topical national issues.
The chairman disclosed that while 22 political parties were present at the meeting, nine others had indicated interest to join the group.
He listed some of the political parties represented at the meeting as Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), Sustainable National Party (SNP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).
It also included Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria (GDPN) and National People’s Congress (NPC).