INEC PROMOTES 1,307, SETS UP COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE ROLE OF STAFF IN CONDUCT OF RIVERS RE-RUN ELECTIONS

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the promotion of 1,307 of its staff across the country. The approval came yesterday following a meeting of the Commission held at the INEC headquarters, Abuja.

A breakdown of those promoted shows that 14 were officers promoted from Grade Level (GL) 16 to the rank of Grade Level (GL) 17 (substantive Directors) while 1,293 were officers from Grade Levels (GL) 7 to 16. All the staff promoted passed their promotion examinations and successfully met the rigorous criteria set by the Commission.

The Commission also set up a high-powered, four-man Committee to investigate the role of INEC staff in the conduct of the Rivers National and State Assembly re-run elections which took place on Saturday, 10th December 2016.

RIVERS RE-RUN ELECTIONS: OVER 70 INCIDENTS OF DELIBERATE OBSTRUCTION OF ELECTORAL PROCESS RECORDED - INEC CHAIRMAN

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has disclosed that over 70 incidents of deliberate obstruction of the electoral process were recorded in the Saturday 10th December, 2016 Rivers Federal and State Constituency re-run elections.

He described as unprecedented the scale of negative utterances, hate speech and violence witnessed in the Rivers re-run elections and disclosed that the Commission was instituting an administrative inquiry as part of a comprehensive review of the re-run elections.

Professor Yakubu made the disclosure today in a statement at the opening of a two-day Capacity Development Workshop for members of the INEC Press Corps, entitled: “Repositioning The Media for Effective Coverage of Electoral Processes” at the Rockview Hotel Royale, Abuja.

DUE PROCESS WILL PREVAIL AND MY MANDATE, THE MANDATE OF THE GOOD PEOPLE OF ONDO, WILL BE RECLAIMED! SAYS OLUSEGUN ABRAHAM

Olusegun Abraham

Dear members, delegates, leaders of our great party, the All Progresssives Congress (APC), and the members of the public in Ondo state, I greet you all.

The past few days have been quite eventful in the annals of our party in Ondo state, the eyes of the entire nation was on us, waiting to see how we were going to emerge from the unfortunate irregularities that befell the September 3rd gubernatorial primary election of our party.

After painstaking deliberation and consideration of evidence-backed petitions by our party's Electoral Appeal Committee and the National Working Committee (NWC), it was recommended that the September 3rd Primary election be annulled, and thankfully, this recommendation was ratified and upheld by a majority of our NWC, yesterday.

And just like most of you, I was disappointed at the inexplicably unexpected and unjustifiable move by our party's National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to have disregarded this informed stance of the NWC that favored annulment of that fraud-ridden primary, moving ahead to submit a name to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

INEC RELEASES EDO AND ONDO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION TIMETABLE

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), has released the time table and schedule of activities for the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo, scheduled for Saturday, 10th September and Saturday, 26th November 2016, respectively.

According to the Commission, 12th June 2016 is the date scheduled for the commencement of Campaigns by Political Parties participating in the Edo governorship election, while 2nd – 4th of July, 2016 has been set aside for the conduct of party primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from the primaries.

How EFCC arrests oil baron Laitan Adesanya over N23bn bribery scam

In a continuation of the probe into how the Peoples Democratic Party allegedly bribed some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission before the 2015 presidential election, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested an oil tycoon, Mr. Laitan Adesanya, for his alleged role in the $115m (N23bn) bribe funds.

It was learnt on Sunday that Adesanya, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Lenoil Nigeria Limited, was arrested by the EFCC in Lagos on Friday.

The anti-graft agency had, last week, arrested the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo and the bank’s Head of Operations, Mr. Martin Izuogbe.

BREAKING NEWS: INEC suspends Kano state constituency election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has orderd the suspension of the ongoing run-up elections in Kano state. This becomes necessary following the violence, harassment & Intimidation & snatching/destruction of election materials in the Minjibir state constituency election in Kano State today.

INEC after consultation with the security agencies has decided to suspend the election.

A new date will be announced later when INEC is satisfied that conditions are conducive for the safe conduct of the election.

INEC RELEASES SUPPLEMENTARY GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS FOR CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released additional guidelines to the existing 2015 Guidelines and Regulations for the conduct of elections in the country.

Having approved the pilot of the Continuous Accreditation and Voting Procedure at elections, for the time being, the Commission has decided that the following shall constitute a supplement to the existing guidelines and regulations at elections.

Kogi Governorshipp Election: APC to Hold Fresh Primary Election; PDP kicks

The Chairman  of the All Progressives Congress (APC) John Oyegun has said that the APC will conduct a fresh primary election in Kogi State to pick a replacement for late Abubakar Audu.

Abubakar Audu, who passed away on Sunday, was the APC candidate in the November 21 inconclusive Kogi State governorship election, thereby throwing up fresh legal and political firestorm in the state.

While speaking with journalists at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, APC National Chairman John Oyegun said the decision to hold a fresh primary was taken after the party received a letter from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) asking it to replace Audu.

The INEC decision followed a pronouncement to that effect by the Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami. 

While the APC welcomed the decision, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP demanded Malami’s resignation as it described the decision as an affront to democracy laced with mines to torpedo the democratic choice of the people in Kogi State.

Also, while APC, ahead of the December 5 supplementary polls to conclude the governorship election, has proposed fresh primaries to throw up a replacement for late Audu t,here was also a cloud on whether it would be restricted to only those who bought the initial forms or opened up to new entrants, a possibility that could draw in Audu’s running mate, Rep. James Faleke and Alhaji Isah Jibrin Echocho who recently defected from the PDP after a stormy political battle with the incumbent governor, Captain Idris Wada.

INEC backs law to check deployment of soldiers, police during elections

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Attahiru Jega, has backed a bill by the House of Representatives seeking to give the electoral body powers to control the movement of soldiers and other security personnel during elections.

Mr. Jega gave the support Tuesday at a public hearing organised by the lower legislative chamber. The National Assembly had in its proposed amendment sought the insertion of a new paragraph (b) into Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act to limit the role played by the military to “securing the distribution and delivery of electoral materials”. 

OSUN VICTORY: "Democratic Victory Over The Tyranny Of Power" - Aregbesola’s Acceptance Speech

DEMOCRATIC VICTORY OVER THE TYRANNY OF POWER

After an unnecessarily tense, tortuous and even traumatic process, the Independent National Electoral Commission this morning declared me as the winner of the Osun state governorship election on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC). On behalf of my party, we are delighted to claim victory for our hard work, focus and dedication in this election. 
I thank the Almighty God for our triumph at the polls, against all odds.

To the good people of Osun State goes our unflinching gratitude. We salute your steadfastness, courage, loyalty, commitment and fierce determination to defend your sovereign rights. You have demonstrated in this election that in a democracy, power truly belongs to the people. I am humbled and honoured by your trust and abiding faith in me and my party. I pledge that your confidence in us shall never be betrayed or taken for granted.

Ordinarily, this should be a moment of joy and celebration consequent upon the hard earned triumph of the people’s will. However, this election shows that democracy is still gravely endangered in Nigeria. We witnessed gross abuse of power and, of due process before, during, and even after the actual voting process. It is so sad and unfortunate that what should be a normal, routine process was maliciously allowed to snowball in to a needless virtual war by the Federal Government and the PDP.

National Confab Endorse 7 Year Single Term

A motion before the national confab reads: "The National Assembly Amend the 1999 Constitution to allow for a 6- or - 7 - Year Single Term to take effect IMMEDIATELY"

"Incumbent President/Vice President and First Term Governors/Deputy Governors translate to a 6-or 7 - Year Single Term and their tenure terminate in 2017 or 2018 in the spirit of "Doctrine of Necessity", compromise and political expediency."

"Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shift elections for the President/Vice President and First Term Governors/Deputy Governors to 2017 or 2018 while elections to fill vacancies of Second Term Governors/Deputy Governors will hold in 2015 as originally scheduled"

Osun election will be better than Ekiti – INEC Chairman

Despite widespread applause for the recent Ekiti State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is working hard to make the upcoming Osun State governorship election better, the Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, has said.

He said no effort would be spared to make the Osun election scheduled for August 9, 2014, more qualitative in all aspects than the June 21 Ekiti State election which has been widely acclaimed as the best so far by the Commission. He spoke on Tuesday, July 1, 2014, when the Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of China, H. E. Gu Xiaojie, paid a courtesy visit to the Commission.

U.S. Don, Larry Diamond Says Ekiti Election Was Flawed

Prof. Larry Diamond, director at the Centre on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law, delivered a thought-provoking verdict —flawless voting alone is no parameter for a credible election. He was, apparently, faulting the process that led to the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State, saying it does not inspire confidence about the seriousness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organise free and fair elections in 2015.

Prof. Diamond, who was delivering the inaugural edition of the Freedom House Democracy Lecture Series at the Muson Centre on Lagos Island, said: “You cannot have the police and the military blocking the supporters (not to mention fellow governors) of one party from moving about a state and campaigning, and call that a fully free and fair election.”

Socialist Party Nigeria (SPN) files application for registration

Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) has filed its application for registration at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Abuja for recognition as a political party in the country.

If registered, SPN will join the existing political parties in Nigeria that will contest the 2015 general elections.

In a statement jointly signed by National Chairman and National Secretary, Segun Sango, and Chinedu Bosah, respectively, they said the party followed full compliance of the request made by the INEC.

While explaining that it has submitted all the required documents for registration, the proposed party called on Nigerians to support it for the needed change they desire in the country.

Interim Statement By Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room In Respect Of The Gubernatorial Election In Ekiti State

By Nigeria civil Society Situation Room

Beginning from June 18, 2014, the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) comprising more than 60 civic organizations observed the electioneering developments in Ekiti State, including the governorship election held on June 21, 2014.

During, the June 21st governorship election, findings from observers deployed across the 16 local government areas (LGAs) of the state showed a marked improvement by INEC in management of the electoral processes and the outcomes of the poll, this represented a significant shift away from the irregularities and logistical failings that have consistently characterized previous elections.

#EkitiDecide: Ayo Fayose Leads With A Wide Margin - Updates 2

As Celebrations still going on in Ado Ekiti as the shouts of "Power!" "Power!" reverberate everywhere.Vote count still ongoing in some PU's in Ado-Ekiti although supporters of PDP's Fayose already jubilating.

This is even as reports spoke of an early lead by former governor Ayo Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who had vowed to unseat the incumbent, Dr. Kayode Fayemi. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to announce the official result of the ballot.

There are 16 local government areas in Ekiti State, with a total number of 732, 166 valid registered voters.The state has 177 wards, 2195 polling units as well as 2803 voting points.

The gender distribution of voter population are Females: 371, 419 (51%) and Males: 360, 747 (49%), according to statistics provided by INEC.

Ekiti poll: INEC assures physically challenged persons of safety

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has assured physically challenged persons of adequate security during Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti.

The Public Relations Officer of INEC in the state, Mr Taiwo Gbadegesin, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ado-Ekiti on Friday. He said the commission was conscious of the peculiar condition of that category of Nigerians and would make sure they perform their civic responsibility.

The spokesman said the commission had embarked on a sensitisation programme since February to educate residents, particularly rural dwellers, on the need to ensure a peaceful election.

INEC, he added, had met members of the traditional institution as well as other stakeholders to enlighten them on the need for a peaceful poll. “We are very much optimistic that we will not have any problem,” he said.

U.S. pleads for free, fair governorship election in Ekiti

The United States government on Thursday sent a passionate plea to both organisers of the elections and the electorate to ensure a free and fair governorship election in Ekiti State come Saturday, June 21. The U.S. government, in a pre-election statement issued on Thursday through its embassy in Abuja, underscored the significance and importance of the day in the lives of the people of Ekiti and its residents.

The government reminded the people of Ekiti that as they go to any of the state’s 2,195 polling units to select their next governor, they should consider the importance of a successful exercise to the entire electoral process as Nigeria approaches 2015.

Egbe Omo Yoruba Calls For Election Integrity In Ekiti, Osun

A North America-based group, Egbe Omo Yoruba in North America (EOYNA) has urged stakeholders in Ekiti and Osun states to ensure free and fair elections in the forthcoming governorship elections in the states.

In a statement signed by its National President, Agbaakin Bolu Omodele, the group urged the people of the two states to reflect on the past experiences of the region and learn from them.

“Egbe Omo Yoruba inNorth America is calling on all stakeholders, governments at all levels, the electorate, security forces, political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to join hands and ensure we have a free and fair election and promote democratic ethos.

Federal High Court: Osun To Get 27 Lawmakers In 2015

A federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, the Osun state capital has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct separate election into Orolu and Irepodun State Constituencies in the State House of Assembly in 2015 general election.

Both Orolu and Irepodun local government areas of the state are currently represented by a lawmaker in the state House of Assembly making 26 lawmakers in the assembly.

Going by the court order, Osun state would now have 27 27 lawmakers in the State House of Assembly come 2015.