INEC to Publish Particulars of Candidates for Edo Guber
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it will be publishing the personal particulars of candidates vying for the Edo State Governorship Election, following the closure of the deadline for political parties to submit their nomination forms. Seventeen (17) political parties successfully submitted their candidates’ nomination forms for the Edo State Governorship Election before the deadline of 6:00 PM on March 24, 2024, when the dedicated portal ceased operations. This was contained in a statement signed by Mr. Sam Olumekun mni, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee. In accordance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, the personal details of the Governorship candidates and their running mates will be made public on Saturday, March 30, 2024, exactly one week after the submission deadline. Copies of Form EC9, along with all academic credentials and other relevant documents submitted by each candidate, will be prominently displayed at the State Headquarters and the 18 Local Government offices across Edo State. The commission emphasized the importance of thorough scrutiny by Nigerians, stating that any individual who participated in their party primaries and has reasonable grounds to suspect false information provided by a candidate can challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court, as outlined in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022. The Edo State Governorship Election is slated to take place on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Tinubu congratulates Senegal’s president-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his election as the president of the Republic of Senegal, wishing him success as he takes on the important job of leading the good people of Senegal. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Wednesday, March 27. Part of the statement reads: “President Bola Tinubu extends his congratulations to Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his election as the President of the Republic of Senegal. “President Tinubu notes that President-elect Faye comes with great promise and a sterling record, wishing him success as he takes on this important job of leading the good people of Senegal. “The President also congratulates His Excellency, President Macky Sall, for overseeing an election that has been widely adjudged as peaceful and transparent. “President Tinubu states that the success of the presidential election in Senegal and the successful conduct of the general election in Liberia a few months ago have affirmed his long-held conviction that the taproot of democracy is deeply established in West Africa and will only grow stronger as it is watered by good governance, justice, and fairness to all.”
Ahead of Edo, Ondo Guber: INEC Calls for Media Collaboration Against Fake News
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has emphasized the important role of media organizations in the fight against fake news and misinformation during the first quarterly consultative meeting held in Abuja. Addressing representatives from various media outlets, Prof. Yakubu underscored the importance of maintaining transparency and openness in the electoral process, particularly in the lead-up to the off-cycle Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. Highlighting the Commission’s mandate to organize, supervise, and conduct elections, Prof. Yakubu noted the extensive responsibilities involved in ensuring free, fair, and credible electoral processes. He provided insights into the recent flurry of electoral activities, including bye-elections and re-run elections conducted across multiple states. With the Edo State Governorship election scheduled for September 21st, 2024, and the Ondo State Governorship election set for November 16th, 2024, Prof. Yakubu outlined the preparations underway, including the submission of candidate lists and personal particulars by political parties. While expressing concern over the proliferation of fake news in the digital age, Prof. Yakubu reiterated INEC’s commitment to combating misinformation through collaboration with media partners. He urged journalists to scrutinize and report on political party primaries with the same diligence applied to main elections, emphasizing the critical role of primaries in shaping the electoral landscape. In addressing the challenge of fake news, Prof. Yakubu advocated for greater openness and transparency, citing INEC’s policy of engagement with stakeholders to counter misleading narratives. He reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to working closely with the media and encouraged reporters to serve as guardians against misinformation, thereby strengthening democratic processes. Prof. Yakubu also extended his appreciation to all participants and reiterated INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair, and transparent electionsas he equally called for continued collaboration between INEC and the media to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.
Church loses bid to stop conduct of elections, examinations on Saturdays
A Member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Nigeria, Ugochukwu Uchenwa, Wednesday, loses bid seeking the prohibition of the conduct of elections and examinations on Saturdays in Nigeria. Justice James Kolawole Omotoso of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit instituted against the Federal Government for being frivolous, vexatious, irritating and baseless. According to the plaintiff, Saturday is its Sabbath day of worship and that fundamental rights of its members are being brutally breached by the conduct of elections and examinations on Saturdays. Specifically the plaintiff, through his counsel, Benjamin Amaefina, sought order of the Court to prohibit the FG from further conducting elections and examinations on the Sabbath day so as to stop disruption of their rights to worship. Consequently, he prayed the court to declare the fixing of elections and examinations on Saturdays as unconstitutional. In the alternative, the plaintiff asked the court to order the defendants to allow him and other members of his church to vote or take examinations on any other day of the week including Sundays. Listed as defendants in the suit are President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Minister of Internal Affairs, Joint Admission and Matriculation Examinations (JAMB), National Examination Council (NECO), West African Examination Council, (WAEC) and the National Business and Technical Examination Board. Delivering his judgement, Justice Omotoso held that the fundamental rights being claimed by the church were not at large and cannot be curtailed by government policy. Besides, the Judge held that the Seventh Day Adventist Church is in the minority in Nigeria and cannot impose its doctrine on the majority of other religious denominations in the country.
Bayelsa Guber: Panel declines to recluse from proceeding
The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Monday, declined to recluse self from proceeding with the petition before it, challenging the election victory of Governor Duoye Diri. The All Progressive Congress (APC) and it’s Candidate, Timipriye Sylva had filed a motion seeking disqualification of members of the panel from the proceeding. The tribunal, led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye dismissed the motion after he took arguments from counsel to Sylva, Mr. Tunde Falola, Mr. Charles Edosanwan for INEC, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, for Governor Diri, Mr. Chukwuma Machukwu Ume, for the deputy Governor and Tayo Oyetibo for PDP. In a brief ruling, the panel held that a letter from the President of the Court of Appeal on March 5, mandated the tribunal to proceed with hearing of the petition, irrespective of any application by the parties. He, therefore, said the PCA’s letter has overtaken the request by the petitioners for the disbandment of the tribunal. Sylva’s lawyer, Falola, had argued that his clients filed the fresh application against the tribunal on the ground that the two petitioners are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that they cannot get justice from members of the panel. The two petitioners further stated that the tribunal had exhibited strange circumstances that made them to believe that they would be denied fair hearing. He, therefore, asked the tribunal to in the interest of justice, step aside from the petition and allow other members to be constituted by the PCA to determine their petition within the little time remaining for the expiration of hearing of the case. Meanwhile, all the Respondents, through their respective lawyers, opposed the request for the panel members to recuse themselves. They argued that the application was an attempt to prevent the respondents from presenting their defense against the petition. They stated that the motion by APC and Sylva was a calculated attempt to blackmail the tribunal members to do their bidding. The four respondents claimed that the petitioners closed their case, even when the time allocated to them had not expired, hence, there was no basis for the allegation of denial of fair hearing to them. Bedsides, the respondents also stated that APC and Sylva were part of the pre-hearing session and fully subscribed to the schedule of time as agreed upon by all the parties. The tribunal has fixed March 13 and 14 for INEC, being the 1st respondent, to open and close its defence.
Former NBA President, Akpata Clinches Edo LP Governorship Ticket
The Labour party in Edo State has announced a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Olumide Akpata, as the winner of the party’s primary election for the September 2024 governorship election in the State. Akpata scored 316 votes to clinch the party ticket at the exercise held at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, Airport Road in Benin City, Edo State capital on Friday. His victory comes months after he declared interest in the Edo State governorship race under the Labour Party. Akpata, had in October visited the Edo LP secretariat in Benin City to formally declare his interest in the governorship race, stating that his decision is influenced by his love for the people. “My interest is for the people of Edo State. And what I find out about politics and governance in Nigeria today is that the people have been taken out of the equation. Nobody cares about the people,” Akpata told the mammoth crowd that welcomed him.
INEC Releases Report On 2023 General Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled a detailed report on the conduct of the 2023 general elections. The statement, signed by Sam Olumekun, the national commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, revealed that the report was reviewed and approved for publication during the Commission’s weekly meeting on Thursday, February 22, 2024. In adherence to a tradition of transparency, INEC announced the release of the official report, a 526-page document organized into 13 chapters. Enriched with 60 tables, 14 boxes, and 10 graphs, the report offers a thorough analysis of key processes, achievements, and challenges of the 2023 General Election. Highlighting the election’s diversity in party representation, the report notes significant democratic progress. Gubernatorial races saw victories for four political parties, while seven parties secured senatorial seats, eight in federal constituencies, and nine in State legislatures, indicating a broad shift in political representation across Nigeria. The report emphasized the pivotal role of technological advancements, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), in enhancing electoral integrity and reducing fraud. Addressing public concerns, it provided insights into the technical issues faced during the upload of polling unit results for the presidential election on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. Logistics, security arrangements, staff recruitment and training, inclusivity measures, and the electoral framework are among the various aspects covered in the comprehensive report. INEC encouraged the public to access the document on their website (www.inecnigeria.org) and social media platforms, welcoming feedback to shape future electoral reforms and improvements.
DR Congo Prime Minister Resigns Amid Escalating Conflict
Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde of the Democratic Republic of Congo has tendered his resignation on Tuesday amid escalating clashes between rebels and government forces. Lukonde, who assumed office in February 2021, submitted his resignation to President Felix Tshisekedi just eight days after the validation of his mandate as a national deputy. The resignation was swiftly accepted by President Tshisekedi, who also announced the immediate dissolution of Lukonde’s government. However, the presidency revealed that the outgoing government would continue handling current affairs until a new one is formed. While the official statement did not specify the reasons behind Lukonde’s resignation, tensions have intensified in recent days around the strategic town of Sake, near Goma. The M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by neighboring Rwanda, has clashed with Congolese government forces, leading to heightened unrest in the region. In a separate incident, Goma airport in eastern DR Congo was struck by a bomb, as reported last Saturday by SaharaReporters. The source in the North Kivu province confirmed the attack, stating that “two bombs” had hit the facility but caused no significant damage. Security experts are on-site to investigate the origin of the bombing.
Bayelsa Guber: APC, INEC tender conflicting documents
The All Progressive Congress (APC) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Wednesday, tendered conflicting election results on the November 11 governorship election before the State Governorship Tribunal, sitting in Abuja. A former Minister of Petroleum, Timiprye Silva, and his party, APC, had dragged INEC, elected governor, Senator Diri Duoye, his Deputy , Lawrence and the People Democratic Party (PDP) before the tribunal. When the matter was called up, the electoral body tendered its own certified true copies of its results, while the APC polling units agents tendered various results in respect of the places the party was represented. The conflicting results, which were objected by the parties, were, however, admitted as exhibits by the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Adekunele Adeleye, for the tribunal’s consideration during the hearing of the petition. Specifically, the petitioners are asking the tribunal to hold that election took place in three different local governments where INEC claimed that election was not conducted due to alleged diversion of electoral materials. They were also allegations of bypass of the BVAS machines . The affected local governments are Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, and Nembe Local Government Area LGAs. Led in evidence by the counsel of the petitioners, Tunde Falola, the APC’s witness, who was a poling agent, Odungele Moses, maintained that the election took place in PU unit 15 ward 4 and tendered a result which he claimed was issued to him by the election presiding officer on the election day. However, during cross-examination by counsel to the governor, Chris Uche SAN, the witness admitted that although 16 political parties participated in the election, only APC, which he represented as an agent, signed the result he tendered. He, however, did not give reasons why others did not sign. Another witness, Mallory Afin, who also testified for the petitioners, tendered APC results, which had the same serial number and number of accredited voters 169 with INEC but had different results recorded for the political parties. During cross examination by counsel to Governor Diri, it was discovered that the results tendered by APC in ward 002 were prepared and signed by the same presiding officer for ward 015. The witnesses were also cross examined by Charles Edosonwon SAN, who stood for INEC, Chukwuma Machukwu-Umeh SAN, who stood for the Deputy Governor and Tayo Oyetibo SAN who represented PDP. The witnesses, though, denied the allegations of parading fake election results but admitted that only INEC has statutory powers to conduct elections and to possess superior documents. Hearing continues Thursday,15th February.
Court dismisses suspended Adamawa REC’s suit against IGP, others
Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the suit filed by the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner of Adamawa state, Hudu Yunusa-Ari for lacking in merit. Yunasa-Ari is before the court, seeking protection from media trial, arrest and harassment by security agencies following his controversial announcement of the All Progressives Congress(APC) governorship candidate, Senator Aisha Binani Dahiru, as winner of the last Adamawa governorship poll. Mentioned as Defendants in the suit are the Inspector General of Police(IGP) Nigeria Police Force,(NPF) the Attorney-General of Federation(AGF)and Minister of Justice, the Director of the State Security Service (SSS) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 1st to 5th respondents respectively. Yunasa-Ari,had announced Binani winner of the governorship poll against the due process but the declaration was annulled by the INEC leadership which eventually returned the incumbent governor, Umar Fintiri. In his argument, his counsel, Jibrin Okutepa said his decision to announce Binani was due to a tight security breach in Adamawa. He submitted that since the incident, the respondents kept issuing press statements against him when he had not been convicted by a law court. Justice James Omotosho while delivering Judgement on held that the only issue to determine in the case is whether the fundamental rights of Hudu were breached by any of the respondents. The trial judge noted that as fundamental as human rights are, there are exceptions. Justice Omotosho noted that the applicant filed this suit to hide himself from prosecution for the role he played in the Adamawa guber poll. The court therefore dismissed the suit for lacking in merit.