Off-cycle Elections: INEC Adds 269,992 new Voters to Preliminary Register

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the release of the preliminary register of new voters for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. In a press statement signed by Mr. Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the Commission outlined the next steps in the electoral process. According to the release, the register will be displayed for claims and objections by citizens for a period of seven days starting from Wednesday, June 12, 2024. The display will take place in all 395 wards across both states and will also be available on the INEC website. Citizens are encouraged to identify any ineligible persons on the register and file objections using Forms EC2 and EC3, which can be obtained from INEC officials or downloaded from the INEC website. Additionally, individuals who have recently registered, applied for transfer, correction of personal details, or replacement of lost or damaged PVCs are urged to draw the Commission’s attention to any errors or wrong entries for further action. The commission also provided statistics from the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process, indicating a total of 269,992 new voters in the two states following the suspension of registration on June 9, 2024. The majority of registered voters are youths aged 18-34, with students comprising the largest occupational group. Requests for replacement of PVCs, voter transfer, and information updates were also noted. The commission emphasized that these figures are preliminary and subject to further verification, as final figures will be published on a state-by-state basis after the claims and objections period and the use of the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) to clean up the register. The date for the commencement of collection of new PVCs will be announced thereafter. The Commission urged the public to take advantage of the register display period to assist in cleaning up the register as required by law. The commission reiterated the importance of public participation in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the voter register for the upcoming elections.

Ondo Federal Lawmaker, Jimoh Ibrahim Speaks On Leaving APC

Senator representing Ondo South, Jimoh Ibrahim has dismissed allegations that he was leaving the All-Progressive’s Congress (APC). Ibrahim stated this during an interview with Arise Television on Wednesday. The Ondo lawmaker said he has never engaged in anti-party activities, adding that if he were to leave the party, he would publicly declare it. He said, “Everyone is informed that I will never engage in anti-party activities. If I am no longer going to be APC, I will announce it publicly.” Ibrahim said adhering to internal democratic processes is essential for maintaining the integrity and functionality of the political landscape and articulated the constitutional procedures for suspending party members. He said it should be done at the state, local government, and additional working committee levels. Ibrahim said, “I entered politics to help my people because we were deprived for a very long time. I felt that with my message, I could make a great impact.”

INEC to Release Details of Ondo Gubernatorial Candidates Ahead of Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to disclose the personal particulars of candidates and their running mates contending in the Ondo State governorship election. The release is scheduled for Saturday, May 25, 2024. Sam Olumekun, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, affirmed that the publication of candidates’ personal details is a consequential step following the conclusion of party primaries. Olumekun clarified that seventeen political parties had adhered to the deadline by successfully submitting their candidates’ nomination forms for the Ondo State gubernatorial race before May 20, 2024. Notably, the dedicated portal for submissions automatically closed at 6:00 pm on the specified date. This forthcoming action is in accordance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, delineated as item 4 on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election. INEC will prominently display copies of Form EC9, alongside all academic credentials and other pertinent documents submitted by each candidate. These displays will be accessible at the INEC state headquarters in Akure and the 18 local government offices across the state. Olumekun urged Nigerians to meticulously examine the documents provided. He clarified that any aspirant who participated in their party primaries and harbors reasonable suspicions regarding the accuracy of information provided by a candidate or running mate, has the prerogative to challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court. This recourse is stipulated in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.

Ondo Guber; Court orders APC, Aiyedatiwa, INEC to open defence

The Federal High Court, Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to file their defense in a suit seeking removal of Aiyedatiwa as APC gubernatorial candidate for November election. This is following a claim by the APC that it had written a letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, seeking for transfer of the case from Abuja to Ondo State. In the ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered that the three defendants must file their respective defence within days allowed by law since the suit is a time bound one. The plaintiff, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, is before the court questioning the conduct of the primary election that produced Aiyedatiwa as APC gubernatorial candidate. When the matter came up, Tuesday, Counsel to the APC, Tayo Oyetibo informed the Court that his client had forwarded a letter to the Chief Judge praying for movement of the case from the Abuja division to Akure division. He however admitted that APC had not received any response to the letter. In response, Justice Ekwo held that there was no letter before him and as such, cannot act on anything not before the court. However, the court held that with or without the letter before him, the defendants must respond to the issues raised by the plaintiff. APC in its letter by Matthew Bukkar SAN, dated May 12, but received in Chief Judge’s Office on May 13, 2024, claimed that the primary election being challenged was conducted in Akure, the Ondo State capital. It explained that it has a functional office in Akure with State Working Committee on ground and that the electoral body also has office in Akure. Besides, APC said that governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa whose candidacy is being challenged is resident in Akure. The party therefore said that Akure division of the Federal High Court is the approximate convenient place for the case to be determined. However, counsel to the plaintiff, Chief Chris Uche SAN was prevented from reacting to the letter on the ground that the said letter was not before the court. After issuing the order, Justice Ekwo fixed May 29 for hearing of the suit with a warning that all processes in respect of the suit must be filed and exchanged by parties. Ibrahim who is representing Ondo South in the Senate, is praying the court to cancel the nomination of Aiyedatiwa as APC candidate on the ground that the April 20 primary election that produced him was unlawful. In the suit instituted on his behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chris Uche, Ibrahim, a governorship aspirant who participated in the primary election alleged that the poll was marred with a lot of irregularities. Among others, the Senator claimed that sections 221, 228 of the 1999 Constitution and that of 84 of the Electoral Act 2022 were grossly violated in the conduct of the disputed primary election by the APC. He alleged that some delegates who could have voted for him at the primary election were not accredited to vote thereby making the primary election liable to be set aside and nullified. He is therefore praying the Court to bar INEC from accepting governor Aiyedatiwa as the APC governorship candidate in the coming November 16 gubernatorial election in Ondo State. The Senator also sought an order of perpetual injunction prohibiting governor Aiyedatiwa from holding himself out or parading himself as the APC governorship candidate. Similarly, Ibrahim wants the court to set aside the purported primary election and compel the APC to conduct a fresh one in compliance with sections 221, 228 of the 1999 Constitution and that of 84 of the Electoral Act 2022. The aggrieved governorship aspirant prayed the Federal High Court to delist the names of the APC and Aiyedatiwa from the political parties and candidates that would participate in the gubernatorial poll . Plaintiff further requested that APC and governor Aiyedatiwa be stripped of all rights except a fresh primary election is lawfully conducted for the purpose of nominating candidate for the governorship election.

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.