Tag: Election

INEC ex-Chairman Jega insists on use of Professors for elections

Aminu Imam
Jega insists

…Says politicians constantly offered bribes Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, has defended the continued involvement of academics in the conduct of Nigeria’s elections. Jega, an academic and former Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, made the remarks yesterday during the June 12 edition of a programme: ‘The Platform’, hosted by Covenant Nation, a Lagos-based church. According to him, their inclusion is justified on the basis of  their integrity and professionalism. Reflecting on the state of the electoral process prior to his appointment, Jega said: “Election…

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INEC refutes SERAPs claims on prosecution of electoral offenders

Aminu Imam
INEC refutes SERAP

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refuted recent claims by the Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which accused INEC of failing to prosecute electoral offenders from the 2023 General Election.  In an issued statement yesterday, signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman of INECs Information and Voter Education Committee., Sam Olumekun, described the allegations as misrepresentations, stating that SERAPs claims “fly in the face of facts already in the public domain”. SERAP had alleged that INEC failed to prosecute certain Governors and Deputy Governors for electoral violations, including…

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Coalition releases 37 key proposals for Nigerias electoral reform

Aminu Imam
CSOs coalition

In a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has presented a comprehensive Citizens’ Memorandum on Electoral Reforms. This document outlines 37 key recommendations, which aims to address long-standing challenges in the country’s electoral framework and restore public confidence. These coalitions include: the Centre for Media and Society, (CEMESO); the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, (CISLAC); Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, (CAPPA); ElectHER; the International Press Centre (IPC), and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, (IDEA). Others include the Justice,…

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Local Governments: Between Constitutional Autonomy and Judicial “Coup”

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir
Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir. Nigeria operates a federal system of government with sub-national. It has been a long debate if Nigeria operates three tiers of government or two tiers with administrative block as the third. Whatever you believe, the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended, recognises the Federal, State and Local Governments. Nigeria boasts of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory with 774 Local Councils. The Local Government is the closest to the people at the grassroots; who constitute the majority of the populace and meant to make them feel…

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Tribunal upholds Inuwa Yahaya’s election, dismisses PDP, ADC’s petitions

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The Gombe State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has affirmed the re-election of Governor Inuwa Yahaya of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Delivering judgement on Tuesday in Gombe, the three-man panel headed by Justice S.B. Belgore, dismissed the petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Jibril Barde and that of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its candidate, Nafiu Bala, challenging Yahayas victory in the March 18 election. Belgore said that the petition of the ADC and its candidate lacked merit. The ADC was challenging the declaration…

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Tribunal upholds 3APC State Assembly Members in Benue

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Makurdi, on Thursday upheld the elections of three All Progressives Congress (APC) state lawmakers. In separate judgments, Justice Usman Mohammed and Justice Saliu Zubayr, held that the petitioners failed to prove their cases for the elections to be upturned. In the Ogbadibo State Constituency election, Justice Mohammed held that the petitioners, Patrick Enemari and the PDP, failed to prove that the election was characterised by malpractices, as alleged in their petition. He also said the petitioners failed to call necessary…

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IGP orders movement restriction on Election Day

Aminu Imam

… Bans States’ security networks from election duties The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement during the Governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday. This is contained in a statement signed yesterday, by the Forces spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi. The restriction will take effect from 12 am to 6 pm. According to the statement, Sequel to the forthcoming Gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections scheduled to hold on the 18th of march, 2023, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba,…

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2023 Presidency; Arewa Youh Group adopts Atiku

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

With hours to the presidential and National Assembly elections, a coalition of Arewa youth groups have adopted the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. In a briefing in Kaduna, the group said it is hearkening to the body language of the northern elders who gave qualities of the president Nigeria needs 2023 and beyond. Addressing the media in Kaduna, the convener of Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations, Murtala Abubakar said Atiku Abubakar has been active in politics since 1993 and being on the…

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INEC tells women to eschew material, monetary inducement for election

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to women to vote wisely and shun all monetary and material inducements during the forthcoming elections. Mrs Pauline Onyeka, the INECs Ebonyi State Resident Electoral Commissioner REC, made the call on Thursday in Abakaliki at a one-day town hall sensitisation meeting with women groups and gender-focused civil society organisations (CSOs). Onyeka said that womens participation in politics meant participation in the development process urging them to show effective commitment to the forthcoming elections to enthrone credible leadership. She said that monetary and…

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Newly Sworn-In Osun Gov. Adeleke directs heads of LGAs to take over from sacked council chairmen

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke

Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has directed career heads of Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Area Councils Development Areas (ACDAs) in the state to take control and charge of their councils from the sacked council chairmen and councillors. The directive is contained in a statement issued by Adelekes Spokesperson, Malam Olawale Rasheed. Adeleke says the directive is with immediate effect. Gov. Adeleke also directed the most senior career heads across all the local government areas, to take charge of their councils. This is in compliance with the judgment of the Federal…

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