Tag: INEC

APC postpones its National Convention indefinitely

Aminu Imam

…Informs INEC of March 26 for zonal congresses The Gov. Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, (CECPC), of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has postponed the party’s February 26 national convention indefinitely. The CECPC has instead notified the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), of its decision to conduct its zonal congresses in March. The letter, dated 21st February was addressed to the INEC Chairman and jointly signed by Gov. Buni and the National Secretary, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe. In the letter, the CECPC said; “This notice supersedes…

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2023 Polls: All candidates must declare bank assets, says INEC

Aminu Imam

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), on Friday, said it would beam its searchlight on politicians and political parties to track the sources of funds for their campaigns in the 2023 general election. The Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, represented by a National Commissioner, Kunle Ajayi, stated this in Abuja during a policy roundtable conference on political campaign finance organised by The Electoral Forum, an organ of the Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development, with support from the MacArthur Foundation. The Commission, therefore, promised to set up a…

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Don’t simply lament, get involved — INEC advises voters

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has implored Civil Society Organisations  (CSOs) and the citizens, specially youths, to get involved in deepening the country’s democracy. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu at the commission’s consultative meeting with CSOs on Wednesday in Abuja, said that citizens should not just lament but get involved in the democratic process. Yakubu  advised CSOs to sensitise voters, especially the youth who constituted the larger percentage in the voter register, to come out and vote on election days. He disclosed that as at Jan. 17  a total…

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“We won’t release 2023 election timetable until Electoral Bill is signed into law” ? INEC Chairman

Aminu Imam

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), has said it will not release the 2023 general election timetable until the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill is signed into law. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, during the Commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political parties. He said; “On the Electoral Amendment Bill currently before the National Assembly, the Commission is encouraged by the Senate President’s assurance to give priority attention to the Bill when the National Assembly reconvenes from its recess today, and the commitment by the President…

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INEC fixes six bye-elections for February 26

Aminu Imam

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has scheduled six bye-elections for Saturday, February 26. INEC National Commissioner in-charge of Information and Voter Education Committee, Barr. Festus Okoye, disclosed this in a statement yesterday, in Abuja. He said, “Following the declaration of vacancies by the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Honourable Speakers of some State Houses of Assembly, the Commission has scheduled bye-elections for six constituencies in 4 States as follows: “Akure North/Akure South Federal constituency, (Ondo State); Jos North/Bassa Federal constituency, (Plateau); Pankshin-South State constituency, (Plateau);…

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INEC requires N305bn to conduct 2023 Elections – Commission’s Chairman, Yakubu

Aminu Imam

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, says his Commission will require N305 billion to conduct the upcoming 2023 general elections. The INEC boss, who disclosed this during a meeting with the Senate Committee on Appropriation at the National Assembly yesterday, noted that the amount will enable the Commission to prepare for the election and purchase all the election materials needed as well as also cover several bye-elections across the country. He, however, stated that the Commission has already received N100 billion out of the…

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Political parties to determine outcome, bear cost of direct primaries – INEC

Aminu Imam

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), says it will not fund party primaries, whether direct or indirect. The INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, disclosed this yesterday, when he met with members of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriation, in Abuja. The Commussion said it has very little role to play in the conduct of direct primaries by political parties for selecting their candidates for elections. The Chairman of the committee, Mukhtar Batera,disclosed this when he addressed newsmen shortly after the closed door meeting in Abuja yesterday. The meeting followed…

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Electoral Act Amendment: INEC replies Buhari, advises President to assent to Bill

Aminu Imam

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has replied to President Mohammadu Buhari’s letter which he wrote to the electoral body seeking explanation on some areas in the 2021 Electoral Act Amendment Bill transmitted to him by the National Assembly. According to a reliable source in the Presidency, it was INEC’s considered opinion that the Bill contains substantial provisions that would lay a solid foundation for important improvements in the electoral process for the nation. Recall that in a letter dated November 29th, 2021 and signed by the Chief of Staff…

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‘Nigeria spent N84bn for voter registration that cost N3bn’, Maurice Iwu reveals

Aminu Imam

…Explains why elections are contentious in Nigeria Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu, has revealed that Nigeria spent N84 billion on voter registration that cost only N3 billion. The ex-INEC boss made this disclosure during an interview he granted yesterday, while stating how the Commission was able to conduct the 2007 elections with such a paltry sum compared to the money INEC got in 2011. According to him, “We did it with less than 10 percent of the current INEC budget. And people were…

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Direct primaries: H/Reps invite INEC chairman over alleged ‘N500bn’ cost implications

Aminu Imam

The House of Representatives has invited the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to clear the air on the cost implication of conducting direct primaries by political parties in the country. Yakubu is to appear before the House Committees on Appropriations and Electoral Matters to speak on the matter. The House resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved on Thursday in Abuja during plenary by the lawmaker representing Yagba-East/Yagba-West/Mopa-Muro federal constituency of Kogi State, Rep. Leke Abejide. It was unanimously endorsed at the…

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