Monday, March 8

Tag: Electoral Act

Political Parties, Others Want All Elections Held In 1 Day
10Feb By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Political Parties, Others Want All Elections Held In 1 Day

As the National Assembly resumes plenary to debate amendment to the Electoral Act, political parties and other stakeholders have called for the conduct of all elections in one day on grounds that it would save cost for the country. The Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) said conducting elections in one day was feasible and doable the way it is done in other developing. The acting national president of IPAC, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, who spoke with LEADERSHIP, lamented the enormous resources and time wasted in organising staggered elections. He added that unified elections will address the unnecessary challenge of huge spending and the needless grounding of businesses during multiple elections. As the National Assembly resumes plenary to debate amendment to the Electoral Act,...
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National Assembly Proposes ₦10Bn As Presidential Candidate’s Election Spending
14Jan By dthataNo Comments
Politics

National Assembly Proposes ₦10Bn As Presidential Candidate’s Election Spending

The Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the Independent National Electoral Commission and Electoral Matters, has proposed an extension to the tenure of Local Government Chairmen, in the Federal Capital Territory, from three to four years. The committees equally proposed an upward review of the amount to be spent by candidates seeking elective public office to N10bn. Our correspondent also learnt in Abuja, on Wednesday, that the panel also recommended that other elected officials of the six area councils which make up the FCT should equally benefit from the proposed amendment. These proposals are contained in recommended amendments to the Electoral Act, which the committee is prepared to submit before Senators and House of Reps members for consideration and ...
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Electoral Act Amendment Won’t Guarantee Free Polls – INEC
11Jan By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Electoral Act Amendment Won’t Guarantee Free Polls – INEC

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Sunday, said amending the Electoral Act without a commitment from stakeholders to do things differently, cannot guarantee free and fair elections. Yakubu said this in an address delivered on his behalf by the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye at a three-day retreat of the Joint Technical Committee on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2020 which ended in Abuja on Sunday. The INEC boss expressed gratitude to the Senate Committee on INEC and the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters; for working together to produce a new legal framework for the conduct of elections. He, however said, “It must be borne in mind that amending...
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2019 Election Will Be Last Manual Elections — INEC
5Mar By dthataNo Comments
Politics

2019 Election Will Be Last Manual Elections — INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Thursday that with the proposed reform of the electoral Act, the 2019 election may be the last “mainly manual” election in Nigeria. Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakub said this is achievable with the support of the National Assembly, tasking the lawmakers to expedite action on the amendment of the electoral Act. He spoke in Lagos during the opening of a two day retreat with the National Assembly Committees on Electoral Matters. The retreat was declared open by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo Agege with members of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters in attendance. The Chairman said part of the proposed reform in the electoral system was to deepen the deplo...
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Akpabio Withdraws From Senatorial Rerun
12Dec By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Akpabio Withdraws From Senatorial Rerun

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, has withdrawn from the planned Akwa Ibom North West senatorial rerun election. Akpabio, who was a former Senate minority leader, stated this in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole. The Minister, in the letter, dated December 2, 2019, but obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday, said a huge responsibility has been placed on him as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Akpabio said he won’t abandon a critical national assignment placed on him by Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) in pursuit of a rerun election. He urged the party to write the Independent National Electoral Commission, in line with Sections 33 and 35 of the Electoral Act, 2010, and submit a replace...
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Senator Omo-Agege Introduces Bill To Amend Electoral Act
10Dec By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Senator Omo-Agege Introduces Bill To Amend Electoral Act

Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege says he has introduced a bill for comprehensive amendment of the Electoral Act No. 6 of 2010. Omo-Agege revealed this on Monday at the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room Stakeholders Forum on Elections organised by the coalition of more than 70 civil societies in Abuja. He said the bill, co-sponsored with Senator Abubakar Kyari of Borno North Senatorial District, was now making its way to public hearing, having scaled second reading with overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate. “It is a decisive response to a plethora of our Supreme Court’s decision inviting the National Assembly to make sensible amendments to the Electoral Act,” he said. “And I believe it is responsible for us to take the apex court’s constructive guidance on ...
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Why We Didn’t Disqualify Yahaya Bello for Double Registration – INEC
31Oct By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Why We Didn’t Disqualify Yahaya Bello for Double Registration – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that it would amount to contravening the Electoral Act if it disqualified Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello from participating in the November 16 ballot due to alleged double registration. According to the electoral umpire, the Electoral Act does not provide for disqualification as a penalty for committing such an offence. Recall that the commission had, in 2017, accused Governor Bello of double voter registration and said he would have been prosecuted but for his immunity. INEC had also dismissed two of its officials for alleged roles in the electoral scandal. But clarifying why Mr. Bello is allowed to contest the election, having been indicted, INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, during a quarterly consultative meeting w...
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Senate To Reduce Political Parties From 91 To 5
10Oct By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Senate To Reduce Political Parties From 91 To 5

The Senate, yesterday, said that it would reduce the number of political parties participating in elections in the country from the current 91 to five through legislation. The Senate stated this at a meeting with the leadership of INEC led by its chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, in the National Assembly, Abuja. The apex legislative chamber expressed dissatisfaction over the number of political parties fielding candidates in the forthcoming governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi states. In particular, the Chairman of the Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC Kano South) and former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu (PDP Enugu West), said that the number of political parties that would be contesting elections was unwield...
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Omo-Agege Says NASS Will Amend Electoral Law To Make Card Readers Legal
4Oct By dthataNo Comments
Lifestyle

Omo-Agege Says NASS Will Amend Electoral Law To Make Card Readers Legal

Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege says the National Assembly will give legal backing to card reader in the new Electoral Act, to further enhance the integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria. He gave the assurance when he received the Nigerian Representatives of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council, (AU- ECOSOCC), led by Dr. Tunji Ashaolu in Abuja on Thursday. A statement by his spokesperson, Yomi Odunga in Abuja, quoted Omo-Agege as saying that it was important the card reader be made part of the legal regime for elections. He said the senate maintained that card reader would ensure credible polls. According to him, the mistake of the Eighth National Assembly is that the amendment of the Electoral Act breached ECOWAS Protocol, which will no...
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INEC Disqualifies 14 Political Parties For Kogi, Bayelsa Gov Polls
27Sep By dthataNo Comments
Politics

INEC Disqualifies 14 Political Parties For Kogi, Bayelsa Gov Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disqualified 14 political parties from participating in the upcoming elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states for fielding invalid candidates. Disclosing this in a statement in Abuja on Friday, INEC National Commissioner and the Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, said the commission disqualified eight parties in Kogi state and six in Bayelsa state. According to the commission, 49 of the political parties in Kogi state had submitted names and personal particulars of their nominated governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the November 16 governorship election. It explained further that only 23 political parties will be allowed to participate in the election, owing to the fac...
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Kano State election tribunal rejects PDP’s plea to amend names of witnesses
17Jul By BobbyNo Comments
News

Kano State election tribunal rejects PDP’s plea to amend names of witnesses

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kano on Tuesday dismissed a prayer by Abba Kabir-Yusuf, PDP governorship candidate seeking to amend the names of witnesses earlier presented alongside the petition.   The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Kabir-Yusuf, are challenging the declaration of Ganduje of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the March 23, governorship election in Kano state. In his submission, the lead counsel of Kabir-Yusuf, Asiwaju Adeboyega Awomolo said he brought the petition to correct some errors made on the names of their witnesses earlier filed on April 11, 2019.   He maintained that his application would not amend or alter the statement of fact but to sustain the ground prayer of their peti...
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Court orders INEC to issue certificate of return to Sen. Uwajumogu
4Jul By BobbyNo Comments
News

Court orders INEC to issue certificate of return to Sen. Uwajumogu

The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to issue certificate of return to Sen. Benjamin Uwajumogu as the validly elected senator representing Imo North senatorial District. In the application filed by Uwajumogu, for the release of his certificate of return, Justice Taiwo Taiwo said INEC’s decision to review the outcome of the 2019 senatorial election was in contravention of the electoral Act. The court further held that INEC was bound by law to issue the certificate of return based on the declaration of the returning who announced Uwajumogu as the duly elected senator for Imo North Senatorial district. Counsel to Mr Uwajumogu applauded the verdict of the court, adding that INEC should implement the or...
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Atiku, PDP To Call 400 Witnesses To Testify At Election Tribunal
1Jul By BobbyNo Comments
News

Atiku, PDP To Call 400 Witnesses To Testify At Election Tribunal

The Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, told the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on Monday that they had proposed to call 400 witnesses to prove their petition challenging the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari, and his All Progressives Congress, at the February 23 poll, Punch Metro reports. They will have only 14 days to do this and tender all documents they need to prove their case. The Justice Mohammed Garba-led five-man tribunal said the 14 days period is prescribed under paragraph 16(3) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act. In response, the lead counsel for the petitioners, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), said as much as his clients had proposed 400 witnesses, they “intend to call as many witnesses as possible within the pr...
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Atiku Heads To Supreme Court Over INEC Server
25Jun By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Atiku Heads To Supreme Court Over INEC Server

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has vowed to challenge, at the Supreme Court, the dismissal of their application to be granted access to inspect the central server allegedly used by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to transmit results of the last general election. Recall that the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal had earlier ruled in a unanimous decision that the request could not be granted since the issue of whether such central server existed or not, is already a subject of controversy in the substantive petition that is challenging President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election. Reacting to the Tribunal’s ruling, a senior member of the Atiku and PDP’s legal team, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, told Journalists: “T...
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INEC Received N1.47 Billion For Servers Ahead Of 2019 Election – Premium Times
19Jun By dthataNo Comments
Politics

INEC Received N1.47 Billion For Servers Ahead Of 2019 Election – Premium Times

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) received N1.47 billion to replace and maintain computer servers for use during the 2019 general elections, PREMIUM TIMES has confirmed. It is not clear though how the servers, which store computer data, were used during the polls. But the finding raises fresh concerns over the commission’s recent claim it had no server for the elections. Determining whether the commission operated a central computer database that received election results has become central to the 2019 presidential election dispute, after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said results on the server proved he defeated President Muhammadu Buhari. The electoral commission declared Mr Buhari winner of the February 16 election, but Mr Abubakar, his main challe...
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Supreme Court To Determine Delta State Omo-Agege/Emerhor’s Fate
3Jun By BobbyNo Comments
News

Supreme Court To Determine Delta State Omo-Agege/Emerhor’s Fate

This may not be the best of time for the embattled the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator, Barr Ovie Omo-Agege as the Supreme Court is set to determine who is the rightful party candidate between the senator and Olorogun O’tega Emerhor. The lingering legal tussle over the leadership of APC in Delta State has now moved to the Supreme Court, leaving Omo-Agege senatorial seat hanging in balance, though the controversial who was recently indicted by the national assembly in the Senate mace saga is running to become the Deputy Senate President. Omo-Agege The Chief Cyril Ogodo led faction of the party has asked the apex court to set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had sacked it and reinstated Jones Erue leadership as the Executive Committee of the party in the State. ...
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Why I Am Supporting Gbajabiamila For Speaker House Of Reps – Wike
23May By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Why I Am Supporting Gbajabiamila For Speaker House Of Reps – Wike

 The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, said his support for the emergence of Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos) as Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives was “based on capacity, not party lines.‎” Wike stated this when the Gbajabiamila/Wase campaign team, made up of 110 lawmakers, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Port Harcourt. The visit was part of the ‎ongoing Gbajabiamila’s South East/South South campaign tour for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, ahead of the inauguration of 9th Assembly. ‎”I don’t support you based on party lines; I support you based on capacity. “When you get there, we must work as a people; party is just a vehicle to convey you to your political destination. “Party line is the major reason why Niger...
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Breakdown Of Politicians Whose Certificates Of Return Were Withdrawn By INEC
21May By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Breakdown Of Politicians Whose Certificates Of Return Were Withdrawn By INEC

Following a court order, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has withdrawn twenty-five (25) Certificates of Return from some winners at the last 2019 general elections. This was revealed by Festus Okoye, INEC Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, while speaking at the ‘Forum on Media Coverage of 2019 General Elections’ held in Enugu. Igbere TV correspondent at the event reports that Okoye lauded the coverage of the 2019 elections by the media. He also tasked the media to constantly keep the people abreast of every amendment done to the Electoral Act of the country. He said that INEC had completed the retrieval and issuance of the 25 certificates of return on Friday, May 17, 2019. Giving a breakdown of the certificate withdrawn, Okoye said ...
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Osun Election: Oyetola Asks Appeal Court To Reverse Tribunal’s Decision
28Mar By BobbyNo Comments
News

Osun Election: Oyetola Asks Appeal Court To Reverse Tribunal’s Decision

The Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has asked the Court of Appeal in Abuja to reverse the majority judgment delivered on March 22nd 2019 by the Osun State election tribunal. The tribunal had, by a majority judgment given by two of its three members, voided the election of Oyetola, pronounced Senator Ademola Adeleke of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) winner and asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue him a certificate of return. In a 39-ground notice of appeal filed by his team of lawyers, led by Wole Olanipekun, Governor Oyetola faulted the majority judgment, given by Justices Peter Obiora and Anyinla Gbolagunte, on the grounds that it was perverse, replete with contradictions and not supported by evidence led by the petitioners. Governor Oyetola wa...
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Verdict on Osun governorship poll cannot stand, says Aregbesola
28Mar By BobbyNo Comments
Uncategorized

Verdict on Osun governorship poll cannot stand, says Aregbesola

Former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has described the judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal last Friday, which nullified the election of Governor Gboyega Oyetola as very strange and unknown to law. Aregbesola, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr. Sola Fasure, said the report of the split judgment came to every watcher of political events in the state as a rude shock. In the statement entitled: “This judgment cannot stand,” the former governor said the people of the state and the government have the highest regards for the judiciary and would keep having high regards for the revered institution. Aregbesola, however, regretted that the tribunal’s majority judgment was strange to law and common sense. He said the majority judgment, as delivered by their Lordship, d...
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Tribunal Chairman Disagrees To Judgement Declaring Adeleke Winner Of Osun Guber
23Mar By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Tribunal Chairman Disagrees To Judgement Declaring Adeleke Winner Of Osun Guber

The chairman of the Osun State Elections Petitions Tribunal in Abuja has delivered a dissenting judgement in the Osun State governorship election petition. Justice Muhammed Ibrahim Sirajo on Friday dismissed the petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, which alleged that there was election non-compliance with the Electoral Act in the election. Justice Sirajo ruled that the petitioners failed to prove the claims at the tribunal. He further ruled that where it is established that there is non compliance, the tribunal does not have “the powers to subtract the votes of the non compliance and declare a candidate winner.” He added that under Section 140(3) of the Electoral Act, where substantial non compliance is proved, the trib...
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Tribunal Reserves Judgement In Osun Governorship Election Petition
7Mar By BobbyNo Comments
Uncategorized

Tribunal Reserves Judgement In Osun Governorship Election Petition

The Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal in Abuja has reserved judgement to a date that would be communicated to the parties. This followed the adoption of final written addresses by parties on Thursday before the tribunal sitting at the FCT High Court in Apo. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the election, Senator Ademola Adeleke and the party urged the state to uphold their petition and declare them the winner of the September 22/27, 2018 election in the state. This is even as the state governor, Isiaka Oyetola, urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition which he described as a bedlam full of confusion. Adopting his final written address, counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Lasco Pwahomdi, urged the tribunal to dismiss the pet...
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INEC Threatens To Cancel Election Results Without Card Readers
5Mar By dthataNo Comments
Politics

INEC Threatens To Cancel Election Results Without Card Readers

Worried by the large-scale irregularities that characterised the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections in Niger State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state has warned that any community that refuses to allow the use of smart card readers during the next Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly polls would have the results of the affected area cancelled. INEC said the non use of the smart card readers contravenes the Electoral Act, insisting that the smart card readers were integral part of the electoral process and therefore mandatory for it to be used during the election. Resident Electoral Commissioner in Niger State, Professor Sam Egwu, gave the warning in Minna on Tuesday after inspecting materials for next Saturday’s el...
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Court nullifies Kano PDP guber primary, orders fresh election
5Mar By BobbyNo Comments
News

Court nullifies Kano PDP guber primary, orders fresh election

Kano PDP flag bearer, Alhaji Abba Kabir-Yusuf A federal High Court in Kano yesterday nullified the governorship primaries conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in which Abba Kabir-Yusuf emerged as its standard-bearer in the state.This is coming barely five days to the governorship and state House of Assembly elections nationwide. The cancellation followed a suit filed before the Court by one of the party’s gubernatorial aspirants, Ibrahim Ali-Amin, who challenged the legitimacy of the process that produced Kabir-Yusuf. Al-Amin had alleged that the PDP sidelined and booted him out of the race in the primary election. Ruling on the matter, Justice Lewis Allagoa, nullified the election on the grounds that the party had no incontrovertible reasons to deny the plaintiff p...
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INEC Blocks Ezekwesili’s Withdrawal From Presidential Race
24Jan By dthataNo Comments
Politics

INEC Blocks Ezekwesili’s Withdrawal From Presidential Race

Information reaching us now reveals that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has turned down the withdrawal request of the Presidential Candidate of ACPN, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili. The Electoral Body explained that it was acting on the Electoral Act which stipulates that a candidate would only withdraw from the race no less that 45 days to the date of elections. Mrs. Ezekwesili announced her withdrawal from the Presidential race earlier today. A move that has elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians with many questioning her motives for the action.
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Some of Buhari’s Poor Relatives Have Become billionaires – Galadima
26Dec By BobbyNo Comments
News

Some of Buhari’s Poor Relatives Have Become billionaires – Galadima

Buba Galadima, who is a spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party presidential campaign, has mentioned that some of President Muhammadu Buhari’s poor relatives have become billionaires, The Punch reports Galadima, who spoke on Sunrise Daily, a live programme on Channels Television, on Wednesday, alleged that some individuals close to Buhari, who were poor in 2015 when the President assumed office had somehow become owners of choice houses in the President’s hometown of Daura, Katsina State. The PDP campaign spokesperson made the accusation while engaging in a debate with an All Progressives Congress member, Senator Ayo Arise, who had faulted the amendment process of the Electoral Act. READ ALSO! Oshiomhole working against Buhari’s re-election - APC youths ...
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Electoral Act: Dogara, Gbajabiamila Stop Debate On Buhari’s Letter
12Dec By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Electoral Act: Dogara, Gbajabiamila Stop Debate On Buhari’s Letter

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday read a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari informing the National Assembly of his decision to withhold assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. The Speaker and the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, however, blocked the move to debate the rejection. Shortly after Dogara read the letter in plenary, a member, Mr Aliyu Madaki (PDP, Kano), raised a point of order to criticise the President for not assenting to the bill. Madaki said, “This has a lot to do with the well-being of this country. What we want is a free, fair and credible election. Mr President refusing to assent to the Electoral Act (amendment bill) shows clearly what he wants to do. The whole world is watching. Everybody is watching…” Gbajabia...
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NASS Approves President Buhari’s Demands On Electoral Act (Photos)
18Sep By dthataNo Comments
Politics

NASS Approves President Buhari’s Demands On Electoral Act (Photos)

Members of NASS committee on INEC have approved all President Buhari's wishes on electoral act.The news was shared by Abdulmumin Jibrin who wrote... 'BREAKING! Leading a team of lawmakers in my capacity as Converner of Parliamentary Support Group in the House of Representatives with Sen Omo Agege and days of behind the scene cross party and stake holders lobbying and negotiations, Joint NASS committee on INEC has approved all President Muhammadu Buhari/INEC prayers on the electoral act. On behalf of the Parliamentary Support Group PSG, we wish to thank the leadership, Chair ( Sen Sulaiman Nazif and Hon Aisha Dukku) members of INEC Committees of both chambers for their commitment. We thank Nigerians for their patience and understanding as we work assiduously towards a speedy and fru...
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Osun Guber Poll : Police Deploy Adequate Personnel
16Sep By BobbyNo Comments
News

Osun Guber Poll : Police Deploy Adequate Personnel

The Nigeria Police Force said it has deployed adequate personnel for the Osun governorship election scheduled for Sept. 22. A statement by the force spokesman, acting DCP Jimoh Moshood on Sunday in Abuja, said that the Inspector-General of Police has directed a robust and elaborate security arrangement be implemented in Osun. He said that the DIG in charge of operations, who has been deployed and would be assisted by eight Commissioners of police and other senior Officers. Moshood said the eight police area commands in Osun would be manned by a commissioner of Police. Police He said that two police Patrol Surveillance Helicopters, 30 Armoured Personnel Carriers, 10 Armoured Personnel Vehicles and 300 Police patrol vehicles are already deployed to cover the entire State includi...
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N45m Form: INEC Should Penalize Buhari For Violating Electoral Act – PDP Says
7Sep By dthataNo Comments
Politics

N45m Form: INEC Should Penalize Buhari For Violating Electoral Act – PDP Says

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said that the purchase of N45 million naira presidential nomination form for President Muhammadu Buhari to re-contest in the 2019 election violates the stipulations of the electoral laws of Nigeria. PDP also said that the purchase of the form for Buhari by a group it said is not registered smacks of fraud because, according to it, “Buhari can no longer play the pro-poor gimmick which his followers have always presented to Nigerians.” In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP said section 91 (9) of the electoral laws of Nigeria stipulates that “no individual or other entity shall donate more than One million naira (#1,000,000) to any candidate.” It therefore held that, for a group to purchase a form of N45 mil...
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Senator Omo-Agege’s Constituency Holds ‘Burial’ For Saraki. See Obituary Banner
25Apr By raymonNo Comments
News

Senator Omo-Agege’s Constituency Holds ‘Burial’ For Saraki. See Obituary Banner

This is very sad…talking about the lengths people go just because of politics. An obituary banner was designed for the ”burial” of senate president, Bukola Saraki over the suspension of senator Ovie Omo-Agege representing Delta Central at the National Assembly. The banner which was purportedly designed by some constituents in Delta state – was done to announce the political death of the senate president for ”conspiring” against their lawmaker to suspend him as they held a ‘burial’ for him (Saraki) few days ago in Abraka. Contrary to belief in some quarters that Senator Ovie Omo-Agege was suspended over his opposition to the election reordering bill, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has said the senator representing Delta Central was sanctioned for taking the Senate to court. ...
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46 Senators Sign Up Petition To Beg Buhari To Contest In 2019 Elections
20Mar By raymonNo Comments
News

46 Senators Sign Up Petition To Beg Buhari To Contest In 2019 Elections

Some Senators are planning to resist the National Assembly’s plot to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s veto on amendments to the Electoral Act. Their major concern is to ensure that the President’s veto survives, especially the rejection of the new Order of Elections for 2019. No fewer than 46 of the 108 senators have signed a register to stop moves by the Senate to pass the amendments to the Electoral Act without Buhari’s assent. Besides, some supporters of the President are lobbying members of the House of Representatives to oppose the plot to override his veto. The lobbyists are targeting about 260 members to sustain the veto. Twenty All Progressives Congress (APC) governors have joined the battle to prevail on Senators and Representatives to retain the present Order ...
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2019: Jonathan Explains Why APC Must Accept NASS Decision On Reordering Of Election
16Feb By raymonNo Comments
News

2019: Jonathan Explains Why APC Must Accept NASS Decision On Reordering Of Election

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has commended the National Assembly for reordering of 2019 general elections.   The National Assembly had recently reordered elections through the amendment of the Electoral Act.     Jonathan said the the amendment of the Electoral Act would help in the election of quality persons into various positions.   He spoke when he received the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus who led members of the National Working Committee, NWC on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Jonathan Foundation in Yenogoa, the Bayelsa State capital and was contained in a statement by Secondus spokesperson, Ike Abonyi.   The statement quoted Jonathan as urging the All Progressives Congress...
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Zimbabwe Elections Body Condemns Voter Intimidation As Polls Loom
31Jan By raymonNo Comments
News

Zimbabwe Elections Body Condemns Voter Intimidation As Polls Loom

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on Wednesday condemned voter intimidation by some individuals who were forcibly demanding voter registration slips or details thereof such as serial numbers from registrants. Several opposition parties and civic organisations had complained that some people were forcing the registrants to show them the serial numbers of their registration slips, with fingers pointing to the ruling Zanu-PF party. In a statement, ZEC acting chairperson, Emmanuel Magade, said the serial numbers and bar codes on the registration slips were only unique security identifiers used by the commission to internally validate the slips’ authenticity. “The commission has received reports that there are individuals forcibly demanding voter registration slips or details the...
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Enugu Youths Attack APC Over Comments On Ugwuanyi
29Jan By raymonNo Comments
News

Enugu Youths Attack APC Over Comments On Ugwuanyi

The Enugu youths Coalition group has fired the state chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC over its recent comments on the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The group went nuclear after the state chairman of the party, Ben Nwoye accused the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of breaching the nation’s electoral act by posting campaign posters in some areas of the state. In a statement made available to PoliticsNGR, signed by the national coordinator of the group, Edwin Obune, the group said; “The attention of Enugu Youths Coalition has been drawn to a statement attributed to the Enugu State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress in which the state Chairman Mr. Ben Nwoye accused the state governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of violating the nation’s Electoral Act over t...
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Eti-Osa Bye-Election: Police To Partner With Security Agencies
27Sep By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments
News

Eti-Osa Bye-Election: Police To Partner With Security Agencies

The Lagos State Police Command would synergize with other security agencies to ensure a violence-free bye election in Eti-Osa Constituency, Commissioner of Police, Ag. CP Edgal Imohimi, has said. Speaking on Tuesday in Lagos at a training programme for participating security agents ahead of the Sept. 30 bye election, Imohimi said the police would collaborate with others in making the election peaceful. “Adequate security will be provided as protection of lives and property remains our priority.” he said. Emphasizing the need for inter agency cooperation, Mr Okechukwu Ezeanna, a representative of the Department of State Service (DSS), said that no security agency could do it alone. “The case of Boko Haram, as bad as it is, brought an advantage. Before then, the level of cooperat...
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INEC Tasks Political Parties On Challenges Hindering Their Capacities
16Aug By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments
News

INEC Tasks Political Parties On Challenges Hindering Their Capacities

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on national officers of political parties to address challenges hindering capacity and efficiency of the parties in the country. Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the call at the opening of a two-day capacity workshop for Legal Advisers, Organising Secretaries and Treasurers of political parties on Tuesday in Abuja. Yakubu, represented by Prof Antonia Simbine, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman Elections and Party Monitoring Committee, said that there were key areas that needed to be given special attention in addressing the gaps. These gaps, according to him, are lack of or limited internal democracy in terms of electing parties’ executives, selecting candidates for office and formulating policies a...
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INEC To Announce New Registered Political Parties Wednesday
6Jun By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments
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INEC To Announce New Registered Political Parties Wednesday

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Wednesday to announce new political associations seeking to be registered as political parties. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Monday in Abuja, said the decision would be made public after the commission’s meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Kaduna. His words: “Let me assure Nigerians that under the Electoral Act, the commission is required to register new political parties and the guidelines are very clear for registration. “As at last week we received 95 applications for registration as new political parties. “At the end of this workshop there is going to be a retreat on Wednesday to review the ongoing voter registration, followed by a meeting of the commission here in Kaduna. “Ther...
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Drama As Lawyers Clash Over A’ibom Senatorial Seat
31May By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments
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Drama As Lawyers Clash Over A’ibom Senatorial Seat

Two groups of lawyers stormed the National Assembly on Tuesday to make counterclaims on the rightful occupant of the Akwa Ibom North- East senatorial district seat in the upper chamber of the National Assembly. Some lawyers under the aegis of the Coalition of Concerned Lawyers on the Akwa Ibom State North- East Senatorial District said the current occupant of the seat, Senator Bassey Akpan , had appealed his sacking by a court and should remain in office. Those under the umbrellas of the Alliance of Human Rights Lawyers and Civil Society for Sustainable Rule of Law in Nigeria, however, asked the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, to swear- in the contender for the senatorial seat, Bassey Etim, as ordered by the court. The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo had on February 27, ...
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Yahaya Bello In Voter’s Card Multiple Registration Scandal
27May By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments
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Yahaya Bello In Voter’s Card Multiple Registration Scandal

Voter Card Scandal: APC Disowns Bello, Demands Resignation Leke Baiyewu and Gbenga Odogun A faction of the All Progressives Congress in Kogi State has asked Governor Yaya Bello to tender his resignation or risk impeachment by the state’s House of Assembly over his alleged multiple registration for voter card. Leaders of the party also threatened to mobilise the state’s House of Assembly for the governor’s impeachment if he failed to resign. The Independent National Electoral Commission had accused Bello of registering twice for voter card in a breach of the provisions of the Electoral Act. At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the Chairman of the APC faction in Kogi, Hadi Ameto; and lawmaker representing Kogi-West Senatorial District, Senator Dino Melaye, strongly condem...
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2019: Presidential Nomination Forms To Cost N10million
3Apr By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments
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2019: Presidential Nomination Forms To Cost N10million

The Senate on March 30, passed the Electoral Act No 6 2010 (Amendment) Bill 2017 and one of the things it will do when signed into law, is abolish arbitrary fees for nomination forms fixed by political parties. Before now, the parties demanded high fees for nomination forms from aspirants, fixing a price as it deemed fit. President Muhammadu Buhari famously claimed he borrowed money to pay for his nomination form which cost N25 Million, in the build up to the 2015 general elections. However, the Bill has now put a N10 Million limit on the forms. The Bill is also aimed at instituting reforms in the electoral process by making it more free, fair and credible. HERE ARE 17 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BILL – It stipulates that “there shall now be full biometric accreditation of voters w...
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INEC Announces Dates For 2019 General Elections
9Mar By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments
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INEC Announces Dates For 2019 General Elections

BREAKING: INEC announces dates for 2019 general elections The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced dates for 2019 general elections. In a statement posted on its website Thursday, the electoral commission said it was making the announcements well ahead “in order to ensure certainty in our dates for elections, and to allow for proper planning by the Commission, political parties, security agencies, candidates and all stakeholders”. “To that extent, the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, 16th February 2019, while the Governorship/State Assembly/Federal Capital Territory Area Council Elections will hold on Saturday 2nd March 2019.” The commission also announced that 23 of its electoral officers being prosecuted for vari...
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Ekiti 2018: INEC Warn Candidates Against Early Campaign
9Feb By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments
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Ekiti 2018: INEC Warn Candidates Against Early Campaign

Ahead of the governorship election in Ekiti in 2018, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday declared as illegal the current campaigns being embarked on by some aspirants and their agents. The spokesperson of INEC in the state, Alhaji Taiwo Gbadegesin, told the News Agency of Nigeria,(NAN) in Ado Ekiti that all those engaging in such activities would be referred to law enforcement agencies. He said the commission had noted that some aspirants were erecting billboards as well as opening campaign offices in Ado Ekiti even when the commission had not directed them to do so. Gbadegesin also expressed disappointment with the manner some aspirants and their agents had been placing advertisements in the media canvassing the choice of certain individuals ahead of...
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Rivers Rerun Violence: Why Wike Is Desperate To Stop Probe – IGP
3Feb By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments
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Rivers Rerun Violence: Why Wike Is Desperate To Stop Probe – IGP

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has said the suit by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike challenging the probe into the violence the rerun election is intended to cover his tracks. The IGP said the decision by Wike to investigate the violence, for which he is being investigated, was a desperate move to pre-empt outcome of the probe by the Special Investigating Panel (SIP), constituted by the IGP. The police boss spoke through the notice of preliminary objection against the suit filed by Wike at the Federal High Court in Abuja. In the objection filed for him by Femi Falana (SAN), the IGP argued that the Judicial Commission of Enquiry set up by Wike had no power to investigate the crimes committed during the rerun election in Rivers and prosecute the culprits. H...
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Police Dismiss Six Personnel Attached To Wike Over Misuse Of Fire Arms
6Jan By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments
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Police Dismiss Six Personnel Attached To Wike Over Misuse Of Fire Arms

The police have dismissed an Inspector and five sergeants attached to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, over alleged misuse of firearms during the legislative rerun in the state in December last year. They are ex-Inspct. Eyong Victor, ex-Sgts. Peter Ekpo, Oguni Goodluck, Orji Nwoke, Okpe Ezekiel and Tanko Akor. The errant operatives were said to have stormed the Port Harcourt City Council Secretariat and prevented the movement of election results of Emouha polling unit to the appropriate collation centre designated by the Independent National Electoral Commission in disobedience to senior officers present. Their actions were said to be contrary to the provisions of Force Order 237. Parading the former policemen on Friday in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, Donal...
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Governor Ayo Fayose Alleges Impeachment Plot
5Jan By Czar Owolabi Marcus1 Comment
News

Governor Ayo Fayose Alleges Impeachment Plot

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has alleged that his predecessors, Segun Oni and Dr. Kayode Fayemi are plotting to remove him from office. He said Oni and Fayemi are involved in the plot because he rejected overtures to join the All Progressives Congress (APC). Fayose said the plot was hatched at a meeting of the duo in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, during the Yuletide. The governor also claimed his predecessors are acting on an alleged directive from the Presidency. He has petitioned acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, of “fresh plots by the APC to compromise a section of the Judiciary and muzzle democracy” in their desperation to oust him from office. The governor called Onnoghen’s attention to the plot to use Justice Okon Abang, of the Fed...
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Governor Seriake Dickson Floors Timipre Sylvat Supreme Court
8Nov By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments
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Governor Seriake Dickson Floors Timipre Sylvat Supreme Court

The Supreme Court, Tuesday, declined to annul the election of Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State. In a unanimous decision, a seven-man panel of Justices of the apex court led by Justice Mohammed Tanko, dismissed appeal the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its governorship candidate in the state, Timipre Sylva, lodged against Dickson. Justice Tanko who read the lead verdict held that the petition lacked merit. “This appeal lacks merit and it should be dismissed. I hereby dismiss the appeal and affirm the judgment of the court below. I shall give my reasons on Friday, November 18. Parties are to bear their cost”, Justice Tanko held. Nevertheless, the court, in two other judgments by Justices Kudirat Ekekere-Ekun and Olukayode Ariwola, dismissed cross-appeal Dickson and the Peopl...
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