Tag: Prof. Mahmood Yakubu

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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25Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

INEC: Buhari Asks Senate To Confirm Yakubu For Second Term

The Senate on Tuesday received a request from the President, Major General, Muhammadu Buhari, (retd.), to confirm Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, by for a second term in office as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission. The request was contained in a letter dated 21st October, 2020, and read on the floor by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan. The letter reads, “In accordance with the provision of Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate, the nomination of Professor Mahmood Yakubu for appointment as Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission for a second and final term. “While hoping that the Senate will consider and confirm the reappointment of the ...

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24Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

PDP Senators To Oppose Yakubu’s Confirmation As INEC Chair

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the Senate is set to block confirmation of the nomination of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for fresh five-year tenure by President Muhammadu Buhari, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed. This is coming just as the National Assembly resumes plenary today after a five-week break during which Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) defended their 2021 budget estimates before the committees of the federal parliament. Sources told THISDAY yesterday that the PDP senators met at the weekend and took far-reaching decisions, including opposing Yakubu’s nomination. Buhari had earlier this month forwarded the name of Yakubu to the Senate for confirmation, and President ...

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27Aug By dthataNo Comments

Politics

INEC Chairman Meets With Oba Of Benin Over Edo Elections

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu met with Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II on Thursday ahead of the highly anticipated Edo state gubernatorial Elections. He was welcomed by the Oba alongside his entourage. Yakubu earlier met with the Inter Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), in Benin. He assured that the commission was ready for the elections. “The whole purpose of this visit is to see firsthand the level of preparation. Yes, we received reports at the headquarters but we feel that it is important to come to Benin and see for ourselves what is on the ground. “On Feb. 6, 2020, the commission released a timetable and schedule of activities for Edo and Ondo governorship elections. We gave seven and eight months notic...

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30May By BobbyNo Comments

News

INEC admits COVID-19 truncated Nigeria’s electoral process

The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has assured Nigerians that COVID-19 won’t truncate Nigeria’s democracy and the electoral process. Yakubu spoke in Abuja at the INEC’s first virtual meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Saturday. The INEC Chairman, however, admitted that the virus disrupted INEC’s activities like other national institutions. He said: “For instance, further engagements with the National Assembly and stakeholders on electoral reform and the conduct of some off-season elections have to be suspended because of the global health emergency. “Happily, the PTF has issued guidelines on protective measures for the gradual restoration of normalcy nationwide. ”On that basis, the commission recentl...

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26May By BobbyNo Comments

News

Voters Without Face Masks will not be Allowed to Vote in Edo and Ondo Elections-INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said that Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) will be used for future elections in the country beginning from 2021, however, the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states will run on the existing order. INEC disclosed this in a document released on Monday in Abuja, which was tagged, "Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic", and signed by its Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu. The electoral umpire decried the rising cost of elections in the country, saying it would be liaising with the National Assembly to see how political parties can nominate replacements for dead representatives in line with a Supreme Court judgment that votes belong to the parties and not individuals. The commission sa...

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25May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

INEC To Pilot E-Voting In 2021, Seeks Cancellation Of Bye-Elections

In the wake of lifestyle changes occasioned by the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has said it would be adopting more technological tools in discharging its mandate, disclosing of its resolve to pioneer electronic voting in the country by 2021. This was as the electoral umpire decried the rising cost of elections in the country, saying it would be liaising with the National Assembly to see how political parties can nominate replacements for dead representatives in line with a Supreme Court judgment that votes belong to the parties and not individuals. INEC disclosed this in a document released Monday in Abuja which was tagged, “Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic”, and signed by its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Y...

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24Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

INEC In Dilemma As Coronavirus Threatens Edo, Ondo Elections

As the coronavirus pandemic contin­ues to ravage the country, there is confusion at the Indepen­dent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the fate of the governor­ship primaries in Edo and Ondo states as well as the elections, Daily Indepen­dent has gathered. While the governorship elections have been fixed for September 19 in Edo and October 10 in Ondo state, INEC has scheduled June 2 to June 27 for primary elections and nomination of candidates in Edo, while July 2 to July 25 for Ondo. INEC’s chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at a meeting with resident electoral commissioners, in Abuja, at the weekend had said the commission will rigorously monitor the primaries and apply sanc­tions if needed. He also said given recent experience with some gov­ernorship elections, polit­i...

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9Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari’s Comments Confirm Fraud In 2019 Polls – Kola Ologbondiyan

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent comments on the country’s electoral process under the current Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) questions the credibility of the February 2019 presidential election. The party noted yesterday that in demanding that INEC and the police should ensure that the will of the people prevailed in credible elections, going forward, the president admitted that elections under the current dispensation had been anything but credible. In a statement by its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP noted that in a meeting with the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, at the Presidential Villa, Buhari said, “Our elections...

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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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9Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Bayelsa Election: Run For Your Life – NYSC DG Tells Corps Members

Corps members participating in Bayelsa Gubernatorial Election scheduled for November 16, have been advised to think of their safety first. In a statement issued by Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi, Director of Press and Public Relations of the National Youth Service Corps on behalf of the Director-General of the NYSC Brig Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim on Friday November 8, corps members were told to be security-conscious and look for escape routes in case of emergency. “Run for your dear lives in case of any emergency and don’t endanger your safety. “Be courteous when dealing with the electorates, caution yourself when provoked and ensure that your phone is fully charged with enough call cards during the election,” he said. Corps members were also advised to abide by the electoral laws and avoi...

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24Aug By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Parliamentary Polls: INEC Pledges To Assist Chad

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed its readiness to assist its counterpart from the Republic of Chad to conduct free, fair and credible parliamentary elections. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gave the assurance when he received delegation of Chad’s Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), led by its Vice Chairman, Mr. Adama Djibert, to INEC headquarters on Friday in Abuja. He commended Djibert for acknowledging Nigeria’s support to Chad’s electoral process and democracy in the recent past Yakubu pledged that the INEC would work within its powers to offer technical assistance in certain areas for the conduct of the elections. “Both at this meeting and in our private discussion in the office, you raised a number of issues and I want...

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17Jul By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Tribunal Issues Subpoena On INEC Chairman Over Atiku, PDP’s Complaints

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) has ordered the issuance of subpoena on the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Zamfara State. They are, by the subpoena issued on July 9, 2019, expected to appear and produce some documents used for the last election, required by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, who are petitioners before the tribunal. At the resumption of proceedings on Wednesday, petitioners’ lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), told the tribunal that the subpoena had been served on the two officials but they have failed to either appear or make available the documents requested. He said subpoena are like summ...

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8Jul By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Server Controversy: I Will Open Up Soon, Says INEC Chairman

THE Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, plan to speak very soon on the server controversy trailing the conduct and outcome of the 2019 general elections. Yakubu said since the server matter was an issue before the Presidential Elections Tribunal, he will speak after the final judgment on all petitions. He, however, asked interested Nigerians to go and read the statements on oath by the petitioners and the defendants to have a full grasp of the issues surrounding the controversial server. But INEC plans to create more Polling Units (PUs) for accessibility to make voting faster and easier for the electorate. Yakubu said the swing in the nation’s demography has led to a population surge in some cities. He said while the Fe...

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25May By BobbyNo Comments

News

INEC Bows To Supreme Court Judgement, Declares PDP Winner Of Zamfara Election

According to Punch Metro, the Independent National Electoral Commission on Saturday complied with the judgment of the Supreme Court on the 2019 general elections held in Zamfara State and declared the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, winners of the elections. The chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, told journalists in Abuja that Certificates of Return would be given to the governor-elect, Deputy-governor-elect, three Senators and seven House of Representatives members-elect by 2:00 p.m. on Monday. Details later…

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9May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Nigeria’s Electoral Law Is Problematic – INEC Chairman

INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who spoke at the 12th National Delegates Conference of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria held in Jos, Plateau State capital, on Wednesday, disclosed that Nigeria’s electoral law is problematic. Mahmood who was represented by the electoral commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, stated a new legal framework must be put in place in order to address the irregularities being witnessed in the nation’s electoral process.The INEC Chairman who maintained that Nigeria's electoral law is problematic, stated that the current legal framework creates uncertainty and undermines the people’s confidence. Mahmood who made a case for an electoral law that would ensure...

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4Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Rivers Election: My Mandate Was Stolen — Awara Cries Out

The Rivers State governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpomabo Awara, yesterday claimed to know why top officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are foisting Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the people. Speaking on a local radio, Awara alleged that the INEC leadership returned Wike as the governor to prevent him from being probed for his actions when he held the forte in the Education Ministry as minister. He named INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; the National Commissioner in charge of Rivers, Bayelsa and Edo states, May Agbamuche-Mbu; Rivers REC Obo Effanga and Administrative Secretary in the state Elder Etim Umoh as those offering Wike cover. According to him, his agent Dr. Lawrence Chuku was ...

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27Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Enugu Elections Exceptional, One Of The Best In Country, Says INEC

The national leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commended the peaceful and successful conduct of the just concluded general election in Enugu State, describing it as exceptional, one of the best in the country and a demonstration of “good electoral behavior”. The electoral umpire added that the exercise in Enugu State, unlike in some states, witnessed no case of “violence, snatching of ballot boxes or all sorts of electoral malpractices”. The INEC commendation was made by the National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Barr. Festus Okoye, during the presentation of Certificates of Return to Gov. Ugwuanyi and Governor-elect, his deputy and the Deputy Governor-elect, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo and the elected members of the ...

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27Mar By BobbyNo Comments

News

Don’t suppress rule of law – INEC charges Ekiti lawmakers-elect

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Wednesday, advised lawmakers-designate in Ekiti State, to promote equity and justice when inaugurated as members of the House of Assembly. The electoral commission said the essence of the legislature is to strengthen constitutionality and the rule of law by making laws for the good governance, and urged the incoming legislators not to derail from this norm. The Acting Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Ekiti State, Dr. Muslim Omoleke spoke in Ado-Ekiti while presenting certificates of return to the 26 legislators-designate elected during the March 9 and 23 assembly polls. The event was attended by the Police Commissioner, Mr Asuquo Amba and other security chiefs in the state, APC chieftains, traditional rulers and elde...

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23Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Why I Am Able To Influence Elections – Tinubu

Sen. Bola Tinubu, an All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, says his moral authority plays a role in his ability to influence elections. He also said that other tools that helped him influence elections were his skills as a veteran politician and dedication to campaigning and mobilising his own party members. Tinubu said this on Friday in Lagos while responding to an advertorial in the media, alleging that he met with the INEC Chairman to influence the Sokoto State governorship rerun election in favour of the APC. Read Also: How Buhari presidency ordered INEC not to declare Wike winner in secret meeting Our attention has been drawn to a partisan advertorial in the March 21 edition of Daily Trust, entitled – ‘Inconclusive Gubernatorial Election: Sokoto People Warn ...

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23Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Sokoto Rerun: Tinubu Denies Meeting With INEC Chairman

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has debunked rumours of his alleged meeting with the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. According to a report by Daily Trust an organisation that called itself the Sokoto State Coalition of PDP supporters, had alleged that Tinubu and other APC chieftains met with the INEC chairman to influence the election in favour of APC. Other APC Chieftain accused of being in the meeting were the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomole; Senator Adamu Aliero and Zamfara State Governor Abdul’Aziz Yari, met with Yakubu in order to influence the Sokoto State governorship rerun election in favour of APC. However, Tinubu Media Office yesterday, describ...

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17Mar By BobbyNo Comments

Uncategorized

PDP accuses INEC chairman of refusing Atiku access to election materials

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, of refusing the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar access to election materials. The Court of Appeal had ordered INEC to allow Atiku’s lawyers inspect ballot materials used in the February 23 presidential election, in furtherance of the petition filed by the PDP candidate against President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election. However, in a statement yesterday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said that Yakubu and the leadership of INEC have refused to obey the order of the appellate court, given on March 6, 2019. The PDP described INEC’s actions as deliberate and wicked ploy, and accused the electoral body of acting in cahoo...

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16Mar By BobbyNo Comments

News

INEC chairman denies Atiku access to election materials, PDP alleges

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday accused the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, of refusing the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar access to election materials. The Court of Appeal had ordered INEC to allow Atiku’s lawyers inspect ballot materials used in the February 23 presidential election, in furtherance of the petition filed by the PDP candidate against President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election. However, in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said Yakubu and the leadership INEC have refused to obey the order of the appellate court, given on March 6, 2019. The PDP described INEC’s actions as deliberate and wicked ploy, accusing the electoral body of acting in cahoots with the gove...

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16Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Declare Imo North Senatorial Result Now, PDP Charges INEC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) charges the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to direct the immediate announcement of the already collated results of the February 23, 2019 Imo North Senatorial election, as well as March 9 rerun poll, in which the PDP candidate, Hon. Ndubueze Patrick, is in clear lead. The party cautions that the continuous delay in announcing the final result, after returns have been established at the polling units, wards and Local Governments levels is already heightening tension in the state. This is more so as the results have been moved to INEC headquarters in Abuja following the harassment of INEC officials in Imo state by agents of the losing All Progressives Congress (APC) and Action Alliance (AA). ...

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14Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

INEC Issues Certificate Of Return To Senators-elect

The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has urged Senators-elect to commence and conclude work on the review of the electoral legal framework early, ahead of the 2023 General Elections. INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the call on Thursday at a ceremony for the Issuance of Certificate of Return to Senators-elect at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. Yakubu said that late conclusion of the review of the electoral law would affect the commission’s implementation of the framework. He said that as a matter of urgency, the commission would begin work on post 2019 elections review and road map to 2023. “There is a lot of work but very little time available. As a process governed by law, the success of election in Nigeria depends to a large extent ...

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13Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Timi Frank Exposes Midnight Meeting Between Buhari, INEC Boss, Others

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank has revealed another midnight meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chief of Army Staff, and the acting Inspector General of Police among others. Frank in a statement in Abuja, claimed that the meeting was called at the instance of the presidency on how to perfect victory for the ruling party in the six states already declared inconclusive by the INEC. The President had earlier on Tuesday met behind closed door with some Northern govermors, which the purpose was not made known to the public. Exposing the meeting through a press statement Wednesday in Abuja, the political activist s...

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1Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

How INEC Chairman Stopped Chidoka From Staging ‘Orubebe’ At National Collation Centre

There was fear of a repeat of the 31 March 2015 ‘Orubebe drama’ during the collation of last Saturday’s presidential election results held at the National Collation Centre, located at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja. The PDP agent and spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr Osita Chidoka, early Wednesday, tried unsuccessfully to trigger the suspension of the declaration of the result by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. It all started when Mr. Chidoka reminded Prof. Yakubu about the petition his party, the PDP wrote to INEC. He alleged that the INEC Chairman promised that details of accreditation captured by the card reader across the country would be provided during collation of results. “Yesterday (Monday), our coll...

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27Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

PDP Kicks, Calls For A Rerun As INEC Declares Buhari Winner

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has kicked against the results as announced by the Independent National Electoral (INEC) for the Saturday Presidential election. The INEC Wednesday morning declared incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress APC as Nigeria’s President-elect having polled the highest number of votes in last Saturday’s Presidential election. While Buhari scored 15, 191, 847, his main challenger, former vice president Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP polled 11, 262, 978 votes. Consequently, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who is also the Chief Returning Officer for the Presidential Election said Mr Buhari would be presented with a Certificate of Return alongside his vice, Yemi Osinbajo. Buhari was declared Pres...

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27Feb By BobbyNo Comments

News

INEC to present certificates of return to President Buhari and VP Yemi Osinbajo at 2pm today

Shortly after declaring President Buhari winner of Saturday's presidential election, INEC chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu confirmed that certificates of return will be presented to the president-elect Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Yemi Osinbajo at 2pm today.   The presentation ceremony will be held at the National collation center in Abuja.

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26Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

INEC Chairman Accused Of Mounting Pressure On Rivers State REC

The National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of elections DIG Lakanu have been accused by sources within the Rivers State Government of mounting undue pressure on the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Obo Efanga to re-inject earlier rejected results from 2 local Governments of the State. Results from Emohua, Ikwerre, Okrika and Asari Toru Local Government Areas of Rivers State were rejected by the Commission through its respective Local Government Area Electoral Officers (EOs) who confirmed them to be concocted by the Military at gunpoint. Recall that Rivers State as well as other States like Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom, strongholds of the Peoples Democratic Party, witnessed un...

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24Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

No Cancellation Of Any Election Results – INEC Chairman

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said that no cancellation of elections in any part of the country. He also revealed that Ekiti state is the first to conclude collation of election result. The country went to polls on Saturday to vote in the presidential and National Assembly elections. Meanwhile, the commission has handedover an Eleectoral Officer (EO) to the security agencies over some infractions. Yakubu who did not say much about the offend noted that the case is under investigation. On the general conduct of the elections, Yakubu said the Commission is happy with the peaceful polls

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22Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Election 2019: Voting Will Commence At 8am On Saturday – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission has assured Nigerians and the international community that it has concluded arrangements to commence elections by 8am on Saturday. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gave the assurance on Friday in Abuja while addressing a press conference on the commission’s preparations for the presidential and National Assembly elections. Yakubu said that the commission has concluded the deployment of sensitive and non-sensitive materials to the 774 local government areas across the country. “We engaged 825,543 ad hoc staff ranging from presiding officers to collation and returning officers. We have mobilised 80,000 commercial vehicles and about 996 boats for the deployment of personnel and materials. “The materials include 707,892 ballot boxes ...

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22Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Nigerians To Know Their President Latest Wednesday – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has said the conclusion of declaration of the 2019 Presidential Election results would not take longer than the 2015 elections in spite of the sheer number of presidential candidates, size of the result sheets and increased voter population. This was as the commission said it has achieved a 100 percent reconfiguration of its 180, 000 smart card readers ahead of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections on Saturday. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this in Abuja while briefing journalists on the state of preparedness of the commission for the polls. Yakubu said the commission was working to ensure that it does not keep Nigerians waiting for days without declaring the results, saying the time limit would not exc...

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20Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

2019 Presidency: INEC Reveals Time Frame For Announcing Winner

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the timeframe for result declaration of the 2019 Presidential Election. The commission assured that the results would not take longer than the 2015 elections, in spite of the number of presidential candidates, size of the result sheets and increased voter population. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said this on Wednesday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the state of preparedness of the commission for the polls. Yakubu said the commission was working to ensure that it does not keep Nigerians waiting for days without declaring the results. He said the time limit would not exceed what obtained in 2015. Recall that in 2015, while the Presidential Election held on a Saturday, a winner was not declare...

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20Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

PDP Accuses APC, Presidency Of Fresh Plot To Rig In Kano, Lagos, 14 Other States

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigerian Presidency of arm-twisting security agencies and plotting to replace Electoral Officers (EOs) in “some critical states” with APC agents to allegedly rig this Saturday’s presidential election. The Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Kola Ologbondiyan, told newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had allegedly succumbed to pressure to replace Electoral Officers in PDP strongholds in order to rig the election in favour of President Muhammadu Buhari. The states, according to Ologbondiyan, are Kano, Kaduna, Rivers, Bauchi, Akwa-Ibom, Zamfara, Benue, Sokoto, Lagos, Plateau, Taraba, Borno, Adamawa, Kogi,...

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20Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

You Must Earn The Confidence Of Nigerians Again – APC To INEC

The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) Presidential Campaign Council said on Wednesday that asking the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to resign is of the solution to delivering a credible election this weekend, saying the commission must work to earn the confidence of Nigerians again that they can deliver a credible poll. Director, Election monitoring and Planning, Babatunde Raji Fashola who spoke at a news conference in Abuja said many Nigerians have sacrificed so much for Nigerian democracy, pointing out that their sacrifice must not be allowed to waste, pointing out that any party asking the INEC Chairman to resign does not understand the workings of government He said “Election and lack of elections have consequences. Man...

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20Feb By BobbyNo Comments

News

Nothing Can Stop Feb 23 Elections – INEC Chairman Said

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said to the International community that the February 23rd election will hold and nothing can stop it. Prof. Mahmood Yakubu stated this in Abuja while addressing a cross-section of the diplomatic community and international election monitoring groups in Nigeria, for the 2019 General Election. “We believe that as a prayerful nation the act of God has been assuaged and that things will go right, we have no reason to feel that anything will go wrong. “We have received all the materials, they have been checked, audited, people have been informed, party agents have gone there to check,” he said. The official said that INEC had already taken responsibility for the postponement and that the body was comm...

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20Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

We Are Now Ready For Election, Says INEC

After the tongue lashing by virtually all segments of the public for last Saturday’s last minute postponement of the presidential and National Assembly election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday began the public confidence rebuilding process, telling Nigerians that it is now ready to hold the poll rescheduled for Saturday nationwide. Its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in his first progress report told the media in Abuja that the hitches that caused the poll shift have been cleared and that the fresh time-lines for the conduct of the election are now being met. Specifically, he said the commission has achieved 98 per cent reconfiguration of its smart card readers, saying it is a significant milestone towards the conduct of the election and assured th...

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19Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

You Must First Resign As APC Chairman Before Asking INEC Boss To Resign – Adebayo Shittu To Oshiomhole

Adebayo Shittu, Nigeria's Minister of Communications who reacted to calls for resignation of INEC Boss, Yakubu Mahmood, spearheaded by Adams Oshiomhole, has stated that the former Edo State Governor must first resign as APC Chairman before asking the INEC boss to. The Minister of Communications who spoke on Monday, February 18, with reporters at his Ibadan residence on the rescheduling of the general elections urged Nigerians to give the INEC chairman a benefit of doubt. According to him, if the INEC Chairman resigns, it would affect the conduct of the rescheduled general elections on Saturday, February 23. “When Oshiomhole supervised a horrible primaries elections of the party, who called for his resignation? I will not support such call for resignation of the INEC chairman. To er...

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18Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Calls For Resignation Of INEC Chairman Unfair – NANS

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) says it is unfair to call for the resignation of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over election postponement. NANS’ National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Bestman Okereafor, said this in a statement he issued in Enugu on Monday. Okereafor said: “Even though we frown at the manner and timing of the announcement of the postponement, we still consider the decision to be in the best interest of Nigerians. “It is a reality that the postponement of the elections by INEC has in a great way exposed the faces of betrayals and which we expect political parties to be grateful for.’’ The NANS spokesman, however, said that it was on record that this was not the first time the na...

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18Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Election Postponement: How International Community Saved INEC Chairman’s Job

Pressure from the international community, especially the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), and the European Union (EU) saved Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), from being relieved of his job following the sudden postponement of the 2019 general elections, Daily Independent has gathered. The INEC chairman had cited “logistics and operational problems” to postpone the February 16 presidential and National Assembly elections to February 23, while the governorship and House of Assembly elections will now take place on March 9. It was gathered that President Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who was apparently disappointed by the postponement had in a meeting in Aso Rock co...

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18Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

CUPP Dares INEC, Asks Opposition Parties To Resume Campaign For Atiku

The Coalition of United Political Parties on Sunday asked member parties to shun the directive by the Independent National Electoral Commission and resume campaigns ahead of the Saturday’s presidential election. Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, had during an interactive session with stakeholders in Abuja on Saturday said political parties could not resume campaigns despite the postponement of the presidential election earlier scheduled for February. Answering a question raised by a former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, who represented the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party at the session, Yakubu had said since campaign for the election ended last Thursday, parties could not resume campaign again. But CUPP, in a statement by its national spo...

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16Feb By BobbyNo Comments

Entertainment

Davido Reacts To INEC Postponement Of Election

Nigerian Musician David Adeleke popularly known as Davido has reacted to the postponement of the presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Naija News had reported that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Saturday morning announced the postponement of the 2019 presidential and governorship election by a week. Mahmood attributed the postponement of all the scheduled elections to logistic and operational problems. Reacting, David urged Nigerians not to worry about the postponement of the election. According to him, “Delay of election is not denial.” On his Twitter page, Davido wrote: “The last President did the same no cause for alarm. To God be the glory. Delay is not denial.” The popular musician is supporti...

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16Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Everybody Suffers As Nigeria Heads To Poll – Daily Mail UK

Nigeria's electoral commission delayed the presidential election until Feb. 23, making the announcement a mere five hours before polls were set to open Saturday. It cited unspecified "challenges" amid reports that voting materials had not been delivered to all parts of the country. Residents of Africa's most populous nation and largest democracy will soon wake up to outrage. Many had relocated for the chance to vote. "This was a difficult decision to take but necessary for successful delivery of the elections and the consolidation of our democracy," commission chairman Mahmood Yakubu told reporters in the capital, Abuja. He said more details would be released during an afternoon briefing. A review of logistics, along with the determination to hold a credible vote, led the comm...

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16Feb By BobbyNo Comments

News

Why We Postponed Nigeria’s Election To Feb. 23rd – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has explained why it postponed the general elections earlier scheduled for Saturday, 16th February, 2019. INEC boss The commission shifted the election by one week, explaining how difficult it was for it to shift the general elections. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who briefed journalists at about 2:43am on Saturday, in Abuja, said the commission had met on Friday, 15th February 2019 and reviewed its preparations for the 2019 General Elections earlier scheduled for Saturday, and therefore, shifted the Presidential and National Assembly elections to Saturday, 23rd February 2019. He said the commission would later in the day be meeting with key stakeholders at the International Conference Centre, Abuja to discuss issu...

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13Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

INEC Chairman Teaches Nigerians How To Vote, Handle Ballot Papers

As we approach the 2019 general elections, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, took out time to teach and demonstrate how to properly handle ones ballot paper after voting. With the aide of photos displayed on the commission’s twitter handle, INEC, demonstrated how an electorate can vote to avoid being disqualified.

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12Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Commonwealth Election Observers Land In Nigeria, Meet INEC

The Commonwealth Election Observers have landed in Nigeria ahead of the 2019 presidential Elections on Saturday. The group led by former President of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, on Monday, met with the Independent National Electoral Commission chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and members of the Commission. The meeting took place at the Commission’s Conference Hall Abuja. Below are more Photographs from the meeting;

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8Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

INEC Creates 57,023 More Voting Points For Elections

Ahead of next Saturday ’ s elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission has created additional 57, 023 voting points to address the large number of voters which now stands at 84 million . Information obtained by The PUNCH showed that the voting points would be carved out of the existing 119 , 973 polling units nationwide . This comes barely a month after the Chairman of INEC , Prof. Mahmood Yakubu , said more voting units would not be created. Yakubu had said last month , “ On polling units, the commission wishes to assure the media that there is no change in the number of polling units and voting points used for the 2015 general elections and the 2016 Area Council elections in the FCT. “ Any insinuation that new polling units, voting points or voting points are...

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4Feb By BobbyNo Comments

News

Foreigners Not Prohibited from Political Campaigns

Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that there is no law that prevents foreigners from coming to Nigeria to campaign for political candidates ahead of the forthcoming general election, noting, however, that they cannot contest or vote during the elections. This is coming as the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Austin Agbonlahor, has warned that military personnel have no business around the polling units during the elections. The Plateau State CP, however, clarified that all other security agents may be deployed in the voting centres but not the Army, Air Force or the Navy. Answering questions at an expanded stakeholders’ forum organised by INEC in Jos, the Plateau State capital, the electoral body...

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8Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

INEC Projects 84m Voters For Feb Polls

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has formally presented the national register of voters to the nation’s 91 political parties, with a registered voting population of a little over 84 million. Presenting the register at yesterday’s quarterly consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja, chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, also assured Nigerians that there was no plan to create new polling units or voting points, aside from those used for the 2015 general elections. He said: “As you would have noticed, the commission has been diligently implementing the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2019 general elections. We have so far implemented eight out of 14 activities. “At this meeting, we shall implement the 9th activity by publishing the fi...

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