News Agency of Nigeria
INEC, NIMC strengthen collaboration on citizens’ registration, data mgt.
General News

INEC, NIMC strengthen collaboration on citizens’ registration, data mgt.

Data

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have deepened their collaboration on data harmonisation for citizens registration and identity management.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu stated this when he received the NIMC Director-General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote and her management team at INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Yakubu said that the move between the two sister agencies holding the largest biometric databases of Nigerians could in future enable citizens to vote from any location in the country.

He explained that while INEC holds the database of citizens for the purpose of elections, NIMC has the record of citizens generally.

“Since the ultimate goal is to enroll every citizen with NIMC, we look forward to the day when your database will serve as the single source of truth for citizenship identification in Nigeria.

“When the time comes, the national register of voters may simply draw from the citizenship register as is the case in many jurisdictions around the world.

“This may also enable citizens to vote in future elections from their places of choice anywhere in the country rather than the places they register as voters as is the case at present.

“To achieve this long-term goal, we will continue to deepen our collaboration with NIMC,’’ he said.

Yakubu said that the NIMC was collaborating with INEC to enable citizens to register for voter cards and the National Identification Number (NIN) simultaneously, during the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

“It is in furtherance of this collaboration that NIMC is deploying its officials to some of our registration centres during the ongoing nationwide CVR.

“The idea is to provide more Nigerians who are yet to enroll for the NIN the opportunity to do so.

“Working with NIMC, we carried out a pilot during the recent CVR in Anambra from July 8 to July 202025.

“ We are now set to scale it up nationwide. Citizens will, therefore, have the opportunity to register as voters while simultaneously registering for the NIN.

“In due course, NIMC will provide details of the locations of our CVR centres where it will deploy its officials and also provide the modalities for the NIN registration,’’ he said.

Earlier in her remarks, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said that the collaboration was part of the NIMC mandate to harmonise data across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Coker-Odusote explained that the collaboration would create a trust-based system that would benefit Nigerians across sectors, particularly in voting and ensure transparency, accountability and fairness.

This according her is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, who is keen about promoting credible elections in Nigeria through reliable identity system.

“The goal set out in front of us is very key because we must ensure that we provide systems that are trusted by the public.

“Ensuring that we do what is required to satisfy Nigerians and make sure that our mandate, which is in line with the will of the people, is achieved.

“On this note, one of the key steps in us advancing this course is for us to start off with INEC on their voter registration exercise for INEC to ensure that we are available during this process.

“This is to be able to provide access to Nigerians at the community level to be able to enroll and register for the NIN in collaboration with the INEC,’’ Coker-Odusote said

Feilding questions from media on when Nigerians would have access to one Identity Card from NIMC for different purpose, she said it was a work in progress, that would be achieved.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu

Opportunities, hurdles in conducting all elections same day
Features

Opportunities, hurdles in conducting all elections same day

By Emmanuel Oloniruha, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The quest for further reforms of the Electoral Act is gaining momentum as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.

At the centre of these conversations is a bill before the National Assembly proposing that all major elections– presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly be held on the same day.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’adua, seeks to amend the Electoral Act 2022.

It also proposes early voting for Nigerians on essential duty, such as electoral officials, security personnel, accredited observers, and journalists, so that they can cast their ballots before the official election date.

While some stakeholders hail it as a bold reform that can save costs, improve logistics, boost turnout and align Nigeria with international best practices, others warn that the country’s fragile infrastructure and logistical complexities make the idea impractical.

Concerns were also expressed about the capability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to handle the responsibility and the political will to properly fund the commission to implement such reform effectively.

“Why can’t we just vote once and be done with it?” Amuda John, a businessman in Abuja, asked.

Many Nigerians also share his view wondering why they have to close their shops/offices or abandon their daily routines twice in every election cycle in order to cast their votes.

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), one of the strongest voices in favour of the reform, argues that the current staggered system is not cost-effective, citing the repeated shutdown of economic activities on election days.

“A one-day election simplifies the process by reducing repeated transportation and storage of sensitive materials.

“It also reduces the risks of logistical failures, delays, and potential mishandling of electoral materials,” IPAC stated.

Former lawmaker, Chief Sam Onuigbo, also agreed that conducting all elections in one day saves time and cost.

“It is probably going to guarantee a higher level of transparency,’’ he said.

Onuigbo also stressed that early voting for essential workers such as security personnel, journalists, and election officials was crucial.

The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, said that Nigeria had attained the height and the status of being able to conduct elections in one day.

“Having elections in one day is very possible; all we just need is to ensure that all the required logistics to make it happen are put in place.

“Many countries, including the U.S. and Brazil—with larger voting populations compared to Nigeria—still hold their elections in one day.

“If the U.S. and Brazil can do it, Nigeria can.”

The electoral reform campaigner expressed confidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had the capacity to conduct the elections in one day.

Itodo said what the commission needed to do was to build its capacity, and not to pull back.

“If polling units have five officials, you increase them to seven; if sorting and counting of result takes longer, you extend the time.’’

Itodo, however, dismissed the arguments that low literacy levels could lead to voter confusion, saying making such comparisons was unfair to Nigerian voters.

“These are the same people we have seen in previous elections, where they will vote one party for the State House of Assembly member, and another party for president.

“We have seen all these variants in the way people cast their votes; it tells you the level of their political consciousness.

“It is the same thumb print that they are doing; it is just that they will have two additional ballot papers; it can only be additional three if the reserve seat bill is passed,’’ he said

A public affairs analyst, Mr Jide Ojo, also believes Nigeria can successfully implement one-day elections, citing international practices.

“I have observed elections in Ghana, Uganda, the U.S. and Egypt.

“In the U.S., elections take place for 12 hours in a day; they do not only elect the president, but also governors, senators, congressmen, even judges and board members.

“In Kenya’s 2022 general elections, six different elections were conducted on the same day.

“If Kenya can, why not Nigeria? You cannot tell me that Kenya is more prosperous than Nigeria.”

Ojo said Nigeria had a precedent where INEC conducted presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives, and Area Council elections all in one day.

“If it happened then, why can’t it happen again? All it requires is adding two more ballot boxes and deploying slightly more resources.”

The development consultant also argued that the fear of overstretching security agencies is misplaced, saying it is the same number of security personnel that is required to manage either involving three or five ballots on the same day.

“What you need is better planning, not doubling of resources.”

Ojo said that INEC could energies the political parties as well as collaborate with National Orientation Agency, Ministry of Information, CSOs and the media to conduct robust voter education ahead of elections.

However, an INEC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the question was not really about the capacity of the commission to conduct all elections in one day, but the practicability of the proposal and what it intended to achieve.

“What is wrong with the current method? Will conducting all elections same day guarantee credibility? Will it produce a different outcome from what we are having now?

“What is the practicality of it? Did the lawmakers seek INEC’s opinion before embarking on this move?” the official queried.

The official argued that there were reasons INEC currently holds general elections in two parts, with the presidential and national assembly coming first and the governorship and house of assembly following.

“Even as things stand now, the commission is still finding it challenging to deal with the logistics aspect.

“Remember, for the presidential and national assembly elections, voting takes place simultaneously between 8.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. in over 176,000 polling units across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,’’ he said.

According to him, after voting comes sorting, counting, collation at ward, local government and state levels, then onward movement of results by state returning official physically to the Chief electoral commissioner at the National Collation Centre.

The INEC official said that adding the burden of other elections to the first part (Presidential and National Assembly) might truncate the process.

According to the official, since the constitution gives INEC the exclusive power to determine the date of an election, the lawmakers should not try to erode the power.

Executive Director of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), Ezenwa Nwagwu, described the idea as an “elite conversation” disconnected from Nigeria’s grassroots realities.

He said that those who lived in urban cities such as Abuja, Lagos Port Harcourt and others might not understand the challenges involved.

“Conducting elections in Nigeria with more than 94 million registered voters is like conducting elections in nearly all of West Africa.

“Sometimes, election materials and officials have to be transported by car, then by bike, sometimes even by camel; those who live in Abuja, Lagos or Port Harcourt think Nigeria ends there.’’

Nwagwu said there were parts of Nigeria where you could travel for seven hours and still be within the same state.

“There are also places where election materials must be transported by air.’’

He cautioned against raising concerns on cost as the proposed model also came with additional costs, including the additional ballot boxes and logistics which would inflate INEC’s budget.

“When the commission presents the figures, the same critics will complain that the budget is in billions.

“It is not about whether voters can handle five ballots; it is about whether the system can manage the cumbersome administration of it all,” he said.

As the debate continues on whether to embrace one-day elections, or to retain the staggered model, what remains certain is that the credibility of Nigeria’s elections depends not just on when they are held, but on how well they are managed. (NANFeatures)

CVR: 500,000 participate in INEC pre-registration in 5 days
Politics

CVR: 500,000 participate in INEC pre-registration in 5 days

CVR

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 505,906 voters have participated in its pre-registration for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja during a roadshow organised by the commission to flag off the 2025 CVR exercise.

Yakubu said that INEC designated and activated its portal for the CVR exercise five days ago.

Represented by National Commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, he said that the figure attested to the fact that Nigerians believed in democracy and INEC’s effort to further strengthen the electoral process.

Yakubu said that the CVR highlighted a significant step of INEC’s effort to deliver credible elections and to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

The INEC chairman said that the CVR started with online pre-registration on Aug. 18, enabling citizens to use their electronic devices to pre-register online.

He said that starting from Aug. 25, INEC Local Government Area (LGA) and state offices would be open for in-person registration.

According to him, the in-person registration will afford those who pre-registered online and those who want to register afresh the opportunity to complete the process by capturing their fingerprint and photographs.

“The commission is impressed by the response of Nigerians who visited the online platform to pre-register.

“As at midnight of Aug. 22, 505,906 citizens have pre-registered.

“This is a testament that Nigerians believe in our democracy and the effort of the commission to further strengthen the electoral process,” Yakubu said.

He urged all citizens who are 18 years and above, and those who want to update or transfer their voter records, to seize the opportunity to do so.

“Your Permanent Voter Card (PVC) is key to making your voice heard,” he said.

The CVR, according to INEC Chairman, will run across 811 centers, including INEC 774 Local Government offices and state offices, from 9 a.m to 3 p.m, Monday to Friday.

He advised Nigerians to access INEC user-friendly portal at www.cvr.inecnigeria.org for pre-registration, PVC status checks and locating registration centers.

“Transfer of registration, request for replacement of lost or damaged PVCs, as well as correction of information, can all be done via our online portal.

“Our staff are committed to ensuring accessibility for all, including vulnerable groups,’’ he said.

Yakubu urged all political parties, civil society, the media and all relevant stakeholders to support the exercise by joining the commission in creating the much-needed awareness for the exercise.

He said that the awareness roadshow would be replicated by INEC Staff across the 36 states of the federation.

Also speaking, the Director Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, expressed the commission’s readiness for the in-person registration across its offices nationwide.

“Our offices are ready; we have been plaining before now, which is why we took a week between pre-registration and in-persons registration commencement.

“So, everything is on course. From Aug. 25 people will be attended to in our offices nationwide, 36 states and the FCT, and the 774 LGA offices of INEC from 9am to 3pm,’’ she said.

Eta-Messi advised citizens who had registered before not to register again, saying double registration amounted to electoral offence with consequences.

She also advised those currently below 18 not to register until they attain the permitted age for registration.

“This first phase is going to run up till Dec. 10. After that there will be a break, then in January 2026 we resume again.

“So, we have three phases till Aug. 30, 2026. So if they are not 18 now by Aug. 30, 2026 they will be 18 and they can take advantage of the exercise before we close,’’ she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the roadshow had the participation of INEC Staff members and volunteers from the NYSC.

It kicked off  from INEC national headquarters in Maitama, through Wuse, with major stop over at Wuse Market.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Kadiri Abdulrahman

CVR : INEC, security agencies strategise to ensure seamless exercise in Lagos
Politics

CVR : INEC, security agencies strategise to ensure seamless exercise in Lagos

 

 

By Adeyemi Adeleye

 

Ahead of the flag-off of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday met with heads of security agencies under the umbrella of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting held at INEC headquarters in Sabo-Yaba, Lagos State.

 

At the meeting were representatives of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Army, Department of State Security, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service, and Federal Road Safety Commission.

 

Others are: the National Youth Service Corps, Federal Fire Service, and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission

 

Speaking, Prof. Ayobami Salami, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos, said the meeting was to kick-start a crucial partnership in preparation for the upcoming CVR starting on Aug. 18.

 

According to Salami, the meeting is his inaugural engagement with ICCES members as the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the state.

 

 

 

He commended the various security agencies present on their consistent for INEC operations, saying their collaboration had helped the commission to conduct better elections.

 

 

 

“This meeting provides the platform for us to discuss our preparation and consider essential issues with respect to the security architecture of the state, and strategise in preparation for the exercise.

 

 

 

“The CVR exercise presents an opportunity for eligible citizens to register, update their details and exercise their right to participate in our democratic process

 

“The success of this exercise however, hinges on the security and stability provided by your agencies.

 

“As we embark on this critical exercise, one cannot over-emphasise the pivotal role that your agencies play in ensuring the safety and security of our electoral process.

 

“Your expertise and collaboration are indispensable in maintaining peace, preventing malpractices, and thereby upholding the integrity of our democratic endeavours,” Salami said.

 

He said that INEC would always work with ICCES to ensure a secure environment for voter registration, tame malpractices, prevent and respond to incidents of violence or intimidation, and enhance public confidence in the electoral process.

 

“I look forward to a fruitful synergy with your agencies and pledge that INEC will work hand-in-hand with you to achieve our shared objectives.

 

“Together, we can ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible process that strengthens our democracy,” Salami said.

 

Giving more information on the forthcoming exercise, Mr Muyiwa Yussuf, INEC’s Head of Department, Voter Registration/ICT, said that the Online Pre-registration would start on Aug. 18, urging prospective eligible applicants to register online on INEC Portal via https://www.cvr.inecnigeria.org.

 

Yussuf said that the In-Person Physical Registration would start on Aug. 25 at the 20 local government area offices and the state headquarters of INEC in the state.

 

According to him, the exercise shall be all-year-round for a period as may be determined by the commission beginning from 9.00a.m. to 3.00p.m. daily, except Saturday and Sunday.

 

He said that anyone on queue as at 3.00p.m. during the period would be accepted for registration.

 

Yussuf said that those who just attained the age of 18, those who needed to replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and voters wishing to transfer their registration to a new location were eligible to participate in the exercise.

 

He added that individuals who needed to update their voter information,including name, address ,could also present themselves for the exercise.

 

“It is very important to say that the commission would not tolerate double registration and registration of the underaged as there are many ways these can be detected,” he said.

 

According to him, at the moment, Lagos State has 20 LGAs, 245 Registration Areas and 13, 325 Polling Units with a total of 7, 060,195 registered voters.

 

He said that PVCs collected by voters as at February 2023 stood as 6,214,970 and a total of 845,225 uncollected PVCs.

 

Speaking, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Lagos State Police Command, DCP Tijani Fatai, pledged the readiness of police and other security agencies to ensure a seamless exercise across the state.

 

“It is our duty to protect lives and property-INEC and its officials are included. For us, we are ready to give adequate security backing to all activities that INEC is to carry out.

 

“So, wherever the commission is going, we will provide its officials and materials with adequate security to make all those activities successful.

 

“Let all the eligible residents be free to go out for their registration as their security is guaranteed,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

 

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

INEC commits to credible by-election in Kaduna
Politics

INEC commits to credible by-election in Kaduna

By Moses Kolo

Prof. Saidu Babura-Ahmad, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kaduna, says the Independent National Electoral (Commission) will conduct credible by-election in three federal constituencies in the state.

INEC had earlier fixed Aug. 16, for the conduct of by-election in Chikun, Kajuru and Zaria Kewaye/Zaria Sabon Gari Federal Constituencies.

He said this on Friday in Kaduna during a stakeholders’ engagement on the forthcoming exercise in the affectec constituencies.

Babura-Ahmad said the meeting was convened to formally introduce himself, and to intimate stakeholders on the preparations for the bye-election.

He said that polls would be conducted in 1,169 Polling Units (PUs) across 33 Registration Areas (RAs), adding the commission would deployed 4,829 ad hoc staff and 947 vehicles to facilitate successful conduct of the exercise.

”We are leaving no stone unturned in our determination to conduct free, credible and transparent polls.

“We are also actively collaborating with all the stakeholders to provide a level playing ground for all the political parties and their chosen candidates.

“We are also doing the same with all the security agencies to ensure the provision of adequate security for our personnel and the electorate before, during and after the polls,” he said.

Babura-Ahmad said the commission had adopted proactive measures to ensure that to ensure that no voter was disenfranchise, and full coverage of hard-to-reach areas.

“We will therefore need the sustained support of all the critical stakeholders to ensure the conduct of a hitchfree exercise.”

Also, Yakubu Duku, Administrative Secretary, INEC, said the commission would address observed lapses during the 2023 General Elections, and previous bye-elections in the state.

“We will remain determined and resolute in conducting polls that will be truly free, fair and acceptable to all,” Duku said.

Similarly, Rabiu Muhammad, the Commissioner of Police in the state, urged the residents to be law abiding, adding that the command would deploy adequate personnel to ensure peaceful conduct of the exercise.

The State Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim, said the union would support the commission to enable it to conduct successful polls.

In their seperate submissions, Gambo Santos and Bashir Rabe-Mani, Secretary, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Zonal Manager, NAN Kaduna, underscored the critical role of the media in ensuring free, fair and credible election. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Group urges INEC to jettison Warri constituency delineation proposal
Politics

Group urges INEC to jettison Warri constituency delineation proposal

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

A group of constituents from Itsekiri community in Delta, known as Warri Reclamation Trust, has called on INEC to jettison its report on the proposed delineation of Warri Federal Constituency which was presented to stakeholders on April 4.

 

The group’s Convener, Mrs Tsaye Mene, while presenting a petition to INEC at the commission’s headquarters on Monday in Abuja, described the document as fraudulent and that it must not be allowed to scale through.

 

Mene urged INEC to do proper job on the matter, in line with the Supreme Court judgment, before the implementation of any delineation in the constituency.

 

She said that the group had carried out a thorough analysis of the document presented by INEC and discovered some distortion of facts on the units and wards proposed for the federal constituency by INEC.

 

Mene said it was discovered that communities from Edo and Ondo states were imported into Warri North to create more wards for the Ijaws.

 

She also alleged that communities from other local government areas, such as Ughelli South, Udu and Burutu were erroneously imported into Warri South-West Local Government Area to create more wards for the Ijaws.

 

Mene also claimed that fictitious communities were created, while some Itsekiri communities were renamed with Ijaw names in favour of the ijaws to have more wards against the Itsekiris.

 

Mene said that all these were being done in spite court judgements, up to the supreme supreme, all of which declared Itsekiris as landlords and historical owners of all the lands in Warri federal constituency.

 

Mr Bright Omaghomi, Co-Convener of the group, said that going by the evidence uncovered from the report, it showed that INEC did not do diligent work, hence the report should be jettisoned in its entirety.

 

Omaghomi syated that the document also claimed that the Ijaws had more population than the itshekiris, against the 2006 population census report.

 

He said that INEC lacked the power to create constituency and rename communities or give them something that belonged to Itsekiri to the Ijaws.

 

“If INEC is going to delineate, it should do so in accordance with the rule of law. They should delineate according to their own guidelines.

 

“INEC must also follow the supreme court as far as land ownership in Warrington federal constituency is concerned.

 

“This document that has been submitted is unacceptable. We are asking INEC to withdraw this document and do the proper thing,” he said.

 

Omaghomi also called on the commission to investigate and prosecute its staff members who participated in the exercise.

 

He also alleged said that the Resident Electoral Commission in the state was an interested party in the exercise, being of Ijaw ethnic nationality.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the the protesters displayed placards with various inscriptions, such as “Address our petition before final delineation report, in line with supreme court judgment” and “Discard the fraudulent proposed ward delineation document in Warri federal constituency.”

 

Others included: Edo and Ondo states, Udu, Ughelli South, Burutu and Bomadi LGAs not part of Warri federal constituency and should be expunged from the delineation report” and “INEC cannot assume voting strength and population outside the voters registered and last census data.”

 

Receiving the petition, an INEC National Commissioner, Abdullahi Zuru, commended the peaceful conduct of the protesters.

 

Zuru said that the commission would look into the evidence of errors allegedly committed by INEC.

 

He said that the commission, in collaboration with relevant authorities, was already looking into the concerns raised in the petition submitted by the group to the commission on June 5.

 

“if there is an additional evidence, you should bring it out so that we will know these are additional documents; otherwise, if it is that same document that you have submitted and acknowledged by us, we are working on them,” he said.

 

Zuru assured the protesters that the commission would communicate with them at the appropriate time. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

New INEC HQ will consolidate Tinubu’s democratic legacy- TDF
Politics

New INEC HQ will consolidate Tinubu’s democratic legacy- TDF

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Democratic Front (TDF) has commended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to build a new headquarters for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), calling it a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

This is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja and jointly signed by the group’s Chairman, Malam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo.

TDF described the move as visionary and a bold step towards institutionalising democratic values in the country.

“The new INEC edifice reflects a strong message that democracy has come to stay. President Tinubu’s actions demonstrate a clear commitment to democratic development,” the statement read.

The group said Tinubu, in spite past persecution under military rule, has remained steadfast in advancing democratic ideals.

It noted that democracy in Nigeria has suffered from weak institutions and inconsistent application of democratic principles, adding that the president’s support for INEC enhances its independence and operational efficiency.

TDF also lauded Tinubu for recognising democracy heroes while excluding himself from the list, describing it as a sign of humility and statesmanship.

“Such selfless leadership builds public confidence and strengthens trust in the electoral process,” it said.

The group further noted that under Tinubu, INEC has received timely funding and technical support, which contributed to improved electoral outcomes in recent state elections in Imo, Edo, and Ondo.

“These elections were free from interference, reflecting true independence for INEC and setting the stage for a credible 2027 general election,” TDF stated.

The group called on Nigerians to support the president’s reforms, citing visible signs of economic recovery and democratic. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

 

 

INEC remains pillar of Nigeria’s democracy – Tinubu
Metro

INEC remains pillar of Nigeria’s democracy – Tinubu

 

By Emmanuel Oloniruha and Phillip Yatai

President Bola Tinubu says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains the backbone of Nigeria’s democratic journey.

Tinubu stated this on Tuesday while inaugurating the construction of a new INEC Annex Office to complement its current headquarters in Abuja.

He said that the construction of the building was part of his administration’s effort toward strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, independence of institutions and the future of the nation’s electoral integrity.

The president pledged his administration’s commitment to ensuring that INEC was fully equipped to carry out its constitutional mandate.

According to him, INEC’s roles in conducting free, fair and credible elections are central to the trust people placed in the government and the nation’s democratic process.

“For this reason, it is only right that such an institution is housed in a structure that reflects the dignity, responsibility and national significance of that institution.

“The new headquarters is a clear signal of our unwavering support for INEC autonomy, capacity and growth.

“It will provide, not just a conducive home, but a home for innovation planning, training and transparency in electoral administration.

“We are committed to ensuring that INEC is fully equipped, not only in infrastructure, but in law, policy and resources to carry out its constitutional mandate with courage, fairness and excellence,” he said.

Tinubu commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for initiating the project, describing it as another important step toward the protection of democracy in Nigeria.

“To all Nigerians, I say this democracy is not a destination, but a journey. Together, let us strengthen our institutions, safeguard our freedom and protect the future,” he said.

In his remarks, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said that the commission had been grappling with inadequate office accommodation for a long time.

Yakubu stated that the current INEC national headquarters, inaugurated in December 1997, had become ‘severely congested’.

He said that the headquarters was initially planned to cater for eight commission members – the chairman, seven full-time national commissioners, 10 departments/directorates and 500 staff members.

“Since then, the activities of the commission have become more extensive and the staff strength at the headquarters has more than doubled.

“Today, there are 13 full-time commission members – a chairman and 12 national commissioners, 22 departments/directorates and 1,048 staff.

“Consequently, every facility is overstretched from offices to meeting rooms for the commission’s 15 standing committees and other activities, including regular engagements with stakeholders.

“General staff meetings always take place outside the commission and, in response, the commission was compelled to rent two buildings in Wuse Zone II to ease the situation.

“Over the last 10 years, we made every effort to alleviate the situation until sometime last year when the FCT administration came to the rescue,” he said.

Yakubu commended Tinubu and the FCT administration for their support in addressing the problem of inadequate facilities facing the commission.

He, however, dismissed concerns about why FCTA was building an office for a commission that was supposed to be independent.

He pointed out that this was not the first time that FCTA was constructing an office for the commission, but the third time in the last 34 years.

The INEC chairman said that when the commission relocated its headquarters from Lagos to Abuja in 1991, it was the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) that provided it with offices in Garki to accommodate the headquarters.

“When the facility became overstretched, the FCDA again built our present headquarters. The building in Garki now operates exclusively as our FCT office,” he said.

According to him, the building plan has provisions for a museum to serve as a repository for the physical and digital history of elections and electoral activities in Nigeria.

“This will afford citizens, particularly students that regularly visit the commission on excursion, the opportunity to appreciate the evolution of our electoral history as is the case in many jurisdictions around the world,” he said.

Yakubu said that INEC’s main building would remain the commission’s national headquarters, while the new building would complement the main building.

On his part, the FCT minister explained that the project was awarded by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in March 2025 to be supervised by the FCDA.

Wike added that it was part of the renovation and construction of public buildings approved by FEC to reduce the shortage of accommodation.

He assured Tinubu that the project would be given the needed attention to ensure its completion before the end of his tenure.

Earlier, the acting Executive Secretary of FCDA, Mr Richard Dauda, said that the building on Plot 442, Maitama District, Zambezi Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Way, would occupy 1.5 hectares.

Dauda said that the scope of the works included the construction of a five-storey building with basement parking, media centre, library, museum and various meeting rooms.

Others, he said, were security control room and office accommodation for the management of INEC as well as some key departments.

“There will also be a 1,000-capacity auditorium on three levels, along with other ancillary facilities,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/’Wale Sadeeq

INEC tasks political parties on internal democratic principles
Politics

INEC tasks political parties on internal democratic principles

Emmanuel Oloniruha

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has tasked political parties to uphold democratic principles in their internal processes.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the call at the launch of a book: “100 Years of Political Parties Evolution in Nigeria, 1923 – 2023’’ by Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abuja on Thursday.

Yakubu, represented by the National Commissioner in-charge of Election and Party Monitoring, Sam Olumekun, said internal democracy within political parties was the foundation upon which credible general elections were built.

He urged political parties to conduct their activities in accordance/compliance with the legal framework – the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, as well as INEC regulations and guidelines.

According to him, political parties form the cornerstone of a democratic society and serve a function, unlike any other institution in a democracy.

The INEC chairman also identified conduct of credible primary elections as one of the key responsibilities of political parties.

“Effective leadership recruitment is made possible only when eligible persons with capacity are selected through duly conducted party primaries and put forward for elections.

“When political parties uphold democratic principles in their internal processes, it enhances public confidence in the electoral system and strengthens democratic governance.

“Unfortunately, we have witnessed instances where lack of internal democracy has led to disputes, litigations and disruptions in the electoral process,” he said.

Yakubu, therefore, said that it was imperative that political parties remained committed to transparent, fair and credible primaries as the county was moving toward future elections.

“I urge all political parties to strengthen their internal governance mechanisms and ensure that their processes reflect the will of their members.

“A democratic society begins with democratic political parties. Political parties must invest in building strong and law-abiding institutions with distinct ideological leanings rather than in installing behemoths,’’ he said.

The INEC chairman urged political parties, civil society organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to actively support and advocate for necessary legislative amendments that would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and make it more inclusive.

He commended IPAC for the initiative of writing the book and those who contributed to its success.

Yakubu said that the publication was not only a celebration of Nigeria’s political journey but also, a profound contribution to the discourse on democratic consolidation in the county.

He expressed INEC’s commitment to continuing to work with IPAC and other stakeholders to ensure free and fair elections that Nigeria’s democracy continued to grow from strength to strength.

A former Senate President, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, in his keynote address entitled: “The Imperative of Nigeria’s Political Stability: Issues and Solutions,”, said the need for a stable Nigeria “is dire and inescapable.”

Anyim said that Nigerians could no longer blame the colonial masters for its challenges after 64 years of independence, stressing that rather, they owed themselves the responsibility to build the country.

He identified the inability of Nigeria to effectively manage its plural composition and lift national consciousness over and above ethnic interests as the basis for every other factor affecting the progress and stability of the country.

Anyim, also a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said that Nigeria’s journey to nationhood had been one of the struggles to manage its differences under a system that offered confidence and accommodation to all.

Anyim said Nigeria, as a complex and heterogenous/plural country, needed national dialogue to inspire patriotism and get rid of mutual distrust among the various ethnic nationalities.

“It behooves this generation of leaders and elites to establish that dialogue and reach that consensus that Nigeria surely needs to rid herself and her component parts of the mutual suspicions.

“Nigeria needs to get rid of distrust and antagonisms that have retarded her growth into the stable nation and contending global power she has every potential to be,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Matthew Kukah, who was the book reviewer, was represented by the Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Dr Sam Amadi. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

INEC fixes Feb. 21, 2026 for FCT Area Council election
Elections

INEC fixes Feb. 21, 2026 for FCT Area Council election

Election

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Feb. 21, 2026 for the conduct of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this during the commission’s first consultative meeting with leaders of political parties on Wednesday in Abuja.

Yakubu, who recalled that the last FCT area council election was held on Feb. 12, 2022, said that by the effluxion of time, the tenure of the current Chairmen and Councillors ends 2026.

He said that voting would take place in all the designated Polling Units (PUs) across the 68 constituencies to elect the six Area Council Chairmen and 62 Councilors.

“In compliance with the mandatory legal requirements, the notice for the election will be published next month i.e. Feb. 26, 2025,” he said.

Yakubu said that primaries for the election would hold from June 9 to June 30, 2025, while the candidate nomination portal would open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from July 21 to Aug. 11.

“The final list of candidates will be published on Sept. 22, 2025. Campaigns in public by political parties will end at midnight of Thursday Feb. 19, 2026,’’ he said.

The INEC boss added that the detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the election as well as the list of constituencies and type of elections in the FCT would be uploaded to the INEC website before the end of the meeting.

He also reminded leaders of political parties that the primaries for the Nov. 8, Anambra governorship election would commence on March 20 to April 10.

He advised political parties to forward their schedule of activities for the election to the commission before the end of the week.

This, according to Yakubu would enable INEC to plan better for the deployment of personnel and resources for the monitoring of party primaries and campaign activities.

Yakubu, who said that 2025 would be a busy year for INEC, noted that the commission would soon come up with plans for other routine activities such as the resumption of nationwide Continuous Voter registration (CVR) and the conduct of outstanding by-elections.

In his remarks, the National Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Dantalle, urged INEC in preparation for Anambra governorship and 2027 general elections to immediately put in place requirements in due time.

Dantalle also urged stakeholders to support INEC in discharging its statutory duties essential in consolidating and strengthening Nigeria constitutional governance.

He said that stakeholders must continue to work together in ensuring electoral integrity, the sanctity of the ballot box and the mandate of the people.

“Similarly, the council urged the National Assembly to expedite action in the on-going Constitution and Electoral Act Amendments, as time is of the essence; as well as ensure diligent and speedy consideration and passage of the 2025 appropriation bill.

“We also urge citizens to be alive to their civic responsibilities and ensure that those they voted into office should give genuine account of their stewardship.

“Their performance will determine their fate in future elections,” Dantalle said.(NAN)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola and Yakubu Uba

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