INEC'

Edo Polls: Our Office Under Siege, INEC Raises Alarm Over Threats to Electoral Process

Published

9 months ago

September 22, 2024

editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised alarm over the safety and security of its personnel and offices in Edo State following the conclusion of voting in the ongoing governorship election. In a statement released on Sunday, Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner and Member of the Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, reported several concerning developments, including threats to the Commission’s office in Okpoba Okha Local Government Area and demonstrations outside its State Head Office in Benin City.

Haruna disclosed that after voting ended on Saturday, INEC swiftly activated its Result Viewing (IReV) portal and began uploading Polling Unit results. According to the statement, collation of results from the 192 Wards had also been completed, and most Local Government Areas had concluded their own collation. The designated officials, Haruna added, were either already at the State Collation Centre in Benin City or en route to the location, with preparations set to begin for the final state-level collation of results.

However, the smooth progression of the electoral process was disrupted by disturbing events. “The Commission received a deeply troubling report from our Resident Electoral Commissioner of a threat to our office in Okpoba Okha Local Government Area yesterday, which led to a stampede that left one of our officials injured,” Haruna said.

In addition to the incident in Okpoba Okha, Haruna highlighted that some political actors and their supporters had gathered overnight outside the State Head Office in Benin City, staging demonstrations ahead of the final collation. “These actions are uncalled for. Nobody should disrupt the process at any stage, and no one will be allowed to benefit from lawlessness,” Haruna declared, calling for calm and adherence to lawful procedures.

Haruna reassured the public that INEC remains committed to proceeding with the collation of results as stipulated by the Electoral Act 2022, as well as INEC’s own regulations and guidelines for the conduct of elections. He emphasized that there are established mechanisms for addressing complaints during the collation process, including the Commission’s power to review results declared under duress, a safeguard INEC is prepared to invoke if necessary.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the collation of results will proceed as provided by the Electoral Act 2022 and our regulations and guidelines for the conduct of elections,” Haruna stated. He reiterated that any issues or complaints regarding the collation could be addressed through the lawful procedures in place.

The Commissioner also called on political actors and their supporters to desist from any actions that could compromise the electoral process, stressing that any disruptions would not be tolerated. Haruna urged all accredited party agents, election observers, and media personnel to be granted unhindered access to all collation centers to ensure transparency.

INEC further called on security agencies to maintain the same level of vigilance and professionalism that contributed to the largely peaceful conduct of the election thus far. Haruna commended the efforts of security forces in ensuring a secure environment for voting and urged them to continue their work as the election process approaches its conclusion.

INEC'

Co-Wife Kills Rival in Katsina Domestic Clash

Published

3 weeks ago

May 26, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Adenike Lawal

A domestic dispute in Daura, Katsina State, turned fatal as 25-year-old Rabi’a Labaran allegedly stabbed her co-wife, 30-year-old Zainab Lawal, to death . The incident occurred on the night of May 24, 2025, in the Sabon Gari area of Daura, behind Dadi Primary School.

Police spokesperson ASP Abubakar Sadiq reported that the command received a distress call from the husband, Nasir Yusuf, who returned from the market to find his first wife, Zainab, in a pool of blood inside their home.

Officers from the Sabon Gari Police Division responded promptly, and Zainab was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Daura, where she was pronounced dead .

During preliminary investigations, Rabi’a Labaran was taken into custody . According to ASP Sadiq, she admitted to the attack during interrogation, revealing that the deadly confrontation stemmed from an ongoing dispute between the co-wives .

Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, has issued a stern warning to the public, urging families to seek peaceful resolutions to domestic conflicts and avoid resorting to violence or vigilante justice.

INEC'

INEC Proposes Destroying Uncollected PVCs

Published

6 months ago

December 27, 2024

Samson Adeyanju

By Gabriella Ogbu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is considering withdrawing and destroying Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), that remain unclaimed for a decade.

This proposal emerged from a post-2023 general election review, which generated 208 recommendations.

As of 2023, over six million PVCs remain uncollected, some dating back to 2015.

Stakeholders have urged INEC to address the backlog, arguing that these cards likely won’t be claimed and contribute to inefficiencies in voter management.

Challenges in PVC Collection

Despite extending the PVC collection deadline and decentralizing the process to the ward level, INEC reported significant collection challenges.

Efforts like online tracking and collaboration with civil society organizations yielded limited success, leaving millions of cards unclaimed.

Modernization Efforts

INEC has also proposed modernizing the voting process by gradually phasing out physical PVCs.

With the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), enabling biometric voter verification, voters could use digital credentials instead.

However, implementing this shift requires amending Section 47(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates PVC presentation for accreditation.

Reactions to the Proposal

Political parties are divided over the idea.

The Labour Party supports the plan, citing voter register decluttering, while the PDP criticizes it as a diversion from INEC’s credibility issues.

The NNPP opposes the destruction, calling it wasteful and suggesting secure storage instead.

Some Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), back INEC’s proposal, arguing that many uncollected PVCs likely stem from double registrations or belong to deceased individuals.

However, others urge caution, citing the resources invested in producing the cards and calling for public awareness before any decision is made.

INEC'

Kukah Centre Leads Peace Efforts Ahead of Ondo Elections

Published

7 months ago

November 5, 2024

Samson Adeyanju

By Samson Adeyanju

The Kukah Centre, serving as the secretariat for Nigeria’s National Peace Committee, is intensifying efforts in Ondo State to promote a peaceful and credible electoral process ahead of the November 16 elections.

Led by Project Manager Mrs. Asabe Ndahi, the Kukah Centre team is working closely with key stakeholders to ensure that peace prevails on election day.

In a critical step towards fostering unity, the team met with Prince Olaoluwa Adesanya, Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ondo State, along with IPAC’s Secretary and Treasurer.

The discussions focused on assessing the current electoral climate and identifying any challenges to be addressed.

Prince Adesanya and his team provided valuable insights into the state’s electoral preparations and highlighted areas needing attention to promote harmony among political parties.

Additionally, the Kukah Centre recently engaged with Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alongside other commissioners and Ondo’s Resident Electoral Commissioner.

The high-level meeting centered on INEC’s readiness, potential hurdles, and measures to ensure a transparent and peaceful election.

The collaboration reflects a united commitment to free, fair, and violence-free elections.

The National Peace Committee, supported by the European Union’s initiative for democratic governance in Nigeria, remains dedicated to fostering peace and credibility throughout the Ondo electoral process.