Connect with us

Government

2023 General Election: INEC Promises to Apply Electoral Laws Without Fear, Favour

INEC has said that it will apply the laws, especially the Electoral Act, of 2022 without fear.

Published

on

INEC-PVC- Investors King

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it will apply the laws, especially the Electoral Act, of 2022 without fear or favour to ensure free, fair, valid, thorough, and transparent elections in 2023.

The electoral body affirmed that it was important for all stakeholders, especially the political parties to note the crucial features introduced by the new Electoral Act 2022 and the likely implications of those changes on the approaching elections.

INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, revealed this at the 4th Abubakar Momoh Memorial Lecture with the theme, “Electoral Act 2022: Imperatives for Political Parties and the 2023 General Election,” in Abuja on Wednesday.

The helmsman of the Commission identified some of the vital changes put forward by the new electoral law to include: The conduct of early party primaries, technological differences in the electoral process, the commission’s power to evaluate the decision of returning officers, and over-voting based on the number of accredited voters.

Represented by the chairman of the Board of Electoral Institute, Abdullahi Zuru, the INEC chairman confirmed that the umpire has no chosen party or candidate and it shall only guarantee that valid votes count and the winners are determined solely by the voters.

“The usage of electronic devices such as Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS), INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED), INEC Results Viewing Portal (IRev), and other technological devices, are now lawfully allowed in the accreditation procedure for voters, collation of results and in the general conduct of elections.

“Please be guaranteed that these innovations are aimed at deepening the Electoral practice in our country and their optimal achievement in the just completed gubernatorial election in Ekiti and Osun States is an expressive testimony to their electoral significance. We shall only do more to strengthen their deployment in our election,” he said.

He expressed hope that the political parties would be devoted to assuring that the 2022 general election is “devoid of intentional violations to the 2022 Electoral Act, basically by enabling the electoral process to run smoothly thereby, cultivating a rich democratic culture and satisfactory election outcome.”

Yemi Akinseye-George, the guest speaker, put forward that politics is not anarchy and a game of disorderliness.

According to him, “Politics is no anarchy; it is not disorderliness; it must be punctuated by justice, fairness and orderliness.”

The professor of law also emphasized that politics must not be seen as a dirty game, indicating optimism that the 2023 general election would hold against all odds and referring to the passion shown for voter registration as an indicator of the fact.

While claiming that political parties must obey their own rules, he said: “the Supreme Court has agreed on numerous cases that political parties must heed their constitutions as the court will not permit them to act arbitrarily or as they like.”

Akinseye-George clarified that the lecture concentrated on the political parties because they constitute the major pillar on which democracy is established.

“Indeed, the achievement or otherwise of our democracy is related to the degree of enlightenment and ability of the political parties to accept the rule of law in their operations,” the scholar said.

He emphasized the constitutional requirements associated with political parties; selection of candidates and political party’s finances as empowered in the Electoral Act, 2022 as well as appointed leading judicial pronouncements on political parties and elections.

Also speaking, the convener of Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, a body of over 70 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Ene Obi, petitioned INEC to reopen the halted Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise at least for one month.

Obi noted that such a window would encourage those willing to participate in the exercise, but could not due to technical issues and other glitches.

She said: “The civil society organizations are endorsing and petitioning INEC to open registration because a lot more want to register and we don’t want to shut down their enthusiasm. So, they must reopen it even if it is for one month.

“More than 11 million of those who conducted their forms online were unable to complete their registration. That means you are losing 11 million electorates. That’s a lot, and INEC should address it. We are still soliciting that more of them can still register. They should open it even if it is a window of one month.”

Earlier, in his welcome statements, the director general of the Electoral Institute, Sa’ad Idris, said the theme for this year’s lecture was carefully selected considering the condition and requirements for executing the 2023 general elections under a new law (Electoral Act, 2022).

Idris said the speech aims to look at the significance of the new electoral law for not only the Commission but also, in particular, the 18 political parties that will be fielding nominees for the numerous elective offices in the next year’s polls.

He said, “This topic is also very apt, to train the Executives (National Chairman and Secretaries) of the 18 Political Parties on the several Sections of the new Act and the crucial implications ingrain in many of its Sections.

“The tragic prevalence of many legal cases occurring even from the pre-election period up till after the conduct of the elections, indeed have at many times gave rise to a lot of challenges to the electoral process and our country’s political advancement at large.”

Continue Reading
Comments

Government

Senate Suspends Senator Abdul Ningi for 3 Months Over Budget Padding Allegations

Published

on

Abdul-Ahmed-Ningi

The Senate has announced the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi for three months following his allegations of budget padding to the tune of N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget.

Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central and chairs the Senate Committee on Population, had made the claims in a recent interview with the Hausa service of the BBC.

During a plenary session, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, raised a motion to address Ningi’s allegations, citing the urgent need to address what he termed as “false allegations.”

The transcript of Ningi’s interview was read on the Senate floor, prompting deliberation on the appropriate action to take.

Initially, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proposed a 12-month suspension for Ningi, but Senator Chris Ekpeyong moved to reduce it to six months.

Eventually, Senator Garba Maidoki amended the motion further, suggesting a three-month suspension.

The amended motion was put to a voice vote, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision to suspend Ningi for three months.

Following the ruling, Ningi was escorted out of the Senate chamber by the Sergeants-at-arms.

The suspension comes amidst division within the Senate over Ningi’s claims, with some senators disowning his allegations and calling for a thorough investigation.

Continue Reading

Government

Ekiti Governor Unveils Multi-Billion Naira Relief Programmes Amid Economic Crisis

Published

on

Biodun Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has announced a comprehensive relief package aimed at alleviating the hardship faced by the people of the state.

The relief programs encompass various sectors to cushion the impact of the economic downturn.

One of the key initiatives entails clearing salary arrears amounting to over N2.7 billion owed to both State and Local Government workers.

This move signifies the government’s commitment to addressing the financial burdens faced by its workforce.

Furthermore, Governor Oyebanji has approved a substantial increase of N600 million per month in the subvention of autonomous institutions, including the Judiciary and tertiary institutions.

This augmentation is intended to enable these institutions to implement wage awards in alignment with State and Local Government workers’ salaries.

In addition to addressing salary arrears, the relief programs extend to pensioners, with the approval of payments totaling N1.5 billion for two months’ pension arrears.

Moreover, an increase in the monthly gratuity payment to state pensioners and local government pensioners will provide additional financial support, totaling N200 million monthly.

The relief initiatives also encompass agricultural and small-scale business sectors.

The allocation of funds for food production and livestock transformation projects underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing food security and economic sustainability at the grassroots level.

Governor Oyebanji emphasized that these relief programs are part of the state’s concerted efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of the economic downturn and foster shared prosperity.

The comprehensive nature of the initiatives reflects a proactive approach towards addressing the challenges faced by Ekiti State residents.

Continue Reading

Government

President Tinubu Orders Immediate Settlement of N342m Electricity Bill for Presidential Villa

Published

on

power project

President Bola Tinubu has directed the prompt settlement of a N342 million outstanding electricity bill owed by the Presidential Villa to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

This move comes in response to the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and the AEDC.

The AEDC had earlier threatened to disconnect electricity services to the Presidential Villa and 86 Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) over a total outstanding debt of N47.20 billion as of December 2023.

Contrary to the initial claim by the AEDC that the State House owed N923 million in electricity bills, the Presidency clarified that the actual outstanding amount is N342.35 million.

This discrepancy underscores the importance of accurate accounting and reconciliation between entities.

In a statement signed by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency affirmed the commitment to settle the debt promptly.

Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila assured that the debt would be paid to the AEDC before the end of the week.

The directive from the Presidency extends beyond the State House, as Gbajabiamila urged other MDAs to reconcile their accounts with the AEDC and settle their outstanding electricity bills.

The AEDC, on its part, issued a 10-day notice to the affected government agencies to settle their debts or face disconnection.

This development highlights the importance of financial accountability and responsible management of public utilities.

It also underscores the necessity for government entities to fulfill their financial obligations to service providers promptly, ensuring uninterrupted services and avoiding potential disruptions.

Continue Reading
Advertisement




Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending