The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called upon Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to aid in mobilizing potential registrants for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise preceding the Edo and Ondo States governorship elections. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, issued the appeal during the second quarterly consultative meeting with CSOs in Abuja yesterday. This call comes after the commission announced the CVR timetable for both states, scheduled to occur simultaneously from Monday, May 27, 2024, to Wednesday, June 5, 2024, between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm daily, including weekends. The Edo State gubernatorial election is slated for Saturday, September 21, 2024, while the Ondo election is set for Saturday, November 16, 2024.
As an offshoot of the pitfalls observed in previous elections, the Senate has initiated the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 to improve Nigeria’s electoral process. Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua introduced a bill for first reading proposing early voting, enabling registered voters to vote before the election day. This is geared towards addressing the concerns of those unable to vote on the designated day, including election workers, journalists, observers, and security personnel.
Read more:
https://yiaga.org/senate-begins-process-to-amend-the-electoral-act-2022/
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has criticized the work ethics of some judicial officers, expressing concerns over questionable judgments and the misuse of interlocutory orders. He pledged to leave behind a strong and prosperous judiciary before his retirement in August of this year. The CJN conveyed these sentiments during his keynote address at the Court of Appeal’s Two-Day Workshop for the Review of the 2023 Election Petition Tribunals/Court and Appeals in Abuja.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) has taken disciplinary action against Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, the representative of Ondo South Senatorial District, citing allegations of anti-party activities and insubordination.
The suspension of Ibrahim, a gubernatorial aspirant who vied for the party ticket alongside Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on April 20, was initiated by 27 executive committee members in Igbotako Ward 2, along with two party executive committee members in Okitipupa Local Council.
Following the conclusion of party primaries and the end of the period for withdrawal and substitution of candidates as provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the names of candidates for the Edo Governorship Elections.
Eight Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) based in the South-East region have collectively called upon the judiciary to ensure justice prevails in the forthcoming judgement of the 2023 Imo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. This appeal was expressed in a joint communique issued by the CSOs following their meeting in Owerri on Friday. As the tribunal gears up to deliver its verdict, the CSOs emphasized the significance of addressing the grievances of individuals who felt disenfranchised during the election
INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu urged state governors to ensure that State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) are enabled to perform their duties independently and effectively, rather than being used to endorse specific candidates. He highlighted issues of SIECs being improperly constituted, underfunded, and understaffed, which forces them to rely on INEC for basic logistics like ballot boxes. Speaking to the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissioners of Nigeria, Yakubu emphasized the need for state electoral bodies to stop “coronating” candidates and focus on conducting credible elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to publish the personal particulars of the Ondo Governorship candidates and their running mates on Saturday 25th May 2024, as provided by Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022. Made known in a press statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Sam Olumekun, the commission disclosed that a total of 17 political parties have uploaded their candidates’ nomination forms for the Nov. 16 Ondo State Governorship Election.
Justices of the Court of Appeal and other judicial officers involved in the 2023 election tribunals have called for an amendment to Section 246 (3) of the Constitution to ensure that all election-related appeals, including governorship disputes, are resolved by the Court of Appeal. They advocated that all pre-election appeals should conclude at the Court of Appeal and that the Constitution should mandate that both pre and post-election issues be resolved before elected officials are sworn into office.
Why I may not hesitate to support Peter Obi in 2027 – Atiku AbubakarAtiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, has suggested the likelihood of throwing his support behind his Labour Party counterpart from the last election, Peter Obi, in the upcoming 2027 election. Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, the former Vice President, presently engaged in merger discussions with various opposition political parties, affirmed his willingness to back Obi should the party nominate the former Anambra governor as its candidate for the next election.
Kwara LG Polls to Hold Sept. 21st, 2024: KWSIECKwara State is gearing up for its Local Government Council Elections slated for September 21, 2024, as announced by the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC). In a statement released by Okanla Baba, the Chairman of KWSIEC, preparations are underway to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections across the 16 local government areas of the state. The electoral body assures stakeholders that further details, including the election timetable, will be provided soon. Urging all concerned parties to stay updated through official channels, KWSIEC emphasizes the importance of readiness within the specified timeframe.
Labour Party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure has announced the establishment of the party’s Electoral Reform Committee with Dr. Sam Amadi as Chairman.
He made this announcement while speaking at a press conference held on Tuesday at the Party’s National Headquarters in Abuja. Abure in his statement titled “Triumphant Resumption Of The National Working Committee” noted that the party had a responsibility to champion electoral reforms in Nigeria.
