INEC

 By Suleiman Usman Yusuf 

As we mark one month since the sham local government elections conducted in Kaduna State, it is imperative to broaden our discourse beyond the immediate events and delve into the systemic issues that have led to electoral malpractices, voter apathy, and the overall degradation of Nigeria’s electoral system. 

Having been a founder and the pioneer National Chairman of the Youth Party (YP) as a registered political party in Nigeria, I have gained invaluable insights into the root causes of these electoral challenges. While these issues are multifaceted, I will focus on several key aspects that are critical to understanding and addressing the problem, as follows: 

1. NEGLECT OF INTERNAL PARTY ELECTIONS: One significant factor contributing to the electoral malaise is the Nigerian populace’s tendency to prioritise general elections over internal party elections. The credibility, skills, and knowledge of party officials heavily influence the quality of candidates emerging from primary elections. When citizens neglect the election of these officials, they unintentionally allow unpatriotic and incompetent individuals to manage party affairs at all levels – wards, local governments, states, and nationally. 

For instance, in many local government elections, candidates are often selected based on their connections or financial support rather than their qualifications or commitment to public service. This negligence ensures that capable and well-meaning Nigerians remain sidelined, relying on flawed party structures to secure candidacy. 

 2. LACK OF INTERNAL DEMOCRACY: The absence of internal democracy within political parties is another root cause of electoral failure. Ideally, political parties should transcend individual candidates, ensuring their structures promote democratic values and accountability. Unfortunately, many candidates, especially those with amassed wealth or political power, often overshadow their parties, undermining their foundational principles. Party officials, rather than being recruited based on merit, usually come from the ranks of politicians, leading to a cycle of dependency and diminished accountability. The failure to enforce disciplinary measures further erodes the integrity of party operations, allowing influential individuals to manipulate party dynamics for personal gain. 

Take, for example, the recent primaries of major political parties in Nigeria. Decisions are frequently made by a small group of party elites, often sidelining grassroots members and leading to the emergence of candidates who do not reflect the electorate’s will. Parties lack the frameworks to generate independent funding and operate effectively, allowing influential individuals to manipulate party dynamics for personal gain. 

 3. BRAIN DRAIN FROM POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT: Our nation’s most talented individuals frequently gravitate toward secure positions in the public or private sectors, leaving political engagement to those who may not have the nation’s best interests at heart. For example, many young professionals, including engineers, doctors, and entrepreneurs, seek opportunities abroad or in stable private sectors rather than entering politics, where they perceive a lack of integrity and opportunity for meaningful change. This trend undermines the potential for transformative leadership, as the voices that could drive innovation and reform in governance are absent from the political arena. The resulting leadership vacuum allows for the perpetuation of mediocrity and stagnation in our political landscape. 

 4. INEFFECTIVE ROLE OF OPPOSITION PARTIES: Another critical issue contributing to electoral malaise in Nigeria is the failure of opposition parties to effectively engage with the government in power. In a healthy democracy, opposition parties are expected to check on the ruling party, advocating for the populace’s interests and holding the government accountable for its actions. Their role is not merely to oppose for opposition’s sake but to advance the causes of the people, ensuring that governance is responsive and transparent. For instance, during significant policy debates, such as those regarding the national budget or security measures, opposition parties often resort to sensational accusations rather than providing substantive alternatives or critiques. 

 Unfortunately, many opposition parties in Nigeria have engaged in trivial disputes rather than focusing on substantial, issue-based discussions. They often lack coherent alternative policies or robust arguments that challenge the government’s decisions. This absence of constructive criticism diminishes the quality of political discourse and leaves citizens without viable options or clear pathways for reform. By failing to present well-researched alternatives to government policies, opposition parties contribute to a stagnant political environment where the ruling party faces little pressure to improve or innovate in its governance. 

 Additionally, the lack of strong opposition undermines public confidence in the democratic process, as citizens may feel their concerns are not adequately represented or addressed. Opposition parties need to rise to their responsibilities and engage in serious debates about policies and procedures that affect Nigerians’ lives. By doing so, they can promote a more dynamic political landscape that encourages accountability and responsiveness from the government. 

 5. LACK OF INVESTMENT IN KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH: Most political parties in Nigeria do not prioritise investing in knowledge and research, which are crucial for informed decision-making and policy development. The absence of dedicated policy and research units within parties means that they often operate in a vacuum, disconnected from society’s pressing issues. This gap results in poorly formulated policies that fail to address the needs of citizens or adapt to changing circumstances. For example, without adequate research, parties may propose initiatives that do not resonate with the challenges faced by their constituents, leading to ineffective governance and further disenchantment with the political process. 

 Based on the foregoing, I hereby advance the following recommendations for reform: 

 1. PROMOTION OF INTERNAL DEMOCRACY: Political parties must adopt transparent processes for electing officials and candidates. Implementing democratic practices within party structures will empower grassroots participation and ensure that the best candidates emerge, promoting a culture of accountability and responsibility. 

 2. ENCOURAGING YOUTH PARTICIPATION: Engaging the youth in the political process is essential for the future of Nigeria. Programs that educate young people about the importance of political involvement and the electoral process can cultivate a new generation of leaders committed to change. Initiatives such as mentorship programs and civic education can inspire active participation among young Nigerians. 

 3. ESTABLISHING INDEPENDENT MECHANISMS: Political parties should explore diverse funding sources beyond wealthy individuals to enhance their autonomy and operational capacity. These may include membership dues, grants, and partnerships with civil society organisations. By diversifying funding streams, parties can operate more independently and reduce the influence of money in politics. 

 4. STRENGTHENING VOTER EDUCATION: Comprehensive voter education campaigns are vital to combat apathy and encourage active participation in all electoral processes, including internal party elections. Educating citizens about their rights and the importance of their votes can empower them to demand accountability from their elected officials. 

 5. ENHANCING THE ROLE OF OPPOSITION PARTIES: Opposition parties must fulfil their critical role in engaging with the government and providing constructive criticism. They should focus on presenting well-researched alternative policies and robust arguments that address pressing issues affecting the populace. By promoting a culture of accountability and transparency, opposition parties can help ensure that governance remains responsive to citizens’ needs. These parties must rise above trivial disputes and engage in meaningful dialogue that reflects the interests of the people they represent. 

In conclusion, the recent elections in Kaduna State serve as a vivid reminder of the vulnerabilities within Nigeria’s electoral system. To safeguard democracy and promote effective governance, we must confront these root causes head-on, fostering an environment where transparency, accountability, and active participation thrive. 

It is time for Nigerians to reclaim their political landscape, ensuring that those who seek to represent them do so with integrity and a genuine commitment to the public good. By addressing these systemic issues, we can pave the way for a more robust democratic process that genuinely reflects the will and aspirations of the Nigerian people. 

God Bless Nigeria! 

Suleiman writes from Kaduna State, Nigeria, and can be reached via suleimanusmanbac@gmail.com.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu congratulates Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Saturday’s Edo State governorship election, on his victory at the polls. 

On Sunday, Senator Okpebholo was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), having defeated other contenders for the position.

President Tinubu commends APC national leaders, Edo State leaders, and party governors for working hard to achieve victory. He says the victory testified to the people’s support for the ruling party, its progressive ideals, its economic reengineering programme and its commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians. 

He urges Senator Okpebholo not to gloat over his victory but to see it as a challenging call to service. He encourages him to demonstrate magnanimity by reaching out to his political rivals and uniting the people of Edo State to ensure its development. 

President Tinubu also praises other candidates who participated in the election for their contributions to advancing Nigeria’s democracy, saying peaceful political contests, such as the one on Saturday, portray Nigeria as a stable democracy. 

The President urges all those aggrieved by the election outcome to seek redress through the legal channels.  

In addition, the president commends the people of Edo State for their orderly and peaceful conduct during the election, underscoring the maturing of Nigeria’s democracy after 25 years. 

“I commend the INEC and our security agencies for working round the clock to conduct a successful, peaceful and largely hitch-free exercise. 

“INEC has once again demonstrated that it is committed to organising a free and fair election in our country”, President Tinubu says.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday commenced the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Edo State, despite a call from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to cancel the exercise due to damage to its secretariat, materials, and equipment. 

The exercise, which is meant to capture would-be voters yet to register ahead of the governorship election in Edo on September 21, will run for 10 days from May 27 to June 5, 2024, from 9 am to 3 pm daily, including weekends. 

Reacting to the APC’s call, the Edo INEC’s head of Voters Education and Publicity, Timidi Wariowei, said it is unfair to lay such an allegation against the election umpire.

“We have been to Oredo and we are here at the Ikpoba-Okha registration area which we are using as our state head office registration centre because of the flood disaster that happened at our head office on Friday,” said INEC National Commissioner Rhoda Gumus. 

Gumus expressed satisfaction with the exercise, urging registrants to be patient, adding that they will all be registered.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Anugbum Onuoha, also assured that INEC was well prepared for the exercise, and the flood disaster that destroyed some of the commission’s equipment could not stop the exercise. 

The APC had alleged that the People’s Democratic Party and INEC were conniving to manipulate the CVR in favour of the PDP, and that the CVR’s manipulation was the beginning of moves to rig the election in favour of the PDP.

However, INEC officials maintained that the exercise was going on smoothly and that nothing would make them fail.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Cross River State Police Command rescued a former staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from her abductors at her residence in Calabar on Saturday.

The daring rescue operation was confirmed by Irene Ugbo, the spokesperson for the command, who praised the gallantry of the officers involved. 

Ugbo disclosed that the rescue operation led to the arrest of three suspects, who were apprehended by the command’s Anti Cultism and Kidnapping Squad (ACKS), led by SP Chukwuma Ogini.

The team sprang into action following a distress call reporting the abduction at Mathias Oje Avenue in Calabar Municipality.

The operation was further assisted by the courageous efforts of the Njangachang youths in the locality, who played a pivotal role in apprehending the suspects. 

During the operation, the police recovered two vehicles believed to have been used in the abduction. The suspects were found in possession of arms, ammunition, and charms, indicating their criminal intent. 

Irene Ugbo commended the bravery of the officers and the local youths, emphasizing the commitment of Commissioner Gyogon Grimah to eradicate crimes and criminal activities in the state.

She reiterated the commissioner’s resolve to make Cross River State an inhospitable environment for kidnappers and criminals. “We want to make it clear that no kidnapper or criminal will find the state a safe haven for their nefarious activities. This is the directive of the Commissioner, as mandated by the Inspector General of Police,” stated Ugbo, as quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). 

The successful rescue operation stands as a testament to the dedication and efficiency of the Cross River State Police Command in ensuring the safety and security of its residents.

By Zayyad Muhammad

In my piece, “What Next for Aishatu Binani?” Published months ago, I postulated that the Adamawa APC Gubernatorial Candidate in the 2023 election, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani, had three options to choose from, which would make or mar her political future. First, Binani can continue to insist that she is the ‘Governor-Elect’, as declared by the suspended Adamawa INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Barristers Hudu Yunusa Ari. In this case, Binani will approach the tribunal with that sole demand.

The second option for Binani was to pursue her case through the tribunal while ignoring Hudu’s bizarre actions. The third option for her was to retreat and congratulate Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri. That’s to discard the option of any litigation and move forward for the future. Binani and her team chose the former; they opted for litigation. Now, the Adamawa Governorship Election Tribunal has dismissed her case, thus putting her in a catch-22 situation. If Binani has to pursue the case to the Appeal and the Supreme Court—she will overstretch her luck—in politics, when you overstretch your luck, you may hit the wall with your head.

Everything being equal, Binani will battle three issues: she has lost a good rapport with most Adamawa APC-critical stakeholders. Second, the party itself seems not to be on the same page with her. Thirdly, continuing the legal battle means pressure on her pockets while knowing she has no chance. All the politicians that will hang on Binani’s side will only continue to do so if it will oil their courses.

Prof. Jibrin Amin has a famous saying: Ba’a adawa, babu dawa (opposition only survives with resources at hand). Fourthly, her philanthropic activities will diminish because she is not in a government position that allows her easy access to the materials used for the philosophical activities. Fifthly, discontinuing the case will portray her as weak in the eyes of her supporters. All Binani diehard supporters heavily rely on ‘the court case’ to have temporary relief and hope.

To be fair to Binani, she is among the few politicians with cult-like followers. She has fought a good battle in her own rights, but now she has found herself between two dicey options: one: reformat her politics by discarding all the unnecessary legal tussles; two: mend fences with her party at the state and LG levels, including lowering her head to some APC stakeholders who, hitherto, she assumed were not important, but they have shown her their capacity and understanding of how Adamawa politics works.

Two: go with her cult-like followers, whose only hope and temporary relief is to continue with the extraneous legal battle. And, whichever way she follows—Binani will now battle with being absent from the scene—no federal presence and local presence were cut short by the tribunal dismissal of the case and loss of influence in the local APC chapter.

Another salient fact is that one cannot discuss Binani’s political future without looking at Barr—Hudu’s faith in the court. A federal high court has ruled that Hudu’s trial can go ahead. Hudu’s conviction will have an impact on Binani’s political future.

Furthermore, the Adamawa APC will continue to have two sides: the Binani side, who have suffered massive losses of positions and steam due to court judgements against them, and the other side, who are in absolute control of the party machinery, federal might, and also sitting akimbo, laughing at the former’s predicament.

Nevertheless, one big picture is that Binani, as a person, will have to sit down and look at things from one important angle—the feasibility of being the sole financier of an opposition facing a battle from two fronts—its party and the government in power. Will Binani resort to what she did after the 2015 elections? When she suffered a ‘not surprising’ defeat in the 2015 Adamawa central senatorial election, she imposed upon herself a premature retirement from politics. The 2015 senatorial outing was a product of a miscalculated political move—contesting for the senate on a very weak platform—the PDM.

Here is the big dilemma: if Binani decides to temporarily ‘abscond’ from the scene, events and ‘new’ people will take over her spot before the 2027 election cycle, and if she decides to pursue her case to the Appeal and Supreme Courts, it will be an extraneous and costly adventure.

Here are three suggestions for Binani: First, she has lost goodwill within the APC family but has strong goodwill within her supporters’ base, so it’s time for sober reflection and amendment. Two: Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri appears to be more calculative and bold. The Fintiri team—the Deputy Governor, SSG, Chief of Staff, and the rest—appear to work with the ‘books’ and off-the-shelf as well. In contrast, Binani’s team heavily relies on weak pivotal emotion hearsay and is confined to just a minute unit, which their eyes see, forgetting the wider picture.

The best bet for Binani is to congratulate Governor Fintiri and move on, as Mallam Nuhu Ribadu did to her after the APC Gubernatorial primary election tussle. The last suggestion for Binani is to make a deep soul search for where she wants to be in 2027 and the tough road ahead.

Congratulations, Governor Ardo Ahmadu Fintiri!

Zayyad Muhammad writes from Abuja. He can be contacted via zaymohd@yahoo.com.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a statement to clarify recent confusion regarding its involvement in the Kano State Governorship election petition case.

Reports suggesting INEC’s withdrawal from the appeal process were based on an unauthorised letter, which has since been retracted. 

In an official announcement, Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, noted that the letter in question was not authorised and does not reflect INEC’s stance.

He reassured the public and stakeholders that the INEC has not withdrawn from the case or abandoned the appeal.

When INEC is involved in a legal matter, the Commission is bound to respond appropriately, and this commitment remains steadfast. 

Olumekun reaffirmed INEC’s dedication to upholding the law and ensuring justice prevails.

He stated that the Commission has instructed its legal representatives to proceed with the case in accordance with established policies, which remain unchanged.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Senator Lawal Adamu Usman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone, has bitterly denied the allegation swirling around that he forged certificates and threatened to take legal action.

Senator Usman was said to have presented a fraudulent academic certificate as part of the documents presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 election.

Reports have it that a former student of the Department Public Administration of Ameer Shehu Idris College of Advanced Studies, Zaria, had claimed that the serving senator used her result to gain admission into a university.

But in his reaction, Senator Lawal Adamu Usman, in a letter through his solicitors Messrs E. N. Ogbu & Associates, stated that the story published on 12th July 2023 with the caption: “Kaduna Senator used my result for varsity admission, witness tells tribunals” is libelous and defamatory, and therefore threatened legal action.

The letter further reads: “However, the procedure to obtain these facts were thrown to the wind with respect to the reportage in itself as same, according to our Client, were a calculated effort to wickedly dent an image and status earned over the years by dint of hard work.

“Our Client has suffered emotional and psychological trauma over the “fake news” printed to dent his hard-earned reputation in the eyes of the public over information that is not only false but inexistent.”

“The Nigerian Government has times without numbers strictly warned the generality of the public against spreading what is now known to be “fake news.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Federal Government of Nigeria has described the recently concluded 2023 general elections as the most authentic ever held in Nigeria since independence.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this yesterday while fielding questions from journalists after the FEC meeting.

He stated that despite efforts by the opposition parties to delegitimize the election, it was the most transparent, freest and authentic ever held in Nigeria.

Muhammed disclosed this as one of the reasons President Muhammadu Buhari refused to interfere with the Adamawa State poll debacle.

He added that the issue was strictly the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission to sort out the matter

According to the Minister, it is not in Buhari’s character to micromanage the government’s institutions.

Mohammed said: “I don’t think that this government has ever intervened in the way the Independent National Electoral Commission conducts its elections.

“So, there’s no need for us to intervene. It was an entirely INEC matter, and INEC handled it.

“The chairman of INEC is in charge of all employees in INEC, and he’s handling it. So, what do you want the government to do?”

By Muhammadu Sabiu

The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared null and void the declaration of Mrs Binani as the winner of the Adamawa supplementary gubernatorial election.

In a statement released through the commission’s verified social media handles, Barr. Festus Okoye, National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, noted that the commission had suspended all the processes of the supplementary election.

The statement reads, “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to a purported declaration of winner in the Adamawa Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) even when the process has clearly not been concluded.

“The action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer. It is null, void and of no effect.

“Consequently, the collation of results of the supplementary election is hereby suspended. The REC, Returning Officer and all involved are hereby invited to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja immediately.

The statement added that a “detailed statement” would follow shortly.

By Bilyamin Abdulmumin

Nigerians yearning to return to the path of democracy saw the light of day in 1999 when the military head of state, the late Sani Abacha, succumbed to the pressure to plan the Democratic transition. The Independent National Electoral Commission was therefore (established in 1998) and tasked to oversee the election process of the young democracy.

In its maiden election, INEC adopted a secret ballot system. This was a departure from the 1993 election: an open ballot system where voters lined up behind the poster of their candidate of choice. Although this system of voting was seen as the fairest, safest, and cheapest but on other hand, it was dubbed as a violation of voter’s choice privacy.

Other developments brought by INEC in the 1999 election were improved voter cards, transparent ballot boxes, and invitations from foreign observers. Despite irregularities in some areas, the reports said the 1999 election was free and fair. This is evidenced by the relative spread of victory across political parties in the election.

But, things began to go wild in the next election. Again, the incumbents would hold tight. They would fight tooth and nail to ensure their re-election. To make matters worse, the 2003 election (like 1999) was fragile and vulnerable, courtesy of the manual process, from voter registration to accreditation and collation.

The quality of the election process went further down the hill in 2007. When this time around, the incumbent swore to anoint their successors. And transparency and information were not in the public domain compared to the current election process.

But the election process improvements began to take off after 2007. When the winning presidential candidate Umar Musa Yar’adua not only conceded the irregularities in the election that brought him but pledged to improve the election process. He would be committed to his promise and set up a Justice Muhammad Uwais committee.

Although Umar Yar’adua’s determination threatened to hit a glass ceiling with his untimely death but his successor, Good Luck Ebele Jonathan, continued with the electoral reform. As a result, Prof. Attahiru Jega, a widely respected technocrat with an unassailable good track record, took charge of the umpire. From 2010 to 2015, when he led the commission, he brought game-changing policies such as electronic accreditation, the academics for results collation, security features on form EC 8A series as well as ballot papers, provision of clusters (for timely movement of polling team to polling units), and creating voting points to decongest Polling Units.

Like the 1999 election, national and international observers praised the outcome of the results. The 2015 General Election brought back hope to many Nigerian electorates. For the first time in the history of the Nigerian election, the incumbent President would be removed from office by the opposition. The then president Jonathan conceding to the defeat was equally remarkable and unprecedented.

The 2019 and 2023 General elections saw the electoral process in Nigeria blossom. However, professor Mahmoud Yakub will raise the bar even higher. Thanks to the electoral act 2022, Yakub would not consolidate Prof. Jega’s gains only but add other innovative developments: online voter registration, BVAS, IREV, e-school, and chatbot (for public education and effective training on the election process), provision of PVC collected in the margin of lead principle (to reduce the prevalence of “rerun”), finance tracking (to checkmate politicians excessive spending). And that is not all. He converted voting points to polling units, widening the ad-hoc number (collation officers and SPOs). In short, the election process went digital, from registration and accreditation to collation.

The progressive timeline success of INEC was made possible due to the continuity of development from one chairman to another, the dedication and perseverance of the entire INEC staff (both ad hoc and permanent), and the public unreserved scrutiny. With this steady improvement in the election process, the most touted electronic and even voting ahead of election time are not far-fetched.

Bilyamin Abdulmumin can be contacted via bilal4riid13@gmail.com.