Politics

2023: INEC Budgets N239bn For Poll Materials, Presidential Run-off

Published

3 years ago

April 22, 2022

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission will spend not less than N239.2bn on procuring voting materials and vehicles that will be used in the 2023 general election.

This is according to the 2023 General Election Project Plan that was launched by INEC in Abuja on Thursday.

The commission stated that N239.2bn, which constitutes 78.44 per cent of its N305bn budget, would be spent on 10 critical items which included ballot papers, operational vehicles, ballot boxes, allowances of ad hoc workers, printing of result sheets, logistics and procurement of accreditation devices.

Also included in the N239.2bn budget is the N27.1bn set aside by the commission for possible run-off elections, including the one for the presidential poll.

Run-off elections are conducted in the event that there is no clear winner in a general poll.

A breakdown of the document, 2023 General Election Project Plan, shows that the highest single component will be the procurement of accreditation devices which will gulp N105.2bn. This also constitutes 34.51 per cent of the total election budget of N305bn.

The allowance for ad hoc workers, who will be more than one million people, is pegged at N23.7bn while N23bn was set aside for election logistics expenses which include the movement, deployment and retrieval of men and materials for the elections.

INEC will also spend N20.6bn on the printing of ballot papers and N12.7bn on the procurement of non-sensitive materials. The commission set aside N9.5bn for the printing of result sheets, N7.8bn for the procurement of ballot boxes and a separate N5.39bn for the same purpose. The electoral body will also spend N3.9bn for the procurement of operational vehicles.

In a diagram illustrating a comparative analysis of the 2019 and 2023 general election budgets, INEC noted that while N189bn was set aside for the previous elections, the 2023 general election would gulp N305bn.

It noted that while the country had 84 million registered voters in the last elections, it would have about 100 million voters next year. Also, while 119, 973 polling units existed last year, the next elections would have 176, 846 polling units. It noted that while the average cost per voter was $7.38 in 2019, it had dropped to $5.39 per voter.

Meanwhile, the commission on Thursday said that no amount of security challenges would stop the conduct of the 2023 general election.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated this during the public presentation of the 2022-2026 strategic plan and the 2023 Election Project Plan in Abuja.

Yakubu’s assurance came barely days after elder statesman, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), called on the country to set up an interim national government next year instead of holding an election. He proposed that the interim government would birth a new constitution after which elections would take place.

Others had also expressed fears over the security situation in the North-West and the South-East which could scuttle the elections.

However, the INEC chairman said no amount of security challenges would stop the conduct of the 2023 general election.

The commission also said that about one million electoral officials, both regular and ad hoc staff, would be deployed to 176,846 polling units in 8,809 Wards and 774 Local Government Areas in the country.

He said, “As you may be aware, the election will be conducted for 1,491 constituencies nationwide made up of one presidential constituency, 109 senatorial districts, 360 federal constituencies, 28 governorship elections and 993 state constituencies.

“The election will involve an estimated one million electoral officials (both permanent and temporary or ad hoc staff) deployed to 176,846 polling units in 8,809 Wards and 774 Local Government Areas across the country. The election will be governed by a new Electoral Act 2022, which contains many progressive provisions that will enhance the capacity of the commission to conduct elections and manage the electoral process better.

“We have carefully listened to the demand of Nigerians for seamless processes, particularly with regard to enhanced voter education, better distribution of voters to polling units, quality training of election personnel, the functionality of electronic devices, improved logistics, prompt commencement of polls, and availability of assistive devices for persons with disability at polling units and greater transparency in result management.”

Yakubu said the commission was aware of the security challenges and their impact on the electoral process, noting that it would continue to engage early and intensely with the security agencies to ensure the safety of our personnel and materials, accredited observers and the media and, above all, the voters.

“Clearly, these are challenging times but we are determined that elections must hold in 2023. However, this is a shared responsibility. INEC plays a critical role but the commission alone cannot deliver the elections we all desire. I, therefore, appeal to all Nigerians to join hands with us in ensuring that we make a success of the process”, he said.

He added that the activities in the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election are firm and fixed, adding that all stakeholders are advised to take this into consideration in planning their activities.

The Country Director of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Seray Jah, who was represented by IFES Deputy Director, Obaje Ukeh, said the foundation was ready to continue its support to INEC for the success of the forthcoming elections.

Jah said the five-year plan and the election project plan act as a road map that will provide focus and guidance for INEC to succeed in achieving its mandate by ensuring seamless conduct of the 2023 general election.

Also speaking, the National Security Adviser and co-chairman of Inter-Agency Consultative Committees on Elections Security, Babagana Monguno, who was represented by Sanusi Galadima, assured Nigerians and development partners of the commitment of security agencies to protect lives and property at the polls.

The chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Yabagi Sani, pledged the support of IPAC to ensure smooth conduct of the 2023 general election and commended INEC for its efforts towards improving the country’s electoral process.

He said, “Today, we have witnessed yet another very significant development in the commendable efforts of INEC to fine-tune the operations of the electoral process in Nigeria for greater service delivery.

“It is also an occasion of manifestation of the unfolding trend of the application of science, technology and proactive prognosis, planning and solutions to challenges and situations even before they manifest.

He said the project plan was a reflection of efforts at critical assessment and reappraisal with a view to improving on strategies and conduct of transparent and acceptable elections in Nigeria.

INEC always prepares for run-off, first presidential ballot may not produce winner – REC

Explaining the commission’s preparations for run-off elections, the Niger State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof Sam Egwu, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said in every election, INEC always prepared for a run-off poll.

He said, “In every election, INEC prepares for a run-off and it will not be different for 2023. It’s because for presidential and governorship (elections), it’s possible to win majority votes without meeting geographical spread.

“It is possible not to produce a winner in the first ballot because, aside from your majority votes, you have to get 25 per cent in at least two-thirds of the local governments for governorship and two-thirds of the states for the presidential.

“So, potentially, in every election, you can have a run-off; so, there’s always a preparation in case there is a run-off. Before, the law said you had to do the run-off within seven days. But the amendment to the constitution in 2010 now makes it 21 days.”

Also, the INEC National Electoral Commissioner for information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, in an interview with The PUNCH, explained, “The framers of the Nigerian Constitution envisage a President with a national mandate. Based on this supposition, a President must be elected by a majority of the Nigerian people and the President must also enjoy a sizable geographical spread.

“Premised on this, a candidate for an election to the office of the President shall be deemed to have been elected where there being more than two candidates for the election he has the highest number of votes cast at the election; and he has not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the states in the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

“In default, there shall be a second election (which in popular parlance is called a run-off), which shall be conducted within twenty-one days of the result of the election. The conditions for the second election are adumbrated in Section 134 of the Constitution.

“The commission plans for the main election and the second election. The Commission cannot begin fresh planning for a second election when the announcement of results and reverse logistics for the main election will take almost two weeks. The commission has always prepared for the second election with the main election since the return to civil democratic rule. No national commissioner has the ability to predict the future or the outcome of any election. This commission will continue to plan and plan well and plan strategically.”

Politics

Why I Refused To Challenge Emergency Rule – Fubara

Published

2 days ago

September 20, 2025

Editor

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has explained why he resisted the pressure from his supporters to challenge the emergency rule declared in the state by President Bola Tinubu, saying his decision was guided by a desire to secure peace, stability, and progress for the people.

Fubara stated this on Friday during a statewide broadcast after his return to the state following the expiration of the emergency rule.

The governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, Edison Ehie, arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, two days after President Bola Tinubu lifted the state of emergency imposed on the state and ordered his reinstatement.

Their aircraft with number 5N-BTX touched down at 12:15 pm and they were received to a heroic welcome.

On the ground to receive Governor Fubara were several of his supporters, including a former Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah; former Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh; former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Orji Ngofa; former Commissioner for Environment, Sydney Gbara; and former factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo.

Others present were former Commissioner for Youths, Chisom Gbali; former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi; former President of NUPENG, Igwe Achese; former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja; as well as former council chairmen of Port Harcourt City, Ezebunwo Ichemati, among others.

President Tinubu, on Wednesday, announced an end to the emergency rule, which ended the six-month tenure of ex-naval chief, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), as Rivers State sole administrator.

Rivers State has faced one of Nigeria’s fiercest political crises, pitting Fubara against his predecessor and FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.

Once allies, their fallout over control of state structures and resources split the House of Assembly, sparking impeachment moves, protests, and violence, including the burning of the Assembly complex.

President Tinubu intervened with a peace deal, which failed to calm frayed nerves, before the declaration of emergency rule.

In a statement on the cessation of the emergency rule on Wednesday, made available by the Presidency, the President said, “The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from September 18, 2025.

“It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).”

Fubara was expected to resume on Thursday as many of his supporters thronged the gate of the Government House along Azikiwe Street, Port Harcourt, as early as 6am on Thursday, but the governor failed to resume.

On Thursday, at its first plenary after six months, the state House of Assembly called on the governor to immediately forward the list of commissioner-nominees to it for screening and confirmation.

The plenary was presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule at the Conference Hall of the Legislative Quarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The Assembly also called on the governor to submit the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, while noting that members would review how funds were spent during the six months of emergency rule.

In a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, the Assembly gave details of the resolution.

The statement read, “Returning from a six-month emergency rule induced by the political impasse in the state in the recent past, the Rivers State House of Assembly, on Thursday, at its first legislative sitting, through a motion, set the legislative agenda for the remaining part of the third season of the 10th Assembly.”

The statement indicated that the House Leader, Major Jack, on behalf of eight co-sponsors, in a motion, averred that the House considered it imperative to set the agenda to reflect current realities, while House members, in their contributions to the debate on the motion, applauded the motion and expressed support for all the prayers therein.

Addressing the state, Fubara described the emergency rule period as “enormously challenging” but said he willingly abided by the declaration to allow room for peace to be restored.

“As your governor, I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr President and the National Assembly, guided by my conviction that the sacrifice was not too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State.

“This was why I also resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration of the state of emergency, the suspension of democratic institutions and all other actions that we endured during the difficult period,” he said.

The governor commended President Tinubu for brokering a peace deal between all parties involved in the crisis, noting that the intervention helped reconcile him, Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Our leader, Nyesom Wike, all members of Rivers State House of Assembly, and I as your governor have all accepted to bury the hatchet and embrace peace and reconciliation in the best interest of our dear state,” Fubara said.

Expressing gratitude to Tinubu, the governor reaffirmed his loyalty to the president, promising never to take his intervention for granted. He also appealed to residents who remain sceptical about the peace process.

“To those who have expressed genuine fear, frustration and uncertainty over the nature of the peace process, I assure you that your concerns are valid and understood.

“However, nothing has been irretrievably lost. There remain ample opportunities for necessary adjustments, continued reconciliation, and inclusiveness,” Fubara assured.

Fubara, however, charged political leaders, stakeholders, and institutions in the state to ensure that the peace achieved endures.

Fubara noted that with peace restored, his administration’s focus would now return fully to governance and service delivery.

‘Bond with Rivers continues’

Speaking shortly after he arrived at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor assured the people of the state that his government would continue to work in their best interest.

He expressed his gratitude to the people and residents of the state for the warm reception he received earlier at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in IKwerre local government area of the state.

However, no prominent politician loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike or any of his known supporters were present at the airport to welcome the governor.

Meanwhile, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, thousands were already jubilating when the news of the governor’s arrival at the airport became public knowledge.

The celebration changed into singing and dancing as musical bands supplied appropriate tunes to sustain the tempo as the governor’s convoy drove into the abode where he had been absent for the last six months.

Right inside the Government House, the atmosphere was also electric as workers also celebrated the governor’s return.

Fubara immediately inspected some offices and facilities in the seat of power before answering questions from the Government House press crew, where he expressed happiness with the show of love by the people and residents of the state.
(PUNCH)

Politics

Nigeria Sliding Into One-party State – Catholic Bishops Warn

Published

2 days ago

September 20, 2025

Editor

Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have raised the alarm over what they described as the suppression of opposition voices, warning that Nigeria is gradually sliding into a one-party state.

The bishops expressed this concern in a communiqué issued at the end of the plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria held in Akwa Ibom State, which ended on Friday.

The communiqué was signed by the Archbishop of Owerri and President, CBCN, Lucius Ugorji; and Bishop of Uromi and Secretary, CBCN, Donatus Ogun.

The bishops cautioned politicians against pushing the nation towards a one-party state which they argued is unhealthy for democracy.

The bishops expressed dismay at the growing preoccupation of politicians with securing and retaining power ahead of the 2027 general elections, rather than delivering good governance.

They noted that this obsession with political dominance had fuelled corruption, inefficiency, and the neglect of citizens’ welfare.

The bishops further criticised political defections, alignments and realignments, describing them as self-serving moves by politicians with little intention to serve the people.

The communiqué read, “In the face of many live threats, politicians are more preoccupied with securing and retaining power and less concerned with good governance for the common good of the electorate.

“Abandoning their duties, they seem more concerned with the pursuit of their personal political agenda and perfecting strategies to grasp power in 2027.

“In fact, there seems to be suppression of opposition as Nigeria appears to be tilting to a one-party state, the development of which is not a good omen for democracy.

“We observe that many politicians are merely strategising, aligning and realigning, defecting from one party to another; and posturing for future political offices with little or no intention to contribute to the common good and make better the lives of the citizens.”

Ahead of the 2027 elections, the bishops demanded electoral reforms that should not only ensure electronic transmission of results from the polling units, but also their electronic collation in real time.

They also urged the judiciary to remain impartial in electoral matters, stressing that judicial credibility was vital to national stability.

Politics

Edo PDP Urges Police To Steer Clear From LG By-election

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2025

Editor

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Friday called on the state police command
not to lend any form of support, deployment, cover, or legitimacy to Saturday’s bye election.

On Tuesday, an Edo State High Court sitting in Benin restrained the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission and the state government from going ahead with planned local government by-elections across 59 wards in the state.

In the court papers made available to journalists on Thursday in Benin, the Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice was also a party to the suit.

Justice Mary Itsueli, sitting as a vacation judge, granted the order on Tuesday following an ex-parte motion brought by the Peoples Democratic Party.

The PDP, through its counsels, Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, Michael Ekwemuka and P. W. Akwuen, in the suit, B/247M/2025, had prayed the court for leave to apply for judicial review of EDSIEC’s decision to conduct by-elections to fill councillorship positions in the affected wards.

The party argued that the councillors’ tenures remain valid until September 2026, making any attempt to declare their seats vacant unlawful.

Justice Itsueli, who held that the applicants had shown sufficient grounds for the court to intervene, also referred the matter to the Chief Judge of Edo State for reassignment to a regular court, fixing September 30, 2025, for the return date.

In a letter by the PDP chairman, Tony Aziegbemi to the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika on Friday , he described the election as an illegal exercise.

The statement reads, “I write on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party, Edo State Chapter, to bring to your attention and emphasize the subsisting order of the High Court of Edo State restraining the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission and the Edo State Government from conducting any purported Local Government by-elections in 59 wards across the state.

“On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Justice Mary E. Itsueli, sitting as a vacation judge of the Edo State High Court, granted an order in Suit No. B/247M/2025, restraining EDSIEC and the State Government from going ahead with the planned by-elections.

“The Honourable Court further held that the tenures of the duly elected councilors in the affected wards subsist until September 2026, and therefore, any attempt to declare their seats vacant or to conduct fresh elections would be unlawful and unconstitutional.

“The Court categorically ordered that the Respondents “are to stay further actions and are restrained from conducting the election or taking any further steps in connection with the planned Local Government by-election across 59 wards in the Local Government Areas of Edo State, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.”

“The substantive matter has since been referred to the Honourable Chief Judge for assignment to a regular court, with a return date fixed for September 30, 2025.

“In the light of the foregoing, we respectfully call on your esteemed office to refrain from lending any form of support, deployment, cover, or legitimacy to this illegal exercise. Any participation by security agencies in the purported elections would amount to aiding and abetting contempt of court and undermining the rule of law.

“We trust that, as neutral institutions of state committed to upholding law and order, you will ensure that your men and officers do not participate in or provide security for this unlawful process. The integrity of our democracy, the sanctity of judicial pronouncements, and the credibility of security institutions must be preserved.

“Copies of the court order are attached here in,” he added.