Politics

Edo Poll: Yakubu Allays Fear Of System Breakdown, Promises, Free, Fair, Credible Election

Published

1 year ago

September 10, 2024

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has allayed concern over possibilities of system failure during the Edo State governorship election.

Yakubu gave assurance of no system breakdown on Tuesday in Benin, when he paid a visit to assess the preparedness and readiness of the Commission for the election.

Disclosing the preparedness of the Commission to newsmen, Yakubu said: “We have inner backup. For instance, all the machines we use fot the mock in 12 polling units across three senatorial districts in Edo State will not be used for the election, so, the BVAS to be used for the election are different from beavers for the mock.

“Similarly, the beavers that are going to be used for training will not be deployed for the election. For this off-circle election, we have enough system to go round. I want to assure you that the integrity of the system is protected,” he assured.

Ahead of the 21 September governorship election in Edo, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),

Speaking further, the INEC Chairman said to have an itch-free election in Edo State, the Commission had released all funds for the conduct of the election to the state office.

He further disclosed that the visit would afford the Commission opportunity to test run materials received so far.

Yakubu was accompanied on the visit to Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba/Okha local government areas by the National INEC Commissioner supervising Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa States, Prof Rhoda Gamus; the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Anugbum Onuoha and the Administrative Secretary, INEC, Edo State, Emmanuel Ogbodu.

Commenting on the readiness of the Commission for the election, the INEC chairman said: “This is a readiness assessment visit to Edo state and the purpose is to visit some of the local government areas. We have visited three to assess the readiness in terms of the level of preparation, the materials received so far and how they are organising the election in the next 11 days.

“Funds have been made available, nobody is complaining. All the funds have been made available to the state and the state has made the funds available to the local government areas.

“We have already visited two centers to observe a mock accreditation exercise intended to test run the integrity of our systems ahead of the election, both for voter accreditation as well as upload of the results to IREC porter.

“We have observed, and so far, so good in terms of readiness of our local government offices for the election and also in terms of the technology we are deploying for the election.

“We are satisfied with the level of preparation by the local government offices in the three offices we have visited, namely, Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba/Okha, as well as the two centers we have visited for the mock exercise. I think we are good to go,” he said.

He stated further: “My assurance to everyone in Edo State is: On the part of the Commission, we keep saying this: INEC is not a political party, therefore, we don’t have a candidate in this election.

“The responsibility of choosing the next governor of Edo State is entirely in the hands of Edo voters.”

He appealed to all registered voters in Edo to come out to vote for the party of their choice and the candidate of their choice, assuring that the Commission will protect the integrity of the process and uphold the choice made by the electorate.

The INEC boss assured that the Commission will do everything possible to ensure a free, fair and credible election come 21 September.

“In addition, I’ve also come to speak to all EOs [Electoral Officers] in all the 18 local government areas and we are going to harvest all their concerns. That is why we are here well ahead of the election so that we may respond to any issues that they may raise.

“It has always been the intention of the Commission to organize good elections, and I’ve given assurances on the level of preparation on the part of the Commission. That is why I’m personally in Edo State,” he said.

Related Topics:#edo poll #INEC Edo Guber

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Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.