Politics

INEC Bows To Pressure, Extends Primary Election Deadline

Published

3 years ago

May 27, 2022

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has bowed to pressure by political parties, especially the ruling All Progressives Congress APC for the extension of the June 3 Primary Election deadline.

After twice failing to arm-twist INEC into extending its June 3 deadline for the conduct of political parties’ primary elections, the nation’s 18 registered political parties have now asked the to consider a one-week extension.

The parties under the aegis of the Inter-Party Advisory Council IPAC had earlier asked for a 37-day extension and when it was not granted, they asked for a two-month extension.

However, at a meeting with INEC on Friday, the parties through the IPAC Chairman, Yabagi Sani, requested the electoral umpire to allow them to utilize the one week period of inactivity between the earlier June 3 deadline and June 10 when they are expected to begin uploading the names of their candidates unto the Commission’s Candidate Nomination Portal.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu however requested a closed-door session with the parties after which INEC also met as a commission and granted the extension.

“Earlier, the political parties had requested for a 37 – 60 days extension of the timeline for primaries and the nomination of candidates. The Commission was emphatic that this request could not be granted because it would disrupt other scheduled activities on the Timetable. This position of the Commission has not changed”, said Barr. Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee.”

He said that based on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election, the parties have now pleaded with the Commission to use the 6-day period between 4th and 9th June 2022 to conclude outstanding primaries and prepare to upload the list of candidates and their affidavits on the INEC Candidates Nomination Portal.

“The Commission did not schedule any specific activity during this period. The idea is to simply give parties time to compile the list and personal particulars of their nominated candidates before uploading the same to the INEC Candidates Nomination Portal from 10th – 17th June 2022.

“The Commission has decided to allow the request of the political parties since the six-day period does not conflict with the next scheduled activity which is the submission of the list of nominated candidates or any of the subsequent timelines which remain sacrosanct. However, this request is granted in respect of outstanding primaries only without prejudice to those already concluded by political parties. The Commission will not monitor already concluded primaries”, he stated.

After the conduct of primaries, INEC said the next critical activity for political parties is the online submission of the list of the candidates the party proposes to sponsor which shall be accompanied by an affidavit sworn to by the candidates indicating that they fulfilled all the constitutional requirements for election into the various offices via the INEC Candidates Nomination Portal.

“In addition, the Commission, based on past experience, has decided to train the political party officials to make efficient and effective use of the portal. The Commission will train four officials from each of the 18 political parties, making a total of 72 in all.

“Unfortunately, some of the political parties are still yet to submit their nominees for the training. The Commission hereby reminds such parties to do so immediately. The Commission wishes to reiterate that only electronically submitted nominations will be processed.

“Political parties are therefore advised to ensure that their primaries are free of rancour in order to meet the timelines for the remaining activities embodied in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election”, he stated.

Politics

Ovia By-election, Litmus Test To APC Success In 2027, Says Edo Deputy Gov

Published

8 hours ago

August 10, 2025

Editor

The deputy governor of Edo state, Hon. Dennis Idahosa has described next Saturday’s Ovia federal constituency by-election as a litmus test for the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general elections.

He, therefore, said that the leadership and members of the party must do all that is necessary in terms of mobilisation and canvassing for votes to secure victory for the APC.

The deputy governor stated this at the party’s flag off campaign for the bye-election in Ovia South West on Saturday.

He noted that on the part of the government, Governor Monday Okpebholo has embarked on infrastructural transformation of the federal constituency to make life more meaningful for the people.

At Siluko Ward, Idahosa told the electorates that aside having a high population, the community is one of the gateways into the state and therefore need to open up the area for development.

He said that the only support needed for the governor to do more is to work for the success of the APC on Saturday.

“Saturday’s by-election is to show our preparedness for the 2027 general elections. I want it to be a 100 perxent win for the APC.”

He said: “Be reminded that all the good things that have come to Siluko ward were facilitated by the APC government.

“We are not taking this election for granted. When you get home, tell your family and neighbours that APC is one way, vote for Omosede Igbinedion, the only female candidate for the National Assembly from Edo state.”

On her part, the party’s candidate foe the poll, Igbinedion, while describing the deputy governor as a grassroot politician who has worked for the transformation of the federal constituency.

She appealed to the people not to relent on their support for the deputy governor, as well as the APC for more infrastructural development.

“Even in the cause of this campaigns, he (Idahosa) has brought some more projects to our communities.

“With you votes on Saturday, I am going to complement his efforts in Abuja for the total transformation of our constituency,” she promised.

Similarly, Senator Neda Imasuen asserted that as a second term member of the house, Igbinedion would be able to identify lapses she made in her first term and correct them and influence projects for the betterment of her constituents.

The council Chairman Hon. Nosakhare Edobo, said that the governor has shown commitment to the people to deserve their support.

Politics

Why We’re Reviving Igueben College Of Education — Okpebholo

Published

8 hours ago

August 10, 2025

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has explained why his administration reviving College of Education, Igueben, Igueben Local Government Area of the state.

The governor said the pivotal role the institution will play in bringing development to Igueben informed his decision to revamp the College.

Speaking during the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign tour of several wards in Edo Central Senatorial District, including Ward 4, 7, 8, Uzea Kingdom, and Ebele Kingdom over the weekend, the governor assured residents that the state’s higher institutions would receive the attention they deserve.

He said: “We will continue to march forward. We are reviving the College of Education, Igueben. We have rolled out a ₦1 billion bursary scheme to cater for Edo indigenes in tertiary institutions.”

Okpebholo, who was received by the Enogie of Uzea and the Enogie of Ebele respectively during the visits, also welcomed decampees from other political parties, led by leaders of various groups from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Friday Itula, in Okpoju Ward 4.

The governor, while highlighting other achievements of his administration, noted that under the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Edo State has purchased tractors to boost agriculture, revived the moribund Edo Line Transport Company and cleared its debts, procured security vehicles, banned illegal revenue collection, and intensified the fight against kidnapping.

He added: “Anyone that wants the progress of this country should vote for Mr. President because he loves Edo State. Before now, they could not do anything for us.”

Politics

By-Election: APC Round Off Campaign In Ovia North East LGA, Optimistic Of Victory

Published

1 day ago

August 9, 2025

Editor

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rounded off its campaign for the August 16th bye-election for the Ovia federal constituency in Edo state.

The party which concluded its campaign with the rally at Utoka and Iguoshodin wards in Ovia North East on Friday, said it is optimistic of victory for the next Saturday poll.

Speaking at the rally, the state’s deputy governor, Hon Dennis Idahosa, said that the party has effectively intimated the people across the 13 wards that in the council area of its campaign promises.

He, however, noted that it is not all about rhetoric for the party has a history of delivery of its campaign promises to the people of Edo state.

Idahosa further said that the APC candidate, Ms Omosede Igbinedion, being a former member of the House of Representatives, has the capacity and experience to attract developmental projects to the constituency.

“Come August 16, with the support of the people, she will take the day. And, this is Iguoshodin Ward. We do not hope to get anything less than 98 percent.

“We are not taking anything for granted. We are going to campaign in the 23 Wards that make Ovia federal Constituency. We are going into the units as this election means a lot to us.

“We want to send someone that is competent, reliable, and understands the workings of the National Assembly (NASS) to represent the people of Ovia Federal Constituency. That person is Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion,” he said.

Meanwhile, the APC candidate said her support system is growing against the background of the defection of the immediate past deputy governor, Marvelous Omobayo.

According to her, “he, Omobayo, paid a surprise visit to my house last night, requesting for my campaign cap. He stated that he was going to wear it throughout this period.”

Simirlarly, the Senator representing Edo South in the NASS, Neda Imasuen, stressed that it is in the intestinal of the APC to win both August 16 scheduled bye-elections in Ovia federal constituency and the Edo Central senate seat.