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Tag: INEC

Senate Set To Screen Professor Joash Amupitan As INEC Chairman Thursday

INEC Chair Says 2027 Election May Not Be Perfect, Promises Best Poll Yet

Wale busari04 mins

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has urged Nigerians to temper expectations ahead of the 2027 general elections, acknowledging that while the commission is committed to delivering credible polls, achieving absolute perfection may not be realistic at this stage. He made this known during the Citizens’ Town Hall programme on the Electoral Act 2026, where he emphasized that the commission would do its utmost to improve on past performances. “Let me just appeal to Nigerians… what Nigerians desire is a perfect election. And INEC will strive as much as possible to give this country the best election. However, we may not be able to achieve a 100 per cent perfect election for now.” Amupitan reiterated that INEC has the infrastructure to electronically transmit election results, clarifying that previous concerns centered mainly on real-time uploads rather than capacity. “As far as electronic transmission of results is concerned… we have the capacity to transmit the results, and that we’re going to transmit the results. The only concern was real-time.” Referencing the recent FCT Area Council election, he explained that delayed uploads from Kabi ward in Kuje were caused by difficult terrain and weak network coverage, not an inability to transmit results. “I don’t see the issue of transmission as really a problem… the problem I have seen is the adequacy of the network we have.” The INEC boss stressed that sound logistics are central to successful elections, noting that operational shortcomings can undermine the credibility of the entire exercise. “Your election can be as good as your logistics. So, where there is logistics failure, you know that you are beginning to fail.” While admitting that some challenges experienced were linked to human errors, he said corrective steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence. Despite the hurdles, Amupitan expressed optimism that the 2027 elections would reflect significant progress, adding that greater transparency would strengthen public trust and national development. “I want to assure you that the election of 2027 will be the best election that Nigerians will have… by the time you have a transparent election, and people begin to trust INEC and trust their leaders, then the country will move forward.”

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INEC Shifts 2027 Presidential Election To January 16, Moves Governorship Polls To February 6

Wale busari04 mins

The Independent National Electoral Commission has revised the timetable for the 2027 general elections, announcing new dates for the presidential, National Assembly and governorship polls. In a statement released on Thursday, February 26, and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the commission confirmed that the presidential and National Assembly elections will now be held on Saturday, January 16, 2027. INEC explained that the adjustment became necessary following the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which introduced changes to statutory timelines guiding pre-election activities and other electoral processes. “Following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, the Commission has reviewed and realigned the Schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework,” the statement read. Originally, the presidential and National Assembly polls were fixed for February 20, 2027, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections were scheduled for March 6, 2027. Under the revised timetable, governorship and state Assembly elections will now take place on Saturday, February 6, 2027. The commission also provided a breakdown of critical activities leading up to the elections. Party primaries, including the settlement of disputes arising from them, will begin on April 23, 2026, and end on May 30, 2026. Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly candidates are set to commence on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and state Assembly candidates will start on September 9, 2026. In accordance with the law, all campaigns must conclude 24 hours before polling day. “Political parties are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these timelines. The Commission will enforce compliance with the law,” INEC warned. In a separate update, INEC shifted the Osun State governorship election from August 8, 2026, to August 15, 2026. The commission noted that while some activities relating to the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections had already been conducted under the old schedule, all remaining processes would now align with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. “The revised dates are consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026,” the statement added. INEC urged political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to work together to ensure smooth and credible elections. “The successful conduct of the forthcoming elections remains a collective responsibility. The Commission calls on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people,” the commission concluded. The updated election timetable has been made available on INEC’s official website and communication platforms. The shift also means the presidential election will no longer fall within the Ramadan fasting period, addressing earlier concerns raised over the initial February date.

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Senate Steps In To End ASUU Strike, Sets Meeting With Education Minister And NUC

Senate Slashes Election Notice Period To 300 Days to Grant INEC More Flexibility

Wale busari02 mins

Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber has approved fresh changes to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, trimming the statutory election notice period from 360 days to 300 days in a bid to give the Independent National Electoral Commission more flexibility in fixing poll dates. The adjustment effectively grants INEC an extra 60 days to review and realign its timetable, particularly to prevent any overlap between national elections and the Ramadan fasting season. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the chamber reconvened mainly to fine-tune sections of the bill that would allow the electoral body reconsider its schedule without breaching legal timelines. Earlier, INEC had announced February 20 for presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state assembly polls were slated for March 6. The timeline drew public concern over a possible clash with Ramadan. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Simon Lalong, noted that the commission did not deliberately create the scheduling tension, explaining that the framework guiding the timetable had been put in place before the current leadership took charge. Lawmakers also revisited Clause 60 of the bill, which addresses the mode of transmitting election results. During debate, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe advocated mandatory real-time electronic transmission, insisting it would strengthen transparency and deepen public trust in the electoral system. After deliberations in a closed session, however, the Senate resolved to retain a safeguard allowing manual transmission where electronic networks fail. Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the provision would guarantee continuity of the electoral process in situations where technological systems encounter difficulties.

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BREAKING: INEC Announces February 20, 2027 Presidential Election Date, March 6 For Governorship Polls

Wale busari01 mins

The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the 2027 general elections, setting February 20, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly polls, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will be held on March 6, 2027. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the announcement on Friday during a press briefing in Abuja, formally unveiling the commission’s timetable and schedule of activities. The development comes as lawmakers continue deliberations on the amended Electoral Act, whose passage has been delayed at the National Assembly. INEC had earlier indicated on February 4 that it had concluded work on the election timetable despite the pending legislation. The commission noted that while the schedule has already been forwarded to lawmakers, some activities could be reviewed depending on when the amended Electoral Act is eventually passed.

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INEC Receives Over N1 Trillion In 2026 Budget Ahead Of 2027 Elections

Wale busari04 mins

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to receive N1,013,778,401,602 in the 2026 budget presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marking one of the largest allocations in the commission’s history. The funding comes as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections. The details were released in the 2026 Appropriation Bill by the Budget Office of the Federation, which proposes a total budget of N58.18 trillion, with projected revenue of N34.33 trillion and expenditure including N15.52 trillion for debt servicing. The budget has been dubbed the “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity.” INEC has long stressed the importance of sufficient funding to conduct credible elections. The new allocation will be critical in covering the extensive logistics required for nationwide polls, including technology procurement, voter education, and staff deployment. Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 mandates that election funds must be released at least one year before the polls. In recent years, election budgets have risen significantly. The National Assembly approved an increase for INEC in 2025, raising its budget to N140 billion from an initial N40 billion proposal. The 2023 general elections cost N313.4 billion, though only part of the approved N355 billion had been released by September 2023. In comparison, the 2019 elections cost N143 billion, while the 2015 elections were conducted at N108.8 billion. Professor Bolade Eyinla, former Chief Technical Adviser to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, projected that the 2027 elections could cost around N870 billion (about US$600 million). Speaking at a Yiaga Africa 2027 Elections Scenarios and Election Manipulation Risk Index retreat in Abuja, Eyinla described Nigeria’s elections as among the largest peacetime civil operations, requiring significant financial, technological, and logistical resources. The projected costs reflect the scale of the upcoming polls, with over 93 million registered voters, 176,846 polling units, and 1,558 electoral constituencies. After accounting for inflation and operational expansion, the estimated N870 billion is considered realistic. On a per-voter basis, this amounts to roughly US$6.72, within international norms for transitional democracies. Eyinla compared Nigeria’s election costs with other countries, noting that Kenya’s cost per voter was US$25.9 in 2017 and US$14.9 in 2022; Ghana’s was US$13.1 in 2016 and US$7.7 in 2020; South Africa’s was US$5.1 in 2019 and US$7.1 in 2024; the Democratic Republic of Congo spent US$22 and US$14.37 per voter in 2023; Liberia’s cost was US$22 per voter in 2023; and India’s 2019 election cost US$8.5 per voter. “Given the current economic conditions, inflation, and consumer price trends, conducting the 2027 general election is projected to require about US$600 million (roughly N870 billion), assuming INEC manages its resources efficiently,” Eyinla said.

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PDP Absent As INEC Releases Provisional List Of 2026 Ekiti Governorship Candidates

Wale busari02 mins

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday released the provisional list of governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the June 20, 2026, Ekiti State election. The list, displayed at the INEC office along New Iyin Road in Ado-Ekiti, includes contenders from 12 political parties. The All Progressives Congress (APC) is fielding incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji (58) with Monisade Afuye (67) as his running mate. Other notable candidates include Opeyemi Falegan (41) of the Accord Party with Omoyemi Olaleye (42); Akande Oluwasegun (36) of the African Action Congress alongside Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe; and Ayodeji Ojo (42) of the Action Democratic Party with Itunu Ibitoye (35). The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has nominated Oluwadare Bejide (66) with Paul Olowoyeye (52), while the Action People’s Party (APP) presents Bidemi Awogbemi (36) and Akinyemi Adewumi (53). Other parties listed include the Allied People’s Movement, Labour Party, New Nigeria People’s Party, People’s Redemption Party, Young Progressive Party, and Zenith Labour Party. Notably, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates, Dr. Wole Oluyede and his deputy, were absent from the provisional list. INEC sources said the omission stems from unresolved court cases related to the party’s leadership. INEC has confirmed that the list will be updated on January 19, 2026, in line with the Electoral Act 2022, as parties finalise substitutions and resolve outstanding legal issues ahead of the polls.

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INEC Holds Talks With Rival PDP Factions To Resolve Leadership Crisis

Wale busari02 mins

The Independent National Electoral Commission has convened a meeting with the two rival factions of the Peoples Democratic Party to tackle the party’s ongoing leadership dispute. The session, held at INEC’s national headquarters in Abuja, brings together representatives of the Tanimu Turaki and Abdulrahman Mohammed factions, with the goal of resolving internal conflicts that have threatened the PDP’s cohesion. The Mohammed faction is reportedly backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, while the Turaki group claims recognition from key party structures. INEC insiders say the talks are intended to clarify the PDP’s leadership and prevent further confusion ahead of future elections. Tanimu Turaki attended with members of his National Working Committee, officials from the party secretariat, and former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu. Abdulrahman Mohammed was accompanied by members of the PDP’s national caretaker committee, including its secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu, and other senior faction leaders. The closed-door meeting is focusing on leadership claims, documentation, and possible solutions to the rift that has divided the party in recent months. INEC is reportedly seeking to determine which faction has the legitimate authority to act on behalf of the PDP. As of the report, discussions were still ongoing, with no official statement released by INEC or either faction.

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INEC Orders Nationwide Display of Preliminary Voters Register for Claims and Objections

Fola Badmus02 mins

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ordered the nationwide display of the preliminary register of voters to allow for claims and objections by eligible Nigerians. According to a statement shared on the commission’s official X handle on Friday, the exercise is aimed at giving voters the opportunity to confirm their registration details and request corrections where necessary. INEC explained that the process will enable Nigerians who recently registered, transferred their registration, or updated their personal details to verify their information at their respective Local Government Area offices. In the statement, the commission urged voters to confirm their details, noting that those whose names are missing from the register, whose information is misspelt, or whose records are incomplete should file a claim for correction. INEC also called on Nigerians to file objections if they observe irregularities on the register, including the presence of non-citizens, underage persons, deceased individuals, people not resident in the area, or anyone legally incapacitated from voting. The commission disclosed that the exercise will take place nationwide at all INEC Local Government Area offices, running daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., between December 15 and December 21. Meanwhile, INEC recently confirmed that more than 2.68 million Nigerians have completed their registration in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise. The commission stated that 1,576,137 applicants successfully completed their pre-registration online, while an additional 1,109,588 finalised their enrolment through physical biometric capture at INEC centres across the country.

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