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Online Voter Registration Hits 4.44Million

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has recorded more than 4.44 million online registrations and 509,929 physical registrations in the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR). INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja. He said that as of Sunday, September 14, a total of 4,445,505 Nigerians had pre-registered online within four weeks of the exercise, which began on August 18. According to the breakdown, 48.17 percent (2,141,294) of those who registered online are male, while 51.83 percent (2,304,211) are female. By age group, young people between 18 and 34 years make up the majority with 2,924,643 registrants (65.79 percent), while 1,112,344 (25.02 percent) are students. Olumekun added that of the 509,929 physical registrations completed as of September 12, 45.06 percent (229,758) were male and 54.94 percent (280,171) were female. Similarly, 74.15 percent (378,132) of the registrants were aged 18 to 34, and 38.54 percent (196,529) were students. He noted that the detailed distribution of registrations by state, gender, age, occupation, and disability status has been uploaded to INEC’s website and official platforms for public access. INEC also announced that online pre-registration in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ended on Monday, September 15. Physical registration will continue at designated venues for the next two weeks, before being devolved to all 62 wards in the FCT from September 29 to October 8.

INEC Confirms David Mark as National Chairman of ADC Amid Party Restructuring

Fola Badmus1 week ago1 week ago02 mins

By Kamal Yalwa: September 10, 2025 The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially confirmed Senator David Mark as the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), bringing clarity to the party’s leadership amid recent internal disputes. The confirmation, reported by a TVC News correspondent, follows a period of mounting tension within the ADC over its national leadership. INEC’s recognition is expected to pave the way for stability and unity within the party ranks. Alongside Senator Mark, INEC also recognised several newly appointed national officers who were unveiled during a high-profile coalition event in Abuja this past July. The new leadership team includes: With its leadership now formally endorsed, the ADC is anticipated to launch a nationwide reconciliation and mobilisation campaign as it works to bolster its political standing ahead of the 2027 general elections. This latest development marks a significant shift in the party’s trajectory and signals a renewed focus on internal cohesion and national outreach.

INEC, NCoS To Engage National Assembly On Framework For Inmate Voting

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago07 mins

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will work with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and other stakeholders to engage the National Assembly for a clear legal provision on the voting rights of inmates in correctional facilities across the country. Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the assurance when the Controller General of NCoS, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche mni, paid him a courtesy visit at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday, 8th August 2025. Prof. Yakubu explained that the matter of inmate voting must be addressed within the framework of the law, noting that elections are governed strictly by legal provisions. He stressed that the ongoing electoral reform process presents an important opportunity to clarify and strengthen the legal basis for extending the franchise to inmates in line with constitutional and international human rights standards. He underscored the need to resolve ambiguities in Section 12(1)(e) of the Electoral Act 2022, which limits registration to Nigerian citizens “not subject to any legal incapacity to vote under any law, rule or regulations in force in Nigeria.” He said: “There are various interpretations as to whether this provision relates to inmates on death row, those serving life sentences, or those convicted of treason. Our immediate task is to engage with the National Assembly for a clear legal provision on inmate voting. Thereafter, we can address the specific issues that may arise in the course of implementation.” Prof. Yakubu recalled that INEC had previously held extensive engagements with the correctional service to consider modalities for inmate voting. These included the setting up of a joint technical committee to review operational issues, the sharing of data on the locations and categories of federal correctional facilities nationwide, and an assessment of how voter registration, polling unit creation, and voter education could be carried out within such facilities. The Commission had also in the interest of transparency, raised questions about access for election observers, the media, and political parties, including whether campaigns could be conducted in correctional facilities and polling agents appointed on election day. The INEC Chairman referenced landmark judicial decisions on the matter, notably the Federal High Court ruling in Benin on 16th December 2014 and the subsequent Court of Appeal decision of 7th December 2018, affirming the right of five plaintiffs awaiting trial to vote in elections. The courts held that, under Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) and Section 25 of the Nigerian Constitution, awaiting-trial inmates retain their voting rights provided they assert the choice voluntarily. He further noted that inmate voting is already a reality in other countries, including Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, where Nigerian election observers have witnessed the process firsthand. The INEC Chairman commended civil society organisations, particularly the Carmelite Prisoners’ Interest Organization (CAPIO), for sustained advocacy on inmate voting, and welcomed what he described as the positive disposition of the joint committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on Electoral Matters toward inclusivity in Nigeria’s democratic process. Earlier in his remarks, Mr Nwakuche said his visit was both to pay respect to the INEC Chairman and to formally raise the issue of extending voting rights to inmates. He described inmates as a community that may have been underserved and unnoticed despite their potential contributions to national development. He disclosed that the service currently holds over 81,000 inmates, 66 percent of whom are awaiting trial and are therefore presumed innocent under the law. He argued that incarceration alone should not extinguish their civic rights, citing both court rulings and a recent resolution of the National Assembly in support of inmate voting. “I’m here, Chairman, to see how we can work together, even if it is not now but in the nearest future, to grant these inmates the right to vote. What are the things needed from our side as correctional officers? What are the things needed from your side? We must ensure that these people are not denied their rights,” he said. Mr. Nwakuche also emphasised that inmate voting is not only about rights, but also about the dignity of citizenship and the principles of inclusivity in a democracy. Responding, Prof. Yakubu reassured the NCoS boss that the Commission shares the same determination to extend the franchise to eligible inmates, adding that the meeting had reaffirmed the resolve to pursue the necessary legal and operational measures to make inmate voting a reality in Nigeria.

PDP Leadership Crisis Deepens as 11 NWC Members Reject Reinstatement of Senator Anyanwu

PDP Leaders Meet with INEC Officials in Closed-Door Meeting

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Damagum, on Tuesday led a delegation of party leaders to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja to discuss lingering issues surrounding the position of the party’s National Secretary. Following initial remarks during media interaction (before the closed-door meeting), the meeting was called at the request of the PDP to clarify procedural issues and legal concerns that have arisen since the Supreme Court issued a ruling related to the party’s internal leadership structure. In his opening remarks, Damagum expressed appreciation to INEC for hosting the meeting. Damagum explained that the meeting was aimed at addressing confusion related to the party’s National Secretary, following both internal decisions and court rulings. “We are here today, as you are aware, to have issues pertaining to the status of our National Secretary. We have gone into litigation, I think, from the beginning of last year until when the Supreme Court made a pronouncement of which INEC was a party,” he said. He further noted that the PDP’s National Executive Committee had mandated him to sign a letter to INEC to clarify the party’s position and to avoid further controversy. “We are here to interact sincerely with you off camera so that it will guide us when we get back to have a position. “Most of my members that are here will also help in bringing out the position that we felt we should combat together,” he added. Responding, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu welcomed the PDP delegation, noting that the commission is always open to engagements with political parties. Yakubu said, “This meeting is at the instance of the party. They requested to interact with us and our doors are always open to meet with leaders of political parties in our capacity as the registrar and regulator of political parties in Nigeria.”

INEC Proposes Constitutional Reforms to End Presidential Appointment of Electoral Commissioners

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago19 mins

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is proposing amendments to Nigeria’s electoral framework that would strip the President of the power to appoint the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). The proposed change would instead give the commission power to make this appointments, though with a different nomenclature to be known as State Directors of Elections. The commission is also pushing for the introduction of electronically downloadable voters’ cards to replace the use of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Specifically, the commission is seeking amendments to Section 14 (3) Paragraph F of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution to confer the power of appointing and disciplining Heads of State and FCT Offices of INEC on the commission. INEC is also proposing amendment to Section 6 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022 to confer the power of appointing Heads of State and FCT Offices on the Commission. According to INEC, these heads of state would be known as State Directors of Elections. Special Adviser to the INEC chairman, Mohammad Kuna, disclosed this in his presentation at a retreat with the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Electoral Matters on the reform of the electoral legal framework held in Lagos on Monday. He said the proposal is essential to promote transparency, accountability and efficiency in the electoral process. Currently, the REC is the person in charge of INEC office at the state level. The REC who is assisted by relevant government agencies, undertakes the Presidential, National Assembly, Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in a state and acts pursuant to powers delegated to him or her by INEC’s national Chairman and 12 Commissioners. Among the duties of the REC is to make available all the materials required to conduct an election. The REC also monitors the activities of all ad hoc staff and provides for proper verification of election results Currently, the appointment of RECs, who oversee the electoral process in each state, is within the president’s purview according to Section 154 (1) of the 1999 constitution. Section 6 (1) of the Electoral Act reads: “There is established in each State of the Federation, Federal Capital Territory and Local Government Area, an office of the Commission Which shall perform such functions as may be assigned to it by the Commission. “(2) A person appointed to the office of a Resident Electoral Commissioner shall (a) be answerable to the Commission ; and (b) hold office for a term of five years from the date of his or her appointment which may be renewable for another term of five years and no more. “(3) The Resident Electoral Commissioner appointed under the Constitution may only be removed by the President, acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that the Resident Electoral Commissioner be so removed for inability to perform the functions of the office, whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause, or for misconduct. But according to the document presented by Kuna sighted by the Guardian, developments in the recent past and especially during and in the aftermath of the 2023 General election suggest the need for the Commission to have greater powers to make appointments to the heads of State and FCT Offices. The proposal will also confer INEC the power to discipline erring RECs. Aside from this, the commission is also proposing amendment of Sections 77 (2), 117 (1), 132 (5) and 178 (5) of the 1999 Constitution to provide for early, special, Out-of-Country, diaspora and inmates voting. The document said this will allow the country to introduce early/special voting to cater for eligible voters on essential services, election personnel as well as voters under incarceration, those in the diaspora and out-of-country voting for eligible Nigerians outside the country during elections. Another key proposal by INEC is the amendment of Sections 153 (1), 154 (3), 156 (1, a), 157 (2), 158 (1), and 160 (1) and the Third Schedule, Paragraph 15 (b – d) of the 1999 Constitution to create the Electoral Offences Commission and (b) Political Party Regulatory Agency. The commission is also seeking theamendment of sections 48, 49, 71 ant 91 of the 1999 Constitution by Providing New Provisions for Special Seats for Women and PwDs “While the Commission should continue to work with all Political Parties for greater participation of under-represented groups in elective positions, the surest way to achieve that objective is through affirmative action.This should be backed by a clear provision of the law that may, for instance, create designated constituencies for such groups, especially women and persons with Disability”, the document stated. The commission is also proposing to the National Assembly to: “Amend Sections of EA 2022 to Remove Ambiguities/Cross-Referencing Errors(a) Section 60 (5) refers to ‘transfer’ of results while 64 (4 & 5) spoke about ‘direct transmission’; (b) Section 64 (4a & 5) refers to 47 (2) with regards the transmission of results; yet 47 (2) makes no reference to the transmission of results; (c) there are similar ambiguities identified in Sections 29 (1), 75 (3) & (4), 77(3), 131 (5) & (6) and 132 (5-10) of the Electoral Act, 2022 detailed in the submission of the Commission. “Amend Section 65 (1) to Provide Clarity on the Commission’s Powers to Review Election Results. Create a caveat in Section 65 (1) to provide that the triggers to the review of results should be instances of declarations made under duress. “Review Sections 47 (1) and 16 (1, 2 & 4) on the Design, Printing, Control, Issuance and Use of PVCs. Review Section 47 (1) as well as 16 (1, 2 & 4) to Modify Requirements for the Use of PVCs to Allow for the Introduction of Electronically Downloadable Voters’ Card or Any Other Form of ID Acceptable to the Commission.

Labour Party Submits Supreme Court Judgement on Leadership to INEC

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago01 mins

A high-level delegation of the Labour Party (LP), led by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, on Wednesday visited the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja to discuss key developments within the party. During the visit, Governor Otti formally presented a Certified True Copy of the recent Supreme Court judgment concerning the party’s leadership. He noted that the meeting was aimed at fostering clarity, mutual understanding, and institutional alignment regarding the LP’s current structure. The delegation was received by INEC’s Acting Chairman, Mr. Sam Olumekun, and other National Commissioners. Both parties engaged in discussions centered on enhancing collaboration and reinforcing democratic values. Mr. Olumekun reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to neutrality, transparency, and the rule of law in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

Humphrey Nwosu Deserves National Honour, Says INEC Chairman Amid Torrents of Tributes

Fola Badmus6 months ago6 months ago08 mins

Torrents of tributes and recollection of fond memories filled the air at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) headquarters, Abuja on 24th March 2025 as retired directors, management and staff of the Commission hosted the family of its former Chairman, Prof Humphrey Nwosu to an Afternoon of Tributes to celebrate the late Nwosu who passed on in October last year., The event was the first of its kind. The INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu set the tone for the event when he chronicled Nwosu’s contributions and accomplishments during his four-year term as Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC). He averred that like his six predecessors and seven successors, Nwosu had what he described as the “arduous task” of managing elections in an extremely challenging context which did not deter him from introducing many innovations in election management. He affirmed that Nwosu laid the foundation for the Commission’s independence by initiating the current three-layer structure with offices at national, state and local government levels On electoral innovations, the INEC Chairman observed that Nwosu’s tenure became synonymous with the Open Ballot System (popularly referred to as Option A4) in which voters queued up behind the symbol of the party of their choice to vote and to be physically counted. Prof Yakubu regretted that despite doing his best, the former Chairman was not always appreciated by many, including those that appointed him under “an infinite transition from military rule to democracy which ended in the annulment of the presidential election held in 1993, resulting in the dissolution of the elecrtoral commission and the emergence of an interim government”. But with the passage of time, he said, the 1993 election conducted by the late Nwosu is now celebrated as one of the best while those who annulled it have expressed regret. Continuing, Prof Yakubu said: “A quarter of a century (25 years) later in June 2018, the presumed winner of the 1993 Presidential election, Chief M. K. O. Abiola, received the highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), posthumously. His running mate, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, was conferred with the second highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). The date of the election (June 12th, 1993) has been gazetted as a national holiday and appropriately named as Democracy Day. “Sadly, the electoral commission that conducted the election which was personified by Professor Nwosu received only a muffled commendation as if no one conducted the election. Surely, the election did not conduct itself. It was organised by a Commission made up of Commissioners and a Chairman. If it was an oversight that Professor Nwosu was not honoured in his lifetime, it is never late for the appropriate authority to do so posthumously.” Other tributes flowed from all quarters. Mr. Emmanuel Ademola Johnson, a retired Director and Administrative Secretary in Lagos (1993), remembered Prof. Nwosu as an astute, erudite leader whose openness to innovation birthed the Option A4 system—a mechanism that significantly reduced electoral fraud. “His name deserves to be etched in gold,” Johnson declared, joining the growing chorus advocating for a posthumous national award. Prof. Tonnie Iredia, the pioneer Director of the Public Affairs Department, painted the picture of a tireless workaholic, while Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, hailed him as an “election warrior”. James Chidawa, former Chief Personnel Officer for Security and Intelligence, highlighted Prof. Nwosu’s exceptional crisis management skills, while Pastor Regina Omo-Agege, former Director of Election and Party Monitoring Department, remembered him as the rare combination of scholar, patriot, and man of unshakable integrity. Yet, amid the celebration of achievements, sobering reflections emerged about contemporary challenges. Mr. Victor Aluko, a retired Director of Voter Education, acknowledged INEC’s progress while lamenting how political interference continues to undermine electoral integrity – a betrayal of Nwosu’s legacy. He urged politicians to allow the electoral process flow smoothly without interference. The human dimension of Prof. Nwosu’s leadership shone through Mallam Halliru Aminu’s recollection of his extraordinary commitment to staff welfare, prioritizing housing and benefits for INEC employees. This human touch complemented his professional achievements, creating a holistic picture of a leader who cared as deeply about people as he did about processes. Dr. Chukwuemeka Ugboaja, a retired Deputy Director in the Voter Education and Publicity Department described Nwosu as “a true hero of democracy,” suggesting that the ultimate tribute would be naming INEC Headquarters after him. The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Mallam Yusuf Dantalle added a historical perspective, noting how Prof. Nwosu achieved electoral excellence despite operating without the legal framework. He pledged to continue to uphold his vision. Responding on behalf of the family, Engr. Nnaemeka Nwosu, the late sage’s son, expressed gratitude for the recognition and accolades, while urging INEC staff to have faith in Nigeria’s democratic future. “We must build a Nigeria that the future generations will be proud of,” he said.

Senate Passes Bill for Same-Day General Elections

Fola Badmus6 months ago6 months ago02 mins

A bill aimed at empowering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all general elections on the same day has passed its second reading in the Senate. The bill, which seeks to amend the Electoral Act 2022, is designed to reduce the high costs associated with elections, shorten campaign periods, and allow elected officials to serve as ad hoc delegates in party congresses. Senator Saliu Mustapha, who led the debate on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, pointed out the unsustainable rise in election costs, which have grown from ₦1.5 billion in 1999 to ₦350 billion in 2023. He stressed that the current staggered election system is financially burdensome and inefficient, contributing to voter fatigue and low turnout. According to Mustapha, holding all elections on the same day would save costs, increase voter participation, and reduce political tension. While the proposal received support from several senators, some expressed reservations about INEC’s capacity to manage nationwide elections in a single day. Senator Adams Oshiomhole cautioned that the reform should not be rushed, urging lawmakers to consider INEC’s preparedness for such an undertaking. He also raised concerns about the potential confusion caused by multiple ballots, particularly for illiterate voters. The bill will undergo further scrutiny in the coming weeks, as the Senate evaluates its implications for Nigeria’s electoral process.