2023 Election Updates Daily Briefings from The Republic

Updates on the 2023 elections, covering news on candidates, voting and other related issues.
31 March 2023
Labour Party Suspends 11 Executive Members for Anti-party Activities In Nasarawa

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor 

On Thursday, the Nasarawa State chapter of the Labour Party suspended eleven executive members over alleged anti-party activities during the 18 March governorship and state legislative polls.

In a statement by the state chairman, Alex Emmanuel and Ashime Benjamin, assistant secretary, the state chapter said the affected members had supported another party and the suspension was taken after it had consulted with the party’s national leadership.

The statement said:

With reference to a complaint made to LP headquarters dated March 24 and the responses received, we bring to your notice that the suspended members have gone contrary to the party’s Constitution. They violated Article 19, Part ‘B’ of the Constitution that stipulates disciplinary measures for anti-party activities that lead to embarrassment, contempt, and ridicule of the party.

The members suspended include the chapter secretary, Dahiru Abubakar; women leader, Hajara Dalhatu; party treasurer, Musa Doma, and Muhammad Aliyu, Lafia local government area chairman. 

The party has set up a five-member committee to investigate their activities within two weeks.

29 March 2023
Labour Party Lowers Governorship Nomination Form Price

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor 

On Tuesday, the Labour Party announced that it had reduced the cost of its governorship nomination forms ahead of the off-cycle gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo states, set to hold in November. The nomination forms, formerly N25 million, now cost N15 million.

LP national chairman, Julius Abure, said the decision was reached following consultations with the party’s national leader and presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

‘We have reviewed all the complaints about the high costs of nomination fees by the party in terms of nomination forms for the governorship election in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states,’ Abure said. ‘I am pleased to announce to you that the nomination fees has been reduced from N25 to N15 million. We have always been a listening party, we believe that this party is propelled and owned by the people.’

 

28 March 2023
Iyorchia Ayu Steps Down as PDP Chairman

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor 

The Peoples Democratic Party has removed Iyorchia Ayu as its national chairman and appointed its deputy national chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, as its acting national chairman.

In a statement by spokesman Debo Ologunagba, Damagum was announced as the acting chairman by the party’s national working committee in line with a court ruling.

‘The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at an emergency meeting today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023 acknowledge the Order of the Benue State High Court, dated March 27, 2023 with regards to the Chairmanship position of our great Party,’ the statement said. 

On Monday, a high court in Benue State granted an interim order restraining Iyorchia Ayu from presenting himself as the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The presiding judge, W.I. Kpochi, ruled on an ex parte motion marked MHC/633/2023. 

According to Kpochi:

An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st defendant Senator Dr. lyorchia Ayu from parading himself as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) having lost membership of the party, pending the hearing and determination of Motion on Notice already filed. 

Last week, the Benue State chapter of PDP suspended Ayu alleging anti-party activities. The ward exco suspended Ayu for anti-party activities after passing a vote of no confidence on him. 

The party’s presidential campaign council initially said Ayu’s suspension was illegal. In a statement by party spokesman, Charles Aniagwu, PDP asserted that those who orchestrated his suspension were unaware of the provisions of the party’s constitution.

27 March 2023
INEC Fixes 15 April for Supplementary Elections

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Independent National Electoral Commission announced 15 April as the date for the conduct of all pending governorship, national and state legislative supplementary elections. These elections will hold in states like Adamawa and Kebbi, where the 18 March governorship polls were declared inconclusive, and other polling units where elections did not hold. 

The announcement was made by the chief press secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi. 

According to Oyekanmi:

Arising from its meeting held today, the Independent National Electoral Commission has decided that all outstanding governorship, National and State Assembly supplementary elections will take place on Saturday 15th April 2023.

24 March 2023
Election Petition Court Allows Substituted Service on Bola Tinubu

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja, ruled that petitions brought against the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, can be served through substituted means.  A three-man panel of the court led by Justice Joseph Ikyegh, ruled that the petitions should be served through his political party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The court ruled after separate ex-parte applications were brought before it by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar and his counterpart in the Labour Party, Peter Obi. Abubakar and Obi had accused Tinubu of deliberately avoiding the service of the petitions filed to nullify the elections where Tinubu was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission.  

The embattled president-elect, according to APC’s presidential campaign council, is in France. In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the media director of the campaign, clarified Tinubu’s whereabouts. 

According to Onanuga:

We can confirm that the president-elect, who left Nigeria Tuesday, has not been in London. He is right now in France to have a deserved rest, after a hectic campaign that began in January 2022.

23 March 2023 
United Kingdom Set to Sanction ‘anti-democratic’ Politicians After 18 March Guber Polls

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Wednesday, the United Kingdom threatened to issue visa bans on politicians found to have engaged in or promoted electoral violence in Lagos, Rivers and Enugu states in the March 18 governorship and state legislative elections.

In a statement signed by the senior communications and public diplomacy officer, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, the British High Commission said that it had begun collating relevant information.

The statement said:

‘We witnessed and received credible reports from other observer missions and civil society organisations of vote buying and voter intimidation, the destruction and hijacking of election materials and the general disruption of the process in numerous states including Lagos, Enugu and Rivers states. We can confirm that we are collating relevant information, with a view to taking action against some individuals.

The UK Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell MP, said on February 21, that the UK is prepared to take action against those who engage in or incite electoral violence and other anti-democratic behaviours, and action could include preventing people from obtaining UK visas or imposing sanctions under our human rights sanctions regime.’

22 March 2023
INEC to Resume Collating Abia State Guber Election Results Today

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that it will resume collating the results of the Abia State governorship election by 04:00 pm today.

The commission’s head of voter education and publicity in Abia State, Rebecca Jim, said the presiding officer, Professor Nnenna Oti, and state administrative secretary, Clement Oha will return to Abia State to complete the collation process having been invited to the commission headquarters in Abuja over the results.

On Monday, INEC suspended the collation of governorship election results in Obingwa local government area of Abia State and Nkanu East and Nsukka local government areas in Enugu State after its facilities were attacked by thugs and its officials held hostage. 

21 March 2023
Peter Obi Files Petition at Election Tribunal Over 25 February Results

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign council announced that its candidate at the 25 February elections, Peter Obi, has submitted a petition challenging the outcome of the election.

‘It is official the Labor Party Presidential candidate Peter OBI has filed his petition to the presidential elections tribunal in Abuja. The process of reclaiming the people’s mandate has started,’ campaign council spokesperson, Yunusa Tanko, said in a tweet.  

Last month, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, as the winner of the elections. 

Obi said he would explore all legal and peaceful options to prove that and reclaim the mandate of the people. INEC chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu, was accused of violating essential provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act on the transmission of results from the polling units to INEC viewing centre.

20 March 2023
INEC Declares Kebbi State Elections Inconclusive Due to ‘Overvoting’

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the governorship election in Kebbi State as ‘inconclusive’.

The state collation and returning officer, Yusuf Sa’idu, said the poll was deemed inconclusive due to  ‘massive vote cancellation and overvoting’ in 20 of the 21 local government areas in the state.

Sa’idu, quoting the Electoral Act of 2022, said:

‘Where the number of votes cast in an election in any polling unit exceeds the number of accredited voters in that polling unit, the presiding officer shall cancel the result of the election in that polling unit. Subsection three of section 51 also states that where the result of an election is cancelled in accordance with sub-section two, there shall be no return for the election until another poll has taken place in the affected polling unit.

By virtue of these provisions and the powers vested in me as the collation and returning officer of the 2023 gubernatorial election in Kebbi State, I, Prof. Yusuf Sa’idu of the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, hereby declare the gubernatorial election in Kebbi State inconclusive.’

Sa’idu said the total number of registered voters was 2,032,041;  the All Progressives Congress got 388,258 votes and the Peoples Democratic Party got 342,980 votes, leaving a difference of 45,278.

 

INEC Suspends Vote Collation In Enugu, Abia State

The  Independent National Electoral Commission has suspended the collation of results for the 18 March governorship elections in Enugu and Abia states.

In a statement by the INEC national commissioner, Festus Okoye, the Commission decided after a meeting to review the elections.

The electoral body suspended the collation of results in Obingwa local government area of Abia State and Nkanu East and Nsukka local government areas in Enugu State.

‘Consequently, the Commission hereby suspends the collation of results in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State and the two outstanding Local Government Areas of Enugu State which are yet to be collated. A review will be undertaken immediately before the process is concluded,’ the statement said. 

INEC Declares Adamawa Governorship Election Inconclusive

The  Independent National Electoral Commission has declared the 18 March governorship election in Adamawa State inconclusive. 

INEC’s returning officer, Mohammed Melee, said the election was inconclusive as cancelled votes exceeded the margin of victory.

According to him, the elections had been cancelled in 47 registration areas with a total of 41,796 registered voters, while 31,249 Permanent Voter Cards had been collected.

Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 421,524 votes while Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed of the All Progressives Congress (APC), scored 390,275. 

The electoral body will set a new date for re-run elections in areas where elections could not be held in the state.

18 March 2023
INEC Postpones Elections In 10 Lagos State Polling Units

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the governorship and state assembly elections in ten polling units in the Victoria Garden City (VGC) in Lagos State.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Segun Agbaje explained that INEC ad hoc staff were reluctant to enter the estate,  alleging that they had been held hostage in the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

According to Agbaje:

‘We have eight polling units here with 6,024 registered voters and out of which 5,624 people have their PVCs, eight here (in the estate) and two outside. After due consultation and further directive from the national headquarters that we should remobilise here tomorrow (Sunday) morning by 08:30 am to conduct the elections.’

Agbaje said the Commission’s staff set up voting materials in front of the estate but the estate residents claimed that hoodlums might disrupt the process.

17 March 2023
Police Restrict Movement in Sokoto State Ahead of Guber Polls

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Sokoto State Police Command ordered restrictions on all vehicular movement on state roads for the 18 March governorship and House of Assembly elections.

In a statement, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Sanusi Abubakar, said the restrictions were in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba.

The restriction affects all vehicular movements on roads from 12:00 am on Friday to 06:00 pm on Saturday ‘with the exceptions of those on essential services such as electoral observers, accredited media, ambulances, and firefighters, etc.’

16 March 2023
SSS Arrests Two for ‘Inciting Violence’ In Kano State Ahead of 18 March Elections

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today,  Nigeria’s State Security Service arrested two people—Sharu Abubakar Tabula and Isma’il Iliyasu Mangu—claiming deliberate incitement for violence in Kano State ahead of the 18 March polls. 

The SSS said the suspects had recorded messages and shared them through various social media channels.

In a statement, spokesman Peter Afunanya said:

‘In those potentially harmful messages, they specifically championed certain political interests and called on their supporters to violently attack those opposed to them. The suspects also called for attacks on security personnel during the Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly election in the state. As a result of this development, a particular political party in Kano has threatened to organize protest march in the metropolis as well as storm offices of some of the security agencies on 16th March, 2023 in solidarity for the suspects.’

14 March 2023
Rivers State Accord Party Assembly Candidate Kidnapped

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Accord Party’s House of Assembly candidate for Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Constituency II in Rivers State, Chukwudi Ogbonna, was reportedly kidnapped.

Media reports said Ogbonna was taken at gunpoint by unidentified criminals around Rumuigbo community in the Obio-Akpor local government area of the state.

Ifeakachukwu Nwakiri, who identified himself as Ogbonna’s brother and confirmed the incident, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to consider suspending the State House of Assembly election for Onelga Constituency II set for 18 March.

The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the abduction,  announcing that an investigation has commenced.

13 March 2023
INEC to Conclude BVAS Reconfiguration on 14 March

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it would complete the reconfiguration of its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly election by 14 March.

On Sunday, the electoral body’s national commissioner, Festus Okoye, spoke on Channels Television.

‘I’m sure that by Tuesday when we hope to complete the resettling of the BVAS for the purposes of the governorship and state assembly elections, the results in all the places where elections were conducted would have been pushed to the accreditation backend,’ Okoye said.

Last week, INEC postponed the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections scheduled to hold on 11 March 11 to 18 March to reconfigure the systems after they had been used for the 25 February presidential polls. The electoral body had stalled in reconfiguring the voter accreditation systems pending the case brought against it by the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party.  

However, the presidential election petition court at the Court of Appeal in Abuja allowed INEC to reconfigure the machines, saying the delays would affect the governorship and state legislative elections.

10 March 2023
Federal High Court Orders INEC to Allow Temporary Voters Cards at 18 March Polls

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Thursday,  the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow citizens with Temporary Voter Cards to vote in the governorship and National Assembly elections now set for 18 March. 

The case was initiated by Kofoworola Olusegun and Wilson Allwell, who said that they were unable to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards before 06 February—the PVC Collection deadline. 

In the judgment, Justice Obiora Egwuatu held that the evidence showed that the plaintiffs were registered in INEC’s database.

The judgment is:

‘compelling the defendant (INEC) to allow the plaintiffs to vote using their Temporary Voter Cards issued by the defendant, the plaintiffs having been duly captured in the National Register of Voters database.’

In a statement by the electoral body’s press secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, INEC intends to appeal the ruling. 

 

09 March 2023
INEC Postpones Guber Elections, Announces 18 March as New Date

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission postponed the 11 March governorship elections to 18 March.

In a statement, the electoral body said it needed time to reconfigure its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) which identifies voters via fingerprints and facial recognition. The BVAS also transmits results from polling stations.

According to INEC:

This decision has not been taken lightly but it is necessary to ensure that there is adequate time to back up the data stored on the over 176,000 BVAS machines from the Presidential and National Assembly elections…and then to reconfigure them for the Governorship and State Assembly elections.

The postponement follows a ruling by Nigeria’s court of appeal on Wednesday which rejected demands made by the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to hold off on reconfiguring the BVAS so their teams could check for evidence of ballot rigging.

 

08 March 2023
INEC Issues Certificates of Return to Elected House of Reps Members

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Independent National Electoral Commission issued Certificates of Return to the winners of the 25 February House of Representatives elections.

National Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, presented the certificates to the members-elect at the National Collation Centre in Abuja. The African Democratic Party won two seats; the All Progressives Congress won 162 seats; the All Progressives Grand Alliance won four seats; Labour Party won 34 seats; New Nigeria Peoples Party won 18 seats; the Peoples Democratic Party won 102 seats; Social Democratic Party won two seats and Young Progressives Party won one seat.

 

07 March 2023
INEC Asks Tribunal to Modify Order Granting Obi, Atiku Access to Election Materials

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Monday, a request was made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the presidential election petition tribunal, asking that the tribunal amend the orders granted to the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, respectively to see all the sensitive materials used by INEC for the 25 February polls.

Obi sought an order of the court ‘restraining the 1st respondent (INEC) from tampering with the information embedded in the BVAS machines until due inspection is conducted and Certified True Copies of them issued’.

The court allowed Atiku and Obi to electronically scan and/or make photocopies of voter registration and ballot papers used for the presidential election.

However, INEC has asked the court to modify the order which stopped it from tampering with materials used for the election. The electoral body is seeking an order from the court to allow it to reconfigure its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines for the 11 March governorship and state parliamentary elections.

 

06 March 2023
PDP Protests Election Results at INEC Office, Abuja

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, there was a protest at the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja by the Peoples Democratic Party, to protest the outcome of the 25 February elections.

The protest was PDP’s presidential hopeful, Atiku Abubakar; the National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu; vice presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, the chairman of the presidential campaign council and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel; the Director General of PCC and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal.

Last week, Atiku criticized INEC over its failure to upload results on its results viewing portal. Atiku described the elections as a ‘rape of democracy’.

According to Atiku:

The weekend election was neither free nor fair. Preliminary assessments indicate that it is the worst conducted elections since the return to democratic rule. The manipulation and fraud that attended this election were unprecedented in the history of our nation.

Atiku and other political parties like the Labour Party vowed to challenge the outcome of the election. 

03 March 2023
Six States Ask Supreme Court to Nullify Elections Over Electoral Act Infractions

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Sokoto have filed a suit at the Supreme Court, against the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

The states have asked the court to declare that the elections were not carried out in compliance with the Electoral Act as widely reported failure to electronically transmit results from polling units by the Independent National Electoral Commission, contravenes provisions of the electoral law.

The states have asked the Supreme Court to declare the result of the 25 February presidential elections invalid. This will nullify INEC’s declaration of former Lagos governor, Bola Tinubu, as the winner of the election.

Notably, all the states demanding for the elections to be set aside are PDP states. The party’s presidential hopeful, Atiku Abubakar came in second place at the polls with 6,984,520 votes.

01 March 2023
08:30 a.m. – INEC Declares Tinubu President-Elect

By Wale Lawal, Editor-in-Chief

After a disputed presidential election, INEC has declared Bola Ahmed Tinubu (All Progressives Congress) the winner.

To win the presidential election, a candidate must have the largest number of nationwide votes and must have won at least 25% of votes in 24 of the 36 states and the capital, Abuja. As at 3 a.m. today, Tinubu had won at least 25% of the vote in 27 states.

The 2023 elections have been criticized for electoral malpractice and voter suppression by both voters and opposition parties. As of yesterday, PDP and LP members demanded the resignation of INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu for ‘compromising the election results’. In response, INEC defended the election results as credible.

Of note, vote count this year was historically low. Until this election, the 2019 election had the lowest vote count on record at 34.7%. At 25.7%, early estimates suggest the 2023 election has overtaken the 2019 election as having the lowest vote count percentage since the return to democracy in 1999.

The 70-year-old Tinubu becomes Nigeria’s presidential-elect and will replace outgoing president, Muhammadu Buhari, who will leave office on 29 May 2023.

8:30 a.m. – Bola Tinubu is Nigeria’s Next President

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On 01 March, The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, as the winner of the 2023 general elections.  

Tinubu scored a total of 8,794,726 votes, meeting the first constitutional requirement to be declared the winner and scored over 25 per cent of the votes cast in 30 states, above  the 24 states constitutionally required. Atiku came in second with a total of 6,984,520 votes, Peter Obi of the Labour Party came third with 6,101,533 votes while Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP came fourth with 1,496,687 votes.

28 February 2023
12:30 pm – Atiku Wins Bayelsa

Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party won in Bayelsa State as announced by the Bayelsa State presidential election collation centre.

He scored a total of 68,818 votes, beating LP’s Peter Obi, who got 49,975 votes and APC’s Bola Tinubu, who got 42,572 votes. 

12:00: Peter Obi Wins Cross River State

Obi, defeated his fellow presdiential hopefuls, APC’s Bola Tinubu; PDP’s Atiku Abubakar; and NNPP’s Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The final results, which were announced at the presidential election collation centre in Cross River, said Obi polled 179,917 votes, over Tinubu’s 130,520, Atiku’s 95,425, and Kwankwaso’s 1,644.

10:00 am Obi Wins In the FCT

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has won the polls in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, raking in four out of the six Area Councils. 

At the final collation for the state level, Obi got a total of 281,717 votes, in second place was APC’s Bola Tinubu who pulled 90,912 votes and PDP’s Atiku Abubakar got 74,199 votes.

27 February 2023
12:00 am – Collation of Votes to Go Into Its Third Day as INEC Adjourns to Tuesday

The Independent National Electoral Commission has closed the collation of results for the 2023 presidential election at the International Conference Centre in Abuja for the day.

National Chairman Mahmood Yakubu has adjourned the exercise to allow state collation officers for the presidential election (SCOPs) in the remaining states present their results.

Already, results have been released for about 16 states. Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress has won in Kwara, Oyo, Ondo, Jigawa, and Ogun.  Peter Obi of the Labour Party has won in Nasarawa, Abia, Enugu, and Lagos. Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party has won in Osun, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Katsina.

10:00 pm – Kwankwaso Wins Kano

Former governor of Kano State and presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Rabiu Kwankwaso has won his home state at the 2023 elections. 

Kwankwaso won with a total of 997, 279 votes, APC’s Bola Tinubu trailed in second place with 517, 341 votes, PDP’s Atiku Abubakar came in third with 131, 716 votes and LP’s Peter Obi gained 28, 513 votes. 

The results were announced by the state collation officer, Professor Lawan Suleiman Bilbis after the results from the 44 local government areas were collated at the Independent National Electoral Commission Headquarters in Kano.

The total number of registered voters was 5, 792, 848, accredited voters were 1, 769, 525 and the total valid votes were 1, 702, 005.

09:00 pm – Atiku Wins Bauchi

The presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has won Bauchi with 109,913 votes.

The state Collation Officer, Prof. Abdulkarim Mohammed, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, announced the results on Monday.

Atiku won with 426,607 votes and APC’s presidential hopeful Bola Tinubu, had 316,694 votes. The New Nigerian People’s Party candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso got 72,103 while Peter Obi of the Labour Party scored 27,373 votes.

Mohammed noted that registered voters in the state were 2,749,268 while accredited voters were 899,769.

06:50 pm – Peter Obi Wins Abia

Peter Obi won the presidential election in Abia State. The results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission showed that Obi won with a total of 327,095 votes, beating PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, who polled 22,676 votes.

06:30 pm – Peter Obi Wins Nasarawa

The Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, scored the highest votes at the presidential polls held in Nasarawa State.

Obi polled a total vote of 191,361, beating APC’s Bola Tinubu, who got 172,922 votes and PDP’s Atiku Abubakar who got 147, 093 votes.

06: 00 pm – Atiku Wins Gombe State

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has recorded a victory at the polls in Gombe, Nigeria’s smallest northern state.

The Gombe State Collation Officer, Professor Maimuna Waziri, Vice Chancellor, Federal University Gashua, announced that Atiku won with a total of 319,123 votes. 

The APC presidential hopeful Bola Tinubu came in second with 146,977 votes. Peter Obi got 26,160 votes, while Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso got 10,520 votes.

03: 30 pm – Atiku Wins Adamawa

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has recorded a victory in his home state, Adamawa.

The state collation officer, Prof. Mohammed Mele, said 764,834 voters were accredited out of the 2,186,465 total of registered voters.

With a total of 417,611 votes, Atiku defeated APC’s Bola Tinubu, who got 182,881 votes and Peter Obi’s 105,645 votes. Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) gained 8,006 votes.

03: 00 pm – Atiku Wins Akwa Ibom

PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, has won the elections in Akwa Ibom State, winning 23 out of the 31 local government areas, according to the results declared by INEC at the State Collation Centre in Uyo, the State’s capital.

Atiku, who got 214,012 votes, is followed by the APC’s Bola Tinubu who won six local government areas with 160, 620 votes. LP’s Peter Obi got 132,683 votes, winning in only two local government areas including the state capital, Uyo LGA.

02:40 pm – Atiku Wins In Yobe State

The presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar has won the presidential election in Yobe State.

State Returning Officer, Prof Umar Pate announced that Atiku had gained 198,567 votes, APC’s Tinubu canvassed 151,459 votes, LP’s Obi got 2,406 votes and Kwankwaso scored 18,270.

02:00 pm – Tinubu Wins Jigawa

The collation officer for the 2023 presidential election in Jigawa State, Prof. Arma-Ya’u Hamisu Bichi of the Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State, has named APC presidential candidate Bola  Tinubu as the winner of the elections in Jigawa state after getting 421, 390 votes.

Former vice president and PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, came second with 386,587 votes.

01:30 pm – Orji Kalu wins Senate seat for Abia North

APC candidate for Abia North Senatorial district election and Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor-Kalu, has been declared the winner of the elections by INEC in Abia. 

INEC returning officer, Chinedu Nnamdi, declared Kalu as the winner after getting a total of 30,805 votes. His competitors, Nnamdi Iroh of the Labour Party got 25,540 votes, and Mao Ohuabunwa of the PDP got 15, 175 votes. 

01:20 pm – Dave Umahi wins Ebonyi Senatorial Bid

INEC has named Ebonyi state governor, David Nweze Umahi, as the winner of the senatorial elections in Ebonyi South senatorial district. 

The returning officer, Prof. Augustine Ogugua Egwu of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, announced that Umahi won with 28,378 votes. 

LP’s  Linus Okorie got a total of 25,496 votes and Michael Amannachi of PDP, the incumbent senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial zone got 23,092 votes.

 

01: 20 pm- Peter Obi Wins in Enugu State

Peter Obi of the Labour Party has been declared the winner of the presidential elections conducted in Enugu State.

INEC’s collation officer, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, declared the results of the election. Out of  2,112,793 voters registered for the election, there were only 482,990 accredited voters for the election 

Obi won with a total of 428,640 votes, Atiku Abubakar of PDP got 15,749 votes and Bola Tinubu of APC came third with 4772 votes. NNPP’s flagbearer, Rabiu Kwankwaso polled a total of 1,808 votes. 

01: 00 pm – Tinubu Wins in Ondo

APC’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, has won the presidential election in Ondo State.

INEC’s state returning officer, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Abayomi Fashina, announced the results at INEC headquarters in Akure after collation from the 18 council areas.

APC won with a total of 369,924 votes, Atiku Abubakar of PDP got 115,463 votes and Peter Obi of the Labour Party polled 47,350 votes.

 

01:00 pm – Tinubu Wins In Oyo State

Bola Tinubu of APC emerged victorious after the collation of votes in Oyo state.

The results were announced by INEC officer, Prof. Olusola Babatunde.  Tinubu won with 449,884 total votes, Atiku trailed with 182,977 votes, Obi got 99,110 votes and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party polled 4,095 in fourth place.

Babatunde noted that a total of 851,956 votes had been cast. 809,485 votes were valid and 42,471 votes were rejected.

12:40 pm – Ekiti Presidential Results Challenged By PDP

On Monday, Dino Melaye rejected the presidential election result declared for Ekiti State, alleging over-voting at the national collation centre in Abuja. 

Melaye, an agent of the PDP, noted that the figures of results announced by the INEC for Ekiti State did not tally.

INEC had declared the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, winner for Ekiti State with 201,494 defeating PDP’s Abubakar Atiku who scored 89, 554.

Peter Obi was said to have gotten 11,397 votes and Rabiu Kwankwaso got 264 votes; 1703 votes were cancelled due to the bypass of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems and over-voting.

Melaye said the party observed an increase of 887 in the total number of figures from Ekiti State.

12:00 pm – Tinubu Wins Kwara

The presidential flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has been declared winner of the election in Kwara State.

Tinubu won with 263,572 of the total votes cast, while PDP’s  Atiku Abubakar got 136,909 votes and Labour Party’s Peter Obi scored 31,166.

11:30 am – Peter Obi Wins Lagos State

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has won the presidential election in Lagos state. He defeated Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate and former governor.

Obi had 582,354 votes, Tinubu got 572,606 votes, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got 75,750 votes, while Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) had 8,442 votes.

Lagos State had a total of 6,942,885 registered voters; accredited voters at the polls were 1,347,152, total votes cast was 1,335,729, with valid votes at 1,271,451 and rejected votes at 64,278.

Though APC won in more local government areas, Obi won with the majority of votes cast in the state.

 

11: 00 am – INEC Suspends Rescheduled Elections in Abia

The Independent National Electoral Commission has suspended the rescheduled presidential and legislative elections in seven local government areas in Abia.

In a statement, Rebecca Jim, the head of Voter Education and Publicity, INEC Abia, said a new date would be communicated with the public in due time. 

‘The proposed election in polling units where election could not hold on Saturday, 25th February, 2023 in Abia scheduled for Monday, 27th February, 2023 has been put on hold. You shall be communicated in due course on a new date. All inconveniences are highly regretted,’ Jim said. 

The elections were to hold at various polling units in Aba North, Aba South, Arochukwu, Obingwa, Osisioma, Ohafia and Umuahia North local government areas.

09:00 am – Former Ebonyi Governor Egwu Loses Senatorial Seat

Former Ebonyi State Governor,  Sam Egwu, has lost his bid to return to the Senate for a third term.

Egwu, who represented Ebonyi North Senatorial District in the Senate under PDP, lost to a former state chairman of the PDP who later joined APC, Peter Nwebonyi. Nwebonyi won with 65,863 votes, Ejiofor Chukwu of the Labour Party scored 42,283 votes and Egwu came in third with 26,569 votes.

The report was announced by the INEC Returning Officer for Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone, Nwogo Obasi, at the INEC office in Abakaliki Local Government Area on Sunday night.

08:30 am – Godswill Akpabio wins Senatorial Election in Akwa Ibom

Godswill Akpabio of the All Progressives Congress has been declared the winner of the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial election.

INEC’s returning officer, Prof. Anthony Udoh, named Akpabio as the winner of the contest for the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, having won 115,401 valid votes. The Peoples’ Democratic Party candidate, Mr Emmanuel Enoidem, came in second with 69,838 votes.

08:00 am – APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu Loses Senatorial Seat

Ahmed Wadada of the Social Democratic Party beat the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Adamu at the Nasarawa West senatorial polls. 

The INEC returning officer, Prof. Nasiruddeen Baba announced that the SDP candidate won with 96,488 votes over  APC’s 47,717 votes, PDP’s 46,820 votes and LP’s 33,228 votes.

07:30 am –  Ahmad Lawan Wins Senatorial Bid for Yobe North

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has won the senatorial election for Yobe North, in Yobe State.

On Sunday night, INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Omolola Aduoju of the Federal University Gashua, Yobe State, announced the result at Umar Suleiman College of Education Gashua.

Lawan won 91,318 votes, defeating Bello Ilu of PDP who got 22,849 votes. 

07:00 am – Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State Loses Senatorial bid to the Labour Party

Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of the Peoples Democratic Party has lost his senatorial bid to the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the district, Okechukwu Ezea.

The Returning Officer for the election, Chukwuemeka Ubaka, announced the result at the collation centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nsukka Local Government Area headquarters on Monday at about 05: 20 am. Ezea won with a total of 104,492 votes over Ugwuanyi’s 46,948 votes.

11:00 pm – Ben Ayade loses the senatorial election in Cross River

Cross River State Governor, Benedict Ayade, has lost his bid to return to the Senate after being defeated at the polls by the incumbent senator representing Cross River North, Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe.

Ayade, who served in the Senate between 2011 and 2015, lost with 56,595 votes to Agom-Jarigbe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with 76,145 votes.

INEC’s state returning officer, Emmanuel Emanghe, announced the result for the polls around 3:05 am on Monday.

10:30 pm – Labour Party Defeats Banky W, Babajide Obanikoro for Eti-Osa House of Reps

The candidate of Labour Party, Thaddeus Attah, has been declared as winner in Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Funmilayo Odukoya, announced the results on Sunday at the Collation Centre, Lagos State Model Nursery and Primary School, Marwa, Lekki 1.

Attah won with 24,075 votes, defeating Olubankole Wellington (Banky W) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who had 18,666 votes, and Babajide Obanikoro of the APC, who got 16, 901 votes.

Babajide, the son of former Minister of Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, is the current lawmaker representing the constituency.

10:00 pm – Femi Gbajabiamila Elected for the Sixth time as Federal Lawmaker

Femi Gbajabiamila, the current speaker of the House of Representatives, won reelection for a sixth term in office.

Gbajabiamila, who won with 19,717 votes, defeated Bosun Jeje of the Peoples Democratic Party, who got 5,121 votes, in Surulere 1 federal constituency elections.

Femi Gbajabiamila was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2003.  He had served as minority whip, minority leader, opposition leader, and majority leader before getting elected as speaker in 2019.

09:00 pm – Former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel Wins Senate Election

A former Governor of Ogun State and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gbenga Daniel, has won the Ogun East senatorial election.

The official results were announced by the Returning Officer, Prof. Christopher Onwuka, at the Ogun East Senatorial Collation Centre in Itoro Hall, Ijebu-Ode.

Daniel scored 115,147 votes, PDP came second with 58,708 votes, and Labour Party followed with 13,061 votes.

Daniel cleared all the nine local government areas in the senatorial district, including Ijebu North, Odogbolu, Remo North, Sagamu, Ijebu North East, Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu East, Ikenne and Ogun Waterside.

26 February 2023
07:00 pm – Atiku Wins in Osun State

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar has won in Osun State.

INEC State Collation Officer, Folashade Ogunsola announced the result at the State Collation Centre on Sunday afternoon. Atiku scored a total of 354,366 votes, Bola Tinubu of APC got 343,945 votes and Peter Obi of the Labour Party got 23,283 votes

Atiku Abubakar won  in 20 out of the 23 local government areas of Osun State as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

 

06:00 pm – INEC Explains Glitches by IREV

Earlier today, the Independent National Electoral Commission tried to explain the reason behind difficulties encountered using its Results Viewing Portal for the 2023 general elections.

In a statement by national commissioner and chairman, Festus Okoye, the electoral body said the challenges came as  INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV) struggled to scale from a platform for managing off-season state elections to managing nationwide general elections. 

‘The Commission is aware of challenges with the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV). Unlike in off- season elections where the portal was used, it has been relatively slow and unsteady. The Commission regrets this setback, especially because of the importance of IReV in our results management process.

The problem is totally due to technical hitches related to scaling up the IReV from a platform for managing off-season state elections, to one for managing nationwide general elections. It is indeed not unusual for glitches to occur and be corrected in such situations.

Consequently, the Commission wishes to assure Nigerians that the challenges are not due to any intrusion or sabotage of our systems, and that the IReV remains well-secured.

Our technical team is working assiduously to solve all the outstanding problems, and users of the IReV would have noticed improvements since last night.

We also wish to assure Nigerians that results from the Polling Unit Copies of which were issued to political parties, are safe on both the BVAS and the IReV portal. These results cannot be tampered with and any discrepancy between them and the physical results used in collation will be thoroughly investigated and remediated, in line with Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022.

While we fully appreciate the concerns of the public on this situation and welcome various suggestions that we have received from concerned Nigerians, it is important to avoid statements and actions that can heat up the polity at this time or promote disaffection towards the Commission.

We take full responsibility for the problems and regret the distress that they have caused the candidates, political parties and the electorate,’ the statement said

03:00 pm – Tinubu Wins in Ekiti State

INEC has announced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu, as the winner of the presidential election in Ekiti State.

INEC Presiding Officer, Akeem Lasisi, announced the result at the State Collation Centre in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday afternoon.

Tinubu scored a total of 201,496 votes,  Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), got 89,554 votes and Peter Obi of the Labour Party got 11,397 votes.

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, praised the people of the state for their peaceful conduct during Saturday’s general elections and for voting in APC. 

12:00 pm – Two Arrested in Plateau for BVAS Snatching

Plateau State’s commissioner of police in charge of election security, Mamman Dauda, said security agents had arrested two suspects who allegedly snatched Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines during Saturday’s presidential and legislative elections 

Dauda said that the suspects were arrested in Riyom local government area of the state by the special task force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), and have been handed over for further investigation.

‘The suspects are currently in the Criminal Investigation Departments (CID); we have commenced an investigation into the matter,’ he said.

10:30 am- Rescheduled Polls in Bayelsa Yet to Commence

At the time of this update, the postponed presidential and legislative elections set to hold at the four registration areas of the Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State for Sunday have not started. PUNCH reported that INEC officials were notably absent at polling units in Yenagoa on Sunday. 

On Saturday,  INEC suspended elections in 141 polling units of Bayelsa State over disruptions in the voting process. Voters had protested at INEC’s Yenagoa office, after election officials failed to show up at their polling units.

08:00 am – Elections to Continue in Many Parts of Nigeria on Sunday: INEC

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission will continue the presidential and legislative elections in parts of Nigeria on Sunday.

National chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Saturday announced the extension period of voting for the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Nigeria’s 2023 general election was slated for 25 February 2023, but due to the late arrival of voting materials and INEC staff, the Commission decided to extend the polls to 26 February, 2023.

INEC said the decision was made due to pockets of violence observed and ‘tactical disenfranchisement’ in some areas.

Voting in the affected areas will commence by 8:00 am till 12:00 pm on Sunday.

Elections will continue in Lagos: Surulere, Ikate, Okota, Eti-Osa, Kosofe and Oshodi and some places in the Federal Capital Territory. Other places include Ebonyi, Rivers. Imo, Anambra, Kano, Edo, Delta, Kogi, Bayelsa, Enugu, Sokoto, Taraba, Abia, Ekiti.

In Plateau, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Oliver Agundu, said the decision was made after an assessment of Jos, the state capital, and other parts of the state.

Agundu said voting times had been extended to enable registered voters to cast their vote, saying the technical hitches encountered led to the late start of voting.

25 February 2023
06:00 pm – INEC has postponed voting in Bayelsa State until Sunday

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed voting for the presidential and National Assembly elections in 141 polling units in Bayelsa State until 26 Sunday, 2023.

National chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, said the exercise was postponed as the voting process was disrupted.

‘We have a situation in Bayelsa state, particularly in the capital of Yenagoa where in four wards — wards 4,6,8,14 involving 141 polling units, the process was disrupted,’ Yakubu said. ‘We remobilized security and the situation is calm for us to continue the process. But the youth corps members expressed some apprehension about going back. So we met with security agencies and we’ve decided that voting in these 141 polling units where the materials are actually intact, will take place tomorrow morning.’

06:00 pm – Destroyed ballot boxes, INEC Officials Attacked in Lagos State

Lagos State, which recorded the highest rate of PVC collection—6,214,970 voter cards collected, saw multiple instances of electoral violence incidents as polling units opened and voting began on Saturday. 

The APC stronghold saw the burning of election materials in Oshodi, as well as attacks on the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

There were also reports of disruptions in other areas on the mainland including Aguda and Ojo. Lagos State’s Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, confirmed this to Channels Television.

‘It was an admixture of very peaceful conduct in most parts but we also recorded isolated instances of thuggery. Like I said earlier, we anticipated them and we have multiple teams to respond in the fastest manner,’ Owohunwa said. ‘I can confirm that several arrests have been made but as at this moment it is still an ongoing process. So, I cannot conclusively say this is the number of polling units where violence was recorded but at the end of the day we will do a post-election evaluation and come up with specifics.’

The International Crisis Group analysed potential flashpoints for this year’s election, highlighting Lagos, Rivers, Kano, Kaduna, Ebonyi, and Imo. Already, there have been over 50 recorded acts of political violence, since campaigns began in September 2022.

05:30 pm – Peter Obi wins at own Polling Unit, Aso Rock Polling Units

From PU 019, Ward 02, Agulu, Anambra, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, won with 236 votes, PDP and APC got no votes.

05:30 pm – Five Injured as Boko Haram Attack Borno Voters

The Commissioner of Police in Borno State, Abdu Umar, has confirmed that five persons—two women and three men, were injured on Saturday during an attack on voters by Boko Haram insurgents in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

Umar said the terrorists shot at voters from the top of Mandara Mountains, but the armed forces were able to chase them away. He added that the victims were referred to hospital for treatment.

‘Efforts of the military within the area of responsibility helped in chasing the terrorists, forcing them to flee due to the superior firepower,’ Umar said.

05: 00 pm – Numbers from Presidential Candidate’s Polling Units Show Wins, Losses

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu won at his polling unit—Ward 3, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos state, with 33 votes over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) with 1 vote and 8 votes respectively. 

PDP’s presidential hopeful, Atiku Abubakar, also won at his polling unit. PDP won at polling unit 12 in Ajiya, Gwadabawa ward in Yola North, Adamawa State with 282 votes; APC gained 57 votes and LP had 6 votes. 

At the time of this update, no results have been announced from the polling unit of  LP’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

In Nigeria, ballots are counted and announced to those present at polling units at the end of voting, then the results are transmitted in real-time to INEC’s Result Viewing portal (IReV).

At President Muhammadu Buhari’s polling unit—PU 003, Sarkin Yara ‘A’ Ward, Daura, Katsina, APC got 523 votes, PDP got three votes and LP got none.

4:00 pm – Delays by Electoral Body Stall Voting in States

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Multiple reports from local media have revealed that voting in polling units across Nigeria has experienced delays due to the late arrival of election materials and personnel of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In Ogun State, the Guardian reported the late arrival of the voting officials. 

‘In some of the polling units in Abeokuta, the state capital, security personnel and electorate were seen waiting for the electoral officers as at 9:20am, while in some others, accreditation and voting started as early as 8:35am,’ Guardian reported.

In Imo State, voters in Owerri West and North local government areas noted the absence of INEC officials and voting materials at the various polling centres in the state.

Delays have been reported in Taraba, the Federal Capital Territory, Bayelsa,  Rivers, Cross River,  Edo and Delta

On Saturday morning, the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Kashim Shettima, left his polling unit in Borno State, after INEC officials were a no-show. Shettima has finally been able to cast his vote, the Guardian reports

The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, also raised concerns over voting due to INEC’s late arrival to polling units in Kano.

Ahead of the polls, the electoral body said it deployed 3,876 observers to polling units across Nigeria and 774 mobile observers across all local governments of the country for the elections today. In a press briefing on Saturday, national chairman Mahmood Yakubu cited logistical concerns.

According to Yakubu:

‘Some of the reasons why we could not open some of the polling units on time include; perennial problems of logistics in spite of our best efforts. I think we have conquered the challenge of getting election materials to various locations. Though there may be complaints here and there, generally speaking, we have delivered millions of ballot papers and result sheets that we are supposed to deliver for the election. But another contributing factor to the late opening of polling units is actually the perennial insecurity in the country. For instance, we could not deploy early enough to Alawa in Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State. Bandits launched an attack, not necessarily on INEC offices or facilities but in the area. With the advice of the security agencies, we tarried a while but I am happy to say that we are able to deploy to Alawa, and voting in that location is ongoing as we speak.’

Voting at Nigeria’s tightly contested elections was to run till 2:30 pm. In light of the delays, INEC has extended the time for voting indefinitely in states like Enugu, over the late start by its officials. 

3:00 pm – Voting Suspended in Lafia, Nasarawa State Over BVAS Failure

Voting in government college unit 30 B and 30 C of Bakin Rijiya in Lafia local government, Nasarawa State over the failure of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS). The BVAS, reported by the Guardian,  stopped functioning after accrediting about 58 voters.

11:00 am – In Rivers State, Nyesom Wike is not Accredited Over BVAS Failure

Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike arrived at his polling unit 7 in Ward 9 in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area with his wife, Justice Suzzette Eberechi Wike at about 10:30 am.

However, the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System failed to accredit the Wike’s and other voters present. Speaking with PUNCH, Wike said he was highly disappointed in the Independent National Electoral Commission for failing to keep its promise in the conduct of the elections

10:30 am – Kashim Shettima Unable to Vote due to Polling Unit Delays

The vice presidential candidate of the ruling All Progessives Congress, Kashim Shettima, arrived to cast his ballot at polling unit 001 in Lawan Bukar ward of Maiduguri, but was unable to do so as his designated polling station had not opened.

Vanguard reported that Shettima, in the company of Borno State governor Babagana Zulum left the polling unit after ten minutes of waiting.

10:00 am – EFCC Sets Out To  Stop Vote-Buying at the Polls

The officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrived at multiple polling units for inspection, to observe and prevent vote buying. On Saturday, EFCC agents were spotted at multiple polling units including those of the presidential and vice presidential candidates for APC: Bola Tinubu in Lagos and Kashim Shettima in Borno.

On Friday, the commission intercepted N32.4 million new notes suspected to be used for vote buying in Lagos.

09:55 am – President Muhammadu Buhari Casts his Vote in Daura, Katsina

President Muhammadu Buhari has cast his vote in Daura, Katsina State where he arrived on Thursday ahead of the polls. Buhari has been on the ballot in five consecutive election cycles and will, for the first time in two decades, not be on the ballot.

Buhari is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and has campaigned for his party’s flag bearer, Bola Tinubu during rallies. His second term of eight years will end on 29 May 2023.

09:00 am – Presidential Candidates Vote as Polls Open

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has cast his vote in his hometown of Adamawa.

At the time of this update, Atiku’s counterpart for the Labour Party, former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, had not yet cast his vote in Amatutu village, Agulu ward two, polling unit 019 and Vanguard reports that the polling unit for the presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, had yet to open. 

‘Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are yet to arrive at the polling unit of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu. His polling unit is PU 085, Ward 3, Sunday Adigun, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State,’ Vanguard said. 

08:30 am – Nigeria Decides

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Polls for Nigeria’s 2023 presidential and legislative elections are being held in 176,606 polling units located in 8,809 registration areas or electoral wards in 774 local government areas nationwide. Polling stations and voting has commenced across the country and will run until 2:30pm.

Voting will not be held in 240 polling stations, due to insecurity and internal displacement as a result of violence. On Friday, the Independent National Electoral Commission suspended the senatorial elections in Enugu East senatorial district following the death of the Labour Party’s candidate.

24 February 2023
Nigeria’s Borders Will Be Closed from Midnight for the Elections

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

The Nigeria Immigration Service has ordered the closure of all the country’s land borders on Saturday for the presidential and National Assembly elections.

In a statement by Comptroller General, Isah Jere Idris, all land borders will be closed for the elections on 25 February.

According to Idris:

‘The Federal Government has directed the total closure of all Land Borders effective from 00:00 hours on Saturday 25th February, 2023 to 00:00 hours Sunday, 26th February, 2023. Accordingly, all Command Comptrollers especially those in the Border States are to ensure strict enforcement of this directive.’

INEC Suspends Senatorial Elections In Enugu East

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission has suspended the election in Enugu East senatorial district following the death of the Labour Party’s candidate, Oyibo Chukwu.

National chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, announced that the election in the senatorial district, which covers four local government areas, slated for 25 February has been moved to 11 March 2023. 

‘Therefore, there will be no senatorial election in Enugu East Senatorial District made up of six local government areas, 77 wards and 1,630 polling units tomorrow, February 25, 2023,’ Yakubu said. ‘The election will now be combined with the governorship and state assemblies elections holding in the next two weeks, on 11th of March 2023.’

Chukwu, the senatorial candidate for Enugu East District was killed and set ablaze in Amechi Awkunanaw, a community in Enugu South local government area of Enugu State. Five other people 

PDP House of Reps Member Arrested with $498,100 in Rivers State

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the police in Rivers State said it arrested a member of the House of Representatives seeking reelection under the Peoples Democratic Party, Chinyere Igwe, in possession of $498,100, approximately N381.1 million

In a statement, command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said Igwe was arrested during a stop-and-search operation in Port Harcourt by officers deployed to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s headquarters. Iringe-Koko said the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of elections in the state, Abuto Yaro, has ordered his arraignment. 

23 February 2023
Labour Party Calls for Poll Postponement in Enugu After Candidate’s Death

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Labour Party called for the postponement of elections in Enugu East senatorial district following the death of the party’s senatorial candidate, Oyibo Chukwu.

In a statement by LP national chairman Julius Abure, the party condemned the attack which left five others dead. 

‘The Labour Party campaigns and political activities had been attacked on several occasions both in Enugu state and several other states,’ the statement said. ‘The Labour Party is therefore calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to postpone the election in Enugu East senatorial district to enable us to conduct fresh primaries and participate in the election.’

Chukwu, the senatorial candidate for Enugu East District was killed in Amechi Awkunanaw, a community in Enugu South local government area of Enugu State.

LP’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also condemned the attack, describing it as ‘mindless bloodletting‘.  Candidates and officials of the LP have seen multiple attacks ahead of the polls.  In December, Victoria Chimtex, the party’s women leader in Kaduna State was killed during an attack on her residence and  LP’s House of Representatives candidate for Onuimo local government area of Imo State, Christopher Elehu, was also killed when gunmen invaded his home. 

22 February 2023
EFCC Deploys Officers to Check Vote-buying at 25 February Polls

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed that it has deployed officers to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to monitor the presidential polls on 25 February.

In a statement by EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, the commission said this exercise is to ensure the integrity of the presidential and National Assembly elections. EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, charged the officers to be professional in the discharge of their duties. 

‘You are out on a national assignment, and I expect you to conduct yourselves responsibly in line with our core values of professionalism, integrity and courage. You have a responsibility to ensure that this election is devoid of financial malpractices, especially inducement of voters. The attention of the world is focused on Nigeria and we must do what is necessary to ensure that we have credible, free and fair elections,’ the statement said.

In addition, the EFCC has released incident reporting hotlines for the 36 states and the FCT.

21 February 2023
INEC Stopped From Distributing Election Materials Through MC Oluomo in Lagos

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Monday, the Federal High Court issued an injunction against the Independent National Electoral Commission, stopping it from engaging the services of the Lagos State Parks Management Committee to distribute election materials and personnel in Lagos state until the hearing of a suit initiated by the Labour Party and five others. 

The parks committee is led by Musiliu Akinsanyu, popularly known as MC Oluomo.  The injunction, read by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, stops INEC, its officers, affiliates, servants, privies or agents or any person acting or purporting to act for and on behalf from engaging with Akinsanyu over his alleged ties to political violence and thuggery.

20 February 2023
PSC Appoints Coordinators to Check Police Misconduct at Polls

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

The Police Service Commission has appointed national, zonal and state coordinators for the 25 February elections to monitor the activities of police officers stationed at polling units and sanction erring officers involved in misconduct before, during or after the elections.

In a statement, the commission’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, said 360 officials had been appointed for Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

‘Dedicated telephone numbers for the public to report misconduct or exemplary behaviour of police officers on duty have been provided to assist Nigerians play a major role in enthroning civil participation in election policing,’ the statement said. ‘The commission’s monitors will benchmark police conduct during the elections with the approved standard operational guidelines for police conduct.’

Among the coordinators appointed is, Naja’atu Mohammed, a former campaign director for the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign council who defected in January to the People’s Democratic Party.

 

Ex-Malawi President Joyce Banda Heads IRI-NDI Joint Observer Mission

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute announced the deployment of a joint election observation mission to Nigeria. 

The 40-member delegation, led by former President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr Joyce Banda, has been accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission to observe the 25 February presidential elections.

‘We are here to show our support for, and solidarity with Nigerian democrats,’ Banda said. ‘These elections are of tremendous significance for the country and the region as a whole. I encourage all voters to participate and make their voices heard through the ballot box.’

On Saturday, IRI/NDI will visit polling units in 20 states across all six regions to observe voting, tabulation, transmission and publication of results.

17 February 2023
Armed Men Disrupt INEC Ad-hoc Training in Anambra

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Thursday, there was a failed attack on officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), during a training of ad-hoc staff for the forthcoming general elections.

The INEC staff were with members of the National Youth Service Corps, university, undergraduates and officials of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, at Ukpor High School, Nnewi South local government area, Anambra State.

In a statement, State Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, saying that security patrols have been begun in the area to track down the suspects. 

‘The INEC staff, with some corps members, University undergraduates and some MDA officials on the training program of Adhoc staff for the forthcoming 2023 General Elections were disrupted by the armed men. No life was lost. Joint security Patrols have been intensified in the area and efforts are still ongoing to track down the criminal elements. Further development shall be communicated.’

 

16 February 2023
Political Parties Talk Security Ahead of the Polls

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, representatives for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Labour Party (LP), discussed their candidates’ security plans for Nigeria at the ‘Youth Presidential Debate’ organized by Atiku Youth World Outreach. 

As the nation readies for the 25 February polls; the PDP, represented by Onoja Ilemona, said former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had a five-step plan to tackle the persisting insecurity across the nation.

‘These plans include to increase the number of our gallant men and women because they are insufficient presently,’ Ilemona said. ‘We will improve inter-agency cohesion, combat the free flow of light weapons and ammunition, and ensure better funding of security agencies.’

Olufemi Ibitoye, the spokesperson for the APC, said former Lagos State governor Bola Tinubu intends to deploy the technology in securing the country if elected. Ibitoye also promised that a Tinubu administration would see the amendment of the Criminal Justice System Act to tackle cases of injustice.

The LP representative, Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor, said a Peter Obi administration would end poverty as a means to tackling insecurity.

‘Peter Obi will bring fair leadership where everybody will feel loved. This is what is needed to solve insecurity. Our candidate, Obi will ensure that the youths are employed, which will reduce the high rate of poverty,’ Ifaluyi-Isibor said. 

15 February 2023
Amnesty International Pushes for Human Rights Protection Amid Pre-election Violence

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, Amnesty International urged the Nigerian government to protect and respect human rights in light of rising violence just ten days before the presidential polls.

In a statement by country director, Osai Ojigho, the political class and security agencies have been asked to desist from condoning or engaging in electoral violence.

‘The desperation of political actors during election campaigns, expressed recently through cases of incitement, as well as attacks on campaign convoys and individuals in some states, is unacceptable. The failure of the authorities to bring to justice those responsible for deadly violence during previous elections has created an atmosphere of impunity and emboldened others,’ the statement said. ‘There is a pattern of gender-based violence, like threatening women and girls with rape designed to intimidate or prevent them voting, that must cease. Nigerian authorities must uphold their human rights obligations under international law and the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) by making sure that advocacy of hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence has no place in the country.’

In the lead up to the elections, multiple attacks on facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission as well as attacks on candidates have fuelled security concerns ahead of the polls.

On 10 February, gunmen ambushed and killed three members of the security team for Ifeanyi Okowa, the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In Jigawa, one person was killed and five others were arrested after a clash between supporters of the PDP and the All Progressive Congress (APC) during a rally and in Lagos, supporters of the Labour Party were attacked and injured by thugs on their way to a rally. 

 

14 February 2023
The African Union will Deploy an Observer Team for the General Election

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Tuesday, the African Union Commission announced that it will be sending a 90-strong observer mission to Nigeria for this month’s elections.

The AU said the goals of the mission will be to provide an ‘accurate and impartial assessment’ of the electoral process, offer recommendations for any improvement in future polls and demonstrate the AU’s support ‘towards consolidation of democracy, peace, stability and development in Nigeria.

The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) is being led by former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta. 

13 February 2023
The Nigerian Military has Denied Coup Allegations Ahead of the Elections

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Nigeria’s military has denied claims that the army is planning a coup ahead of the 25 February polls, as fronted by the All Progressives Congress.

In a statement issued by the acting Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, the Armed Forces of Nigeria reiterated its loyalty to the constitution.

‘The Armed Forces of Nigeria notes with dismay the story being peddled around by some unscrupulous elements alleging that some military officers met with a presidential candidate to disrupt the general elections and set the country on fire,’ the statement said. ‘It needs to be stated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a professional military loyal to the constitution of the Federal Republic and will never be part of any evil plot against our democracy.’

The Defence Headquarters’ response follows claims by a spokesman of the APC presidential campaign council, Femi Fani-Kayode, who had on Twitter, raised concerns about the alleged meeting between the generals and the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar.

‘There are reports that @atiku had a secret meeting with serving military Generals in Abuja on Thursday. If true, it is troubling & has implications. What was the purpose? Why would a presidential candidate be having secret meetings with soldiers 14 days before the election?’ Fani-Kayode said.

INEC Urges Voters to Check Online Portal for Their Polling Units

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said that it will decongest overcrowded polling units by transferring voters to smaller polling units in the same location on election day.

In an announcement on Sunday, the commission said the list of registered voters nationwide will be displayed and urged eligible voters to verify their polling units on the day of election.

‘The Independent National Electoral Commission in exercise of its powers under Section 40(2) of the Electoral Act, 2022 has allotted voters from overcrowded polling units to less congested polling units within the same location to promote a more pleasant and stress-free voting experience on Election Day,’ the announcement said.  ‘Please visit the INEC’s Voter Verification System on: www.cvr.inecnigeria.org/vvs or voters.inecnigeria.org to check your name on the register of voters and confirm the location of your polling unit where you will vote on Election Day.’

10 February 2023
INEC Seeks NBA Support in Handling Election Cases

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Thursday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) appealed to the Nigerian Bar Association for its support in handling the multiple pre-electoral cases in which the commission is joined across the country.

The commission’s chairman Mahmood Yakubu made his request while hosting a delegation led by NBA president, Yakubu Maikyau in Abuja.

Yakubu said that as of 06 February, INEC had been joined in 1,241 intra-party lawsuits, over the primaries held by political parties for the nomination of candidates for the 2023 general elections.

‘On pre-election litigation alone, as of Monday this week, February 6, INEC has been joined in 1,241 cases, making us one of the most litigated against agencies in the country. These cases have nothing to do with elections conducted by INEC. They are primary elections conducted by political parties,’ Yakubu said.

Yakubu added that over 300 pre-election cases arising from the party primaries for the 2023 general election are pending at the Court of Appeal, while about 145 others are pending at the Supreme Court.

09 February 2023
The NUC Has Directed Varsities to Close for the Elections

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the National Universities Commission mandated universities across the country to suspend their activities. This decision was made to allow students participate in the 2023 general elections.

In a letter to vice-chancellors of all universities and directors of inter-university centres, the NUC noted that the directive is from the minister of education, Adamu Adamu, who had been consulting with security agencies.

The statement says:

As Vice-Chancellors of all Universities and Director/Chief Executive of Inter-University Centres are quite aware the 2023 General Elections have been scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 25, 2023, for the Presidential and National Assembly, and Saturday, March 11, 2023, for Gubernatorial and State Assembly, respectively.  In view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective institutions, the Honourable Minister of Education, Mal. Adama Adamu has, following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all Universities and Inter-University Centres be shut down and academic activities be suspended between February 22 and March 14, 2023.

According to the final voter breakdown released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, students make up the voting population at 26,027,481 registered voters. This demographic accounts for 27.8 per cent of all registered voters.

08 February 2023
APC Suspends Its Lagos, Ibadan Campaigns Over Fuel, Cash Scarcity

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Tuesday, the Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress announced the suspension of campaign activities in the state over the current fuel shortage and cash crunch.

In a statement, state chairman Cornelius Ojelabi said it will be insensitive to the plight of Nigerians to carry on with the campaign rallies.

‘He joined his voice with those of other well meaning Nigerians to call for the review of the Naira redesign policy to give it a human face and ameliorate the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. He equally appealed that petroleum products should be made available in order not to jeopardize the preparation for the elections and reduce the negative economic impact,’ the statement reads.

Similarly, the APC scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, has been suspended indefinitely.  The party’s publicity secretary, Olawale Sadare, said a new date for the rally would be announced in the coming weeks.

07 February 2023
What Polls are Saying Ahead of Nigeria’s General Elections

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

With 17 days to the general elections, the political class and the electorate alike tend to refer to opinion polls to see how results might land in the tightly-contested race for the presidency.

These polls help interested stakeholders understand what parties and candidates are popular at the ballot box. As it stands, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has been a poll favourite. This is reflective of his popularity among the voting class, particularly young and middle-aged Nigerians.

Between September and December 2022, the ANAP Foundation conducted two polls that both showed Obi to be ahead of frontline candidates; Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress; Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party. The ANAP polls also included an analysis of why voters are more inclined to vote in the forthcoming elections. These included insecurity at 35 per cent, the poor state of the economy at 26 per cent, rising unemployment at 10 per cent, poverty at 7 per cent and desire for improved education at 6 per cent.

On Monday, Nextier released the results of its polls placing Obi in the lead. The LP hopeful secured the highest voter preference in the firm’s nationwide survey conducted on 27 January 2023.

‘Labour Party leads the voters’ preference at 37 per cent of the survey respondents. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) secured 27 per cent of the survey responses, while the All Progressives Congress secured 24 per cent, with the New Nigeria Peoples Party at 6 per cent,’ Nextier said in a statement.

06 February 2023

Ahmad Lawan Has Been Declared APC’s Yobe North Senate Candidate

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Supreme Court announced senate president, Ahmad Lawan, as the duly elected candidate to represent Yobe North through the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Senate.

Justice Centus Nweze, reading the lead judgment, faulted Bashir Machina for initiating the suit at the Federal High Court, Damaturu without oral evidence to prove allegations of fraud and by way of originating summons.

‘The bedrock of the suit shows that there were allegations of fraudulent practices against the appellants, that the 1st respondent accused the APC of fraudulently submitting his name with that of Lawan,’ Nweze said. ‘Where there is an allegation of fraud, it should not be commenced by an originating summons.’

Machina and Lawan have been in court since last year after the party primary elections declared Machina on 28 May to be the Yobe North candidate. However, Lawan was said to have won another party primary organized in June and asked Machina to step down.

The APC submitted Lawan’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission but the commission refused to list either man as a candidate. In September 2022, the Federal High Court in Damaturu, Yobe State, asked both APC and INEC to declare Machina as a candidate.

03 February 2023
Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Rally for Peter Obi

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Thursday, a coalition of the Pan Niger Delta Forum(PANDEF), Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Middle Belt Forum, endorsed the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi ahead of the elections.

In a statement, former minister of information, John Nwodo, said that the coalition will promote the objectives of the Obi campaign in their various constituencies.

‘This we have resolved today and we enjoin other Nigerians who do not belong to our organization to join us in realizing this for the betterment of Nigeria. Peter Obi is your son and he is the rock upon which Nigeria will stand,’ the statement said.

The leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum, Edwin Clark, endorsed Obi on 04 January following an endorsement by former president Olusegun Obasanjo. Clark said the people of the Niger Delta people hoped to see changes, especially in power devolution and resource control.

02 February 2023
NSCDC Launches App To Report Gender-Based Violence Cases

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Wednesday,  the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) launched the Nigerian Internal Security and Public Safety Alert System to track and report instances of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence before, during and after the general elections.

NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, said the technology would be used in reporting criminal acts likely to occur during the elections.

‘We, the security agencies, are on the same page, well prepared and ready to frustrate the efforts of those planning to truncate the electoral process,’ Audi said. ‘The police are the lead agency in election security and we are going to be working together alongside other sister agencies, and I assure you, it will translate to positive outcomes.”

The alert system was launched by the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, in Abuja. With 22 days to the polls, Tallen has called on all security agencies to protect and defend the votes of Nigerians in order to give room for credible elections.

An INEC Office in Anambra was Attacked

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Wednesday, an office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State was set ablaze.

In a statement, INEC’s national commissioner and chairman, Festus Okoye, confirmed the attack and assured the local government area that elections will hold as planned.

‘All furniture and other items were destroyed, including non-sensitive materials recently delivered in readiness for the 2023 general election. Among the items lost to the inferno are 729 ballot boxes, 243 voting cubicles, 256 election bags, 11 mega phones, one electric power generator and large quantities of indelible ink and liquid gum,’ Okoye said. ‘despite this despicable incident, the commission wishes to reassure the people of Idemili South Local Government Area that contingency arrangement will be made to replace the (destroyed) materials and the Presidential and National Assembly elections will proceed on 25th February 2023 as scheduled, to be followed two weeks later by the House of Assembly election.’

01 February 2023
INEC, NNPC Talk Fuel Supply Ahead of the Elections

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Tuesday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited assured the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of adequate petroleum supply for election logistics. 

The Commission had raised concerns about the persisting fuel scarcity and its likely effects on the transportation of election materials and personnel after a meeting with the National Union of Road Transport Workers and other unions. 

The NNPC Group CEO, Mele Kyari, met with the Commission’s chairman, Mahmood Yakubu in Abuja. 

‘We know that logistics is a major component of electoral duties. NNPC has always supported the INEC, not in this direct form, in making sure that fuel is made available to all vehicles that are involved in the electoral process. Needless to say that there was no formal framework for that, and there were no even exact formal requests for this. All the same, we are always conscious of the necessity to provide support to INEC whenever elections take place,’ Kyari said.

Yakubu noted that the Commission would be mobilizing 100,000 vehicles and 4,000 boats for the deployment of personnel and materials to 176,846 polling units spread across 8,809 registration areas (or electoral wards) in 774 local government areas nationwide. 

 

INEC Urges Registered Voters to Participate in BVAS Test Run on Saturday

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission has urged all registered voters to participate in the mock accreditation exercise with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) on 04 February. 

The Commission’s chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu reiterated the Commission’s dedication to carrying out free, fair and credible elections.

‘We have announced that this exercise is going to happen on Saturday, Feb. 4, meaning it is going to happen this weekend. So once again, I seize the opportunity of this visit to appeal to Nigerians to please go to the designated polling units,’ Yakubu said.

On 27 January, Yakubu announced the mock accreditation, saying it will be held at 436 polling units nationwide to reassure the public of the system’s efficiency and strengthen the processes ahead of the elections.

31 January 2023
The EU Observer Mission Has Launched in Nigeria

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Monday, the European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission launched in Abuja ahead of the general elections next month. Barry Andrews, the mission’s chief observer, said 100 observers would be deployed to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Andrews disclosed that the mission deployed 40 persons on 29 January to observe the electoral processes across states, including eleven experts. He explained that all observers are required to be impartial and would not interfere in the election.

‘We encourage the authorities, candidates and political parties to commit to peaceful conduct prior to, during and after election day. Cooperation between all institutions and parties participating in the elections is crucial. The presence of a level playing field, freedom of expression, assembly and association, respect for human rights and a neutral and independent election management body at all levels are all essential for democratic elections,’ Andrews said.

Andrews announced the inclusion of an Election Technology Analyst who will assess the use of technologies, especially the verification of voters and the transmission of results. A Media Analyst and a Social Media Analyst will also study the role of traditional and social media.

30 January 2023
Court Dismisses Suit Seeking the Cancellation of the 2023 Elections

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja dismissed a suit brought by a former presidential candidate of Hope Democratic Party, Chief Ambrose Owuru, against the 2019 general elections that saw President Muhammadu Buhari win a second term.

In the suit, Owuru had asked the court to remove Buhari from office and instate him instead for a four-year term, as well as stop the Independent National Electoral Commission from conducting the 2023 general elections.

Justice Inyang Ekwo dismissed the suit on three grounds; first, that it was an abuse of court process; second, that it was statute barred and thirdly, it was an insult to the supremacy of the Supreme Court.

 

Again, INEC Extends PVC Collection Deadline

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Saturday, the Independent National Electoral Commission extended the deadline for the collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) for the second time by a week.

In a statement, INEC’s national commissioner and chairman, Festus Okoye, said the card collection exercise scheduled to end on 29 January will now continue until 05 February.

‘This is the second time the Commission is extending PVC collection nationwide and this will be the last extension of the exercise. The collection period has further been extended by an additional two hours and will start at 9 am and end at 5 pm daily including Saturdays and Sundays,’ Okoye said.

27 January 2023
INEC To Test Run its Voter Accreditation System On February 4

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Independent Electoral Commission announced that it will conduct a mock accreditation exercise of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) on 04 February to test its efficacy ahead of the elections in February and March.

The Commission’s chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this in a meeting with all the 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners in the country.

‘For this reason, and in readiness for nationwide deployment, the commission is conducting a mock accreditation of voters similar to what was done ahead of the recent Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections. The mock accreditation will hold on Saturday 4th February 2023 in 436 polling units nationwide. Twelve polling units have been designated in each state of the federation and four in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the equality of the country’s 109 Senatorial Districts for the exercise. A comprehensive list of the polling units, including their names and PU Code numbers, as well as their distribution by state, senatorial district, local government and registration area (Ward) will be uploaded to the commission’s website shortly,’ Yakubu said.

Yakubu said the mock accreditation will reassure the public of the system’s efficiency and strengthen the processes ahead of the elections.

On 04 January, the Commission confirmed that it had received the last batch of the BVAS machines for all the polling units in the country, as well as extra machines in line with its contingency requirements for all critical election materials.

26 January 2023
PDP to Conduct Fresh Primary Elections Following Uche Ikonne’s Death

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said the Peoples Democratic Party, Abia State chapter can conduct a fresh primary within 14 days following the death of its governorship candidate, Prof. Uchenna Ikonne.

INEC’s national commissioner and chairman, Festus Okoye, said Abia PDP would have to conduct a fresh primary within 14 days of Ikonne’s death in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2022 is clear, unambiguous, and unequivocal that a political party shall not be allowed to change or substitute its candidate whose name has been submitted to the commission under Section 29 of the Electoral Act except in the case of death of withdrawal,’ Okoye said. ‘Provided that in the case of such withdrawal or death of a candidate, the political party affected shall, within 14 days of the occurrence of the event, hold a fresh primary to produce and submit a fresh candidate to the commission for the election concerned.

On Wednesday, a  statement from Ikonne’s family revealed that the politician died at the age of 67 after a brief illness. Condolences to the family have poured in from the political class including state governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Abia State’s PDP Guber Candidate, Uche Ikonne, is Dead

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Wednesday, the family of the Abia State Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Prof Uche Ikonne, announced his death.

In a statement by his son, Dr Chikezie Uche-Ikonne, Ikonne passed after multiple cardiac arrests following a brief illness. 

‘I regret to announce the death of my dear father, Prof Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, who died at the National Hospital Abuja today January 2023 25, by 4 am after a brief illness. He was recovering after taking proper treatment in the United Kingdom but relapsed a few days ago leading to multiple cardiac arrests from which he didn’t recover from. Further details and arrangements would be made known to the public after deliberations and meetings are made within the family,’  the statement said. 

The governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, commiserated with the family and directed that all flags in the state and PDP offices be lowered and flown at half-mast. All campaign activities for the party at all levels are suspended until 30 January to honour the deceased. 

25 January 2023
Peter Obi Attacked in Katsina, Says LP Campaign Council

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today,  the Labour Party’s presidential campaign council said its candidate, Peter Obi,  had been attacked by hoodlums in Katsina State after a rally at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium.

In a statement by the party’s Head of Media, Diran Onifade, security agencies have been urged to investigate.

‘On his (Obi’s) way to the airport, hoodlums attacked the car our candidate was riding in with heavy stones from his driver’s side, causing substantial damage to the vehicle,’ Onifade said. ‘Subsequently, another set of thugs also threw stones outside the stadium which damaged several vehicles including that of our official stage crew.’

With a month to the polls, Onifade wrote that the party suspects that the attacks may have been organized ‘at the behest of desperate politicians’, shocked by the support received by Obi in the state.

24 January 2023
Technical Difficulties Mar APC’s Rally in Bauchi

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Monday, the presidential campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress in Bauchi State ended suddenly over power supply interruptions and a malfunctioning public address system.

The rally, held at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, ended as the venue lost power supply and it was not restored.  At the time, APC national chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, had been delivering his speech.

Punch reported that President Muhammadu Buhari, who had arrived in Bauchi to lead the campaign, presented the presidential candidate Bola Tinubu; his VP Kashim Shettima and the Bauchi State governorship candidate, Sadique Abubakar to the crowd as a sign of endorsement before leaving the stadium with his entourage.

Buhari Insists That He’s Done His Best

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Following the botched party rally in Bauchi on Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari again declared that he has served Nigeria to the best of his ability.

Buhari spoke during his courtesy call to the Emir of Bauchi, His Royal Highness (Dr) Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu.

‘I like to mention that between 2003 and 2011, I visited all the local governments, and in 2019, when I was seeking my re-election for a second term, I visited all the States of the Federation and the people that turned out to see me were more than what anyone could buy or force and there, I made a promise and pledge that I will serve Nigeria and Nigerians to the best of my ability and so far, I have not disappointed anybody,’ Buhari said.

At the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Buhari presented the party’s presidential candidate Bola Tinubu and his VP, Senator Kashim Shettima to the masses before leaving due to technical difficulties.

The statement alluding to satisfactory performance in office has been made on occasion by Buhari. In his New Year’s message to Nigerians, Buhari said his administration had recorded landmark achievements in the last seven years, insisting he has done his best for Nigeria.

23 January 2023
Kwankwaso’s NNPP Supporters Defect to APC in Kano

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Sunday, members of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) from Minjibir and Ungogo local government areas of Kano State defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Daily Post reported that the defectors removed their Kwankwasiyya red caps and discarded them when they were received by state governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

The NNPP has seen multiple defections to opposition parties this month, after its chieftains defected to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger and deputy governor pick John Bahago resigned from the party in favour of APC. In Yobe State, APC governor Mai Mala Buni received over 3500 defectors from the PDP and NNPP.

Yusuf Babangida, an ally to the NNPP’s presidential hopeful, Rabiu Kwankwaso rejoined APC on 08 January, citing disregard for internal democracy within the party. On 17 January, the Bauchi State coordinator of the NNPP and presidential campaign council coordinator, Babayo Liman defected to PDP.

20 January 2023
Obasanjo Defends his Obi Endorsement

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has defended his endorsement of the presidential candidate for the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

Speaking at Ogun State, Obasanjo addressed the backlash he had received over his endorsement of Obi in a letter he had written in early January, saying he gave his opinion on the candidates.

‘The word I used is that one particular candidate has an edge, taking everything together and I take character, I take track record, I take vision and I take what you see in this man as a child of God,’ Obasanjo said.

On 01 January 2023,  Obasanjo had written that ‘Peter Obi as a mentee has an edge’ over the other candidates and urged citizens to consider the candidates based on their performance record in previous public positions to get the best leader to salvage the nation.

The APC Wants Its Governors to Declare Work-Free Day for PVC Collection

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Thursday, the South West presidential campaign council of the All Progressives Congress urged all APC Governors to declare 24 January as a work-free day to encourage the collection of the Permanent Voters Card.

In a memo signed by Ondo State governor Rotimi Akeredolu, the council pushed for Nigerians to collect their cards ahead of the February polls.

‘Council decries the low rate of collection of PVC and announces the immediate launch of ‘Operation collect Your PVC’ across all the states in the south-west. In furtherance to the foregoing, the council enjoins governors of all APC-controlled states to declare Tuesday, January 24, 2023, as a work-free day to aid the collection of PVC,’ Akeredolu said.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, over 386,000 cards are yet to be collected in Ondo. The call comes after the Lagos State government on Wednesday declared a four-day holiday to enable public servants pick up their cards. 

19 January 2023
Lagos State Declares Work-Free Days For PVC Collection

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Wednesday, the Lagos State Government announced a four-day holiday to enable public servants collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the polls in February.

In a memo by the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the work-free days would begin on 24 January and end on 27 January for the different grades of workers in the public service.

‘Consequent upon the extension of the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards by the Independent National Electoral Commission, it is hereby notified for the general information that all public servants who are yet to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards from designated INEC Centres are encouraged to do so before Sunday, January 29, 2023, as it is a civic responsibility to vote. To this end, Mr Governor has graciously approved a work-free day to enable public servants to collect their PVCs from their respective local government/local council development areas,’ Muri-Okunola said.

Last week, the Independent National Electoral Commission extended the deadline for Permanent Voters Card collection by a week, moving the date from 22 January to 29 January 2023 to allow registered voters collect their cards.

18 January 2023
Court Strikes Out Suit Seeking To Disqualify Tinubu over Muslim VP Pick

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

The Federal High Court has dismissed a suit seeking to disqualify presidential hopeful Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), over the joint Muslim presidency ticket.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed held that Osigwe Momoh, the plaintiff, lacked the locus standi to question the Tinubu and Kashim Shettima nomination.

‘Having found that the plaintiff lacks the locus standi, the court has no jurisdiction to proceed with the matter and the proceedings will terminate at this point. This matter is hereby struck out for want of jurisdiction”, the court said.

Osigwe had argued that Muslim-Muslim candidacy was unconstitutional and in contravention of Sections 14, 15 and 224 of the 1999 Constitution.

The National Rescue Movement Seeks to Disqualify Peter Obi

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

The National Rescue Movement (NRM) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court, seeking the disqualification of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over alleged possession of dual citizenship.

The NRM asked the court for a perpetual injunction to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing Obi as a candidate.  The Commission and LP have been joined as second and third defendants respectively. 

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1842/2022 at the Federal High Court, Abuja, accused Obi of acquiring American citizenship and violating Sections 1 and 137 of Nigeria’s Constitution.

In a 14-paragraph affidavit deposed, the NRM said that Obi voluntarily acquired citizenship, with a photo and video recording of the citizenship certificate ceremony as evidence. 

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo fixed 10 February for the mention of the suit, and threatened to strike out the case should the plaintiff fail to serve the court process on Obi before the adjourned date.

17 January 2023
Rabiu Kwankwaso’s Campaign Coordinator Defects to the PDP

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Monday, Babayo Liman, the Bauchi State coordinator of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential campaign council, resigned from the party in favour of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

At a press briefing in Bauchi, Liman—also the NNPP’s North-East zonal secretary, endorsed the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

‘I want to formally inform the general public, especially members of the NNPP in Bauchi State, North-East and Nigeria at large, that I have resigned as a member of the NNPP,’ Liman said.  ‘I have also resigned as the Zonal Secretary of the North-East as well as member and coordinator of the Presidential Campaign Council of the NNPP presidential candidate, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso.’

In his address, Liman urged his party members and supporters in the region to join him and defect to the PDP. Liman’s defection comes a week after the NNPP’s zonal rally in Bauchi.

16 January 2023
One Killed and Another Injured After Gunmen Attack INEC Office In Enugu

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that its office in Enugu South local government area was attacked by gunmen on Sunday.

In a statement, INEC’s national commissioner and chairman, Festus Okoye, said one police officer had died in the attack; another was injured and is currently receiving treatment.

‘The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Enugu State, Dr. Chukwuemeka J. Chukwu, has reported that our office in Enugu South Local Government Area was attacked by unknown gunmen. The incident occurred around 9.12 pm yesterday, Sunday 15th January 2023. The state Commissioner of Police and the REC were personally at the scene immediately they received information about the attack. Of the two policemen deployed to protect the facility, one of them lost his life, while the other sustained injuries and is receiving treatment. The commission prays for the repose of the soul of the deceased policeman and the speedy recovery of the injured,’ Okoye said.

Okoye added that security agencies have begun investigating the attack and a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in Enugu state has been convened to discuss protecting the commission’s offices, materials and staff.

Peter Obi Speaks at Chatham House

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Today, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, spoke at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, known as Chatham House, in London.

Obi shared his plans for Nigeria if elected as president at the polls next month.  His address spanned tackling Nigeria’s economy, insecurity and corruption, and his plans for economic growth and recovery.

‘It is for this change that my vision of policy change and institutional development is rooted in the push for a broadened scope of social mobility and freedom for Nigerians, particularly our children and youth,’ Obi said.

Obi is the second Nigerian presidential candidate to speak at Chatham House, a month after the All Progressives Congress (APC) front-runner, Bola Tinubu fielded questions on Nigeria’s security, economy and corruption.

Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) is expected to present his ideas for improving systems and services in Nigeria on 18 January.

13 January 2023 
The INEC Has Extended Its PVC Collection Deadline Nationwide

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Thursday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) extended the deadline for Permanent Voters Card collection by a week, moving the date from 22 January to 29 January 2023.

In a statement, INEC national commissioner, Festus Okoye, said the extension would allow registered voters to collect their PVCs ahead of the 25 February and 11 March polls.

‘The Commission is determined to ensure that registered voters have ample opportunity to collect their PVCs ahead of the forthcoming election. For this reason, the timeframe for the collection of PVCs is extended by eight days. Instead of ending on Sunday 22nd January 2023, the collection of PVCs will continue until Sunday 29th January 2023. At the moment, the period of collection is 9.00 am – 3.00 pm daily (including Saturdays and Sundays),’ Okoye said.

Okoye added that the card collection process, which had been devolved to the registration area (ward) level, has also been extended by a week from 16 January to 22 January. Collection at the local government level will resume on 23 January to 29 January.

12 January 2023
Youths Top INEC’s 93.5 Million Final List of Voters

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the INEC released the final list of voters that will head to the polls in February. Nigerian youths aged 18-34 made up 39.65 per cent of all voters with 37,060,399 registered voters.

Middle-aged voters (35-49) made up 35.75 per cent with 33,413,591 registered voters. The elderly (50-69) constituted 18.94 per cent with 17,700,270 registered voters, and the old (70 years and above) made up 5.66 per cent with 5,294,748 registered voters.

The total voter population for the 2023 general elections is 93.4 million voters, with the North West and South West leading with 22,255,562 and 17,958,966 registered voters respectively. 

In 2019, Nigerian youths (18-35) made up 51.11 per cent of the 84,004,084 people registered to vote at the polls.

North East APC Youths Withdraw Support for Kashim Shettima

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

The All Progressives Congress Youth Stakeholders Forum in the North East announced the withdrawal of its support for the party’s vice presidential candidate, senator Kashim Shettima.

In a statement, the acting chairman of the Forum, Shaibu Baffa Tilde, said the decision to cease supporting Shettima follows the mass defection of party members to opposition parties.

The Northeast APC Youth Forum has watched with tears as its many supporters continue to defect to the PDP. Unfortunately, the trend in the Northeast zone is worsening by the day, with Sen. Kashim seemingly turning a blind eye to these heinous developments in our party in the region,’ Tilde said. ‘We the Youths in the Northeast have lost our Zonal Treasurer from his home state of Borno, Hon. Yusuf Shariff Banki, due to his failure to support youth in the region to launch massive mobilization. It is worth noting, gentlemen, that Sheriff led over 500,000 youth to the PDP. As if that wasn’t enough, our Zonal Organizing Secretary, Hon. Murtala Gamji of Taraba, led over 200,000 youth to the NNPP, and our Zonal Women Leader, Hon. Amina Manga of Bauchi, led one million women to the PDP.’

09 January 2023
2023 Elections May Be Postponed over Insecurity: INEC

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Monday, the Independent National Electoral Commission raised concerns about insecurity in the country, maintaining that if the situation continues unchecked it may affect the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

The Commission’s chairman,  Mahmood Yakubu, represented by the chairman of the Board of Electoral Institute, Abdullahi Zuru, said:

‘if the insecurity is not monitored and dealt with decisively, it could ultimately culminate in the cancellation and/or postponement of elections in sufficient constituencies to hinder declaration of election results and precipitate constitutional crisis.’

Yakubu commented on the importance of safety to the Commission, as National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members make up part of the polling unit officials.

06 January 2023
Permanent Voters Card Collection Begins at Registration Areas/Wards

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Friday, the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at registration areas/wards across the country commenced.

In a statement by the national commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, the commission said the ward-level collection would end on 15 January.

‘The devolution of PVC collection to the wards commences tomorrow, Friday, January 6 2023, and all validly registered voters who are yet to collect their PVCs are encouraged to seize the opportunity of the devolution to the wards to do so,’ Okoye said.  ‘After January 15, the exercise will revert to the Local Government Offices of the Commission until January 22.’

Okoye urged all registered voters to collect their voter cards from 9 am to 3 pm daily, including Saturdays and Sundays.

He added that those who applied lost, damaged, or defaced PVCs to be replaced can collect their cards at the Registration Area/wards during this period. This also applies to citizens who registered before the 2019 general election but did not collect their cards.

05 January 2023
The ICC Will Again Serve as INEC’s Collation Centre

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Thursday, the Independent National Electoral Commission set up its Situation Room and Collation Centre Committee for the 2023 general elections.

In a statement, Festus Okoye, national commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said the International Conference Centre (ICC) Abuja will serve as the venue for the collation of the presidential election slated for 25 February.

‘As general elections approach, the Commission establishes a National Situation Room and Collation Centre where the results of Presidential elections are collated. Once again, the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja will serve as the venue for this important exercise,’ Okoye said.

The centre has served as the electoral body’s collation point in the last two elections.

The Commission also set up the Collation Secretariat, where presidential results from the States will be collated. This will be headed by the chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

02 January 2023
Ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo Supports Peter Obi

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Sunday, former president Olusegun Obasanjo endorsed the presidential candidate for the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

In an open letter, Obasanjo urged citizens to consider the candidates based on their performance record in previous public positions to get the best leader to salvage the nation.

‘None of the contestants is a saint but when one compares their character, antecedent, their understanding, knowledge, discipline and vitality that they can bring to bear and the great efforts required to stay focused on the job, particularly looking at where the country is today and with the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi as a mentee has an edge,’ Obasanjo wrote.

The APC presidential campaign council kicked against Obasanjo’s support, describing the former president as a paperweight politician.

A statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, the director of media and publicity for the APC campaign council, said Obasanjo did not have the leverage to make anyone win an election in the country.

‘The endorsement is actually worthless because the former President does not possess any political goodwill or leverage anywhere in Nigeria to make anyone win a Councillorship election let alone win a Presidential election. He is a political paperweight,’ Onanuga wrote.

In previous election cycles, presidential candidates have visited Obasanjo. president Muhammadu Buhari and former vice president Abubakar Atiku visited in 2015 and 2019 respectively to seek his support for their presidential bid.

In August 2022, the APC presidential candidate Bola Tinubu also paid a visit to Obasanjo.

28 December 2022
Akin Osuntokun Named as New Labour Party Campaign DG

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Tuesday, Akin Osuntokun was named as the director-general of the Labour Party’s presidential campaign council to replace Doyin Okupe, who was recently convicted of laundering federal funds.

The party’s national president, Julius Abure, said Osuntokun was chosen based on his political knowledge. Osuntokun served as the South-West zonal coordinator of the campaign and as a director in the 2011 presidential campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party.

‘The resignation of the former DG, Doyin Okupe, is regretted because we will be losing his wealth of experience. But as a result of the circumstances surrounding his resignation, we didn’t have any choice but to accept it. The Obidient movement is centred around integrity, humility and transparency, and therefore, in as much as we regret his resignation we are pleased to announce one of our comrades, also from the same geopolitical zone because we must employ federal character as enshrined in the constitution, and having put all of these into consideration, and having consulted widely, we have come to the inevitable conclusion to replace the DG with Akin Osuntokun. We believe that he has the capacity, he has the competence to join us in this campaign and be able to drive it to success,’ Abure said.

Between 1999 and 2007, Osuntokun served as a political advisor to former president Olusegun Obasanjo and from 2011 to 2015, he was the managing director of the News Agency of Nigeria.

22 December 2022
Fourth INEC Office Attacked In Imo State

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disclosed that another of its offices in Imo State had been attacked. The Isu local government area office attack comes barely three weeks after previous attacks on Orlu and Oru West local government areas and the state headquarters in Owerri.

In a statement, Festus Okoye, INEC’s national commissioner in charge of information and voter education committee, said that ballot boxes and voting cubicles had been moved to another INEC facility for their safety.

‘The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Prof Sylvia Agu, has reported that our office in Isu Local Government Area office was attacked and vandalised. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, December 20, 2022,’ Okoye said. ‘Eight windows were smashed, and burglary proofs removed. Fortunately, the attackers could not access the building. However, as a precautionary measure, critical materials such as ballot boxes and voting cubicles have been evacuated to another INEC facility for safekeeping.’

The commandant-general of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi, said zonal and state commanders would be held responsible for any further attacks on INEC offices and facilities.

21 December 2022
Doyin Okupe Steps Away From Peter Obi’s Campaign

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Tuesday, Doyin Okupe resigned as campaign director for the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, after being found guilty of money laundering offences.

In a letter to Obi, Okupe wrote that it would be best not to allow his personal affairs to distract the party’s campaign.

‘Dear Peter, you will recall that I briefed you yesterday about my travails in seeking justice and clearing my name using the Nigerian Legal System to pursue same. I have invested too much in your campaign to allow my travails to become a source of distraction,’ Okupe said. ‘In the circumstances, I have opted to step aside and plead that you appoint a new Campaign DG who can continue the assignment with zero distractions.’

On Monday, Okupe was found guilty of money laundering and was handed a two-year jail term with a fine option by the Federal High Court in Abuja. He was found guilty of receiving over N200 million in cash from former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki.

20 December 2022
LP’s Campaign Chief Doyin Okupe Dodges Jail Time

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Monday, Doyin Okupe, the director-general of the Labour Party’s presidential campaign council, paid a N13 million fine to get out of a two-year jail sentence by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Okupe was found guilty of receiving over N200 million in cash from former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison with an option of a 13 million fine.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu found Mr Okupe guilty of violating the Money Laundering Act for receiving cash payments without going through a bank over the threshold statutorily allowed.

The Act provides that no individual or organization shall receive any sum above N5 million and N10 million respectively without passing through a financial institution, the judge held that ‘there is no evidence that the money passed through a financial institution’.

The N13 fine—N500,000 on each of the 26 charges Okupe was found guilty of, has been paid by Okupe, confirmed by the LP. Channels Television has reported that talks had begun within the party to replace Okupe.

19 December 2022
INEC to Tackle Vote Buying at the 2023 Elections

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Independent National Electoral Commission said it would ensure that money would not be used to compromise voting at the 2023 elections.

Speaking at a stakeholders summit in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, addressed money’s influence on the 2023 general elections, adding that the Commission would partner with security agencies.

‘Citizens must reject inducements to sway their votes through vote-buying. They must also engage effectively in stopping the negative use of money in our electoral process generally by reporting cases to INEC and other agencies. In addition, CSOs should make this a major plank of both their pre-election and election observation activities,’ Yakubu said.

Mahmood listed financial and traditional institutions, religious organizations, the media, civic bodies, and all citizens as determiners in the fight against vote-buying.

15 December 2022
Federal High Court dismisses suit seeking disqualification of Tinubu and Atiku

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, a lawsuit seeking the disqualification of APC and PDP presidential candidates, Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar was dismissed at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court over a lack of merit.

In a judgment on Thursday, Justice Inyang Ekwo, held that the plaintiffs failed to support the suit with credible evidence. The plaintiffs, the Incorporated Trustees of Rights for All International (RAI) and immediate-past minister of state for education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, sued the APC, PDP, Tinubu and Atiku, the Attorney-General of the Federation and INEC as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.

In the amended originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/942/2022, the plaintiffs asked the court to cancel, set aside and rule the votes scored by Tinubu and Atiku at the special national conventions of the APC and PDP held on 6 and 7 June, and on 28 and 29 May respectively on grounds of illegality, voter inducement, and corruption.

14 December 2022
Biden Urges African Leaders to Guarantee Free 2023 Elections

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Wednesday, US president Joe Biden met with African leaders at the US-Africa Leaders Summit, including Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari, urging countries heading to the polls in the new year to hold free and fair elections.

Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security advisor, said the participation of the leaders in the summit did not mean the United States was involved with each country.

‘We would like to do everything we can to support those elections being free, fair and credible,’ Sullivan said. ‘And that goes for every election taking place in 2023, not picking and choosing certain ones and setting other ones aside.’

In November, the US threatened to issue sanctions, including visa bans, on individuals looking to interfere with the democratic process or instigate violence at the 2023 general elections. In 2019, the US slammed visa restrictions on unnamed individuals for acts of violence, intimidation, and corruption during the November 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa elections and in the run-up to the September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo elections.

13 December 2022
The Federal High Court Says It Was Excluded from Electoral Act Consultations

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Monday, the chief judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, said the Court had been left out of consultations ahead of the enactment of the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2022 by the National Assembly.

At a special court session marking the start of the 2022/2023 legal year, Tsoho noted that the amended legislation conferred additional jurisdiction on the court.

‘Linked to that jurisdiction is Section 285 (10) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which provides that such pre-election cases must be concluded within 180 days from the date of filing of the suit. This is notwithstanding the judges’ existing ‘high-volume’ dockets that present enormous challenges,’ Tsoho said. ‘It is necessary to place on record that the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2022, was enacted without any consultation with the Court. Also, no support whatsoever was provided to address the increased responsibility.’

According to Tsoho, under sections 29 (5) and 84(14) of the Act, exclusive jurisdiction had been placed on the court to hear and determine pre-election complaints.

12 December 2022
Deaths Trail Attack on Another INEC Office in Imo State

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, four people were killed following an attack on an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Owerri, Imo state.

Police spokesman, Michael Abattam, disclosed that the attackers threw an Improvised Explosive Device into the INEC facility, destroying several offices and vehicles parked on the premises. Three gunmen and one police officer have been confirmed dead.

‘They attacked the INEC headquarters in Owerri, around 3 am. They threw bombs at the roof of the INEC building but unfortunately for them, they were resisted by our men who were guarding the place. They came in four vehicles and fully armed,’ Abattam said. ‘Fortunately, we neutralized three of them. Others escaped with bullet wound injuries. Unfortunately one of our men paid the supreme price. Another one was injured. We recovered two vehicles. We also recovered five riffles, charms, locally made explosives, phones and money, and other exhibits.’

This attack is the eighth on INEC’s facilities across the country in the last four months, following last week’s attack on an INEC office in the Orlu West local government area of the same state. Last month, the INEC office in Izzi local government area, Ebonyi state, was attacked, and on November 10, the electoral body saw twin attacks on its offices in Ogun and Osun states.

09 December 2022
The INEC Has Delivered Voter Accreditation Systems to 30 States

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Thursday, the Independent National Electoral Commission disclosed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has been deployed to 30 states ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming elections. Festus Okoye, INEC’s national commissioner for information, said that the use of BVAS is enshrined in the Electoral Act 2022 and that all the devices needed for the election would be deployed to all states of the federation before the end of December.

‘I have said it and I want to repeat it, even if you protest from now till tomorrow against the BVAS the commission must deploy it. I was in Lagos with the chairman last week and we went to the international wing of the airport, where the Nigerian Airforce were loading the BVAS meant for the states in the federation,’ Okoye said. ‘As of today, we have already delivered to location BVAS for the conduct of elections for 30 states. Before the end of December, the BVAS for the conduct of elections for all the states of Nigeria will be where we want them to be.’

Okoye’s comments follow reports of opposition to the BVAS as well as questions on its efficiency. On 06 December, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu questioned the INEC’s certainty on the system. The National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu had also expressed concern over the planned deployment of the BVAS for next year’s general polls.

08 December 2022
Meta Partners With INEC, Civil Groups to Combat Misinformation

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Wednesday, Facebook’s parent company, Meta, said it will partner with the Independent National Elections Commission, civil society groups and local radio stations to stop the spread of fake news and protect the integrity of the 2023 general elections.

Speaking at a media roundtable in Lagos, Meta’s head of public policy for anglophone West Africa, Adaora Ikenze, said: ‘We know we have an important responsibility when it comes to helping keep people safe during the elections. Using lessons from the past, including input from experts and policymakers across the national spectrum, we’ve made substantial investments in people and technology to reduce misinformation, remove harmful content on our platforms, fight voter interference and promote civic engagement during the elections.’

Ikenze said that Meta’s work will continue leading up to, during, and after voting, adding that it will build on Meta’s experience in supporting elections in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Angola, and Senegal.

With 78 days to the polls, Ikenze said Meta had a team in place to monitor posts by Nigerians pre, during, and post-2023 elections in the country, on Facebook and Instagram. The team—many Nigerians and others who have spent time living in the country, include individuals with global expertise in misinformation, hate speech, elections, and disinformation. The tech giant says the initiative will guarantee the safety of Nigerians using its applications and maintain the integrity of its platforms.

07 December 2022
Nigerians in Diaspora Push for Voting Rights

By Afoma Dike, Associate Editor

Yesterday, a class action lawsuit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja by Nigerians in diaspora sought to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make provisions that will allow them vote in the upcoming 2023 presidential elections.

The plaintiffs, Barrister Chikwe Nkemnacho and Kenneth Azubuike Nkemnacho, both resident in the UK, are pursuing legal action on behalf of other Nigerians living abroad. The four defendants in the lawsuit are INEC and its chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In the suit titled FHC/ ABJ/ CS/2119/2022, the plaintiffs are requesting that President Buhari and INEC halt the 2023 election process, until such a time when Nigerians in diaspora are able to participate fully in the process. In other words, Nigerians abroad wish to be registered to vote in 2023 and in all elections regardless of where they live, in line with sections 13, 14, 42 and 17 of the 1999 Constitution.

They have also sought a declaration by the Court that will confirm that there is sufficient time before the elections for their wishes to be met in line with the above provisions. The lawsuit has been set to be heard by Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo on 19 January 2023. Should their case be dismissed next month, the plaintiffs claim that this would constitute a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution.

05 December 2022
Two INEC Offices in Imo State Have Been Attacked

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Sunday, the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State, making it the seventh attack on the Commission’s offices recorded in the last four months. INEC’s chairman of information and voter education committee, Festus Okoye, confirmed the attack.

‘The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Professor Sylvia Uchenna Agu, has reported that our office in Oru West Local Government Area was attacked at about 4:00 am today, Sunday 4th December 2022,’ Okoye wrote. ‘The attack affected the Conference Room where office furniture and fittings were destroyed.’

Okoye raised concerns about the attacks on the electoral body’s facilities across the country as it prepares to conduct the 2023 general elections in 81 days. The latest attack comes three days after another INEC office was attacked in Orlu Local Government Area in the same state. On 28 November, the INEC office in Izzi local government area, Ebonyi state, was attacked, and on November 10, the electoral body saw twin attacks on its offices in Ogun and Osun states.

The INEC Has Set Nationwide Voters Cards Collection from 12 December

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Friday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced 12 December 2022 to 22 January 2023 as dates for the nationwide collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

INEC’s national commissioner and chairman of information and voter education committee, Festus Okoye, disclosed the dates in a statement.

‘The Commission has fixed Monday 12 December 2022 to Sunday 22 January 2023 as the dates for the collection of PVCs in all the 774 local government offices of the commission throughout the Federation,’ Okoye said. ‘The Commission also resolved to devolve PVC collection to the 8,809 Registration Areas/Wards from Friday 6th to Sunday 15th January 2023.’

Okoye said that Nigerians unable to collect their PVCs at the Commission’s local government offices may do so at their registration areas/electoral wards, adding that after 15 January 2023, the exercise will revert to the local government offices until 22 January 2023.

01 December 2022
NSA Boss Condemns Violence Towards Opposition Parties by State Governors

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno warned governors against using thugs to prevent opposition parties from mounting campaign materials in their states ahead of the 2023 elections.

Speaking at a ministerial briefing at the state house, Abuja, Monguno’s comments trailed reports of state governors enforcing policies that prohibit the display of campaign materials by opposition parties in their states.

‘If you cannot restrain your thugs, the government will do that for you. And you will be called on the carpet, and you will answer questions. We have a lot of politicians, and I’m not being specific about any politician or party. This virus has to be contained,’ Monguno said. ‘I have given a clear warning that any politician who engages in any unpalatable activity—the use of thugs, and I know we have a lot of political thugs, straining at the leash, foaming at the mouth, desperate to bite and taste blood—we’re going to apply everything within the powers of the government.’

Monguno said president Muhammadu Buhari had given clear directives that the 2023 polls be free, fair and credible, adding that he further warned that there would be no hiding place for the perpetrators when the law enforcement agencies take steps. Last month, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, said that about 52 cases of political violence had been recorded across 22 states since the campaigns for the 2023 elections began.

30 November 2022
2023 Polls: The UN Is Concerned About Nigeria’s Low Female Participation

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Tuesday, the United Nations raised concerns over the low female participation in politics in Nigeria ahead of the 2023 polls. Speaking at a ‘He for She’ meeting in Abuja, the UN Women representative to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, Beatrice Eyong–through programme specialist Desmond Osalobo–ranked Nigeria low on women’s political participation.

‘Nigeria is one of the lowest countries as far as representation on the parliament is concerned. Nigeria is just 4.1 per cent in the parliament as we speak to the national parliament, while in other countries like Rwanda, it is 67 per cent, Senegal is about 57 per cent,’ Eyong said. ‘These are all countries with a very high level representation of women in parliament, but for Nigeria, it is something that is very unacceptable.’

The UN representative named the patriarchy as the main reason for low female inclusion and participation in the country, as culture, societal norms, and religion have enabled men to dominate in society. INEC’s acting director of gender and inclusivity, Dorathy Bello, urged political parties to ensure they follow the rules in their constitutions.

29 November 2022
Nigeria’s Police Has Started Rolling Out Arms Ahead of the 2023 Polls

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Tuesday, The Nigerian Police Force disclosed that its Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, had ordered weapons and protective equipment to be delivered to police officers across the country.

In a statement by Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the arms delivery will be to fortify all the Independent National Electoral Commission’s facilities and ensure the safety and security of INEC personnel and materials before, during and after the 2023 general elections.

According to the statement, the police chief: ‘has ordered a fresh distribution of gadgets, anti-riot gears, and personal protective equipment for police officers across the federation in preparation for the 2023 general election security management duty. The items include non-lethal weapons such as electro-shocks, rubber bullets, water cannons, tear gas, riot guns etc., for crowd control and to minimise casualty risk in eventual confrontations with subversive elements.’

The police chief also directed Commissioners of Police to engage stakeholders in evolving strategies to reduce threats at next year’s elections. Political violence, intolerance, and misinformation were listed as potential threats to the country.

28 November 2022
Another INEC Office Has Gone up in Flames

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Sunday, The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Izzi local government area, Ebonyi state, was set ablaze. The electoral body says ballot boxes, voting cubicles and generators have all been destroyed in the attack.

Festus Okoye, INEC’s national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee, said in a statement that the culprits were unidentified persons.

‘Although no casualties resulted from the attack, the main building and all the movable and immovable items inside it were destroyed. These include 340 ballot boxes, 130 voting cubicles, 14 electric power generators, large water storage tanks, assorted office furniture and fixtures and yet-to-be-determined quantities of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs),’ Mr Okoye said.

This is the third attack on an INEC office this month. On November 10, the electoral body saw twin attacks on its offices in Ogun and Osun state; over 65,000 uncollected PVCs were destroyed in the fire.

24 November 2022
The United Kingdom is Watching Nigeria ‘Closely’

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Wednesday, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, said the United Kingdom would be watching Nigeria’s 2023 general elections closely. Ms Laing met with the Peoples Democratic Party, noting the election’s importance to Africa and the global community.

‘This election is very important to Africa and the rest of the world, so the spotlight will be on Nigeria and the UK will be watching closely,’ she said. ‘We engage in so many ways, we have spoken with INEC, civil societies. We don’t support any political party, it is for the people of Nigeria to decide who will lead them at the federal level and state levels.’

She added that the UK would monitor electoral violence at the polls, either in person or via social media, and consider issuing visa bans as sanctions. This warning comes with 92 days to elections and days after the United States threatened similar travel restrictions on election riggers.

23 November 2022
No-Show: PDP’s Atiku and Okowa Absent at Presidential Town Hall Meeting

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Tuesday, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, pulled out of a town hall meeting organized for presidential hopefuls ahead of the 2023 polls.

The PDP’s absence was announced by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

‘Due to unavoidable conflicts, Alh. Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa of the People’s Democratic Party, will not be participating in The Candidates Presidential Town Hall Series,’ NTA said in a tweet.

The town hall series called ‘The Candidates,’ was organized by Daria Media in partnership with News Central, and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), among others. This is the second town hall where former vice president Atiku Abubakar is notably absent. On 06 November 2022, Mr Abubakar was represented by Mr Okowa at the Presidential Town Hall Series – a programme organized by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in collaboration with ARISE Television. Mr Okowa had explained that Mr Abubakar was unable to attend the event as he was outside the country at the time.

Benue State Wants Its Two Million Internally Displaced People to Vote

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Tuesday, Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make adequate provisions for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state ahead of the 2023 polls.

Represented by Professor Magdalene Dura, his special adviser on Millenium Development Goals, Mr Ortom said the electoral body should create polling units at IDPs’ camps and also engage the camp’s members as ad-hoc staff during elections.

‘There is (a) lack of equity and justice in Nigeria. INEC needs to have comprehensive data on the IDPs so that they can create polling units for IDPs.’ Mr Ortom said at a roundtable discussion, in Abuja.

He maintained that creating polling units in the camps would ensure the credibility of the elections at such centres and give the IDPs a sense of belonging. In April 2022, the State Emergency Management Agency disclosed that there were 27 IDP camps in the Benue, housing to close to two million IDPs.

22 November 2022
Federal High Court Refuses to Order INEC to Resume Voter Registration

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court refused to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resume its continuous voter registration (CVR) until 90 days before the 2023 general elections. The plaintiffs, Anajat Salmat and three others, sued INEC as the sole defendant in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1343/2022 and argued that the electoral body could not stop the CVR exercise contrary to the stipulated provisions of the constitution.

In a judgement on Tuesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo urged the electoral body to ensure that eligible Nigerians are not deprived of the opportunity to have the voter’s card for the upcoming polls. Justice Ekwo said he could not make such an order with the 2023 general election ‘just a few days’ away.

‘This court is unable to grant relief number 3 of the plaintiffs because going by the date of this judgement, from the date of this judgement, the defendant will have just a few days away from 90 days before the general elections of 25th February, 2023 and 11th March, 2023,’ Justice Ekwo said.

It is now 94 days to the 2023 general elections. Justice Ekwo held that it was the constitutional responsibility of the electoral body to ensure adequate provisions were made for the exercise.

The electoral body suspended the voter registration exercise on 01 August 2022, explaining that extending registrations would interfere with its preparation for the elections.

Editor’s Note: This story, sourced from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), was updated with a corrected version from the news agency. The court did not order INEC to continue voter registration until 90 days to the 2023 election as earlier reported.

20 November 2022
No Underage Voting at 2023 Polls, INEC Assures Nigerians

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

On Sunday, the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) assured Nigerians that those under the legal voting age would not be allowed to participate in the polls.

The Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victor Aluko, said the electoral body would organize the voters’ register ahead of the polls to ensure no underage voting.

‘I assure you that the register will be cleaned up completely and no underage voter will vote in 2023. After we finish with the claims and objections on Friday, we will be taking in again for further claims based on the complaints of the people,’ Mr Aluko said.

Mr Aluko’s comments come after the electoral body had made the register of voters public on its website, and Nigerians flagged instances of underage voters and double registration on social media.

Last week, INEC’s spokesperson Festus Okoye urged Nigerians to identify underaged or deceased persons on the preliminary register of voters. Mr Okoye said the Commission could not claim that the records were free of ‘errors or challenges’.

18 November 2022
INEC to Print 187 Million Ballot Papers for the 2023 Elections

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disclosed that it will print 187 million ballot papers ahead of the polls in 2023.

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye said 93.5 million ballot papers would be used at the presidential elections, and the remaining 93.5 million ballot papers would be for run-off elections where there is no clear winner at the polls.

Punch reported that Mr Okoye made his comments at a Roundtable with Bureau Chiefs/Editors in Abuja. It is now less than 100 days until the 2023 presidential and national assembly elections, slated to hold on 25 February 2023. On Wednesday, the electoral body called for calm, asking political parties and their candidates to carry out their campaign activities peacefully.

US Threatens Visa Ban on Election Riggers

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

The United States of America has threatened to issue sanctions, including visa bans, on individuals looking to interfere with the democratic process or instigate violence at the 2023 general elections.

Rolf Olson, Political Counselor at the US Embassy in Nigeria, spoke at the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Alumni Association Annual Seminar on ‘Promoting Electoral Integrity in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges’ in Abuja on Thursday.

‘Individuals seeking to undermine the democratic process, including through violence, may be found ineligible for visas to the United States. We have imposed visa restrictions in the past against those responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process, and remain fully willing to do so again in the context of the upcoming elections,’ He said.

Mr Olson added that the US supports the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results for the poll. In 2019, the US slammed visa restrictions on unnamed individuals for acts of violence, intimidation, and corruption during the November 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa elections and in the run-up to the September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo elections.

16 November 2022
100 Days to the 2023 Elections, INEC Calls for Calm

By Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor

Earlier today, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) asked that political parties and their candidates carry out their campaign activities peacefully. The electoral body’s chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, released a statement titled ‘100 Days To The 2023 General Election’ on Wednesday, urging all Nigerians to work together towards having successful elections.

‘It is exactly 100 days today before polling units open at 8:30 am on February 25 for national elections (presidential and federal parliamentary) and two weeks later on March 11 for state elections (governorship and state parliamentary),’ Mr Yakubu said.

The electoral body reiterated its commitment to providing Nigerians with free, fair, credible and verifiable elections supported by its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), introduced in 2021 to read Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and authenticate voters—via fingerprints—to vote at a polling unit. Citizens have been urged to participate in all electoral activities, such as the ongoing display of the Register of Voters for claims and objections and the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).

29 September 2022
Tinubu Skips Peace Pact Signing

By Afoma Dike, Junior Editor

Today, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was absent at the signing of the peace pact, organized by the National Peace Committee. Tinubu, who is reportedly in the United Kingdom, enjoying a vacation, was expected to be back in Nigeria by 28 September 2022 for the official start of the 2023 national campaigns.

Due to his absence, Tinubu was represented by Kashim Shettima, his APC running mate. Meanwhile, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has said that the idea of signing the peace pact ahead of the 2023 presidential election signifies that the country is at war, claiming that the peace accord is an indication that ‘elections are a war in this country.’

If Sowore’s claim is to be believed, the Nigerians who claim Tinubu’s catchphrase‘Èmi ló kàn’bodes ill for the nation, may grow increasingly suspicious now that Tinubu has elected not to attend today’s peace pact signing.

28 September 2022
2023 National Campaigns Have Officially Begun

By Afoma Dike, Junior Editor

Today, presidential and national legislature campaigns have officially commenced, according to the scheduled timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 18 presidential candidates will vie for the mandate to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, who will leave office on 29 May 2023.

Presidential and national assembly elections will be held on 25 February 2023. Election campaigns for governorship and state assembly will start on 12 October, ahead of elections on 11 March 2023. While candidates have been making media rounds and managing party issues, the formal commencement of campaigns means that political rallies, campaign jingles and public advertisements promoting their candidacies will be undertaken.

The elections will be guided by the Electoral Act 2022, which provides a more robust legal framework for polls, and has been the main driver behind INEC’s guarantees of transparent voting, collation and announcement of results. In-fighting has reportedly caused the ruling All Progressive Congress to delay its campaign kick-off. Other frontrunners, such as the People Democratic Party’s Atiku Abubakar have bought front page adverts in national newspapers, while Labour Party’s Peter Obi attended a rally in Plateau State today.

20 September 2022
INEC Staff Receive UNDP Training Ahead of 2023 General Elections

By Afoma Dike, Junior Editor

On Monday, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) held a workshop on ‘Review of indicators and capacity building on Election Monitoring and Support Center (EMSC) Report Validation’ in Kano.

There, spokesperson of UNDP and Chief Technical Adviser for Election, Deryck Fritz, said that democratic elections can contribute significantly to the advancement of Nigeria’s development aspirations. According to Fritz, democratic elections can only contribute to Nigeria’s development if they ‘are organised in such a manner that the voters believe that their votes will matter.’

UNDP’s support ahead of the 2023 general elections reflect the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 16 on ‘peace, justice and strong institutions.’ He also stated that outcomes of well organized elections will be viewed by the public as legitimate, thereby increasing public trust in governance. To this end, Fritz guaranteed that the EMSC will support INEC in promoting consistency and responsiveness. According to Fritz this will build the confidence of key political actors in the orchestration of the 2023 general elections.

The significance of the UNDP‘s guarantee cannot be understated, especially in light of INEC’s recent delisting of over one million PVC registrants.

19 September 2022
Peter Obi on CNN: Nigeria‘s Problems ‘Can be Dealt With Decisively’

By Afoma Dike, Junior Editor Last Friday, Labour Party presidential nominee, Peter Obi, was interviewed on CNN by reporter, Zain Asher. When asked whether he believed that Nigeria’s problems could be solved by one person, Obi stated that even a leader with the capacity and commitment to solving these issues, cannot solve them overnight.

He however pledged a ‘clear, visible and measurable attempt’ made, to deal with Nigeria’s problems, which he described as ‘solvable’ and capable of being ‘dealt with decisively’. Obi stated that his plan to bring Nigeria out of its economic downturn involves tackling the issue of insecurity in the country. He further stated that greater security will enable farmers in the North to return to their farms and cultivate their land effectively, thereby taking them out of poverty.

There have been mixed reactions online following Obi’s CNN interview. Some of Obi’s supporters have said that he has been able to give Nigeria a positive image boost, and have contrasted his media engagements with the All Progressives Congress’ Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Peoples Democratic Party’s Atiku Abubakar, who have not been as engaging.

Others, especially supporters of his rivals, played down the interview and criticized his comments, doubting whether Obi will take adequate action to support his words. It remains to be seen if Obi’s rival nominees will be more active with interviews when campaigning formally starts at the end of this month.

15 September 2022
ANAP’s Election Poll Shows Strong Peter Obi Lead Over Tinubu and Atiku

By Afoma Dike, Junior Editor

Earlier today, Lagos-based ANAP Foundation released a poll on the chances of the frontrunners for president of Nigeria. The poll is one of the earliest independent surveys released covering the 2023 cycle, and follows the tradition of the ANAP Foundation since the 2011 elections.

ANAP’s poll showed a strong lead for Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential nominee, who polled 21 per cent ahead of other nominees. Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, the nominees of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) respectively, both received 13 per cent, while New Nigeria’s Democratic Party’s Rabiu Kwankwaso polled three per cent.

Obi’s supporters have used the polls to justify their online and offline engagement for their nominee. Conversely, supporters of Tinubu and Atiku have been quick to point out that the poll was commissioned before the official commencement of campaigning at the end of September. A key finding of the poll shows the high number of ‘undecided voters’ and those who have decided to keep their preferred nominee confidential.

These groups made up 32 per cent and 15 per cent of those surveyed, respectively. This definitely points to the expected challenge that all nominees will face to convince voters to support their candidacy ahead of the elections in February 2023.

14 September 2022
INEC Delists 1.1 million + ‘Invalid’ PVC Registrations

By Afoma Dike, Junior Editor

On Monday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) tweeted this press release. Signed by Festus Okoye, the national commissioner and chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the press release addressed issues concerning the biometric data of Nigerian citizens for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

INEC stated that since the suspension of the CVR on 31 July 2022, approximately 44.6 per cent of the over 2.5 million new PVC registrants were found to have ‘invalid’ records. These registrants were were delisted as a result. To refute potential claims from those who may believe that they have been disenfranchised for no good reason, INEC also stated that its responsibility to make sure registrants are credible is crucial to uphold electoral integrity.

INEC’s declaration last Friday that election rigging is a thing of the past would seem to be an encouraging factor regarding voting in the 2023 general elections. It remains to be seen, however, whether delisting over one million voters will have an opposite and demoralizing effect on Nigerians.

13 September 2022
‘The Days of Wanton Manipulation of Elections Are Over.’ — INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu

By Afoma Dike, Junior Editor

Last Friday, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, declared that election results in Nigeria will no longer be vulnerable to manipulation. At a keynote stakeholder address in Abuja, Professor Yakubu explained that election rigging has now been resolved due to the new 2022 Electoral Act, which permits INEC to conduct voter accreditation and results management electronically through an Election Result Analysis Dashboard (ERAD).

The 2022 Electoral Act is Nigeria’s most ambitious and farthest-reaching iteration of its electoral act. The act is largely reflective of 12 years’ worth of delayed updates, but what will this new act mean for INEC?’

For information on the new electoral act read, ‘The Umpire’s New Clothes’, by Adekunle Adewumi.

According to Professor Yakubu, ERAD means that election results processing will now be more efficient and secure, due to advanced technology and the existing legal framework governing the elections. There have been numerous calls for young Nigerians—those between the ages of 18 and 34, who make up over 60 per cent of the population—to exercise their right to vote wisely.

In the recently concluded continuous voter registration exercise, such young people accounted for 72.5 per cent of new voter card applications according to INEC with over 8.7 million new registrants.

12 September 2022
The 2023 General Elections ‘Are a Choice Between Freedom and Doom, Says Atiku

By Afoma Dike, Junior Editor

On Sunday, Atiku Abubakar, the presidential nominee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), issued a statement to Nigerian citizens, sharing his opinion that the forthcoming 2023 elections are ‘a choice between freedom and doom.’

According to Atiku (as he’s commonly known), the 2023 general elections will either lead to Nigeria’s freedom from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or inevitable doom should APC remain in power. Atiku urged voters to use the remaining days leading up to the elections to encourage more people to vote. One way, he suggested, was by recruiting friends as ‘canvassers’ at the polling units, so that unified efforts can be made to ‘salvage the country’. Recognizing that salvaging the country will require significant effort on the part of voters, Atiku insisted that allowing APC to remain in power beyond May 29th 2023 is a major cause for concern.

One reason for Atiku’s concern may be that in the event APC wins the upcoming general elections, such a victory would further cement APC as the ruling party. Should APC potentially win a second term in office, for instance, this would give APC the same sixteen-year track record of uninterrupted governance that the PDP currently holds. The longer APC stays in power, Atiku seems to imply, the more difficult it will be to unseat APC in future elections.

08 September 2022
2023 Elections: ‘We All Hope For Good Governance’ — Olu of Warri

By Afoma Dike, Junior Editor

On Tuesday in Abuja, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, underlined the importance of the 2023 general elections. This took place during a courtesy visit of the vice presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Bishop Isaac Idahosa. Olu Atuwatse III stated that the 2023 general elections are the most important elections for Nigeria and expressed the hope that they will lead to new opportunities for Nigerians and promote greater unity within Nigeria. According to Olu Atuwatse III, the 2023 elections are a key part of Nigeria’s socio-economic and political well-being. He stated that Nigerians want their interests to be protected and are willing to see to it that good leaders are voted into power. ‘We all hope for good governance,’ he said. ‘There is hope for this country Nigeria, as citizens are particularly interested in this election and they would be up and doing regarding their civic responsibilities to vote.’ Olu Atuwatse III stressed that Nigeria is at a ‘crossroads’ and therefore, voters ought to do their due diligence to be well informed on the candidates, their parties and manifestos in order to make the best decision regarding the elections. In April 2022, the Olu of Warri denied claims that he had endorsed the All Progressives Congress presidential aspirant, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. At the time, he stated that he ‘has no political affiliation or preferred political candidate for any office in the forthcoming 2023 elections be it at the regional, sub-national or national level.’

07 September 2022
Peter Obi Denied $150 Million Diaspora Funding

By Afoma Dike, Junior Editor

Yesterday, the Labour Party presidential nominee, Peter Obi, denied that his campaign had received a $150 million donation from benefactors in diaspora. ‘Nobody has given me anything,’ Obi insisted, ‘That is speculation. What I need is not what they would give me. But what they would give Nigeria, because we need them to turn around Nigeria.’

Obi’s statement comes after calls by groups on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify Obi from the 2023 presidential race for receiving diaspora funding. Such groups include the ‘Tinubu-Shettima Connect’ associated with the All Progressives’ Congress. Their complaints also cited recent reports that the national chair of the Labour Party, Julius Abare, had launched an eleven-man Diaspora Committee to organize fundraising activities.

The complaints have centered on whether it is lawful for a presidential nominee to receive funds originating outside Nigeria for electoral campaigns. While the relevant sections of the Electoral Act do not permit a party to retain funds or assets remitted to it from outside Nigeria, it does not explicitly forbid a candidate from receiving funding from Nigerians in the diaspora.

Contention over the exact nuance is expected to result in a formal statement by the electoral body soon. Obi has been meeting with Nigerians in Europe and the US, but has stated that these meetings are not campaigns but consultations—to avoid violating the regulation that only permits campaigning from the 28th of September.

06 September 2022
Enugu’s APC Governorship Candidate Rejects Tinubu’s Campaign Funds

By Afoma Dike, Junior Editor

Uchenna Nnaji, the governorship candidate of APC in Enugu State, has rejected funding from APC’s presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Naming the allocation of campaign funds as the root cause of current ‘chaos’ within APC, Nnaji stated that, ‘the current crisis in Enugu APC is all about Tinubu’s campaign money. The so-called stakeholders are fighting to be in charge and preside over the disbursement of Tinubu’s money.’

Nnaji’s statement comes after an attempt at unseating Ugochukwu Agballah, the state party’s chairman, reportedly led by officials including former senate president, Ken Nnamani and foreign affairs minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, on Tuesday. Nnaji stated that APC had never been a prominent political party in Enugu until Agballah assumed the role of chairman. He added that, ‘our leaders who want Agballah removed were not even paying for their ward offices across communities. Now, we have come to make the system work again and they want to remove us.

Our executives are doing well and deserve every support they need. No other party can embark on the kind of tour we have embarked upon.’ Nnaji wants Enugu APC to use its own resources to fund its gubernatorial campaign and then seek reimbursement from APC after the 2023 elections have ended. He stated at an impromptu meeting held on Sunday, at the APC South-East zonal office, that he would be informing Tinubu that he does not want his election funds, today.

05 September 2022
The US Promises to Support Nigeria’s 2023 Elections

By Afoma Dike, Junior Editor

Last Saturday, at a bilateral meeting between Nigeria and the United States in Washington, D.C., US vice president, Kamala Harris, met with Professor Yemi Osinbajo and shared the US’s support for the 2023 presidential election. Harris expressed optimism that the election will be peaceful and will reflect the will of the people, stating that ‘Nigeria is and must remain a bastion of democracy for West Africa.’

Harris also stated that ‘Africa’s leadership is key to confronting all of the global challenges we face and to that end, Nigeria is key. So, we look forward to strengthening our partnership.’ She went on to assure Osinbajo that both she and US president, Joe Bidden, ‘remain committed to strengthening our relationship with Nigeria, and with Africa, as a continent as a whole.’

That this show of support from the US comes just a few months after President Buhari’s stern warning to the US to stay out of the 2023 elections. Buhari had made these remarks during a dinner he hosted with foreign diplomats in May this year. According to critics, he had issued this warning despite the fact that he had benefitted from the US’s latent support during his 2015 presidential campaign.

01 September 2022
Goodluck Jonathan Refrains From Endorsing a Candidate

By Todah Opeyemi, Junior Editor

Yesterday, former president, Goodluck Jonathan, declared that he would be ‘neutral’ in the forthcoming 2023 polls. In a statement he delivered yesterday at the Kukah School of Governance in Abuja, Jonathan explained that his neutrality stemmed from his position as a former president of Nigeria.

He also spoke strongly against fascism in the country and intolerance of opposing views while warning that democratic principles go beyond winning elections; ‘they also involve tolerance of opposition,’ he said. The former president’s statement comes after he sat with the presidential nominee of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during a close-door meeting which many expected would lead to a full endorsement.

Jonathan’s statement is also significant since it means that the nominee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, will be deprived of the support of the PDP’s two living former presidents—Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo—who have both declared their neutrality ahead of the 2023 elections. This is a change from the 2019 elections, when both men campaigned against President Buhari, who was seeking a second term.

Critics might argue that Jonathan’s statement is inconsequential since Jonathan has not only avoided PDP events in recent years, but was also rumoured to lobby for APC’s 2023 presidential nomination. However, should Jonathan decide to reverse his position in the future, the weight of a former president’s endorsement will no doubt affect the state of the presidential race.

31 August 2022
Iyorchia Ayu criticizes those calling for his resignation

Earlier today, national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, stated that he will not resign from his position despite calls for him to do so. In an interview with BBC Hausa, Ayu explained that party members calling for his resignation have no reason to condemn his leadership and that his resignation would negatively affect PDP. Ayu added that those calling for his resignation are ‘boys’ who don’t understand how the party came to be formed in the first place.

For weeks, the PDP leader has been under increasing pressure from a group of governors and former governors close to Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike. These associates had been complaining about an imbalance in the PDP’s leadership. They argue that Ayu and the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, are both northerners and that the North would lead the party if they win the 2023 presidential election. They have specified that the national chairmanship is given to a southerner since the heads of the party’s major organs are all from the North. While Ayu is being accused of being a partial and divisive leader, news reports say stepping down for a southern replacement was one of the terms of the recent London meeting between Atiku and Wike.

Atiku and Wike had met over their feud and the internal crisis within PDP. Atiku and the PDP cannot afford a weakened party so close to the official start of the campaign trail. As a result, PDP’s leaders are currently attempting to canvass more internal unity.

30 August 2022
INEC has launched the Election Crisis Communication Team

Yesterday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) inaugurated the Election Crisis Communication Team (ECCT) in Abuja. The launch was initiated by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).During the inauguration, INEC commissioner, Festus Okoye praised the CDD’s decision to supplement INEC’s responsibility by being ‘a think tank that approaches issues of national concern from an informed perspective based on thorough research.’

INEC created this specialized communication team with the help of CDD after admitting that, as a commission, they’ve faced increasing incidents of misrepresentation and that the general public does not have adequate understanding of their responsibility. The ECCT is expected to ensure communications and awareness support the commission’s goal of conducting free, fair, transparent, and inclusive elections in the 2023 elections.

While the establishment of an election crisis communications team is a welcome development, it will be interesting to see if the team will also include fighting misinformation and disinformation common during the election period, as well as working with or sensitizing political parties across the country on their efforts

29 August 2022
Ibrahim Shekarau returns to PDP

Today, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau officially announced his defection from the New Nigerian People Party (NNPP) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). PDP’s presidential nominee, Atiku Abubakar, led prominent dignitaries to receive Shekarau. A former governor of Kano State, Shekarau served as education minister in the last PDP administration under Goodluck Jonathan.

Other attendees included Atiku’s running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, former vice-president Namadi Sambo, PDP’s national chair, Iyorchia Ayu, and former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido. NNPP has not commented officially on Shekarau’s defection. Recent reports, however, showed a fallout between Shekarau and his NNPP associates over ticket distributions between supporters of Kwankwaso and Shekarau.

Shekarau’s decision to join Rabiu Kwankwaso, his former rival in Kano State politics was expected to make the state more competitive in coming elections. Shekarau’s high support in Kano is evident by the fact that he was also wooed by the ruling All Progressives’ Congress (APC), despite defecting from them in May.

Regardless, the window for substituting candidates for the forthcoming elections has closed which suggests that his reasons for leaving NNPP won’t be immediately addressed. Furthermore, despite being a PDP member in 2015, the state still supported the APC during that election. The 2023 elections will be an interesting test of which politician has true support in the state, with the incumbent governor and his two recent predecessors now belonging to different parties.

25 August 2022
President Buhari says only APC members have his support

Yesterday, in a statement, Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, said he will only support politicians of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming 2023 general elections and not members who have left the party. Garba Shehu, the presidential spokesperson, also emphasized that former party members or politicians who have legal cases against any APC candidates will not be recognized in any way.

The presidency commends loyal APC members and says they should remain ‘disciplined soldiers’ of the party. The statement also added that politicians ‘outside the party tent’ should not link their political activities to President Buhari.

The president’s latest statement is believed to serve as a warning to decampees as they compete for various political seats with other political parties. Historically, obtaining or having presidential support in Nigeria’s election has been viewed as a winning criterion for public office.

24 August 2022
INEC’s case for a new electoral offenders commission

Yesterday, during a public hearing at the House of Representatives, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) made a case for the creation of a new commission to deal with electoral offences. The proposed commission was first mentioned as a recommendation from a committee to look into electoral reform following the controversial 2007 elections.

It was established by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and led by former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Muhammadu Uwais. INEC Chair, Mahmoud Yakubu, stated the commission’s efforts to improve the country’s electoral process would be ineffective unless electoral offenders were effectively prosecuted. He also asserted that INEC’s current mandate was exhaustive and made it difficult for it to effectively prosecute and litigate electoral offenders. He cited that, since 2015, only 60 of 125 cases of electoral offences filed in various courts have resulted in convictions.

While most civil society organizations presented memoranda in favour of the bill, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission criticized the potential duplication of functions with existing agencies. The representative of the agency cited extant laws that gave prosecutorial powers on certain violations to existing agencies. Despite the overwhelming level of support, including in both chambers of the National Assembly, it is not certain that the Bill will receive presidential assent in time to affect the 2023 elections.

Notably, President Buhari did not sign an amended electoral act in 2018, citing its proximity to the 2019 elections. However, the administration might seek to consolidate the progress made in addressing recent election-related issues through the signing of the amended electoral act

23 August 2022
Obasanjo denies endorsing Tinubu’s presidential candidacy

Last Saturday, Nigeria’s former president and military head of state, Olusegun Obasanjo, denied media reports that he endorsed APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In a statement, Obasanjo’s special assistant on media, Kehinde Akinyemi, said the news of the endorsement by Obasanjo making the rounds, especially from supporters of Tinubu, is ‘unhelpful’.

Last week, we reported that Tinubu visited Obasanjo at his residence in Ogun State, and had a meeting behind closed doors that was reported to have lasted about four hours. According to Akinyemi, Tinubu’s visit was ‘more brotherly than political.’ Following the meeting, with Tinubu’s campaign team releasing some pictures of the visit, analysts posit that Tinubu might have sought Obasanjo’s endorsement.

With public presidential campaigns (or rallies) now less than 40 days away, candidates are beginning to pay more visits to key national and state stakeholders, or mobilizers. These visits also include traditional rulers as well as former national and political leaders, for what many of them describe as ‘seeking their blessings’.

22 August 2022
Atiku and Obi attend the NBA conference.

Earlier today, frontline presidential candidates for the 2023 elections were invited to address a plenary session at the 62nd annual general conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) holding in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos. Atiku Abubakar, of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi, of the Labour Party, attended and addressed the delegates present. Rabiu Kwankwaso, of the New Nigerian People’s Party, was also invited but did not participate, while Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives’ Congress was represented by his running mate—Kashim Shettima.

While presidential campaigns have not formally commenced, candidates that attended used the opportunity to assess their popularity with members of the NBA. Atiku touched on his plans for devolution, Obi discussed his proposals to address employment while Shettima said he would be responsible for security affairs under a Tinubu presidency. While supporters of Obi and Atiku have held forte for their candidates on social media with clips from the event, Tinubu has been largely criticized for avoiding the event, especially with rumours surrounding his health.

The NBA as a body does not endorse presidential nominees, but the event will no doubt play a part in determining who NBA members support in 2023.

18 August 2022
Kwankwaso appoints campaign spokespersons.

Yesterday, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, named Abdulmumin Jibrin and Ladipo Johnson as the spokespersons for his campaign council.

In a tweet, the former Kano State governor stated that Jibrin and Johnson were appointed due to their experience in communication and that he trusts they will deliver NNPP’s objectives across Nigeria. Jibrin is a former APC House of Representatives member. He joined the NNPP in May 2022, after a conflict with Kano State’s current governor, Abdullahi Ganduje. Before then, he had expressed support for APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

Johnson, on the other hand, is a lawyer and the managing partner of a legal consulting firm, Agbese & Johnson. He is also the president of the African Institute of Enterprise Development and Management. The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has set September 28 as the date for political parties to begin public presidential campaigns (or rallies) across all states in Nigeria.

According to INEC, campaigns will last until 24 hours before the election. With the timeline in focus, spokespersons for all political parties will have to sell their candidates to Nigerians within 150 days.

Tinubu meets Obasanjo in Ogun State

Yesterday, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, visited former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, at his residence in Ogun State. Tinubu was accompanied by Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and other party chieftains.

The meeting was held behind closed doors, with Tinubu’s campaign team releasing some pictures of both men and Tinubu’s entourage. While images showed a cordial meeting, both men have had a contentious history in their political careers. During his presidency, Obasanjo directed the finance ministry to withhold local government funding allocation from Lagos State in response to Tinubu’s creation of Local Council Development Areas.

As prominent politicians from the South West, both men also clashed over issues especially as they represented different parties. However, ahead of the 2015 election, Tinubu led a delegation to visit the former president, seeking his help to serve as ‘a navigator’ after the formation of APC. Obasanjo has since been critical of the Buhari-led government and openly called on the president to resign in one of his letters.

While Tinubu will likely have sought his endorsement, he might also have met with Obasanjo to weaken the campaign of his rival from the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar. Obasanjo has repeatedly criticized Atiku for his conduct while serving as his vice-president during his two terms in office (1999-2007). Tinubu’s campaign is likely to emphasize this point, especially if Obasanjo decides not to endorse his former deputy.

17 August 2022
Ibrahim Shekarau Wooed by Other Parties

Today, in Abuja, former Kano State governor, and incumbent Senator, Ibrahim Shekarau is expected to meet with Bola Tinubu, the presidential nominee of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Kano Central Senator was a member of APC before he defected to the New Nigerian Political Party (NNPP) in May 2022.

Shekarau remains an influential figure in Kano State and his decision to join forces with his former rival, Rabiu Kwankwaso, was expected to provide a strong ‘third force’ in the state’s politics. His political career has seen him been a member of both the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from 2014–2018 and then APC from 2018 till his defection earlier this year. One of the reasons Shekarau and his associates claim they want to join forces with another party is the uneven distribution of senatorial tickets between Kwankwaso’s associates and them.

They claim that agreements made before they joined the party had not been ignored—they cite the fact that Shekarau is the only one among his associates who received the party’s senatorial ticket. Yau Sule, the spokesperson for Shekarau, has stated that a clear decision will be made in the coming weeks.

Kano is the most populous state in Nigeria, according to official records, and has been a reliable source of votes for APC. Should Shekarau defect, it will pose a big issue for NNPP and might change ongoing permutations for control of the centre of commerce.

16 August 2022
NNPP removes chairperson in Osun State

Yesterday, members of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Osun, unanimously removed the chairperson of the state chapter, Tosin Odeyemi, amid allegations of financial misappropriation. Odeyemi was removed after an unopposed vote during a meeting at the party’s secretariat in Osogbo.

The party’s state secretary, Adekunle Abolade, claimed that poor financial management and the chairman’s autocratic leadership were to blame for the party not being able to win the state governorship election on July 16. According to Abolade, the party’s Board of Trustees chairperson, Boniface Aniebonam, and other national executives as well, support Odeyemi’s removal.

Prominent members of the party, especially its presidential nominee, Rabiu Kwankwaso, are yet to make any statement concerning the removal. However, Odeyemi’s departure from his post will no doubt be related to efforts to ensure a stronger showing by the party’s candidates in the 2023 general elections.

15 August 2022
The Atiku-Wike Reconciliation Panel Starts Today

Today, in Abuja, a 14-member committee will begin to reconcile different factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The members were nominated by former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, and Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, to address disagreements following the formal confirmation of the party’s presidential ticket.

The main opposition party has endured mixed fortunes recently. It lost the Ekiti governorship elections but regained control of the Osun State House for the first time since 2010. The PDP has also been drawn into in-fighting between supporters of Atiku and a group of prominent governors who appear to back their Rivers State counterpart in demanding concessions in exchange for their support.

Previous reconciliation efforts have resulted in different outcomes. One key demand appears to be the resignation of the party chair, Iyorchia Ayu, to reflect the current regional imbalance in terms of the party’s top positions. The party candidate, chair and board of trustees’ chair are all northerners, and many southern politicians have kicked against this.

However, Atiku has maintained his support for Ayu and insisted that the chair will only be replaced if he is elected president. The panel includes several former prominent governors and senators. Members of the PDP will hope that the party is able to reconcile its members and ensure a united front ahead of the 2023 elections.

11 August 2022
Peter Obi: ‘Nigeria Must Stop Borrowing for Consumption’

Yesterday, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, warned that Nigeria must limit borrowing for consumption from other countries and the Central Bank of Nigeria. According to the former governor of Anambra State, the federal government should limit borrowings to five per cent of the previous year’s revenue.

Obi also stated on his social media page that states that received fiscal bailouts did not invest them properly, did not repay the loans, and are still borrowing more than their revenue earnings. Last year, Obi advised the federal government to invest the borrowed funds in profitable ventures to improve the nation’s socioeconomic development. According to him at the time, debt is not bad when used efficiently and invested appropriately to boost the economy.

Many political analysts believe that during Obi’s presidential campaign, rescuing Nigeria from its debt situation will be prioritized. And while economists debate the sustainability of Nigeria’s debt, policymakers in Nigeria have defended their borrowing practices. Zainab Ahmed, Nigeria’s finance minister, for example, has previously publicly stated that these borrowings were critical to the country’s exit from recession.

10 August 2022
INEC Denies Reversing Its Decision on Akpabio and Lawan’s Senatorial Bids

Yesterday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) denied altering electoral documents in order to accept the nominations of Senate President Ahmad Lawan, and Godswill Akpabio, the former minister of Niger Delta affairs, to contest senate seats in the 2023 elections. Both politicians had declared their candidacies, and bought registration forms for the presidential nomination of the All Progressive’s Congress.

Lawan finished fourth at the APC convention, despite having been announced as the consensus candidate by party chair, Abdullahi Adamu. Akpabio, who resigned from his ministerial post to seek the presidency (in line with the new Electoral Act) withdrew in favour of the eventual winner, Bola Tinubu. Despite not participating in their respective senatorial primaries, both candidates had been nominated by APC in acknowledgment of their seniority and political standing.

The actual winners of the APC senatorial primaries were Bashir Machina (Yobe North) and Udom Ekpoudom (Akwa Ibom North West), who have refused to step down for Lawan and Akpabio (INEC can only authorize a replacement if the primary winners agree to step down). INEC’s recent successes in conducting recent governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti have inspired confidence in the commission’s ability to deliver credible elections in 2023.

However, many watch to see if INEC will reverse its position on Akpabio and Lawan. Such a move could be seen as yielding to pressure from the ruling party, and could fuel scrutiny towards INEC ahead of 2023.

09 August 2022
Former CBN Governor Adebayo Adelabu Gains New Support in Oyo

Yesterday, Adegboyega Adegoke, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, and Fatai Adesina of the Peoples Democratic Party joined the Accord Party to support the governorship ambitions of Adebayo Adelabu. Adelabu, popularly called Penkelemesi, is a former deputy governor (2014–2018) of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The media aide of Adelabu, Femi Awogboro, said in a statement in Ibadan that the two politicians decided to join the Accord Party to actualize Adelabu’s governorship ambition. Awogboro describes the Accord as a ‘credible alternative party to move the state forward from 2023’ and that it is a ‘homecoming’ for both Adegoke and Adesina.

Ahead of 2023, political experts forecast parties other than the two major opposition parties to gain more prominence and could potentially win some elections.

08 August 2022
Northern Christians Have Urged Simon Lalong to Not Support Tinubu’s Presidential Candidacy

Yesterday, religious group, Concerned Christians in Northern Nigeria, urged Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, to reject his nomination as director-general of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council, which was established ahead of the nationwide rally for the 2023 general elections.

The group of Christians in the North, led by Michael Atululwu, at a press briefing in Kaduna, likened Lalong’s acceptance of the position to planning to dine with the devil. In addition, the Northern Christian Revivalist Movement has threatened to invoke God’s wrath on Lalong and other Christians who support APC presidential candidate Bola Tinubu for failing to properly represent their faith and betraying them.

This latest condemnation follows criticism of Tinubu, a Muslim’s choice of Kashim Shettima, a former governor of Borno State and another Muslim, as his running mate.

04 August 2022
Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Donation of Vehicles to Niger Republic

Yesterday, the Nigerian government confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the purchase and donation of vehicles worth N1.4 billion to Niger Republic. The report trended on social media before it was confirmed during a press conference following this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting. Nigeria’s finance minister, Zainab Ahmed, justified the decision as assistance to a neighbouring country experiencing similar security issues.

Supporters of the government also cited donations by former administrations to African states as precedence for such a gesture. Outcry following the news has generally focused on the current state of Nigeria’s economy and Nigeria’s ongoing insecurity challenges.

The declining economy and rising insecurity are expected to dominate campaigns during the forthcoming elections. Both issues are also at the heart of recent efforts to impeach the president.

03 August 2022
Simon Lalong is expected to head APC’s Presidential Campaign

Rumours have emerged today that Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, has been recommended to be Director-General (DG) of Tinubu’s presidential campaign team for the 2023 elections. Reports also suggest that Adams Oshiomhole, former Edo State Governor and party chair, has been selected as his deputy.

On Monday, state governors belonging to the APC held a meeting with Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima, the party’s presidential and vice-presidential nominees. After the meeting, Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, announced that APC had decided on who to recommend to Tinubu as DG. El-Rufai also explained that President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC national chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, would be briefed before an official announcement was made to the general public.

Lalong, a Northern Christian, was reportedly chosen to pacify party members who were displeased by Tinubu’s decision to pick Shettima as his running mate on a Muslim-Muslim ticket. Former house speaker, Yakubu Dogara, and former secretary to the government of the federation, Babachir Lawal, have been at the forefront of agitations for religious equity following Shettima’s selection.

02 August 2022
Nigeria Adds Over 12 million New Voters ahead of 2023 Elections

On Monday, Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that the year-long continuous voter registration that ended on 31 July had led to the addition of 12.29 million voters.

According to INEC, 84 per cent of the new voters were young people, aged between 18 and 34 years old. During the last election in 2019, INEC figures showed that Nigeria had 84 million registered voters—less than half of the country’s projected population of 200 million people. A breakdown of registration data by states showed that Lagos had the highest number of registrations, closely followed by Kano—with 585,620 and 569,103 new voters respectively.

However, Yobe and Ekiti had the lowest numbers with only 152,414 and 124,844 new voters respectively. The registration of new voters is now suspended, and won’t resume until after the 2023 general elections.

01 August 2022
APC wins Ebonyi Local Government Elections

On Sunday, the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) declared results that returned candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winners of all 13 chairmanship and 171 councillorship seats in Saturday’s local government elections.

Chika Nwoba, the state publicity secretary of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), described the elections as a ‘one-man show,’ and other political parties were reported to have boycotted the elections to protest the electoral body’s refusal to reduce the N1 million and N200,000 nomination fees imposed for chairmanship and councillorship.

APC has seen its fortunes increase in Ebonyi since the defection of Governor Dave Umahi, from PDP, in November 2020. Umahi, who is term-limited, also won a re-run election to stand as the party’s nominee for Senate in the coming elections.

28 July 2022
Lawmakers threaten to impeach President Buhari

Yesterday, members of both chambers of the National Assembly, and across the party divide, issued a six-week ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari, to address the country’s insecurity situation or risk impeachment.

The decision was made following their respective closed-sessions before the start of plenary. While different accounts have emerged concerning these meetings, members from both the ruling and opposition parties have confirmed a consensus to proceed with impeachment if the situation persists. Government officials have approached the situation differently. While the president’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu, dismissed the motion by calling it ‘ridiculous’, the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, sought the understanding of the legislators over the government’s urgent approach to the matter.

The president convened a meeting of the national security council earlier today. No Nigerian president has ever been impeached, although Presidents Buhari and Obasanjo have seen ultimately futile motions raised. With less than a year to the end of the president’s term in office, it remains unlikely that this motion will persist without causing disruption to the already flagging efforts of security officials.

27 July 2022
Idahosa is Bringing ‘Church Politicking’ to the Presidential Race

Yesterday, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, stated that his 33 years of experience in ‘church politicking’ will prove invaluable as Rabiu Kwankwaso’s running mate on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the upcoming 2023 elections.

Idahosa stated this on Politics Today, a primetime programme on Channels TV. On July 14, Kwankwaso announced Idahosa as his running mate, following the failure of ‘third force’ talks with Peter Obi and the Labour Party. Idahosa, a native of Edo State, is the presiding bishop and senior pastor of God First Ministries Inc. He is believed to have been chosen to provide a regional and religious balance to the NNPP ticket.

Some analysts have cited the cleric’s lack of political experience as a drawback to the ticket. However, when addressing these concerns, Idahosa stated that managing a church required more than spiritual power. He referred to the different tribes and backgrounds usually representative in a large church to support his efforts in working with different groups.

Idahosa is not the first cleric to join a presidential ticket, with incumbent Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Tunde Bakare and Chris Okotie among others to have sought elected office while serving as pastors.

26 July 2022
PDP Warns Dotun Babayemi to Stop Legal Action Against Ademola Adeleke.

On Sunday, in a statement signed by Akindele Adekunle, caretaker chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, the party warned Dotun Babayemi to stop further legal action against the Governor-elect, Ademola Adeleke, in the overall interest of the party.

Babayemi had petitioned the Federal High Court in Osogbo, challenging the PDP’s nomination and submission of Adeleke’s name to INEC, as well as the validity of the governorship primary that made him the party’s candidate. Both Babayemi and Adeleke emerged at different primaries conducted by factions within the state’s PDP, however, Adeleke was recognized as the PDP candidate by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the state governorship election, which he subsequently won.

The statement specifically condemned the ‘apparent attempt by the former aspirant to become a tool of the APC to truncate the overwhelming victory of the PDP at the governorship poll.’ The case, however, was dismissed by the Federal High Court in Osogbo and the Appeal Court in Akure. Following the party’s victory in the Osun election, the PDP is trying to manage the current divisions within the party ahead of forming the next state government.

25 July 2022
Atiku Abubakar’s First Interview as the PDP Flagbearer

On Friday, Atiku Abubakar, the presidential nominee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), granted an exclusive interview to ARISE TV. The sit-down covered a range of topics including Atiku’s plans for the country, his choice of a running mate and his take on the chances of his fellow nominees.

Some of the claims Atiku made during the interview include that he had turned down Tinubu’s request to be his running mate during Atiku’s 2007 bid for president, over his aversion to a single faith (Muslim-Muslim) ticket. Atiku also claimed that the Labour Party’s lack of structure and representation means it would ‘take a miracle’ for the party to win the elections.

Naturally, both the All Progressives Congress and the Labour Party have issued strong rebuttals to Atiku’s claims. Through his spokesperson, Bola Tinubu, APC’s presidential nominee, responded to Atiku and brought up Atiku’s attempt to join the 1993 Social Democratic Party ticket alongside late M.K.O Abiola.

Similarly, the Labour Party referred to Atiku’s perennial candidacy as proof that he might be unelectable. Atiku’s interview marks the first media engagement that the PDP presidential nominee has granted since he received the PDP ticket over a month ago.

21 July 2022
Abike Dabiri-Erewa continues to advocate for diaspora voting

Yesterday, in a press briefing, the chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said that NiDCOM would continue to advocate for the passing of the diaspora voting bill, despite its refusal by the Nigerian parliament in March 2022 ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had said it was ready for a diasporic form of voting, especially since electronic transmission of results is now possible. In 2009, a similar bill was refused by the House of Representatives because it contravened the terms of Nigeria’s 1999 constitution, which explicitly limits the right to vote to Nigerian citizens physically present in the country at the time of registration and elections.

Progress towards diaspora voting in Nigeria has been slow because of the lack of political will from Nigerian lawmakers and politicians. Parties are unable to measure the extent of their support in other countries and are more likely to avert the risk of losing votes. Similarly, ethno-religious sentiments continue to play a role in making this difficult to gauge.

While Dabiri-Erewa, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress, has urged Nigerians to keep advocating for and lobbying Nigerian legislators until diaspora voting is achieved, her position does not appear to be shared by her party, which controls the executive and legislature.

READ
Too Foreign to Vote

20 July 2022
INEC declares that the 2023 Elections Will Be Nigeria’s ‘Best Election Ever’

On 20 July, at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja, INEC’s chair, Mahmood Yakubu, said that the forthcoming 2023 general elections will be the best Nigeria has ever had. During a press conference, the chair cited recent performances in the Ekiti (18 June) and Osun State (16 July) governorship elections as reasons for the commission’s optimism of delivering on this promise. INEC’s announcement that it improved elections in both states comes with mixed feelings. For one, it has been reported that alleged vote-buying took place during the elections. However, INEC has been commended for deploying appropriate materials and personnel, commencing the election polls early, and quickly uploading the election results on the INEC portal. In Osun State for example, the electoral body stationed security and anti-corruption personnel at election wards for security. The electoral management body also recently extended continuous voter registration to 31st July, from an initial deadline of 30 June. This was largely in response to a court judgment that followed a lawsuit filed by civil society organization, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), and 185 other Nigerians.

19 July 2022
Rabiu Kwankwaso Has announced Isaac Idahosa as his running mate

On 18 July, at a ceremony in Abuja, Rabiu Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and former governor of Kano State, presented Bishop Isaac Idahosa as his running mate for the 2023 elections.

Kwankwaso explained that the choice of Idahosa as his running mate was made after careful consideration and involved the screening of more than 20 candidates. Idahosa is the presiding bishop and the senior pastor of God First Ministry, popularly known as Illumination Assembly, Lekki Light Centre in Lagos.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Kwankwaso had asked Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, to become his running mate. However, Peter Obi denied his proposal.

READ
In the Mould of Aminu Kano

18 July 2022
Ademola Adeleke wins Osun State Governorship Election

On Sunday, 17 July, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the winner of the Osun State governorship election. Adeleke won with 403,371 votes, beating incumbent Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who received 375,027 votes.

Adeleke won 17 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while the APC won 13 of them. None of the other 14 candidates registered in the election won a local government. The election had been billed as a rematch of the 2018 contest, with both APC and PDP candidates retaining their party’s nomination to seek the governorship. That election was keenly contested, with Oyetola only winning after a rerun was conducted in several polling units and only then with 482 votes.

The results have been largely interpreted with a view of the 2023 general elections. Analysts have underscored the upset recorded in Osun as a blow to the APC’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, whose influence in the South-West has been well documented. Likewise, it provides much needed momentum to the PDP which has been affected by in-fighting and issues following the selection of its vice-presidential nominee.

13 July 2022
Bola Tinubu Taps Kashim Shettima as Running-Mate

Last Sunday, Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) presidential candidate, announced Kashim Shettima, current senator and former governor of Borno State, as his running mate in the 2023 general election. Shettima’s selection puts an end to speculation over Tinubu’s choice, which had earlier led to the party naming Ibrahim Masari as a placeholder nominee. Masari formally withdrew his nomination before Tinubu’s announcement on Sunday.

The ambitions of several serving governors to get selected had prolonged the process, which has concluded days before the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the replacement of candidates for the elections. Tinubu’s selection has also confirmed previously voiced concerns about a likely Muslim-Muslim ticket. The ticket also departs from convention where prominent parties have fielded ‘balanced’ tickets, with a Christian and Muslim on the ticket to reflect Nigeria’s religious ‘diversity’.

Other major candidates, such as the Peoples Democratic Party’s Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi and New Nigerian People’s Party Rabiu Kwankwaso named running mates practising religions other than theirs. Amidst these concerns, the Tinubu campaign organization issued a statement enjoining Nigerians to select competence over religious fears. Notably, the campaign invoked the 1993 Social Democratic Party ticket which is believed to have won the election.

That ticket included two Muslims—M.K.O. Abiola, from the south, and Babagana Kingibe, a northerner. It is expected that APC will devote more resources during the campaign to dispel fears about electing its candidates in the 2023 elections.

07 July 2022
What The Kuje Prison Jail Break May Mean For 2023

Yesterday, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility for the attack on the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre. According to prison officials, one security guard was killed and three others were injured. The Kuje prison is regarded as one of the most secure in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja. The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) reported that 879 inmates escaped the facility during the attack on Tuesday.

Out of this total, 443 are said to be on the run, with over 300 apprehended following a manhunt. The NCS state that the prison currently houses 551 inmates. President Muhammadu Buhari visited the prison before leaving the country on a state trip to Dakar, Senegal. His initial comment, included in a tweet that expressed shock about the development, was widely ridiculed, as was the subsequent justification of the presidency concerning his insistence to still depart the country following the attack.

The prison attacks are the latest in a series of security challenges that have plagued the capital in recent months, which include the Abuja-Kaduna train attack and the recent attack on the president’s convoy in Daura. During the 2015 elections, Buhari campaigned on a platform to address this citing his military background, but recent incidents highlight the growing insecurity that the country continues to deal with.

With the nationwide campaign for the 2023 election underway, political analysts believe presidential candidates will be heavily scrutinized by citizens, especially on their plans to end insecurity and curb terrorist attacks.

06 July 2022
Peter Obi Declines Rabiu Kwankwaso’s Running Mate Offer

Earlier today at 9 a.m. (WAT), the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, responded to comments made by Rabiu Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) about offering Obi a ‘golden opportunity’ to be his NNPP running mate.

This follows earlier rumours about a proposed merger between both candidates that would see them run on a joint ticket—a prospect that would provide a strong union of the most prominent third-party candidates. In his statement, Kwankwaso stated that Obi seeks to accept his offer, but ‘some people in the South-East’ will not allow such a concession to be made and that if they miss out on the opportunity he has provided, ‘it will be a disaster.’

Kwankwaso says the 2023 election provides an opportunity for the South-East to have better representation while emphasizing the major political parties in the country are lacking such representation. Obi responded in an interview with Arise TV that Kwankwaso’s comments are ‘the reason why we have all the problems that Nigeria is insecure’ and that they influence the ‘primitive consideration of ethnicity and religion,’ that hinders better governance.

Yesterday, after Kwankwaso’s comments drew widespread criticism, Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali, national chairman of the NNPP, claimed that Kwankwaso’s remarks had been taken out of context.

05 July 2022
Hadiza Balarabe Could Become the First Deputy Governor to Serve Under Two Different Governors

Yesterday, the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) Kaduna State’s governorship candidate, Uba Sani, named Hadiza Balarabe as his running mate in the forthcoming 2023 general election. Balarabe is the incumbent deputy governor in Kaduna State, having won the 2019 state elections with outgoing governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

While presidents and governors can only take their oath of office twice, the constitution does not place a limit on how many times their deputies can assume office. Should the APC win, Balarabe will only be serving a second term, having replaced the late Bala Bantex as governor ahead of the 2019 elections. She will also become the first deputy governor to serve under two separate governors. Balarabe’s nomination might also test the frail religious balance in Kaduna State.

Prior to being picked in 2019, Kaduna State’s governors and their deputies had balanced the state’s religious diversity with the election of a Christian and a Muslim ticket. El-Rufai jettisoned that arrangement in 2019 when the state elected its first Muslim-Muslim ticket and has been vocal about religion not playing a role in the choice of government officials in the country.

04 July 2022
Peter Obi Asks His Supporters To Be ‘Tolerant’

Yesterday, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, sent a tweet urging his supporters to be tolerant of opposing viewpoints. Obi made this appeal days after many of his supporters criticized the senior pastor of the Covenant Christian Centre, Poju Oyemade, over a tweet advising youths to avoid wasting their enthusiasm on a ‘poorly planned project’, according to TheCable.

Although Oyemade’s tweet did not explicitly name a candidate, many have interpreted it as directed towards the growing youth movement in support of Obi. Much has been made of the strong support that Obi has on social media—with groups either admiring or dismissing this followership.

Under the name, ‘OBI-dient’, many have mobilized volunteer groups external to his party’s campaign structure to rally more prospective voters to support his candidacy. However, there have also been controversial instances where Obi has had to come out to temper flames fanned by his supporters.

A notable example was the use of his image on a Muslim prayer mat which led to criticism about the over-exuberance of his supporters. In this case, he tweeted that ‘the inclusion of my picture on the praying mat by a support group was misguided, even with the best of intentions.’

30 June 2022
The Senate Confirms Newly Appointed Ministers

Yesterday, the Nigerian Senate screened and confirmed seven new ministers appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari last week. The new ministers will take over from former ministers such as Rotimi Amaechi, Godswill Akpabio, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, and Tayo Alasoadura, who resigned to run for various elected offices.

The confirmed nominees are Henry Ikechukwu of Abia State, Umana Umana of Akwa Ibom State, Ekumankama Nkama of Ebonyi State, Goodluck Opiah of Imo State, Umar El-Yakub of Kano State, Ademola Adegoroye of Ondo State, and Odum Udi of Rivers State. The screening process took about five hours.

After being sworn in, the cabinet will likely see the biggest mid-term reshuffle in the Buhari presidency, with changes expected in ministries such as transportation, science and technology, education and Niger Delta affairs.

29 June 2022
Peter Obi Earns Workers’ Support

Yesterday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) endorsed the Labour Party’s Peter Obi for president in the 2023 election. The presidents of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba, and TUC, Quadri Olaleye, stated that their unions would benefit from his leadership and his commitment to make their lives better and prioritize their concerns.

Historically, the NLC and TUC have endorsed candidates in the past, but their influence has largely been felt at the state level. Notably, former NLC president, Adams Oshiomhole, leveraged his role during the Obasanjo administration to gain national prominence before winning the Edo governorship election in 2008. The NLC and TUC previously endorsed President Buhari in 2015, ahead of his win in that year’s elections.

In other countries, parties backed by labour movements have been largely competitive due to the vast membership these groups have. The workers’ endorsement comes with the encouragement of its membership of over 12 million to support the Obi campaign and could play a part in improving the chances of the party at the election.

28 June 2022
INEC Announces Over 10 Million New Voters Registrations

On Monday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that participation in the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) ahead of the 2023 election has surpassed 10 million. According to the CVR weekly update released in Abuja, 8,631,696 prospective voters have completed their registrations.

The update also revealed that 3,250,449 prospective voters completed the process online, while 5,381,247 registered in person at various registration centres across the country. The CVR, which was supposed to end this week on June 30, has been extended until further notice, according to INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu.

27 June 2022
INEC Published Details of 2023 Presidential Candidates

Last Friday, 24 June, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published the details of candidates for the 2023 general elections. INEC’s publication follows criticism from many Nigerians about some presidential candidates’ academic credentials with several claims of discrepancies and age falsification.

One big topic and point of contention for many over the weekend was the ruling All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Tinubu’s place of birth (state of origin), age, and academic credentials. According to the now published information from INEC, Tinubu’s statutory age is 70, and he was born in Lagos, Nigeria. However, Tinubu did not provide any information on his primary and secondary education, but instead, as reported, presented an affidavit that his certificates were missing.

Among other presented credentials by Abubakar Atiku (75), the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, he did not provide information on his primary education. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (66) of the New Nigeria People’s Party and Peter Obi (61) of the Labour Party are reported to have provided full academic credentials.

23 June 2022
What Are Nigerians Using to Scrutinize Their Presidential Candidates?

2023 presidential candidates are facing public scrutiny over their history of corruption allegations and stance on marginalized communities. Yesterday, Bloomberg reported that both Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and Abubakar Atiku of the People Democratic Party are unlikely to make fighting corruption a priority campaign issue because both candidates have a history of graft allegations.

The Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has had to deal with his own fair share of scrutiny, largely over the data used in making comparisons of Nigeria’s unemployment rate and, more recently, has faced criticism for a particular flawed investment decision. Obi is also being asked about his stance on the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws. While this public scrutiny is taking place, particularly on social media, the presidential candidates have yet to respond as efforts to ramp up campaigning across the country are underway.

22 June 2022
APC Struggles to Stay United Ahead of 2023

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is dealing with a spate of defections in the National Legislature, ahead of the forthcoming 2023 elections. At the start of yesterday’s plenary session, Senators Francis Alimekhena (Edo North) and Babba Kaita (Katsina North) formally defected to the rival People’s Democratic Party (PDP), following a similar announcement by Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) and Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) last week. Likewise, Lawal Gummau (Bauchi South) moved from APC to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Defections ahead of elections are not surprising, as politicians seek the most viable platforms for their careers. But it is always a challenge when a ruling party, which often needs to consolidate its resources, faces defections ahead of elections. Learn more about the challenges ahead of APC’s quest to retain power here.

21 June 2022
President Buhari Appoints Seven New Ministers

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed seven new ministers following the resignation of ministers vying for elected offices as directed by the presidency and in accordance with Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act. Today, the president sent a letter to the Senate requesting confirmation of the nominated ministers. The new ministers are: Henry Ikechukwu, Umana Umana, Ekuma Joseph, Goodluck Obia, Umar Yakub, Ademola Adegorioye, and Odo Udi.

They are to replace some ministers who resigned, including Rotimi Amaechi, Godswill Akpabio, Ogbonnaya Onu, and Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, who ran in the APC presidential primary. Uche Ogar, who ran and won the fractional Abia State governorship primary, and Tayo Alasoadura, who ran but lost the APC senatorial primary.

20 June 2022
Ekiti State’s Off-Cycle Election

Biodun Oyebanji, the candidate of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC), has won the 2022 Ekiti gubernatorial election. The governor-elect polled 187,057 votes to defeat Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) who received 82,111 votes, and Bisi Kolawole of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted the first elections under the recently amended Electoral Act and rolled out the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter accreditation and the INEC Results Viewing Platform (IrEV) where results were uploaded online.

Despite reports of relatively peaceful elections, there were still reports of vote-buying and isolated incidents of violence. INEC will next organize the Osun State gubernatorial elections on 16 July, which will be the last polls conducted before the general elections in February and March of 2023.

16 June 2022
Okowa has emerged as Atiku’s running mate

Atiku Abubakar, the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, has chosen Ifeanyi Okowa, the Delta State governor, as his vice-presidential running mate. Okowa emerged from a shortlist rumoured to include Nyesom Wike, the Rivers State governor who finished as runner-up to Atiku at the PDP presidential nominating convention.

The process also included negotiations with a 17-member committee constituted by the party to advise on the vice-presidential candidate. Okowa was born in Ika, Delta State, in 1959. He is a medical doctor and politician whose career in politics began in 1999 when he became the commissioner for agriculture and natural resources of Delta State. Okowa served as a senator for Delta North Senatorial District in 2011.

He became the governor of Delta State in 2015 and was re-elected for a second term in 2019. As governor, Okowa has been praised for his works in infrastructural developments in Delta State. In 2021, the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers awarded Okowa as the Best Performing Governor in Infrastructure Development in Nigeria.

He has also been criticized for corruption. In a 2021 report by International Centres for Investigative Reporting, Okowa was accused of privatizing Delta Line, a state-owned transport company, and selling it to the owner of God is Good Transport Development Company Limited, Chidi Ajaere, because Ajaere had supported Okowa’s 2015 gubernatorial campaign.

15 June 2022
Vice President Loading…

Yesterday, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said that it will announce Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in 48 hours, following the stipulated deadline from INEC for all presidential candidates to pick their vice presidential candidates by 17 June. According to some party members, the vice-presidential ticket is torn between three governors—Akwa Ibom’s Udom Emmanuel, Delta’s Ifeanyi Okowa, and Rivers’s Nyesom Wike.

Also yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari also held a meeting with All Progressives Congress’ (APC) governors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja over a running mate for the presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Tinubu, a Muslim, has tried to address concerns that his selection would result in a ‘Muslim-Muslim’ ticket by stating that he intends to pick a northern Christian as his running mate.

Analysts and groups have advised candidates to choose candidates to balance religious and geographical considerations. In the same vein, the Labour Party has also disclosed that the running mate of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will be from the North.

14 June 2022
INEC Rejects Akpabio’s Senatorial Candidacy

The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the former minister of Niger Delta affairs, Godswill Akpabio, as the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom’s North West. Akpabio had contested in APC’s presidential primaries but stepped down for Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Akpabio thereafter contested and won the APC ticket for Akwa Ibom’s northwest senatorial district but INEC has said that its officials did not monitor the primary that day and as such cannot recognize Akpabio as the senatorial candidate.

INEC said instead that the primary election organized on 27 May where a former deputy inspector-general of the police, Udom Ekpoudom, won the ticket is the only primary it will recognize.

10 June 2022
Traders Prevented From Voting

There was pandemonium yesterday at Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos after traders who had closed in order to embark on a market-wide voter registration exercise were attacked. Alaba International Market is one of the largest electronics markets in West Africa. Officials of the international market had instructed that all shops be shut down to allow their members ample time to get their PVCs at the INEC office in the Igbede area of Ojo.

INEC Sets Deadline for Presidential Aspirants to Pick Running Mates

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has directed presidential and governorship candidates of the 18 registered political parties to select running mates by Friday, 17th June. Recall that party primaries across all political parties officially concluded on Thursday 8 June. This gives the parties a little over one week to nominate candidates for the offices of vice president and deputy governor.

09 June 2022
Primaries Final Day. Who Are the 2023 Presidential Candidates?

Today is the final deadline for all registered political parties to conduct, and resolve issues arising from, their presidential primaries. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had previously postponed the deadline following a request from several parties. Notable candidates, from parties occupying elected office or individuals widely followed on social media, include: Kola Abiola – People’s Redemption Party Atiku Abubakar – People’s Democratic Party Adewole Adebayo – Social Democratic Party Malik Ado-Ibrahim – Young Progressives Party Dumebi Kachikwu – African Democratic Congress Rabiu Kwankwaso – New Nigeria Peoples Party Peter Obi – Labour Party Omoyele Sowore – African Action Congress Bola Tinubu – All Progressives Congress Peter Umeadi – All Progressive Grand Alliance INEC only recognizes 18 political parties, following the deregistration of 74 in 2020, and will be expecting candidates from these parties ahead of the 2023 general elections.

08 June 2022
Tinubu Emerges APC’s Presidential Candidate

The All Progressives Congress’ (APC) national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has emerged the winner of the APC presidential primaries held today at Eagle Square, Abuja. Tinubu won with 1,271 votes, leading the former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi (316 votes) and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (235 votes).

Other members of the party who participated in the presidential primaries include: Senate President Ahmad Lawan (152 votes); Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello (47 votes); Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade (37 votes); Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi (38 votes); Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima (4 votes); former minister of state for education, Emeka Nwajiuba (1 vote); Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Citadel Global Community Church, former Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha, Tein Jack-Rich and Ike-Obasi Mokelu had no votes.

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Tinubu Becomes APC’s Frontrunner

The End of APC’s Presidential Primaries

In the early hours of today, Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress’ presidential primary delegate voting ended. The ‘special convention’ of the party lasted more than 24 hours and recorded the withdrawal of nine presidential aspirants, with a total of 2,260 delegate votes.

Before voting began, 14 candidates stated unequivocally that they would continue in the race for the party’s flag bearer in the 2023 election. Seven of the nine withdrawn aspirants, such as Kayode Fayemi, Godswill Akpabio, and Abubakar Badaru, stepped down and pledged their support for Bola Tinubu, the party’s national leader and former governor of Lagos State.

Only one candidate stepped down in favour and support of vice president Yemi Osinbajo. Former senate president Ken Nnamani withdrew before the convention, citing the party’s alleged lack of ‘sincerity on zoning arrangements and poor management of primary election activities’ as factors in his decision to withdraw from the race. According to many political observers and journalists, the primary election was poorly organized and kicked off late.

07 June 2022
Senior APC Members Recommend Five Aspirants

Yesterday, TheCable reported that Abdullahi Adamu, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, announced senate president Ahmed Lawan as a consensus candidate in the run-up to today’s presidential primary deadline. However, this was opposed by some party members.

As of today, senior APC members have recommended five aspirants for its delegates’ vote, while advising previously shortlisted candidates such as Ahmed Lawan, Yahaya Bello and Ibikunle Amosun to step down. According to Premium Times, senior APC members have recommended the following candidates for the APC presidential primary: Bola Tinubu, Yemi Osinbajo, Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, and David Umahi.

06 June 2022
APC Begins Presidential Primaries

Today, Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, will hold presidential primaries to elect the party’s candidate for the 2023 election. A presidential screening committee selected 13 aspirants from a pool of 23 to contest in the primaries. Here are those contesting: Bola Tinubu, Yemi Osinbajo, Rotimi Amaechi, Ahmed Lawan, Yahaya Bello, Kayode Fayemi, Emeka Nwajiuba, Ogbonnaya Onu, Ibikunke Amosun, David Umahi, Abubakar Badaru, Godwill Akpabio, and Tein Jack-Rich.

02 June 2022
Buhari Wants to Select His Successor

Yesterday, in an open letter, the National vice chairman (North West) of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Salihu Lukman, cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari against selecting APC’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election.

On Tuesday, President Buhari expressed his desire to select his successor and asked the party’s state governors to support his forthcoming choice during a meeting in Abuja. Political observers and some APC politicians have also expressed concern at the idea of reaching a consensus within the party instead of allowing the delegates attending the party’s national convention to elect its presidential nominee.

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The Dilemma of a Ruling Party

28 May 2022
Atiku Abubakar Wins PDP’s Presidential Primaries

Today, former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, was announced the winner of the PDP presidential primary election. Atiku won 371 PDP delegate votes, ahead of governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who had 237 and former senate president, Bukola Saraki, with 70 votes. In his 2023 presidential manifesto, ‘My Covenant with Nigerians’ which he published on 25 May, Abubakar criticized the incumbent All Progressives Congress.

‘It has become fashionable for the APC-led government to blame the opposition and external factors for Nigeria’s economic woes. The evidence, however, is overwhelming that the country’s under-performance is largely attributable to leadership failures in the management of the state.’

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Atiku’s Early Victory

26 May 2022
Peter Obi Resigns from PDP

Yesterday, Peter Obi, one of the top contenders for the PDP presidential ticket, resigned his membership and withdrew from PDP’s presidential primaries. In a signed letter he posted on social media, Obi, a former Anambra State governor and the party’s 2019 vice-presidential nominee, cited ‘recent developments’ within the party’s structure that made his ‘constructive contributions’ difficult.

While Obi has withdrawn from this weekend’s PDP primaries, his inclusion of the phrase ‘My commitment to rescuing Nigeria remains firm, even if the route differs’ in his statement has led analysts to believe he will find another platform to pursue his presidential ambition.

25 May 2022
Rochas Okorocha Has Been Arrested

Yesterday in Abuja, APC presidential aspirant Rochas Okorocha was arrested at his home by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for breaching administrative bail and evading his corruption trial. Okorocha, who is a sitting senator and former governor of Imo State, claims that the arrest was intended to prevent him from participating in the APC’s presidential screening process. Analysts are divided on if the activity of the commission was heavy-handed and has legal backing.

24 May 2022
Banky W’s Road to the Senate

Yesterday, Nigerian actor, artist, and politician, Bankole Wellington, popularly called ‘Banky W’, was reported to have won the PDP ticket to represent the party as its House of Representatives candidate in the upcoming 2023 elections. Banky W is contesting for the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat and is said to have won by 28 votes to beat his closest opponent who scored three votes.

23 May 2022
APC Has Postponed Its Presidential Screening

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed the screening of its 2023 presidential aspirants earlier scheduled for Monday, May 23. The party’s national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, announced that a new date will be communicated soon.

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APC Will Charge Presidential Candidates 100 Million To Run for Office

19 May 2022
A New Political Force?

Yesterday, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress, left the party to join forces with the New Nigeria People Party, led by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the party’s presidential aspirant. They’ve both served as governors, senators, and ministers from Kano State. Shekarau and Kwankwaso are state political giants who were once adversaries.

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Who’s Running for Nigeria’s Presidency in 2023?

18 May 2022
INEC Rejects the Extension of the Primaries

On May 10, the Inter-Party Advisory Council requested an extension of the deadline for primary elections by 37 days. On May 16, The Cable reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission has rejected the request.

06 May 2022
CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Joins the Presidential Race

Today, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria announced his intention to contest in the upcoming 2023 presidential election under the APC party. Emefiele had filed a lawsuit on 05 May, to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the attorney general of Nigeria, Abubakar Malami, from pressuring him to resign from his position in order to pursue his presidential ambitions⎈

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Emefiele the Politician?

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