Head, INEC Voter Education and Publicity in the state, Mr Timidi Wariowei, told newsmen in Benin that the PVCs arrived at the commission’s office on Nov. 30.

Wariowei said that counting and sorting of the PVCs were currently ongoing to ascertain their actual number.

“We have just received the last tranche of PVCs for Edo. The commission had earlier promised Nigerians and in particular, Edo people, that the last batch of PVCs would be ready by November end.

“And on Nov. 30, the PVCs arrived at the Edo office of the commission.

“As you can see, the electoral officers from various local governments are counting and sorting the PVCs to get the actual number received.

“After the exercise, the cards will be taken to the local government areas for collection,” he said.

Wariowei disclosed that as at Nov. 20, the number of uncollected old PVCs stood at 483,796, out of which 12,351 had been collected, leaving a balance of 471,445 in the office.

He stated that the number of the new PVCs received as at Nov. 20 was 44,036, out of which 21,638 had been collected, leaving a balance of 22,398 in the office.

The INEC official also said that Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would arrive at the state any moment from now.

“As we speak, our officials are at Benin airport, waiting to receive the BVAS which we are going to use for accreditation on the day of election.

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The CUPP in a statement issued by its Spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere, on Tuesday in Abuja, described Yakubu’s reappointment as the only chance for him to set Nigeria electoral processes on the right path.

They also urged him to use this second term appointment, which is novel in the political history of Nigeria, to cleanse our electoral process and consolidate on the gains of Edo and Ondo elections.

“The shifted elections earlier scheduled for Oct. 31, would be the first test of what this second term would be for.

“Nigerians will expect nothing less than a very credible, free and fair 2023 general election from him,” the statement said.

It also called on the Nigerian Senate and opposition lawmakers to confirm the re-appointment of Yakubu.

According to the statement, Yakubu’s confirmation will allow him the needed neutrality to oversee the upcoming by-elections and adequate time to start the cleansing process for Nigeria’s electoral process.

It, however, said that the CUPP would be watching the INEC Chairman closely as he led the Commission into reforming Nigeria’s electoral process.

“We will watch him as he carries through the introduction of electronic voting which the Commission has been test running over the years.

“As the longest serving Chairman of INEC, we call on Prof. Yakubu to deploy all his now garnered experience in the last five years to hit the ground running knowing that there will be no third chance.”

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The commission made the disclosure in a statement issued by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, in Abuja after INEC’s meeting held on Thursday.

He cited the security situation in the country, following the EndSARS protests going on in some parts of the country, adding that the commission would meet in the next two weeks to review the situation for a possible date for the bye-elections.

Okoye said that INEC met with the 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to review preparations for the 15 bye-elections in 11 states of the federation.

Okoye said that accordingly, the commission had decided to postpone the bye-elections in the six Senatorial Districts and nine State constituencies.

“This decision is in compliance with Section 26 (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

“The section gives the Commission the power to postpone an election if there is reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date, or that it is impossible to conduct the elections as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies.

“The commission will continue to monitor the situation in all the States and constituencies, consult with relevant stakeholders and meet again in two weeks to review the situation and decide on a feasible date for the elections,” he said.

Okoye appealed for calm and understanding of the stakeholders and voters in the States where elections were scheduled.

He said that the safety of the voters, election officials and other stakeholders was paramount to the Commission in conducting elections.

“We are convinced that the country will emerge from the current challenges stronger while our electoral process will continue to improve,” he said.

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Mr Clement Nwankwo, Convener of the coalition of civil society organisations, said this at the group’s review of the Ondo and Edo governorship elections in Abuja.

Nwankwo said that INEC had taken some lessons to improve the electoral process adding that situation room was really quite pleased with the elections conducted in Edo and Ondo recently.

”It was good to see results being uploaded in no time in the result viewing portal.

“I think when you do have that it increases transparency; so, we will urge INEC to continue to move in that direction.

“There are conversations on increased use of electronic system in elections for voting and so on; this is helpful and I think we need to improve on it.”

Nwankwo said that the police force was very impressive in the way its men conducted themselves during the elections and expresses hope that they continue to improve on their performance during elections.

Situation room commended INEC on the peaceful conduct of Edo and Ondo States governorship elections as there were high level of improvement in logistics, staff deployment, security conduct and use of smart card readers.

Prof. Mohammed Kuna, special Assistance to the INEC Chairman, said that what was slightly different in the Edo and Ondo elections was that the commission did an election project plan.

According to Kuna, usually the election project plan is done only during general elections and not for off-circle elections.

He said that what that meant was that the entire project the commission wanted to implement during the Edo and Ondo elections were mapped out and responsibilities were shared.

He said that logistics arrangement for the elections in terms of recruitment, training and deployment was done meticulously adding that there was no case of people declining to work at the dying minute.

Dr Rufus Akeju, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo, said that the election was a success, even though 5,000 smart card readers were burnt.

Dr Johnson Alalibo, the Edo Resident Electoral Commissioner, said the election in the state was an improvement on previous ones.

Alalibo said that there was need for INEC to deepen its use of electronic in elections to give the electoral process more credibility.

Prof. Anthonia Simbine, National Commissioner INEC, commended civil society organisations for the role they played in Edo and Ondo elections.

Simbine said that a part of the commission’s success was due to the pressure CSOs put on INEC to do better.

She said that security agents were very supportive in the process as they showed professionalism.

She reiterated the commission’s commitment toward working to introduce reforms that would address all bottlenecks to the smooth conduct of elections in the country.

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INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, said the meeting was in view of the current situation in the country.

According to him, INEC has scheduled the conduct of bye-elections in 15 constituencies in 11 states on Oct. 31.

“These consist of six Senatorial and nine State House of Assembly seats.

“The vacancies were as a result of death and resignation of previous members,’’ he said.

Okoye said that the commission has been engaged in meticulous preparations for the bye-elections for several weeks in its determination to deliver free, fair, credible and safe elections for Nigerians.

“However, the commission is not oblivious of the current mood of the nation, the security situation, natural disasters and other emergencies reported in parts of the country.

“Indeed, the commission has been monitoring these situations regarding their possible impact on the smooth conduct of the bye-elections.

“Consequently, the Commission will on Thursday hold a meeting with the 37 RECs to evaluate the situation in the states and constituencies where bye-elections have been scheduled.

“The outcome will be communicated to the public immediately after the meeting,’’ he said.

Okoye assured Nigerians of INEC’s diligent preparations for the elections while appreciating all stakeholders for their understanding and support.

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He said this in Monday in Calabar at a meeting with the media and the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee for Election Security (ICCES) as part of readiness for the forthcoming elections.

The by-elections are in Cross River North Senatorial district to replace the late Sen. Rose Oko and in Obudu state constituency which had the late Assemblyman Godwin Akwaji as its legislator.

“We have 459,487 registered voters; 51 registeration areas; and 565 polling units,” Hart said.

According to him, the commission has taken delivery of non-sensitive materials and distributed them to the local government areas.

“We are waiting for the sensitive materials which are expected in the week of the election,” he said.

He also said that 15 political parties would participate in the elections: nine for the senatorial election and six for the house of assembly election.

The commissioner said that accreditation and voting would be done simultanuously during the elections, adding that results would be transmitted electronically at ward levels.

He said that the commission had embarked on awareness and sensitisation of the electorate in the zone to come out en masse to vote candidates of their choice.

He advised the voters to conduct themselves peacefully during the elections, saying that the commission would not condone any violent act or actions that could breach the orderly and smooth conduct of the elections.

On his part, the Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Mr Abdulkadir Jimoh, said his command was ready to ensure peace and security before, during and after the elections.

Major political parties taking part in the elections include the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC).

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Members of the APCAAG made the call while briefing newsmen on Friday in Abuja, saying that those against Onochie’s appointment were people who undermined democratic process and the rule of law.

Mr Great Jonathan, the Convener of the group said that the appointment of Onochie could be disputed or seen as partisan as “she is not a card carrying member of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).’’

Jonathan said that Onochie was only serving as a Technical/Media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari and “he has the power to appoint qualified people into his cabinet.’’

“Some elements, who are afraid of their shadows and dangerous past are up in arms against the well-deserved appointment of Lauretta Onocihie by President Buhari, because of what she represents.

“Those who are afraid of being confronted in their notorious schemes of election rigging by the bold and courageous disposition of Onochie have resulted to a cacophony of noises in order to confuse the nation.

“Through their propaganda machines, they have launched an attack against her appointment but the reality is that they are afraid because she has always stood for free and fair election and that is not in their dictionary.

“They know that her appointment into INEC is a further measure by Mr President to strengthen the institution to ensure freer and more credible elections in the future and they don’t like that,” Jonathan said.

Jonathan said none of those opposing her nomination had brought anything tangible against her except that she worked for the government.

“But the question to ask is this- Is the government in which she serves not the government of Nigeria? Does she possess the intellectual capacity to do the job?

“What denies her the right like every other Nigerian from handling responsibilities in any capacity?

“Are those who have been appointed in the past and those currently serving, more Nigerian than she is?

“Has she committed any offence upon which the constitution should frown at her appointment?” the group asked.

Jonathan further cited examples of previous INEC chairmen who were card carrying members of previous administrations.

Also speaking, Dr Tom Ohikere, a member of the group said that Nigerians should be happy over the nomination of Onochie as “she is a professional, upright and with good standing’’.

Ohikere described her appointment as “well-deserved’’ as she possesses the qualifications to drive Nigeria through a free and fair electioneering process.

Mrs Sally Chinedu, former South East Zonal Leader of the APC also lauded the nomination of Onochie, saying “ it is part of the president’s agenda of women inclusion in governance’’.

She described Onochie as a God fearing woman whose character in previous positions, professionalism and moral standards qualified her for the position.

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The event, which was an expanded stakeholders’ meeting for both election, witnessed the signing of peace accord by candidates.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Sam Olumekun, said that the commission was ready to conduct free, fair and credible elections without compromising standards.

Olumekun commended stakeholders and media’s contributions to the success of the 2019 General Elections, saying without their support the success of the elections would not have been possible.

He said that the by-election became necessary as a result of the demise of the Senator representing Lagos East District and the member representing Kosofe State Constituency II, Lagos State House of Assembly.

Olumekun said that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended) and the Electoral Act provided the process of election for the circumstance of a general election and when vacancies occur into elective positions.

“The Commission is committed to conduct a free and fair election in accordance with our vision and mission.

“Hence we plead for your total support to fight such malpractice as violence, vote buying, ballot snatching and the likes in the forthcoming by-elections.

“You will have observed that our performance has progressively been on the upswing and we cannot afford to drop the ball.

“We are open to other ideas that will assist in conducting elections in which votes count.

“Finally, let me assure you that we will resist any form of temptation and our actions will be guided by extant laws and good conscience.”

According to him, since his assumption of office in August 2017, stakeholders have done marvelously well in the area of sensitisation and mobilisation of the citizens for all INEC activities, and more should be done for the forthcoming polls.

He said that the meeting had become necessary to review preparations for the forthcoming by-elections fixed for Oct. 31.

“You will observe that the off season elections conducted after the 2019 general elections have enabled us to fine-tune many of our activities.

“The Commission has improved on the development of personnel for elections.

“It has also addressed some of the intractable challenges to the functionality of new technological innovations for elections and is able to collate, transmit and declare results of elections more accurately and speedily, resulting in better outcome.

“The latest technology, Z-pad, introduced and used in recent elections, which is designed to transfer results directly from the polling units is another good innovation.

“The picture of the result would be taken by the Presiding Officers with the Z-pad from all units, and later transfered to the portal designed for monitoring of the results,” Olumekun said.

According to him, the technology has worked perfectly well in Edo and Ondo governorship elections and it has further enhanced the integrity of the Commission.

The INEC boss said that the commission had issued regulations and guidelines for the conduct of elections under the COVID-19 pandemic period which should be strictly observed by all.

“The by-election will be conducted in strict compliance with COVlD-19 protocols. We will be professional in the conduct of this by-election.

“It should also be understood that elections must not be an avenue to spread Coronavirus in the State. Please inform other stakeholders that ‘No face mask, No voting’,” he said.

Speaking, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, who described peace as golden, urged political parties and their supporters to steer clear of violence during the polls.

Odumosu, who was represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Mohammed Ali, said: “Anything short of peaceful atmosphere is not going to be tolerated in this election.

“We will do our best to ensure that voters cast their votes peacefully.

“We don’t belong to any political party. We, on our own part, are ever ready to give you all the needed security support.

“We must cherish peace, appreciate peace and let peace reign.

“We will provide security for both electoral materials and staff.

“We will ensure seamless process devoid of any rancor.

“Police cannot let you down. This election must be peaceful and credible.”

According to him, there will be restriction of movement in the affected local government areas that make up the Lagos East Senatorial District which are, Somolu, Kosofe, Ikorodu, Epe and Ibeju-Lekki.

Also speaking, Mr Waheed Ishola, the Lagos State Coordinator, National Orientation Agency (NOA), who advised political parties to mobilise voters massively for the election, decried low voter turnout during elections.

Ishola, who noted that NOA would do its part in voters’ mobilisation, urged political parties to ensure issue-based campaigns and avoid vote buying .

Our correspondent reports that the event had in attendance various leaders of political parties and candidates, civil society organisations, traditional rulers and members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

Candidates of political parties for both Lagos East Senatorial and Kosofe Constituency II, House of Assembly by-elections took turns to sign the peace accord administered by INEC.

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Yakubu said this at the inauguration of the House of Representatives Special Committee on the Review of 1999 Constitution (As Amended) on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that Nigeria’s electoral process was too manual and very archaic, adding that there must be an amendment to accommodate electronic voting in the country’s electoral process.

“You have seen what we achieved in Edo where we were able to upload results electronically; so the impediment must be removed,” he said

He also called for the establishment of electoral offences commission to punish offenders adding that the review of the constitutional must provide punitive measure for electoral offenders in the country.

He said that many panels had in the past wanted to establish electoral offences commission to punish electoral offenders but that could not materialise.

Yakubu said that before 2015 general elections, INEC came out with general principle that election would be held on the second Saturday in February.

According to him such is the practice in the U.S. and Ghana where they have a fixed day for their elections.

“Going by this decision, from today we will have 855 days to the general election; so we have very limited time for the constitutional review,” he stated.

Prof. Dakas Dakas, the Guest Speaker at the inauguration called on the committee to address the issues of referendum, restructuring and devolution of powers among others.

He urged the committee to make the review a truly Nigeria constitution, saying the imperative of the peoples constitution is germane to the survival of Nigeria.

The professor of law called on the lawmakers to avoid pitfalls in their quest to review the 1999 constitution, stressing that their priorities should be that the peoples’ expectations were met.

He stressed the need to engage the citizenry and inspire confidence that the exercise would be credible, adding that the mistakes of the past should be avoided.

“Because we have had in the past, during constitution amendment, the third term agenda which invariably scuttled the exercise, a number of Nigerians have asked whether this exercise is needed.

“So there is a need to inspire confidence in Nigerians and let them know that it will be credible and also reflect their wishes,” he said.

He said there was need to enlist the support of the media, both mainstream and social media, adding that the committee must reach out to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Civil Society Organisations (CSO).

He also said it should meet Faith Based Organisations, State Houses of Assembly and other critical stakeholders to harvest their views on the review.

He said that parochial and self interest must be jettisoned adding that religion and ethnicity must not be allowed in the course of the assignment.

According to him, do not allow constitutional overreach and avoid the arrogance of power by leading by the power of your example and not by example of your power.

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The request which was contained in a letter dated Oct. 12, was read at plenary by President of Senate, Ahmad Lawan.

The letter reads: “Pursuant to Paragraph 14 of Part I(F) of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, I hereby forward for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of the following four (4) Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The nominees listed by the President are: Prof Muhammad Sani Kallah (National Electoral Commissioner), Katsina; Lauretta Onochie (National Electoral Commissioner), Delta; Prof Kunle Cornelius Ajayi (National Electoral Commissioner), Ekiti; and Saidu Babura Ahmad (Resident Electoral Commissioner), Jigawa.

In a related development, President Buhari in a separate letter to the Upper Chamber, requested the confirmation of appointment of three (3) Executive Directors of the Board of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

According to the President, the request for confirmation was in accordance with the provision of Section 2(3) of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (Amendment) Act 2007.

The nominees for confirmation are:. Ifeanyi Christian Kammelu (Executive Director – South East); Muhammad Gambo Bizi (Executive Director – North East); and Prof. Abubakar Ismail (Executive Director – North West).

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