Category: Politics and Governance

The commission stated this in letter dated Aug. 15 to the Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ), which alleged to have found some discrepancies between the election results announced by INEC and the uploaded results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV).

INEC in the letter signed by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, said that there was are no “differences” in the number of polling units and registered voters in the listed States.

INEC also maintained that the total number of polling units and registered voters remained as announced by the commission.

The commission said that it “does not announce election results on YouTube” adding that  the 2023 presidential election results were announced at the National Collation Centre, Abuja, in the presence of stakeholders, including the media.

“You listed three YouTube video links from Channels Television, showing the interactions between the State Returning Officers of Imo, Abia, and Zamfara States and the INEC Chairman at the National Collation Centre, Abuja.

“It is important to note that the Returning Officers of the 36 States of the FCT are required to present their presidential election result individually to the Chief Returning Officer of the Federation for the Presidential election, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who is also the INEC Chairman.

“But contrary to your observations, there were no contradictions in the video clips.

“In conformity with the established procedure, the Returning Officer, in each clip, announced in descending order, the total valid votes, rejected votes, total votes cast, cancelled votes (if any), the specific areas where such votes were cancelled, and where the election did not hold with reasons.

“Party agents were subsequently allowed to make observations or raise objections after each announcement, but there was none in all the video clips,” INEC said.

The commission also stated that the centre did not disaggregate and articulate its data in the other listed examples-Imo, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Cross River, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Abia and Zamfara States.

“For instance, in Edo, you gave the following account: 185 Pus, 111,683 Registered Voters (Election Papers), PUs (YouTube) 54, Registered Voters (YouTube) 36,264; Difference: 131 Pus/75,419 Registered Voters.

“However, the Presidential election was conducted in 176,606 PUs, spread across 8,809 Wards in 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Supplementary elections were also held in 23 States on April 5, 2023 for various reasons captured under chapter 11 of the Report of the 2023 General Election.

“To that extent, we need to know the State, Local Government Area (LGA), Ward and specific polling unit being referred to for proper evaluation of your enquiries and to enable us to provide the required information.

“Unfortunately, the precise information necessary to address your enquiries was missing.

INEC, however, insisted that there no differences in the number of polling units and registered voters in the listed states.

It said that the total number of polling units and registered voters remains as announced by the commission.

It stated that the result of an election may be cancelled for specific reasons, including violence, over-voting and refusal to use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), as stipulated in the extant laws.

“At the same time, the conditions for making a return when the result of an election is cancelled or declared null and void in specific polling units have also been explained in the Electoral Act 2023 and the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections (2022).

INEC added that its comprehensive 468-page Report of the 2023 General Election officially released in March 2024 and immediately uploaded to its website www.inecnigeria.org, already provided answers to the raised questions by the centre.

It advised the centre to read the full details on its website www.inecnigeria.org.

“The results of the 2023 Presidential election presented by our 36 State Returning Officers and the Returning Officer for the FCT at the National Collation Centre, Abuja are official and authentic.

“The figures quoted in your letter purportedly from some local government areas in Imo State are inconsistent with the details/results presented publicly by the Imo State Returning Officer at the National Collation Centre, Abuja.

The commission pledged to continue to improve its processes and procedures after every election.

NAN reports that the centre relying on Freedom of Information Act in its letter dated Aug. 7 sought INEC clarification on “discrepancies between the election results announced on YouTube by INEC compared with the results from the election papers uploaded into IREV.”

The centre alleged that “overall, in the broadcasted announcements, INEC reported 1,578 polling units (PUs) where voting was canceled because of irregularities.

“No figures were given for the reason, though officials cited overvoting, violence and other irregularities. The total registered voters was about 1,205,000 voters.

It alleged that in the documents filed in IREV, INEC polling workers reported 2,203 polling units (Pus) where voting was canceled because of irregularities.

“Violence was the leading reason, covering about half of the polling stations affected. The total registered voters was about 1,221,000 voters,” the centre  alleged among others.

NAN

Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman of the  Senate Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the alleged economic sabotage in Nigerian petroleum industry, stated this while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

Bamidale said the committee would carry out the investigation in the overall interest of Nigerians.

“We are taking this task seriously with a view to addressing fundamental issues that pose grave threats to our economic prosperity, fiscal stability and public health as a federation.

“In line with our mandate, we will definitely unravel the roots of economic sabotage in Nigeria’s petroleum industry and make necessary recommendations that will entrench global best practices in the industry and open it up for more investments, especially in midstream and downstream sectors.

“We are utterly committed to this mandate, we shall carry out this national assignment without fear or favour.

“We shall be fair and just to all parties with a view to promoting and protecting the strategic national interests of our fatherland.”

According to him, the committee will examine the pre-shipment and pre-discharge test parameters adopted by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority.

This, he said was to uncover loopholes, if any, being exploited to get toxic petroleum cargos into the country.

He said the committee would determine the level of compliance of NNPCL’s direct sale and direct purchased arrangements in line with provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

According to him, it will beam legislative searchlight on the activities of the
Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), including payments made to transporters in the last 10 years.

“We will enquire from the NNPCL the status of the 22 depots built by the defunct NNPC to eliminate road distribution of petroleum products.

“We will also meet with stakeholders in  the oil and gas industry, with a view to identifying possible gaps in regulating and strengthening the surveillance and monitoring structures in place to enable Nigeria detect violations of best practice standards in the importation of products.”

Bamidele also said that the committee would engage with NNPCL with a view to understanding the extent of its determination and timelines for the start-up of government-funded oil refineries.

He said the committee would also investigate how institutions across the importation and distribution chain failed to conduct quality sampling, shipped in products without auditing among other terms of reference.

According to him, Senate did not constitute the committee to intimidate and witch-hunt any party.

He, however, said that the committee was constituted for the purpose of ensuring social and economic justice in the light of grim realities facing Nigeria.

He assured the public that the committee would pursue the investigation with utmost diligence and integrity.

“We are dedicated to safeguarding the interests of all Nigerians and restoring confidence in our energy sector.”

He called on all relevant stakeholders to cooperate fully with the investigation, adding that the committee was dedicated to safeguarding interests of all Nigerians and restoring confidence in our energy sector.

“Together, we can ensure that such an incident does not re-occur and that the integrity of our fuel supply chain is maintained and the timelines for the start-up of funded oil refineries, are determined.”

He said a public hearing with concerned stakeholders to unravel those behind illicit importation of hazardous, substandard petroleum products into Nigeria would held from Sept 10 to Sept 12.

NAN

This, followed presentation and adoption of report of Committee on Appropriations on the bill by its Chairman Sen.Solomon Olamilekan (APC-Ogun).

Olamilekan in his presentation said out of the N6.2 trillion,N3.2 trillion was for capital expenditure, while N3 trillion was for recurrent expenditure.

He said the 2024 appropriation act amendment bill sought to make available, additional funds for the renewed hope Infrastructure development projects, to be undertaken across the country.

He said the bill was also designed to meet other recurrent expenditure requirements, such as the minimum wage increase necessary for effective governance of the federation.

He said the committee in the course of processing the bill consulted widely with other critical stakeholders and significantly deliberated with Minister of Budget and Economic Planning on sources of funding the projects.

He said the additional expenditure contained in the amendment bill would be financed by the one-time windfall tax on banks’ foreign exchange profits for year 2023 as approved by the National Assembly.

President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio commended the Chairman of the committee on appropriations and members for their expeditiously input on the bill.

He prayed that the amendment would enable Nigeria to reach its eldorado and bring about the renewed hope and stem the tide of protest by the labour union.

Akpabio commended President Bola Tinubu for the agreement reached in the minimum wage saga, while praying that Nigeria would be better with the amendment on the budget.

He congratulated the lawmakers for their contributions, cooperation, saying that it was sacrificial to the development of the nation.

NAN

The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka(APC-Ogun) during plenary in Abuja on Thursday.

In an amendment to the motion, the
Deputy Speaker of the House Rep, Benjamin Kalu pleaded with the lawmakers to cut their salaries by 50% for six months.

This he said was to support the government in providing succour to the citizenry over the hardship, and sequel to the August nationwide planned protest

Presenting his motion, Isiaka said that the citizens of Nigeria had the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and protest to address their grievances.

He said, “the house presents with a humble plea, a plea for reason, understanding, and unity in the face of adversity.

He said that maintaining peace and engaging in constructive dialogue with the government was crucial for the resolution of issues facing the nation.

He appealed to the proponents of the proposed nationwide protest in Nigeria to consider a different path, a path of patience, dialogue, and collaboration.

He urged them to prioritize peace and open channels for meaningful engagements with the government at all levels.

He further said that all stakeholders should uphold the principles of democracy. respect human rights, and uphold the rule of law in their actions and engagements.

“We trust that through peaceful engagement and dialogue, we can collectively work towards building a better and brighter future for Nigeria.”

According to him, it is undeniable that Nigeria is facing significant challenges, challenges that have plagued our nation for far too long.

“The issues of insecurity, unemployment, and poverty weigh heavily on the hearts of every Nigerian. The desire for change, for progress, for a better tomorrow is a sentiment that unites us all.”

He said that the current challenges were not unique to Nigeria alone, adding that they were issues that countries across the globe grapple with on a daily basis.

” In a world that is constantly changing and evolving, no nation is immune to the complexities of governance and development.”

He said, ” the road to change is not easy, and the journey towards a brighter future is often fraught with obstacles.

“But we must not lose sight of the incremental steps that have been taken, the reforms that have been implemented, and the strides that have been made towards a more prosperous Nigeria.”

He added that change would not happen overnight, adding that it required patience, perseverance, and a commitment to working together towards a common goal.

He said, “while peaceful protest is a fundamental right in a democratic society, it is also important to allow the government the space and opportunity to consolidate the progress that has already been achieved.

He urged the proponent of the planned protest to engage in constructive dialogue, and seek solutions through peaceful means.

“Let us stand united as one nation, one people, with a shared vision for a better Nigeria. Together, we can overcome the challenges that lie before us.

” Together, we can build a future that we can all be proud of.

“The House urge you, our fellow Nigerians, to consider the broader perspective, to act with wisdom and foresight, and to support efforts towards a more stable, secure, and prosperous Nigeria.

“Let us reason together. let us listen to one another, and let us work hand in hand towards a brighter tomorrow.

The House said that the motion would be communicated to all relevant stakeholders and the general public to promote a peaceful and constructive approach to addressing our national issues.