News

2023: Insecurity Heightens INEC’s Fears …As 95m Voters DetermineWho Wins Presidency

Published

2 years ago

October 14, 2022

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has again expressed concern over the insecurity in the country ahead of the 2023 general election.
Yakubu, who described the 2023 general election as significant to Nigeria, said the first concern of INEC was the insecurity in different parts of the country, compounded by thuggery during elections organised by some of the political actors.
According to a statement issued, yesterday, the INEC boss said this at an event organised by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) in Washington DC, United States.
“Elections are conducted by human beings. We worry about the security of our officials, voters and the materials to be deployed.
“Without them, we cannot conduct elections. We have spoken to the security agencies; they have assured us that the situation will improve before the elections. So, fingers crossed.
“Those who are supposed to secure the environment have assured us that they will secure the environment for us to conduct elections. Our responsibility is to conduct election,” the INEC chairman.
He further expressed concern over fake news, saying the commission was harmonising available opportunities to address fake news which he said has impact on elections.
Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said 95million voters would determine President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor in the 2023 presidential election.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this at an event organised by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) in Washington DC, United States.
Yakubu, in a statement made available to newsmen, yesterday, described the 2023 general election as significant to Nigeria, adding that 95million Nigerians were expected to vote in 176, 846 polling units across the country.
“The election is significant because the incumbent President is not eligible to run, this being his second and final term.
“There are 18 political parties in the race to produce the next President to be elected by 95 million voters. We had over 84million registered voters in 2019.
“But with last Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), we are going to add at least 10million Nigerians and that will take the Register of Voters to 95million.
“Each time Nigeria goes to the poll, it is like the whole of West Africa voting.
“In West Africa, there are 15 countries including Nigeria. But the total number of registered voters in the 14 countries combined is 73million.
“In Nigeria, it’s going to be 95million. So, there will be 22million more voters in Nigeria than the whole of West Africa put together,” the INEC chairman said.
Yakubu stated that INEC has learned a lot of lessons from the 2015 and 2019 general election as well as 103 off-cycle elections and bye-elections conducted after the 2019 general election.
The INEC chairman added that a lot of innovations have been introduced to increase transparency and ensure the credibility of the country’s electoral process.
“The new Electoral Act with its many progressive provisions has provided legal backing to the innovations.
“These innovations are now provided for and protected by law, especially those leveraging on technology to improve voter registration, voter accreditation, result management, and the promotion of inclusivity for marginalised persons such as women, youths, and persons with disability,” he said.
Yakubu said the introduction of online voter registration was part of the innovations, saying it was very helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted that the online registration was done alongside physical registration from June 2021 to June 2022 when it lasted, saying 12,298,944 voters completed their registration.
He said the figure was more than the voter population in the Republic of Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Cape Verde.
Yakubu stated that NEC has completed the cleaning up of the data of newly registered voters using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) that combine the fingerprint and facial authentication of registered voters.
The INEC chairman said those who registered twice and those who were underage or have no reason to register as provided by law have been weeded out.
“The exercise was completed a few days ago. We have not even shared the information with Nigerians, but we have 2.7million invalid registrants and they have been weeded out.
“We will continue to take steps necessary to protect the integrity of the Register of Voters because it is fundamental to the conduct of elections. There can’t be credible elections without a credible register of voters,” he said.
Yakubu said Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) would be available for new registrants by November, adding: “We are looking at early to the middle of the month to make the cards available.
“We have already printed over 50percent of the cards but we haven’t delivered them to the states yet.
“As we clean the data, we also print the cards. Nigerians who have registered should be rest assured that they will have their cards ahead of the general election.
“We also need to do so in good time because the law now requires us to publish the number of cards collected per polling unit.”
Yakubu added that INEC also introduced other portals for accreditation of observers, media organisations, nomination of candidates by political parties, and nomination of polling agents by parties.
He said the innovations have also been helpful in reducing the level of litigation arising from the conduct of political parties.
On BVAS innovation, Yakubu said the use of the technology in Nigeria’s electoral system has come to stay, noting that there was no going back.
The INEC boss stated that the technology has helped to eliminate multiple accreditations that were observed in previous elections, increased public confidence in the outcome of elections, and eliminated the use of the Incident Form.
“Another innovation that we introduced is the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. We are perhaps one of the few countries in the world that transmits polling unit-level results in real time on Election Day.
“Proudly, I can say we are the first to introduce it in Africa,” he said.
Yakubu said IReV has increased transparency in result management and helped to eliminate the falsification of results from polling unit level to the collation centres.
“We have deployed the IReV in 105 off-cycle and bye-election.
“We believe that the system is robust and we are taking additional measures to safeguard and fortify our web resources generally against threats of attack,” he said.
On inclusivity, Yakubu said INEC has created a new Department for Gender and Inclusivity in the commission.
He added that within the limits of available resources, INEC has also provided assistive devices for Persons with Disabilities, such as braille ballot guide and magnifying glasses for the vision impaired and those living with Albinism.

News

NASS commends FIRS for surpassing 2024 target, sets 2025 goal

Published

3 days ago

January 17, 2025

The Tide

The National Assembly has lauded the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Zacch Adedeji, for exceeding the 2024 revenue collection target of N19.4 trillion.

FIRS generated N21.6 trillion, surpassing the target by N2.2 trillion.

The commendation came during a meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, where the FIRS chairman appeared before the joint committee on Finance to defend the service’s revenue projections for 2025.

The committee proposed a N25 trillion revenue generation target for FIRS in the coming fiscal year.

Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Saidu Abdullahi, was the first to commend Adedeji’s performance, calling it “unprecedented” and “worthy of commendation.”

“The feat achieved by FIRS in revenue collection for 2024 was unprecedented and truly commendable.

“Surpassing the target set for the agency in the 2024 Appropriation Act, from N19.4 trillion to N21.6 trillion, is both encouraging and impressive,” he said.

He encouraged the FIRS to study the tax collection methods of South Africa, which generated higher tax revenue, and to focus on expanding the taxable base to include more informal sector workers.

Sen. Joel Onowakpo emphasised that tax collection was a global norm, and advised the committee to raise FIRS’s projected 2025 revenue target to N30 trillion.

Similarly, Sen. Binos Yeroe lauded Adedeji’s innovative approach in surpassing the 2024 target.

“Your performance in 2024 was highly commendable, and I hope you continue to maintain this level of success,” he said.

Rep. Etanabene Benedict suggested aiming for N60 trillion in 2025 to avoid borrowing.

Committee chairmen also supported the proposed N25 trillion revenue goal for 2025; with Sen. Sani Musa stating that it was both “achievable and surpassable.”

News

Abbas, Kalu express grief over Deputy Chief Whip, Onanuga’s death

Published

3 days ago

January 17, 2025

The Tide

Speaker of House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has expressed deep grief over the demise of the Deputy Chief Whip of the house, Rep. Adewunmi Onanuga.

In a statement on yesterday, Abbas described the late lawmaker as a strong pillar who would be sorely missed in the house.

The Tide source reports that Onanuga, who died on Wednesday, represented Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency and was serving her second term in the house.

Abbas said that he had led members of the house in support and prayers for Onanuga during her health challenge and was hopeful of her recovery, saying that her eventual death was painful.

He recalled Onanuga’s campaigns for gender equality, women empowerment and inclusion in politics and governance, as Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Welfare in the Ninth House and as a principal officer in the 10th House.

Abbas also recalled how the late lawmaker, as the only female member in the leadership of the house, inspired and rallied female legislators for the greater good of the chamber and the country in general.

“Onanuga was a brilliant woman, experienced politician, resourceful lawmaker and a dependable ally in the legislative business,” he said.

Abbas commiserated with the Onanuga family and her constituents, the people and the government of Ogun as well as the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the demise of the legislator.

Also, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, expressed sadness over Onanuga’s death.

Kalu described the deceased as a shining example of dedication, compassion and selfless lawmaker whose service to her constituents and the nation was outstanding.

He acknowledged her support for the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P), which demonstrated her passion for defeating insecurity in Nigeria.

“Onanuga was a dedicated and committed lawmaker, renowned for her unwavering commitment to peace.

“Her passion for promoting harmony and understanding was truly commendable. Beyond her legislative accomplishments, Onanuga’s compassion, humility and simplicity inspired countless individuals.

“Her warm and infectious smile, coupled with her empathetic nature, endeared her to everyone she met, making her a beloved figure in the lives of many,” he said.

Kalu said that Onanuga would be remembered for her commitment to the cause of women’s empowerment and political inclusion as well as her relentless efforts toward ensuring that the gender bills were passed.

The deputy speaker extended his heartfelt condolences to the Onanuga family, her colleagues and constituents, saying that she would be greatly missed.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the late lawmaker and the fortitude to bear the loss.

News

Rotary Foundation commits $300m to polio eradication in Nigeria

Published

3 days ago

January 17, 2025

The Tide

The Rotary International Foundation says it has committed over 300 million dollars to polio eradication in Nigeria.

Its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mark Maloney, disclosed this on Thursday while conducting polio immunisation at a Primary Healthcare Centre in Jahi, Abuja.

According to him, polio eradication is Rotary’s number one priority worldwide and it is focused on eradicating the variant type two poliovirus cases discovered in 2024.

Maloney said efforts towards eradicating the polio variant should be intensified, adding that recording success in that area would be beneficial to the Nigerian government.

He also commended the Federal Government’s polio accountability programme as well as all Rotarians for their efforts in putting an end to the disease.

“The Nigerian government is facing a significant challenge with the continuation of variant polio type two, and so far, we have seen about 92 cases through the cases that have been evaluated in 2024.

“We encourage the government to redouble their efforts to put the focus on this polio eradication as they did with the Wild Polio Virus (WPV), and they were successful.”

On new donations to Nigeria, Maloney said that Rotary would allocate some funds in 2025, but the amount was yet to be determined.

“There are 50 million dollars that I expect will be allocated, but a lot of it has to go to Pakistan and Afghanistan, where WPV is still endemic.

“Though, I think there will be a significant tranche of funds, maybe not tens of millions, but a significant amount of money will be allocated to Nigeria,” he added.

The chairman noted that the organisation has allocated two million dollars to its Programme of Scale project aimed at reducing the rate of birth-related mortality in Nigeria.

“What we are looking to do is to decrease the rate of mortality in births in this country, and it is operating now in several districts.

“One way that the mortality rate can be decreased is for more births to happen in a healthcare facility rather than at home.

“We have seen in the first year of the programme a significant increase in the percentages of births happening in medical facilities.

“One district had gone from 11 per cent happening in medical facilities to 33 per cent, which is a significant increase,” he added.

The Chairman of the organisation’s Nigeria National Polio Plus Committee, Mr Joshua Hassan, said outbreak immunisation efforts are conducted locally in response to the vaccine-derived variant of polio.

Hassan said national immunisation days are planned twice a year for the entire country.

According to him, the organisation is focusing more of its efforts on Kano, Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, and Sokoto states.

Prof. Emmanuel Lufadeju, the National Coordinator of Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria, said that the Programme of Scale project was designed to reduce maternal mortality among women by 25 per cent.

Lufadeju said that this is done through community dialogue, home outreaches, medical outreaches, and capacity building.

“We are going to train a lot of people, including doctors and nurses.

“Then we are going to do something that is called a social, behavioural change, to change the attitude of people and make them deliver in the facility instead of delivering at home.”

He added that the two million dollar project, which began in 2024, is expected to end in 2025.

The Tide source reports that Maloney is in Nigeria for an official visit to embark on advocacy, carry out symbolic immunisation, visit the Programme of Scale project areas, and also visit President Bola Tinubu.