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Electoral Hub unviels book on electoral commissions as guide for improved elections

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11 months ago

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The Electoral Hub, a multidisciplinary strategic think-tank focusing on promoting credibility and integrity of the electoral process, on Friday unveiled a book on Election Management Bodies in Nigeria since 1985 to serve as guide for credible elections and improved democracy.

The book by the Electoral Hub, an organ of the Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD),revealed the history of electoral commissions over the years in order to understand the present and forecast the future.

Prof. Adele Jinadu ,the book reviewer,described the book as a fascinating research that provides historical analysis of the evolution of electoral commissions in Nigeria.

“The monograph provides a bird’s eye overview of the evolution of electoral commissions in Nigeria since 1958, divided into the following historical sequences: (a)1958-1960; (b) 1960-1963; (c) 1961-1966; .(d)1976-1983; (1987-1983; (f) 1995-1988; and (g)1998 to date.

“The analysis is, however, set against the constitutional and wider political history of Nigeria, in relating the origins of elections in Nigeria to the introduction of a rudimentary albeit miniscule and flawed system of elective principle in the country in 1923.”

Jinadu said in the earliest period, the system was small and flawed primarily because it was hugely unrepresentative providing for only three unofficial members from Lagos and one from Calabar until 1959 that universal adult suffrage and male adult suffrage were adopted.

According to him , the monograph is a significant piece that sheds light on the challenges of the electoral governance since the introduction of the system of responsible and semi-cabinet government and the establishment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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He said such research studies were rare to find and therefore, recommended an urgent need to develop a strong think tank or research unit within INEC and INEC’s Electoral Institute should be strengthened to play that role.

Also speaking, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, represented by Prof. Abdullahi Zuru ,said that the sovereignty in any democracy lies with the people electing their owneaders.

“In other words, they confer legitimacy on those they wish to govern them by giving them their votes voluntarily.

“Simply put, the legitimacy of any government lies in the credibility of the electoral process that brought it to power. Herein lies the significance of credible Election Management Bodies (EMBs).

“It is in recognition of this fact, that INEC, as the Election Management Body , places high premium on ensuring that the electoral process in Nigeria is free, fair, credible, inclusive, transparent and most importantly verifiable.”

Yakubu said that the book therefore,provided the opportunity for readers to assess Nigeria’s democratic leadership recruitment processes and possibly their impact on the governance processes.

The Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democractic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, commended the initiative adding that the book offered an opportunity to take stock of the country’s electoral management governance system.

He added that the book came at a very important time in Nigeria’s democratic journey offering an opportunity to take stock of the electoral management governance system to reflect and learn lessons from.

“The electoral process has evolved and today the pre-election, election, and post-election phases of the electoral cycle have become more inclusive than was the case many years ago. This would not have been possible without the commitment of stakeholders across board.”

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Also speaking Festus Okoye, bared his mind on some of the challenges being encountered during election periods, noting that the book may serve as a guide to mitigate numerous challenges.

The Director, IRIAD – The Electoral Hub, Princess Hamman-Obels ,said the book was unveiled as part of efforts towards achieving credible elections and quality democracy in Nigeria.

Hamman-Obels added that the book aimed to stimulate interest and collective action towards improved electoral governance for credible elections in Nigeria.

“The study we are presenting today, “Election Management Bodies (EMBs) in Nigeria since 1958,” was conducted with the support of the Open Society Foundations.

“This public presentation has three interrelated objectives, to share insights from the research with a broader audience, garner perspectives of experts and stakeholders on the experiences within EMBs in Nigeria.

“It is to also stimulate interest and collective action towards improved electoral governance for credible elections in Nigeria.”

Hamman-Obels said the research examined the actions of successive election management bodies and their contributions to the evolution of the electoral process, including aspects such as gender, age, and regional inclusiveness within EMBs.

She said the research explored the legal frameworks, landmark judicial decisions, and other influences that have shaped the functionality of EMBs.

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National

EFCC Secures Arrest Warrant For Six CBEX Promoters Over ‘$1bn Fraud‘

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1 hour ago

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April 24, 2025

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A federal high court in Abuja has granted permission to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and detain six Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) promoters over allegations of investment fraud to the tune of over one billion dollars.

Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, gave the order following an ex parte application moved by Fadila Yusuf, counsel to the EFCC.

In the application by the EFCC, the six suspects are Adefowora Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim.

The commission sought an order of the court for a warrant of arrest of the defendants.

They also prayed the court for “an order remanding the defendants in the custody of the complainant/applicant pending the conclusion of investigation of the alleged offences and possible prosecution”.

Yusuf said that the defendants are at large and a warrant of arrest is required to arrest the defendants for proper investigation and prosecution of this case.

In the affidavit in support of the motion, the EFCC said preliminary investigation into the intel revealed that the defendants “using their company ST Technologies International Limited, promoted another company Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) by making adverts and lured unsuspecting members of the public to invest crypto cryptocurrencies on the CBEX investment platform”.

The EFCC said the defendants promised an unrealistic return on investment of up to 100 percent.

“The victims were made to convert their digital assets into a stablecoin of USDT for onward deposit into the suspects’ crypto wallet,” Yusuf said.

“The victims were initially given full access to the platform to monitor their investment.

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“Following the deposits valued at over $1 billion by the victims, the CBEX investment platform became inaccessible to them, and they could no longer withdraw from the investment made.

“The victims later discovered that the said scheme is a scam.

“During the course of investigation, it was discovered that the said ST Technologies International Limited, though registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), it was not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for investment purposes.

“It was also discovered during the investigation that the defendants had moved out of their last known address in Lagos and Ogun states.”

The anti-graft agency said obtaining a warrant of arrest was necessary in order to place the defendants on a watch list, enabling authorities to trace and apprehend the suspects to face the charges brought against them.

Nwite granted the request for a warrant of arrest and remand, adding that the order was necessary to enable the commission to apprehend the defendants and conclude its investigation.

“I have listened to the submission of the learned counsel for the applicant,” Nwite said.

“I have also gone through the affidavit evidence with exhibits thereto, along with the written address.

“I am of the view and I so hold that the application is meritorious.

“Consequently, the application is granted as prayed.”

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National

2025 UTME begins nationwide

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3 hours ago

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April 24, 2025

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The 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has begun across Nigeria, with nearly two million candidates participating at hundreds of Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.

The examination started as planned at all accredited CBT centres in Abuja and likely across other locations nationwide.

A visit to Zinaria International School Mararaba, Nasarawa state as CBT centre, candidates arrived as early as 6am for those scheduled for the 7 a.m. session.

Speaking to NATIONAL ACCORD at the centre, the Biometric Verification Officer, Jamila Karimu disclosed that out of 250 candidates that were expected to sit for the first session, 238 candidates were successfully verified, while 12 candidates were absent.

As for the External Supervisor, Comfort Ochepo, apart from 2-3 candidates who initially found it difficult to access verification, every other things went seamless.

According to her the first session started as early as 8:10am and that the second was expected to start at 1:30pm.

On the issue of security, he noted that apart from the school security agents, external securities were deployed to maintain law and order during the examination.

Also, the Resident Monitor, Ramat Ali, disclosed that apart from the few issues of the system disconnection which were solved immediately, the examination went seamlessly.

Susan Arigu, a candidate said they have no prble logging into the system and that the exercise was hitch free.

Another Candidate, Joseph James, who told our Correspondent that he sat for last year UTME and had to resit this year because he had deficiency in his WAEC added that he found mathematics a little difficult, he believes he will scale through.

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JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede assured candidates of a smooth experience. “We’ve introduced innovations to enhance the system’s credibility, efficiency, and seamlessness,” he said.

The UTME, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), tests candidates seeking university admission.

A few weeks ago, JAMB held a mock-UTME for 211,000 candidates. The board clarified that mock results would not count towards the main UTME scores. Introduced years ago, the mock-UTME helps candidates experience the exam format, overcome anxiety, and allows JAMB to test new strategies for the main exam, which began on April 24.

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IMF urges Nigeria to be prudent in spending

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12 hours ago

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April 24, 2025

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF), has urged Nigerian Government to be prudent in spending following implementation of hard economic reforms that has made it to save more revenue.

The Director, Fiscal Affairs Department IMF, Vitor Gaspar, said this at a Fiscal Monitor news conference at the ongoing 2025 IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.

He said that there was an urgent need for fiscal authorities and governments to build buffers.

According to him, governments need to act urgently and decisively as they face harsh trade offs and painful choices.

He said it was important for policy makers to invest their political capital in building confidence and trust that starts with keeping their own houses in order.

” This is especially important in a situation that tests the resilience of individual economies, not to mention the entire system.

“Putting house in order involves three policy priorities. first, fiscal policy should be part of an overall policies.

“Secondly, fiscal policy should in most countries, aim at reducing public debt and rebuilding buffers to create space to respond to spending pressures and other economic shocks through a credible medium term framework.

“Thirdly, fiscal policy should together with other structural policies, aim at improving potential growth, thereby easing policy trade offs in these times of high uncertainty.

“Fiscal policy must be an anchor for confidence and stability that contributes to a competitive economy, delivering growth and prosperity for all ministers of finance must build trust, tax fairly, spend wisely and take the long team,” the director said.

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The Nigerian Division Chief in the Fiscal Affairs Department of the IMF, Davide Furceri, said that Nigeria had been able to make some of those painful choices to have space for fiscal savings but it needs to spend wisely.

“Nigeira managed to do a very difficult reform that was important in delivering fiscal savings.”

Furceri said that the country need to focus on boosting revenue through improved mobilisation efforts, and secondly, scaling up spending in key areas like social protection and investment.

“That said, we understand that many countries, including Nigeria, face pressing spending needs. But spending must be done wisely, this means stronger prioritisation and greater efficiency in how resources are allocated.

“One key message not just for Nigeria, but for many countries, is the importance of strong fiscal institutions. Medium-term fiscal frameworks and solid public financial management systems.are essential.

“They provide a fiscal anchor to guide necessary adjustments and help reduce uncertainty. We want fiscal policy to be a source of stability, not a source of volatility,” he said. (NAN)

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