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Group Sues INEC Over Presidential Polls

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2 years ago

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By Sunday Isuwa, Abuja

A group of Nigerians led by Govindex Leadership, Empowerment and Development Foundation have sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its failure to comply with Section 160(I) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended) and Sections 60(5) and 148 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The suit is filed at the federal high court Abuja with INEC as the sole defendant.

Even though no date has been assigned for the hearing of the suit, Govindex in the suit filed by its solicitors, Ifeanyi Nrialike Esq. on behalf of Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, SAN & Co., is demanding the criminal prosecution of INEC officials who compromised the integrity of the Saturday, February 25, 2023 Presidential election.

The group is demanding five reliefs, namely; A declaration that having regards to the provisions of the Section 160(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(As Amended), Sections 60(5) & 148 of the Electoral Act, 2022, paragraph (Clauses) 38 (i), (ii) & (iii) of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022, the Defendant through her presiding officers are mandatorily required to electronically transmit, transfer or upload the scanned copy of Form EC8A result of the polling units directly to the collation system as prescribed by the Commission, that is, the usage of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) or such other relevant technology to upload the result into the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) immediately and in real-time after completion of the polling units voting and Results procedures but before taking the results to the ward collation Centre from the polling units.

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A declaration that having regards to the provisions of the Section 160(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(As Amended), Sections 60(5) & 148 of the Electoral Act, 2022, Paragraph (Clauses) 38 (i), (ii) & (iii) of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022, the Defendant through her presiding officers cannot competently conduct any elections in Nigeria without compliance with the mandatory provisions of the Act which requires the Defendant to electronically transmit, transfer or upload the scanned copy of Form EC8A result of the polling units directly to the collation system immediately and in real-time after completion of the polling units voting and Results procedures but before taking the results to the ward collation Centre from the polling units.

A declaration that having regards to the provisions of Section 60(6) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the Defendant is under obligation to compile names of the Presiding Officers, whether ad-hoc or permanent, who failed to upload or electronically transmit or transfer the Election results of the polling units directly to the collation system as prescribed by the Commission, that is the Bimodial Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) or such other relevant technology and send the said list to office of Inspector-General of Police for investigation and prosecution.

They are also demanding for an order of the court mandating the Defendant, her Presiding Officers of Collation of Results of polling units ad hoc or permanent Staff, to electronically transmit, transfer or upload the result of the polling units by the usage of the Biomodial Voter Accreditation or such other relevant technology to upload scanned copy of the form EC8A to INEC Result Viewing Portal (IRev) immediately and in real-time after completion of the polling units voting and Results procedure but before taking the results to the ward collation Centre from the polling units.

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An order of the court mandating the Defendant to compile names of the Presiding Officers, whether ad-hoc or permanent, who failed to upload or electronically transmit or transfer the Election results of the polling units directly to the collation system as prescribed by the Commission, that is the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and send the said list to office of Inspector-General of Police for investigation and prosecution within 14 days of making the Order or such time as the Court may Order.

The suit, filed on March 3, 2023, has the incorporated trustees of Govindex Foundation as the First Plaintiff, while the other Plaintiffs are Olatunde Joseph Okelana, Chinatu Udodiri Nwokorie, Tochukwu Emmanuel Ezeoke, Moses Iorhen Anongu, Okechukwu Joel Obieze, and Justice Chukwubuike Aninworie.

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Politics

Wike: I wanted Fubara’s removal, but Tinubu came in and saved Rivers

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3 hours ago

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April 18, 2025

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has backed President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, saying he wanted the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the oil-rich state.

In a move that has continued to divide opinions, Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the House of Assembly following months of political crisis in Rivers State.

But Wike said the president’s move saved Rivers from implosion, arguing that the decision to appoint a sole administrator following Fubara’s suspension was a step in the right direction.

The former Rivers governor said this on Friday in Abuja during a media parley with select journalists.

“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy in the state.” Wike said.

“However, people must tell the truth. The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the president did this, I say they should be praising him.

“Every morning, they should go to the president and ask, ‘Can we wash your feet for saving us?’”

“Mr president came in and saved the situation, saved Rivers people from that calamity and anarchy,” the FCT minister argued.

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National

Falana Slams Ibas,Seeks His Removal

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15 hours ago

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April 18, 2025

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Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to immediately remove the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, citing a breach of constitutional procedure and defiance of President Bola Tinubu’s directives.

In a statement provided to Elanza News on Thursday, Falana referenced the official Federal Government Gazette, which outlined the terms governing the Sole Administrator’s operations.

According to the document, “the Sole Administrator shall operate on the basis of such Regulations that may, from time to time, be issued by me,” President Bola Tinubu stated.

However, Falana noted that “it is common knowledge that President Bola Tinubu has not issued any Regulation for the operation of the Sole Administrator.”

Despite this, the appointed Sole Administrator has proceeded to make appointments and remove officials who were earlier appointed by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Describing the development as unlawful, Falana said: “By treating the orders of President Bola Tinubu with contempt, the Sole Administrator has compounded the illegality of his appointment.

The Sole Administrator ought to be removed without any further delay.”

The legal luminary’s position comes amid a broader political crisis in Rivers State, where the legitimacy of key appointments and the balance of powers between the state and federal government continue to generate intense debate.

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Politics

2027: Northern group pledges 2m votes for Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

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April 17, 2025

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The Northern Nigeria Youths Union (NNYU), has promised to garner over two million votes for President Bola Tinubu during the 2027 General Elections.

The Chairman of the union, Abubakar Aliyu, discussed this on Wednesday shortly after the conclusion of a major meeting held in Jos, Plateau.

“We are speaking after the conclusion of a large gathering of young men and women who have committed themselves to contributing to the journey of Tinubu.

“This is after seeing how he is implementing a myriad of developmental projects across the country, especially in the Northern parts of Nigeria,” Aliyu said in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

The chairman, who is also the Galadiman Takai, cited Tinubu’s recent inauguration of the construction of the Abuja to Kaduna to Kano Highway.

Aliyu said, “This is a road that has three lanes on each side, which will attract more developments to the North and the entire country.”

He also referenced the phenomenal decline in the prices of food stuffs during just-concluded Ramadan’ fast, averring, “everyone glaringly witnessed this feat.

“The prices of various goods had also nosedived and even the price of fuel had reduced significantly.

“We in our organisation, the Northern Nigeria Youth Union, assure the president that when the election comes, we will give him more than two million votes.”

Aliyu stated that the union had registered members, Muslims and Christians, all volunteers in each of the 19 Northern states.

He added, “It is is not that we were given money from somewhere, we are just volunteers with patriotism.

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“Considering our large membership, when the elections are held, we will also attract the attention of many people to cast their votes for Tinubu.

” Therefore, with a large membership of over 65,000 people, and the efforts we will make to get people with voter’s cards, will ensure that we generate the votes for Tinubu.

“This is a guarantee that this will indeed be done.”

The chairman, however, called on Tinubu to ensure that all his political appointees were closely monitored.

“This call becomes necessary so that the people could be properly cared for as per the constitutional provisions,”Aliyu explained.(NAN)

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