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INEC, JAMB Strengthen Partnership on Biometric Verification

September 10, 2026September 4, 2026 by admin

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pledged to assist the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) with biometric verification technology as the two federal agencies move to strengthen their collaboration. The offer was made on Friday, when the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, led members of the Board’s management team on a courtesy visit to INEC headquarters in Abuja. Speaking during the visit, Aina said JAMB approached INEC because of its extensive experience in deploying biometric technology for the identification and verification of large numbers of Nigerians. He said the Board was seeking to further strengthen the integrity of its examination processes and had learnt that INEC had biometric verification equipment that might no longer be in active use. “We approached INEC as a sister agency with considerable experience in the deployment of biometric technology for the identification and verification of large numbers of Nigerians,” Aina said. He appealed to the Commission to consider making some of the equipment available to JAMB to support its efforts to enhance biometric verification. Responding, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, welcomed the delegation and commended JAMB for its statutory responsibilities, describing the Board as “a critical institution in Nigeria’s education system and the development of the country’s youth.” Amupitan said INEC’s recent electoral engagements, including the Anambra and Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, as well as bye-elections conducted across the country, had demonstrated the Commission’s growing technological capacity. According to him, the deployment of technology in recent elections had attracted commendations from stakeholders, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the United Kingdom High Commission. He said the commendations were particularly linked to the credibility and peaceful conduct of the electoral exercises. The INEC Chairman directed the Director of Information and Communications Technology, Dr. Lawrence Bayode, to review JAMB’s request and undertake a proof-of-concept assessment. The assessment, he explained, would determine the availability, technical condition, and suitability of any biometric verification equipment that could potentially be deployed by JAMB. Amupitan described the visit as a reflection of “the growing importance of inter-agency collaboration” and stressed the need for government institutions to leverage their expertise and resources to advance national development. He assured the delegation that “INEC remained willing to explore further areas of cooperation” that could strengthen the capacity of both institutions to deliver on their respective mandates. In his response, Aina expressed appreciation to the INEC Chairman and management for the warm reception accorded to him and his team. He reaffirmed JAMB’s interest in strengthening institutional collaboration with INEC, particularly in leveraging technology to improve the integrity and efficiency of the Board’s examination processes. Punch

BREAKING: INEC Declares Adeleke Winner of Osun Governorship Election

August 16, 2026 by admin

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, was on Sunday declared the winner of the governorship election after securing victory in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas in Saturday’s poll. The State Returning Officer, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Prof Joshua Ogunwole, declared the result of the poll at about 7:24 am on Sunday. Adeleke polled a total of 511067 votes to emerge victorious in the contest. Ogunwole subsequently returned the governor to office for another term. The incumbent Osun governor, who contested the poll on the platform of the Accord, defeated his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, who won in 11 LG areas of the state. While Adeleke won in Ede North, Ede South, Ejigbo, Iwo, Egbedore, Ife North, Ife East, Ife Central, Oriade, Ifelodun, Orolu, Ayedaade, Ayedire, Odo Otin, Boluwaduro, Ilesa West, Ifedayo, Osogbo and Ayedire local government areas. Oyebamiji, however, won in Irewole, Isokan, Olorunda, Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Ilesa East, Boripe, Irepodun and Obokun local government areas. Declaring the results, Ogunwole said, “Accredited voters, 1010684, total votes received by political parties, A, 511067, AA, 2308, AAC, 1458, ADC, 17180, ADP, 2946, APC, 444815, APGA, 1475, APM, 234, APP, 114, BP, 111, NNPP, 118, PRP, 83, SDP, 155, YPP, 534, ZLP, 2482, total valid votes, 985079, rejected votes, 207, total vote cast, 1,005,800.” After agents of the political parties have signed the results of the election, the Returning Officer declared Adeleke of the Accord as the winner of the poll. “That Ademola Nurudeen-Jackson Adeleke having satisfied the requirements of the law is hereby declare the winner of the August 15 Governorship election and returned elected,” Ogunwole said. The candidate of the African Democratic Congress in the poll, Najeem Salaam, came third in the poll.

2027: INEC Adds 3.4 Million New Voters to Register

April 9, 2026 by admin

The Independent National Electoral Commission has recorded over 3.4 million new voters in the ongoing second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise nationwide. According to the commission’s week 13 update released on Wednesday in Abuja, a total of 3,441,121 registrations have been completed as of April 3, covering both online pre-registrations and physical walk-ins. INEC disclosed that 2,068,384 citizens completed their registration online, while 1,372,737 others registered physically at designated centres across the country. State-by-state data showed that Jigawa recorded the highest number of registrants with 201,047, representing 5.84 per cent of the total. Lagos followed with 181,095, while Kano ranked third with 177,681 registrations. Youth participation remained dominant, with citizens aged between 18 and 34 accounting for 2,354,768 registrants, representing 68.43 per cent of the total figure. Gender distribution indicated a higher turnout among women, with females accounting for 1,922,143 registrations (55.86 per cent), compared to 1,518,978 males (44.14 per cent). On occupational breakdown, students formed the largest group of new voters at 1,235,931, representing 35.92 per cent. This was followed by those in business at 701,912 (20.40 per cent) and individuals in farming and fishing at 615,967 (18.28 per cent). INEC also reported that 48,330 Persons with Disabilities registered during the period. The commission noted that the figure remains provisional, explaining that it is “a preliminary figure pending data clean-up during the period for citizens’ claims and objections, followed by the deployment of the Automated Biometric Identification System.” It further stated that voter registration remains suspended in the Federal Capital Territory in line with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, following the Area Council Election held on February 21. INEC urged eligible Nigerians who have yet to register to visit its official portals to complete their registration before the deadline.

FCT Poll: INEC Dismisses Claims of Result Manipulation

February 24, 2026 by admin

The Independent National Electoral Commission has debunked claims of result manipulation at the Kuroko Health Centre polling unit in Yangoji Ward, Kwali Area Council, following the Saturday Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory. In a statement on Tuesday signed by INEC FCT Office Resident Electoral Commissioner, Aminu K. Idris, the commission said the viral figure of 1,219 votes for a political party was incorrect and misleading. “The official result recorded and uploaded from the said polling unit shows that the political party in question scored 121 votes, not 1,219 as alleged on social media,” the statement read. The clarification followed reports suggesting that the polling unit, which has 345 registered voters and 213 accredited voters, produced a mathematically impossible figure. According to the statement, the discrepancy arose from a simple human error by the presiding officer. The officer recounted the ballots and initially entered “122” for the party, later correcting it to 121 after a recount in the open. “She cancelled the ‘2’ at the end and slotted in a ‘1’ in front of the cancelled ‘2’ to make it 121. She also corrected the figures in words,” the INEC statement said. The commission stressed that technological safeguards within its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal make such manipulation impossible. “The number of accredited voters was 213. The score entered into the BVAS for the party concerned was 121. The total votes recorded were consistent with accreditation figures,” the statement added. It also noted that any attempt to enter a figure like 1,219 would have been automatically flagged and rejected by the system. INEC further assured the public that all results used for collation at the ward and area council levels were consistent with the BVAS data and that the FCT elections were conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines. “The Commission urges members of the public and media commentators to verify information with official records before drawing conclusions capable of eroding public confidence in the electoral process,” the statement said. The electoral body reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that genuine errors are investigated and corrected immediately. “However, the present allegations are based on genuine errors which were immediately corrected; the misinterpretation of figures does not reflect the official record used in collating and declaring the results,” the statement concluded

ORIIRE YOUTH COUNCIL MET WITH INEC AND NOA, PROPOSE PARTNERSHIP FOR THEIR ONE WEEK-LONG PVC DRIVE

July 31, 2025 by admin

In a significant move to deepen democratic engagement and boost voters’ participation in Oriire Local Government, the Oriire Youth Council (OYC) earlier today held a tripartite meeting with representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) at the Legislative Building of the Oriire Local Government Secretariat. The meeting, which focused on forging partnerships for the upcoming PVC Sensitization Drive scheduled for August 18–22, was attended by key stakeholders from the three bodies. Leading the INEC delegation was *Mr. Olundegun M.A.*, Electoral Officer for Oriire, while *Mr. Adeniyi Oluseyi Gideon*, the Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officer (COMO), represented the NOA. In his opening remarks, Sarafadeen Isiaq Owonikoko,National Chairman of OYC, emphasized the importance of strategic collaborations to increase civic consciousness, particularly among youths and first-time voters. “Our people must understand that having a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) is not just a right, but a responsibility to influence governance and development in our area,” he said. Akanji Folasade, Vice Chairman II of the Council, advocated for a community-based awareness model, suggesting that “religious centers, markets, and popular meeting places should be the key touchpoints of our campaign.” The National Public Relations Officer I, Ajadi Isaac Oluwasegun, described the campaign as timely, noting that “there is no better time to drive home the importance of voter participation, especially with the low voter turnout and large numbers of uncollected PVCs.” INEC’s Mr. Olundegun lamented the apathy among registered voters in the local government, revealing that “a significant number of PVCs are lying unclaimed in our custody. We are looking forward to the Youth Council’s efforts to encourage people, especially the youth, to come forward and collect their cards.” NOA’s representative, Mr. Adeniyi Oluseyi Gideon, commended the initiative and stressed the need to extend the advocacy beyond PVC collection to harnessing Oriire’s other potentials. “With our vast arable lands, we should also use this opportunity to promote community development and attract agricultural investments,” he advised. Ojo Oluwasegun Emmanuel, National PRO II, emphasized the need for continuity. “This sensitization shouldn’t end in one week; we should institutionalize civic education at the grassroots.” The Council’s Financial Secretary, Akorede Phebian Jacob highlighted the inclusive nature of the campaign, stating, “We are deliberate in reaching women, youths, and the elderly across all wards.” Aremu Gideon, who represented Ward 9, called on INEC and NOA to approve formal collaboration for the campaign period. “We hope that after today’s deliberation, we can move from intention to implementation.” Joshua Ojo Aderemi, Ex-Officio I and the member representing Oriire Youths at the Oyo State Youth Parliament, added that “voter apathy undermines our electoral strength. If we turn out massively to vote, it will boost our chances of attracting attention to Oriire in government policies, appointments, and infrastructural development.” The INEC and NOA representatives welcomed the proposal and assured the Council that the partnership request would be relayed to their respective superior offices for prompt consideration and possible approval. Earlier this month, OYC had also met with the Legislative Council of Oriire under the leadership of *Hon. Opeyemi Adebayo*, the Executive Chairman of Oriire LG, *Hon. Michael Alabi Olateju*, and *Hon. Johnson Ogundele Akin*, the Member representing Oriire State Constituency. Similarly, they held consultations with *Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin*, Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly. Scheduled meetings are underway with other political stakeholders including *Hon. Jacob Bamigboye*, *Rt. Hon. Gunju Ojo*, *Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala*, *Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi Ebenezer* and party secretariats of the PDP and APC. Courtesy visit letters have also been submitted to *Hon. Wasilat Adegoke* (Commissioner for Youth and Sports), *Hon. Dotun Oyelade* (Commissioner for Information), *Rt. Hon. Edward Adebo Ogundoyin* (Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly), *Hon. Open Salawu* (DG, Project Performance Monitoring Agency), and *Hon. Akinwale Wolekanle* (Chairman, Oyo State Local Government Service Commission). The Youth Council reiterated that the overarching aim of the campaign is to reposition Oriire in the political landscape by promoting active civic participation, thereby fostering a culture of accountability and responsive governance.

Natasha’s Recall Petition Fails To Meet Constitutional Requirements – INEC

April 3, 2025 by admin

The petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District, has failed to meet the constitutional requirements outlined in Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. The Independent National Electoral Commission made this announcement on Thursday via its official X handle. The statement was signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun. The commission said, “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).” In a detailed breakdown, INEC revealed that the petitioners failed to gather the requisite number of signatures/thumbprints, which must represent more than one-half of the registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District. “For emphasis, a petition for the recall of a Senator must comply with the provision of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which requires the signatures of more than one-half of the registered voters in the constituency. “The total number of registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District is 474,554. More than one-half of this figure (i.e. 50%+1) is 237,277+1 which is at least 237,278 voters,” INEC said. The total number of registered voters in the district is 474,554, meaning that at least 237,278 signatures were needed. However, only 208,132 signatures were collected, falling short by 29,146. “Across the 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas and five Local Government Areas that make up the Senatorial District, the commission ascertained 208,132 signatures/thumbprints from the submission made by the petitioners. “This translates to 43.86% of the registered voters which falls short of the constitutional requirement by 29,146 signatories. “Consequently, the petition has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution. Therefore, no further action shall be taken on the recall of the Senator,” INEC declared. In line with the legal requirements, INEC also issued a Public Notice regarding the outcome of the review. The notice, alongside a summary of the signatures/thumbprints disaggregated by Local Government Areas, is available for public viewing on INEC’s official website and social media platforms. In recent weeks, Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio have been at the centre of a political crisis following her accusation of sexual harassment against him. Akpoti-Uduaghan had petitioned the Senate over the alleged misconduct, but on March 6, the Ethics Committee dismissed her claims and suspended her for six months without pay. The controversy escalated last week when some of her constituents submitted a recall petition to INEC, seeking to remove her from office. Punch

BREAKING: INEC Receives Petition Seeking Natasha’s Recall

March 24, 2025 by admin

The Independent National Electoral Commission has received the petition seeking the recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Secretary to the commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, received the petition on Monday. Details later…

Reps Urge INEC To Restore Suppressed Constituencies In Kogi, Delta

March 19, 2025 by admin

The House of Representatives has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to restore what it called the 12 suppressed constituencies in Kogi State. This decision of the House was a sequel to the consideration and adoption on Wednesday of a motion brought to the attention of the lawmakers in plenary by the Kogi House caucus. Rallying support for the motion, the member representing Ijumu/Kabba-Bunnu Federal Constituency, Kogi State, Mr Idris Salman, said the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that a House of Assembly of a state shall consist of three or four times the number of seats that state has in the House of Representatives divided in a way to reflect, as far as possible, nearly equal population. He also noted that Section 114(1) provides for periodic review of state constituencies not less than 10 years and may alter such constituencies to such an extent as it may be considered durable in the light of the review. He added, “In the gubernatorial and state Assembly elections that were held on December 14, 1991, Kogi State had 32 state constituencies in which elections were duly conducted and winners declared. “Kogi State, which has nine seats in the House of Representatives, is supposed to have at least 27 or 36 House of Assembly seats as provided for in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended.” He lamented that in the last review of state constituencies, the North Central state was shortchanged. He continued, “The last review of state constituencies in Nigeria by INEC was in 1998, which resulted in the suppression of some constituencies in the Kogi State House of Assembly seats. “From 1998 to date, INEC has continued to suppress the Kogi State House of Assembly seats in constituencies such as Kabba-Bunu II, Ijumu II, Koton Karfe I, Yagba West II, Adavi II, Iffe/Ogodu, Igala Ogba, Okura, Enjema, Dekina Town, Olamaboro II, and Bassa-Nge/Gbirra.” He argued that “The restoration of the suppressed constituencies in Kogi State will further deepen our democracy in terms of quality representation and grassroots development and promote equality.” With the adoption of the motion, the House urged INEC to restore the constituencies and charged its Committee on Electoral Matters to interface with the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, and report back within four weeks. In a related development, the House also charged INEC to urgently restore the Sapele II State Assembly Constituency of Delta State to comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court and the provisions of the Constitution. This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the member representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency, Delta State, Mr Benedict Etanabene. Punch

INEC To Pay N1.12bn To Family Of Man Killed By Driver

February 4, 2025 by admin

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to pay N1.12bn in compensation to the family of one Mike Madu, killed by an INEC driver in Imo State. Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment on Friday, ordered INEC to pay the N1.12bn with 10 per cent interest per annum from the date of judgment until the final or full payment is made. In addition, the judge ordered INEC, its Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, and other defendants to send a letter of condolence to the late Madu’s family. “An order is hereby made for the defendants to pay the cost of prosecuting this action. This shall be the judgment of this court,” Justice Ekwo added. The plaintiff, Augustine Madu, filed the suit on behalf of the Umudurugwu, Umuokwe, Awo-Omamma community in Oru-East Local Government Area of Imo State. The amended writ of summons, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1074/2019, listed INEC, its Chairman, the INEC Commissioner in Abuja, and an INEC escort driver, Hassan Abdul, as the first to fourth defendants, respectively. Augustine filed the suit on September 18, 2019, seeking four reliefs, including an order for the defendants to pay N1.12bn in compensation to Madu’s family for the unlawful termination of his life. In his statement of claim, Augustine described his deceased brother, Mike Madu, as a successful businessman born on June 9, 1970, to the late John and Chioma Madu in Awo-Omamma, Imo State. He said Abdul, an INEC staff member and driver under the office of the national commissioner, was responsible for the fatal accident that claimed Mike’s life on June 16, 2019. On September 10, 2019, the deceased’s family resolved to take legal action against the defendants. Augustine noted that his brother frequently travelled between China and Nigeria, often accompanying Chinese investors to facilitate business opportunities. On one such trip, Mike was escorting two Chinese investors to explore investment prospects in the Enugu State Free Trade Zone. During their journey on the Itobe-Anyigba Expressway in Kogi State, their Lexus car, driven by Ega Chukwudi of Auto Star Transport Company, collided with a Toyota V8 Land Cruiser Jeep driven by the fourth defendant, Hassan Abdul. The Toyota, occupied by Abdul and a police escort, Sgt. Usman Abdullahi, lost control, swerved into the opposite lane, and crashed into the Lexus in a head-on collision. The Land Cruiser then somersaulted into a bush and caught fire, while the Lexus sustained heavy damage. Mike sustained severe injuries and died, along with one of the Chinese investors, Huang Hia Yan. The victims were taken to Holley Memorial Hospital in Ochadamu Village for medical attention, while the deceased were later transferred to Kogi State Specialist Hospital Mortuary. The surviving Chinese investor, Qu Xin Dong, was admitted to the same hospital, while Chukwudi, the Lexus driver, was treated at Enugu State Orthopaedic Hospital. Abdul and his police escort received treatment at Holley Memorial Hospital. A police report dated July 16, 2019, concluded that Abdul’s reckless speeding was the cause of the accident. On July 10, 2019, the Kogi State Chief Magistrate Court ordered a post-mortem examination of the deceased. The plaintiff later obtained a warrant to bury his brother and the deceased investor. Augustine lamented that throughout this period, INEC and its officials showed no concern or remorse for causing Mike’s death. Punch

PDP Accuses INEC, Security Agencies Of Making Edo Election A Must Win For APC

September 26, 2024 by admin

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies of aiding and abetting the irregularities that bedeviled the last Saturday Edo state governorship election, just as the party described the election as the worst poll ever conducted by the electoral umpire. Rev. Olu Martins, the Deputy Director-General, Media and Publicity, of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Council Management made the accusation while addressing newsmen in Benin. Martins said that the INEC made the election a must win for the APC following its actions and inactions. He berated the electoral body and the security agencies for providing the cover for the massive irregularities that took place at the collation process at the INEC State collation centre. Martins noted that the election was going on free, fair, and credible at the ward and Local government levels until INEC and the security agencies became interested parties in the election when it moved collation to the INEC State collation office. He added that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu body language and comments ahead of the Edo governorship election were not unconnected with the rape of democracy perpetuated during the September 21st governorship election, which he described as a sham and shame. He disclosed that the party was already consulting and putting things together to know the next line of action. Independent NG