COVER
Outcry Over Disenfranchisement as CVR Exercise Ends Nationwide
By Idris Umar, Abuja with Agency reports
Anger and frustration have greeted the termination of the nationwide Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) on Sunday, July 31 by the national electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The commission has insisted that there would be no time extension to accommodate eligible voters who were not able to be captured, for often times no fault of theirs as the exercise in many centres were hobbled by malfunctioning and inadequate capture machines.
It could be recalled that the deadline for termination of the exercise was earlier fixed for June 30. Apart from extending it by one month, it was also extended to eight hours daily from 9 a.
m – 5 p.m instead of the previous duration of six hours (9 a.m – 3 p.m) daily, including on weekends.According to INEC, Commissioner on Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Festus Okoye, who spoke on Saturday the nationwide Continuous Voters’ Registration exercise will end on Sunday, July 31, and there would be no extension of date, saying INEC was working within the confines of timetable and the electoral law.
Okoye, made the declaration during a press conference at the Commission’s headquarters in Awka, the Anambra’ State, capital.
Okoye explained that the continuous registration, started on June 28, 2021, with the launch of the online pre-registration of fresh registrants adding that it was the Commission’s desire and hope “to finish well” in the present circumstance.
“The CVR process will terminate tomorrow (Sunday) being the 31st day of July 2022. The Commission has to bring this process to a close because we have to carry out dedublication of all the registered voters to remove double and multiple registrants.
“The commission has to bring the CVR to a close because the law mandates the commission to display the voters register in the 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria and the 8, 809 registration areas for claims and objections. Thereafter the Commission has to trim the registered cards of the fresh registrants, those who applied for transfer, those had damaged PVCs or defective PVCs and we have to sort all the permanent voters cards back to the various local governments for purposes of collection.
“It will be completely useless for people to register and not be in a position to collect their permanent voters cards,” he stated.
Okoye noted that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission Professor Mahmood Yakubu has promised the nation that the permanent voters cards for those who registered between January and June will be ready by October this year.
“But those who are registering between the first day of July and 31st of July will be ready in November. In July 2021, we launched the physical process of registration and this was carried out in our states and local government offices before we escalated into our registration processes at various registration areas on a rotational basis.
He noted that the registration process slowed down in parts of the South-East due to the problem of insecurity, and that the INEC office in Anambra devised means to control the surge that started rising almost a month ago.
He disçlosed that they isolated non biometric measures by training their staff to meet with the necessary demands of individuals.
He disçlosed that the IVED machines were taken to the markets, churches, NYSC camps and NUJ Secretariats as well as places where there were large concentration of people, so as to decongest highly populated areas and created Complaints Desks and Log Platforms, which helped in responding to all the complaints for necessary resolution of all issues, adding that such interventions were carried out in 82 locations.
He comnended the involvement of traditional rulers, community leaders, town union executives and President Generals of town unions, the media and security agencies for the tremenous role they played through their interventions, strategies and others ideas towards the success of the exercise in the state and beyond.
While similar measures have been applied in all the states due to the surge of registrants, it appears that indeed, they weren’t effective enough in ensuring that all eligible voters were registered to vote in next year’s election.
2023: North-west APC Calls for Extension of Voters’ Registration
Following the likely disenranchisement of voters in the the six Northwest states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa and Kaduna, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the zone has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend voters’ registration to allow additional eligible voters acquire their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
Mr Musa Mada, the Zonal Publicity Secretary of the party, made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Kaduna.
Mada said the call for the extension had become necessary following mass rush by eligible voters to get registered ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“We are concerned about the number of people trooping to INEC office on daily basis, most of whom are yet to be captured.
“It will only be fair if an extension of the closing date be considered so that additional eligible voters will be registered,” Mada added.
He also urged INEC to consider the possibility of creating additional registration centres, saying this would ease dificulty faced by the eligible voters.
“Thousands of eligible voters might be disenfranchised due to difficulties being faced to access registration centers.
“INEC should know that the whole exercise bothers on the people, as such, it will not be fair to disenfranchise them,” he said.
On its part, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for Good Governance has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to further extend the July 31 deadline for the termination of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
The coalition made the appeal in a letter signed by its Convener, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, addressed to INEC Chairman and submitted at the commission’s headquarters on Friday in Abuja.
According to the letter, the CSOs urged INEC to magnanimously consider extending the deadline for the exercise in favour of the 2023 general elections.
The CSOs said that its appeal was anchored on information reaching it from several parts of the country, across the six geo-political zones.
It stated that large segments of the population have not been able to register after queuing up at various registration centres without any hope of being registered.
“If this deadline is not extended, millions of Nigerians will be disenfranchised and since this problem may enhance the narrative of marginalisation, which cannot augur well for democracy in Nigeria.
“During the anticipated extension of the deadline for voter registration, INEC will have the opportunity of addressing the lapses which have been experienced.
“By law, INEC enjoys the liberty of official closure of 90 days to the elections, so extending it by at least one month will enable good citizens of Nigeria to register,” the letter stated.
Ndubuaku, who led members of the society in a protest to submit the letter, urged INEC to consider the plead of Nigerians.
“Somebody might say even if you extend it forever some people might not still register. But so long that we still have crowd at the centres it means that we still have people who are waiting.
“Some people are afraid that they may not be able to register in the remaining two days.
“We know the tenacity of INEC that you can extend it a little bit, which will still be within the law.
“We know you have extended it several times. You have tried, but all over the country there are still long queues,” Ndubuaku said.
He said while the coalition could not force INEC to extend it as well as know its constraints, they believe that INEC could still consider the request, “even if it is to ask for more fund which is justifiable”.
Ndubuaku said that if the request could be granted, the coalition made up of about 25 CSOs, would mobilise support of NIgerians for INEC on the exercise.
Receiving the letter, the Assistant Director, Security Unit, INEC, Mrs Endurance Babaginda, said that the letter would be forwarded to the INEC chairman.
The commission fixed July 31 as the deadline to allow it perform the legal requirements it has to undertake before the general elections.
These includes clean-up of voter register, display details of the newly registrants at each of the 8,809 Registration Areas (Wards) across the 774 Local Government Areas and printing of millions of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
Defranchised Abuja Residents Cry out to INEC to Extend Exercise
Also, some Abuja residents in Kuje Area Council of FCT have appealed to INEC to extend the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) to enable eligible voters get registered before the 2023 general elections.
The residents made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Kuje.
They said that those willing to register had been coming out in large numbers in vain.
The exercise, which had been generally peaceful, orderly and hitch-free at the Kuje INEC office and some registration centres, experienced a massive crowd of registrants on Sunday.
The registrants included people who want to register for new Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), people whose cards had been defaced and those that wanted to effect transfer to another polling unit.
Mr Abraham Gado, a registrant, noted the success of the 2023 general election depended a lot on public perception of INEC as neutral and fair to all.
Gado insisted that large number of people in the six area councils were yet to register and collect their PVCs.
However, he acknowledged that the deadline for registration had been previously extended but appealed that INEC should consider extension so as not to disenfranchise anyone.
“If this deadline is not extended, millions of Nigerians will be disenfranchised and this may enhance the narrative of not choosing good leaders, which is not good for democracy in Nigeria.
“The extension is very important as it will build public trust towards peaceful electoral outcomes in the 2023 general election,” he said.
Mr Luka Ayuba, another registrant, reminded the electoral umpire of the provisions in the amended Electoral Act, which allowed for the extension of the voter registration.
Ayuba described the exercise as tedious and cumbersome, marred by delay in capturing, slow process and other technical hitches.
He, therefore, appealed for extension and deployment of more machines to different electoral wards in the area to fast track their registration and enable large number of people to be captured.
“This would result in the disenfranchisement of millions of Nigerians willing and eager to perform their civic responsibilities in the 2023 polls.
“Given the foregoing, we call on INEC to extend the Continuous Voters Registration till at least the end of August 2022.
“If the registration is extended it will help compensate for the identified technical difficulties faced and assure Nigerians that INEC is seen to be fair to all,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Yakubu Allawa, the Kuje INEC Electoral Officer (EO), said the office had only four functional machines for the entire area council, thereby making the exercise cumbersome.
Allawa said another major challenge the commission was facing was issue of poor network, which had been slowing down the process during capturing.
He added that adequate priority was being given to Persons with Disability (PWDs), the elderly and pregnant women in the area.
“We have been asking people to come out and register for a long time, this mentality of coming out at the last minute have to be discouraged.
“For long people refused to come out to register and now that the closure for the exercise is drawing nearer, people are trooping out in large numbers,” he said.
Many Nigerians ‘ll be Disenfranchised – IPAC
The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Lagos State, on its part has noted that many Nigerians may not have been captured in the INEC Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) that ended nationwide on Sunday.
IPAC also said that many Nigerians that would be of voting age some months to the election would also be disenfranchised.
In Lagos state l those who registered online as at July 18, were 640, 560 but many of them had not completed their registration, while those who completed the registration exercise were 451, 156.
INEC Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in Lagos state, Mr Olusegun Agbaje said on July 24, that current statistics of July 18, showed that Lagos state had about seven million registered voters.
The REC disclosed that the number was derived from the new registrants so far in the ongoing CVR, added to those in the old register of voters in the state.
IPAC Chairman in Lagos state, Mr Olusegun Mobolaji, however, said that INEC should reconsider ending the registration.
Mobolaji made the appeal as he spoke on Sunday, regarding the July 31 deadline of the CVR.
He said that for elections to be free, fair and credible, every eligible citizen must be allowed to participate in choosing the leadership they wanted.
“Everything about credible elections is voter register and voter cards, and if that is actually what INEC really stands for as unbiased umpire, for the purpose of democracy, INEC should be fair in all areas, especially in allowing those who have not registered to do so.
“I think INEC should have a way of allowing every eligible voter get their voter cards to choose the leadership they want,” he said.
He stressed that irrespective of the time the registration started, the commission should.not discontinue the exercise.
“Irrespective of the fact that INEC had started the voter enrollment exercise in 2021, if the time is not enough for everyone that want to participate in the election to get registered and obtain a voter card, INEC should not stop registration,” he said.
He said that continuation of voter enrollment would not affect every other electoral activity and processes put in place by the commission to conduct good elections.
According to him, INEC should continue until it becomes glaring that it will be impossible to print voter cards again, we will all know that they have done their best.
“I think voter registration can go simultaneously with every other plan INEC has.
“There should be a way round this, such that everyone that is of voting age is given the opportunity to be able to vote. We still have months to the election.”
Mobolaji said that INEC could get more gadgets and personnel to register every eligible citizen who presented themselves for the registration.
“INEC may have done its best but I can say that its best is not enough for the present dispensation as well as the requirements and demand of present democracy.
“Nigerians want to be part of the decision making process. They want to elect good leaders. All eligible citizens want to be part of it,” he stated.
According to him, the only way to reposition the country is through ballot and every qualified citizen should be allowed to vote in 2023.
He said that the crowd at enrollment centres across the country showed that the time for registration was not enough.
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello will spend the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year days in Kuje prison, Abuja, following refusal of his bail application by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Justice Maryann Anenih yesterday adjourned the case until Jan.
29, Feb. 25, and Feb. 27, 2025 for the continuation of the hearing.The former governor is standing trial, along with two others, in an N110 billion money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Anenih had refused to grant a bail application filed by Bello, saying it was filed prematurely.
The judge admitted Umar Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, to bail in the sum of N 300 million each with two sureties.
Justice Anenih, while delivering a ruling said, having been filed when Bello was neither in custody nor before the court, the instant application was incompetent.
“Consequently, the instant application having been filed prematurely is hereby refused,” she said.
Recalling the arguments before the court on the bail application, the judge had said, “before the court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on Nov. 22.
“The 1st Defendant seeks an order of this honourable court admitting him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge.
“That he became aware of the instant charge through the public summons. That he is a two-term governor of Kogi State. That if released on bail, he would not interfere with the witnesses and not jump bail.”
She said the Defendant’s Counsel, JB Daudu, SAN, had told the court that he had submitted sufficient facts to grant the bail.
He urged the court to exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously to grant the bail.
Opposing the bail application, the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued that the instant application was grossly incompetent, having been filed before arraignment.
He said it ought to be filed after arraignment but the 1st Defendant’s Counsel disagreed, saying there was no authority
“That says that an application can only be filed when it is ripe for hearing.”
Justice Anenih held that the instant application for bail showed that it was filed several days after the 1st defendant was taken into custody.”
Citing the ACJA, the judge said the provision provided that an application for bail could be made when a defendant had been arrested, detained, arraigned or brought before the court.
Bello had filed an application for his bail on November 22 but was taken into custody on November 26 and arraigned on Nov. 27.
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Community Development Association (CONAECDA) has called on the federal government to intensify efforts in the resettlement of displaced persons in their ancestral homes.
The organization made this call at the end of its conference held in Jos, the Plateau State Capital weekend.
Thirty resolutions were passed covering security, economy, politics, governance, culture, languages, human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights among others.
The Conference President, Samuel Achie and Secretary Suleman Sukukum in a communique noted that the conference received and discussed reports from communities based on which resolutions were reached on securing, reconstruction, rehabilitation and returning communities displaced by violence across the Middle Belt.
“After considering the reports from communities displaced by violent conflicts, conference resolved, and called on government to focus on providing security to deter further displacements.
“Call on government to provide security to enable communities to return. Government and donor partners should assist in reconstructing and returning displaced communities,” the communique stated.
The GOC 3 Armoured Division Nigeria Army represented by Lt Col Abdullahi Mohammed said the Nigerian Army is committed to working closely with communities to achieve a crime-free society, urging communities to support them with credible information.
“Security is a collective effort, and we cannot do it alone, the community plays a crucial role in ensuring safety.
“We urge everyone here not to shield or protect individuals involved in criminal activities. Transparency and collaboration, together, with maximum cooperation, we can achieve peace, security, and prosperity for our society,” the GOC stated.
The National Coordinator of CONECDA, Dr. Zuwaghu Bonat in his address at the gathering noted that the theme of this year’s program, Returning, Resettling, and Rehabilitating Displaced Communities, was chosen as a wakeup call on the federal government.
He maintained that the organization is aware that President Bola Tinubu has expressed a commitment to ensuring that displaced communities return to their ancestral lands.
He said similarly, some state governments, including Plateau State, have set up committees to address the lingering matter.
The coordinator however cautioned, “It is critical that we avoid generalizations or profiling. For instance, Not all Muslims are involved in terrorism. The overwhelming majority of Muslims in Nigeria are peaceful and reject extremist ideologies.
“We also know that some terrorists exploit religion to mobilize support or rationalize their actions. However, their atrocities – slaughtering women, cutting open pregnant mothers, and killing children show a profound disregard for humanity and God. Normal human beings would not commit such acts.
“We must also be cautious about lumping banditry with terrorism. While statistics indicate that many bandits and kidnappers may share similar ethnic backgrounds, kidnapping has now evolved into a profit-driven enterprise. This distinction is vital to address the root causes effectively,” he stated.
The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Middle Belt Nationalities, Hon Daniel Kwada noted that the conference was apt to addressed the various underlying issues bedeviling the region and its people.
“We in the Middle Belt have long been standing at the crossroads of Nigeria’s complex history. Despite our tireless efforts to stabilize this nation, we have faced immense challenges, including underdevelopment, security issues, and marginalization.
“Often, we are unfairly maligned, but gatherings like this offer a chance to change the narrative.
“Such conferences set the tone for better discussions. They allow us to drive processes that bring development, ensure security, and elevate our people to greater heights,” Mutfwang noted.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has called on banks to reinforce their corporate governance principles and risk management frameworks to boost investor confidence during the ongoing recapitalisation exercise.
Dr Emomotimi Agama, Director-General, SEC, said this at the yearly workshop of the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) held in Lagos.
The theme of the workshop is: “Recapitalisation: Bridging the Gap between Investors and Issuers in the Nigerian Capital Market”.
Agama, represented by the Divisional Head of Legal and Enforcement at the SEC, Mr John Achile, stated that the 2024–2026 banking sector recapitalisation framework offers clear guidance for issuers while prioritising the protection of investors’ interests
He restated the commission’s commitment towards ensuring transparency and efficiency in the recapitalisation process.
The director-general stated that the key to bridging the gap between issuers and investors remained the harnessing of innovation for inclusive growth.
In view of this, Agama said, “SEC, through the aid of digital platform, is exploring the integration of blockchain technology for secure and transparent transaction processing to redefine trust in the market.”
He added that the oversubscription of most recapitalisation offers in 2024 reflects strong investor confidence.
To sustain this momentum, the director-general said that SEC had intensified efforts to enhance disclosure standards and corporate governance practices.
According to him, expanding financial literacy campaigns and collaborating with fintech companies to provide low-entry investment options will democratise access to the capital market.
He assured stakeholders of the commission’s steadfastness in achieving its mission of creating an enabling environment for seamless and transparent capital formation.
“Our efforts are anchored on providing issuers with clear guidelines and maintaining open lines of communication with all market stakeholders, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks through digitalisation.
“We also ensure timely review and approval of applications, and enhancing regulatory oversight to protect investors while promoting market integrity,” he added.
Agama listed constraints to the exercise to include: addressing market volatility, systemic risks, limited retail participation as well as combating skepticism among investors who demand greater transparency and accountability.
He said: “We are equally presented with opportunities which include leveraging technology to deepen financial inclusion and enhance market liquidity.
“It also involves developing innovative financial products, such as green bonds and sukuk, to attract diverse investor segments.
“The success of recapitalisation efforts depends on collaboration among regulators, issuers, and investors.”
Speaking on market infrastructure at the panel session, Achile said SEC provides oversight to every operations in the market, ranging from technology innovations to market.
He stated that the commission is committed to transparency and being mindful of the benefits and risks associated with technology adoption.
Achile noted that SEC does due diligence to all the innovative ideas that comes into the market to ensure adequate compliance with the requirements.
On the rising unclaimed dividend figure, Achile blamed the inability of investors to comply with regulatory requirements and information gap.
He noted that SEC had done everything within its powers to ensure that investors receive their dividend at the appropriate time.
He, however, assured that the commission would continue to strengthen its dual role of market regulation and investor protection to boost confidence in the market.
In her welcome address, the Chairman of CAMCAN, Mrs Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma, said banks’ recapitalisation is not just a regulatory requirement, but an opportunity to rebuild trust, strengthen the capital market, and drive sustainable growth.
Joel-Nwokeoma stated that the recent recapitalisation in the banking sector had brought to the fore the need for a more robust and inclusive capital market.
She added that as banks seek to strengthen their balance sheets and improve their capital adequacy ratios, it is imperative to create an environment that fosters trust, transparency, and cooperation between investors and issuers.
The chairman called for collaboration to bridge the gap between investors and issuers to create a more inclusive and vibrant Nigerian capital market.She said: “we must work together to strengthen corporate governance and risk management practices in banks, enhance disclosure and transparency requirements for issuers.” NAN
Yuletide: Bode George Urges Tinubu to Reduce Petrol Price
ShareChief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged President Bola Tinubu to...
Tinubu Set for Groundbreaking of Renewed Hope City in Lagos
Share President Bola Tinubu, is set to perform the groundbreaking of 2,000 housing units of the Renewed Hope City in...
Gov. Alia Presents N550.1bn as 2025 Budget Estimate to Benue Assembly
ShareGov. Hyacinth Alia on Wednesday presented the sum of N550.1bn as the 2025 appropriation bill to the Benue State House...
Tax Bills: NASS will not Betray the Trust of Nigerians, says Akpabio
Share The President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, says the National Assembly will prioritise the interest of all Nigerians...
Alia Has Demonstrated Capacity, Courage to Entrench Good Governance—Speaker
Share The Speaker, Benue Assembly, Mr Hyacinth Dajo, has said that Gov. Hyacinth Alia has so far demonstrated capacity, courage,...
Investors Gain N183bn on NGX
Share The Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) continued its bullish trend on Wednesday, gaining N183 billion. Accordingly, the market capitalisation, which...
Energy, Solid Minerals Top Priority, Tinubu Tells German Businessmen
Share President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, assured the German government and businessmen of Nigeria’s preparedness to expand frontiers for investors...
Nigerian Who Wrote WASSCE 17 Times Bags Distinction from London School
Share Dr Emmanuel Ahmadu, a Nigerian who wrote the West Africa School Senior Certificate Education 17 times, has earned a...
INEC Staff Welfare Association Warns Members Against Manipulating Election Results
Share The Abia Chapter of the INEC Staff Welfare Association (ISWA) has warned its members to uphold the integrity of...
Bill for Compulsory Counselling, Training of Convicts Scales 2nd Reading
ShareA bill to amend the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, has successfully passed its second reading in...