*Says Days of Election Season Gone
The Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday said investigations into the case of an illegal announcement of result by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa State have been concluded with the commission and the police ready to release details to Nigerians.
This was just as the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmud Yakubu, at a meeting with RECs in Abuja, said the days of election seasons are gone with the spread of various off-season elections now all the year round
Addressing resident electoral commissioners, Yakubu said 215 cases of electoral offences were also received from the police adding that the commission would not rest until elections are sanitised in the country.
He said, “We are presently looking at all the evidence of infractions during the election, including the prosecution of offenders. We are looking at the activities of all actors involved in the election, including some of our high-ranking officials.
“ I can confirm that the Nigeria Police concluded its investigation of the conduct of our Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa State and submitted the case file to us. Appropriate action will be taken in a matter of days and Nigerians will be fully informed.”
NPO Reports that the Adamawa REC, Yunusa Hudu Ari, had announced the candidate of the All Progressive Congress Senator Aisha Binani, winner of the election before the conclusion of the exercise.
The development had sparked controversy across the country with many accusing INEC of bias.
Saying the meeting with the RECs was to reflect on the just concluded 2023 General Election, the INEC chairman said it was necessary to take stock over the exercise.
He said the Commission has consciously not joined in the arguments post elections, saying “our preference is to listen more and draw lessons rather than join in the heated and often emotive public discussion on the election.”
He said commission would also not want to be seen as defensive or justificatory in joining the ongoing discussions.
He added, “Finally, and perhaps most importantly, several issues around the election are sub-judice and it is not the intention of the Commission to either undermine or promote the chances of litigants in the various election petition courts beyond what is required of us by the legal process. Indeed, practically anything coming from the Commission could be cited by litigants as either justifying their claims or an indication of bias against them.”
He said the 2023 general election was one of the most meticulously prepared for in recent times.
“Learning from previous experiences, we started preparations immediately after the 2019 General Election, carefully ticking the necessary boxes over a four-year period. It is the need to learn from both the positives and the shortcomings that makes the stocktaking that we are embarking on today essential,” he added
He said the outcome of the election showed that it is a fair reflection of a complex multi-party democracy.
“ We wish to remind Nigerians that elections were held for a total of 1,491 constituencies made up of one Presidential, 28 Governorship, 109 Senatorial, 360 Federal Constituencies and 993 State Assembly seats. Our record shows that these elections have produced the most diverse outcomes ever recorded since 1999.
“Today, five political parties produced State Governors, seven parties won Senatorial seats, eight are represented in the House of Representatives and nine in State Houses of Assembly. Clearly, the 10th National Assembly is certainly the most diverse in party representation since 1999.
“In some States around the country, different political parties controlled the legislative and executive arms of Government. What is clear from these records also is that the days of single party dominance of our national politics are probably gone. Furthermore, many prominent candidates lost in the constituencies they contested, and political parties lost in some of their presumed strongholds. “
While acknowledging some challenges, which he described as “structural, infrastructural and human in nature,” the INEC boss said the commission is determined to address the challenges as it prepares for future elections.
Speaking over alleged infractions during the elections, he said. “We are looking at the activities of all actors involved in the election, including some of our high-ranking officials. I can confirm that the Nigeria Police concluded its investigation of the conduct of our Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa State and submitted the case file to us. Appropriate action will be taken in a matter of days and Nigerians will be fully informed.
“I can also confirm that we have received 215 case files from the Nigeria Police following their arrest and the conclusion of investigation into electoral offences arising from the 2023 General Election. We are working with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to prosecute the alleged offenders. Already, the NBA has submitted a list of 427 lawyers across the country who have volunteered to render pro bono services to the Commission. They are not charging legal fees but by mutual agreement the Commission will provide a token amount to cover for filing fees/expenses.
“We are most grateful to NBA and its President, Yakubu Maikyau SAN, for this historic collaboration. Similarly, we are working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) on the prosecution of cases relating to vote buying and associated violations. “