Emanuella Ben-Opara, Head of the Department of Voter Education and Publicity for Imo State INEC, conveyed this message during discussions with journalists in Owerri regarding the state’s election preparations.

Ben-Opara emphasized that the Commission received assurances from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), clarifying that the NURTW is not part of the ongoing labour union protest.

She highlighted the presence of NURTW-hired vehicles on-site, dedicated to facilitating the smooth transportation of personnel and materials to all polling units.

Providing further insights, the Imo State Head of the Department of Voter Education and Publicity revealed that all Registration Area Centers have been activated for the timely deployment of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials on Friday night.

In addressing security concerns, Ben-Opara disclosed that security agencies have identified potential flashpoints and assured residents that there is no need for apprehension.

She reiterated the commitment of security agencies to maintain a conducive environment throughout the entire electoral process.

Yakubu made this assertion during the INEC post-election review meeting with Collation and Returning Officers, held at Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja on Friday.

The INEC boss urged senior officials to engage in constructive discussions, focusing on key aspects like “the integrity of the collation and declaration procedure, including the application of the law, regulations, and guidelines for result management.”

He also stressed the importance of assessing the role of technology in result management, ensuring the security of Collation/Returning Officers and collation centers, and evaluating the conduct of party agents and election observers during the collation process, as well as the behavior of security personnel.

Yakubu acknowledged the challenging circumstances under which the officers worked, manually completing designated forms as provided by the law, and moving them to the next level of collation or concluding the processes as Returning Officers.

The Chairman appreciated the dedication, commitment, and sacrifice shown by the officers in upholding democracy during the election.

While some issues are currently under litigation, Yakubu assured that the meeting would facilitate broad discussions on these matters and enable the sharing of experiences to chart a way forward.

He urged participants to identify strengths, weaknesses, and necessary reforms that need to be introduced in future elections.

Yakubu assured Nigerians that the comprehensive report resulting from the review meeting would be produced, encompassing the practical experiences and perspectives of the National Commissioners, Collation and Returning Officers, and other Senior Officials.

He expressed his expectation for candid discussions on field experiences to further improve this critical aspect of the electoral process, reiterating INEC’s commitment to transparency and continuous improvement.

Dr. Tony Aiyejina, the Federal Commissioner representing Edo State, explained during an interactive media chat in Benin that the NPC had rescheduled the census to May but was unable to proceed due to the onset of the rainy season, which necessitated adherence to the global principle of simultaneity in conducting census exercises.

Dr. Aiyejina emphasized that when the census eventually takes place, it will be both accurate and reliable, with measures in place to eliminate the controversies that plagued past censuses.

He highlighted the introduction of Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) machines, which would minimize human errors encountered in previous exercises and ensure auditing capabilities.

Addressing public concerns regarding the expenditure of N800 billion prior to the postponement, Dr. Aiyejina clarified that the NPC had only utilized N200 billion of the budgeted amount.

He stated, “The census was postponed due to the rescheduling of the elections by INEC. However, given the current rainy season, conducting the census is not feasible at this time. Previous censuses were marred by controversies, but the 2023 census will not be influenced by any external factors. We have opted for a digital census, utilizing Personal Digital Assistants that are specially configured and traceable to monitor fieldwork.”

Dr. Aiyejina further explained, “Our goal is to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and audibility of the census. We aimed to insulate the census from politics, which is why we planned for a gap of two months after the elections. Unfortunately, the adjustments made by INEC affected the NPC’s timeline, pushing it from March to May. However, we encountered unforeseen challenges due to the rainy season, resulting in the unavoidable postponement. It is important to note that no mistakes were made or issues encountered during this process.”

Underscoring the significance of the census, Dr. Aiyejina emphasized that it is crucial for future planning rather than catering to the present government’s needs. He stressed the necessity of accurate statistics to enable effective government planning and stated that with precise census figures, Nigeria can align with developed nations.

Dr. Aiyejina assured the public that the media would be able to hold the government accountable with accurate census data. He also dismissed concerns about malfunctions with the PDAs, drawing a comparison to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System. He urged Nigerians to maintain optimism and trust that the NPC would deliver the best census in the nation’s history.

Despite the postponement, Dr. Aiyejina confirmed that all sensitive materials for the census were securely stored at the Benin branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Other materials had been distributed to the 18 local government areas of the state, under the watchful eye of District Police Officers.

He encouraged residents of the state to be available when the Commission is ready to conduct the exercise. Dr. Aiyejina emphasized that unlike elections, apathy would not be excused during the census.

He advised residents to be counted wherever they reside, without the need to travel back to their hometowns.

During the interactive session, senior members of the Edo NPC, such as Mr. Saturday Ekeoba, presented papers on “Cartographic Perspectives in Census Making,” Mrs. Rita Aigbokhan discussed “Preparation for Census in Edo State,” and Mrs. Adesuwa Aigbobayi provided an overview of vital registration in Edo State.

In a statement on Wednesday, British High Commission said actions such as UK visa ban will be imposed on such individuals.

The UK’s statement was released about 24 hours after the United States Government threatened to take “all available actions” against those who undermined the just-concluded elections in Nigeria.

The statement was signed by the Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe.

“The UK Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell MP, said on 21 February, that the UK is prepared to take action against those who engage in or incite electoral violence and other anti-democratic behaviours, and action could include preventing people from obtaining UK visas or imposing sanctions under our human rights sanctions regime.

“We can confirm that we are collating relevant information, with a view to taking action against some individuals,” the statement read.

The British Commission commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for improved logistics during the governorship elections, particularly when compared to the presidential election three weeks ago.

“More polling units opened on time, there was greater evidence of BVAS and IREV working and results uploaded in real time from polling units and collation centres. These are positive markers to build on for future elections,” the Commission stated.

However, the Commission said members of its observation mission observed violence, and voter suppression in numerous voting locations on Saturday.

“We witnessed and received credible reports from other observer missions and civil society organisations of vote buying and voter intimidation the destruction and hijacking of election materials and the general disruption of the process in numerous states including Lagos, Enugu and Rivers.

“In addition, we observed incidents of harassment of journalists. Freedom of speech and a free press are crucial for a healthy democracy, and journalists must be able to go about their work without being threatened.

“The UK is concerned by the use of inflammatory ethno-religious language by some public and political figures. We call on all leaders not just to distance themselves from this kind of language, but to prevent those who speak on their behalf from doing so in this way,” the statement added.

The British Commission hailed the commitment to democracy by many Nigerians despite being faced with intimidation and hostility.

“We urge any party or individual who wishes to challenge the process or outcome of the elections to do so peacefully and through the appropriate legal channels. We will be observing the course of legal challenges made.

“The 2023 elections are not only important to Nigeria and Nigerians, but to Africa and the world as a whole. As a long-term partner, the UK is committed to strengthening the ties between our countries and peoples, including by supporting democratic development.”

As Fani-Kayode predicted, Lagos State will confront the toughest test and battle regarding the state’s identity.

He asked Yorubas and those of good conscience to support Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday in a tweet.

He wrote: “On Sat. 18th March Lagos State will face the stiffest test & greatest challenge to its efficacy & identity since it came into existence. The question of who owns Lagos will finally be determined & the guests that seek to claim Yoruba land as their own will be put in their place.

“I urge every son & daughter of the Yoruba together with all men & women of goodwill to come out on that day and vote for @jidesanwoolu who has proved that he is not only a true omo-oluabi but also a first-class leader and administrator.”

In Lagos State, there has been competing between Yorubas and Igbos since the presidential election.

This came after Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP), won the state of Lagos.

After the election, a market in Lagos State with a large Igbo population caught fire, and many assumed political thugs were to blame.

Gbajabiamila expressed disappointment over the fact that factors other than the effectiveness of Lawmakers were used to decide the results of the elections, which were the first in a series of elections leading up to the general elections of 2023.

The Speaker made this statement on Tuesday night when addressing the House of Representatives Press Corps.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, winner of the presidential election, defeating Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party and other 14 other contestants.

The LP candidate had, however, defeated Tinubu in his base, Lagos State, where Gbajabiamila also represents.

Gbajabiamila said, “It was a hard-won battle not just for me but for many of our colleagues on the floor (of the House) there…all 360 of us. Many were unlucky. Some were lucky. I used the word ‘lucky’ deliberately because this election was not as it should be; not so much about the performance of members whether on the floor or in their constituencies.

“It was about a lot of other things. It was about religion. It was about ethnicity. It was about so many other things which I hope that as we develop as a nation, one’s election would be based solely, or at least mostly, on his or her performance on the floor and in the constituency. That is why I fought tooth and nail to make sure the Electoral Act adopted strictly the direct mode for primaries because of elections.”

He added, “Even though at the general elections members lost, a lot of members actually lost their elections at the primaries where their acceptance by the constituents was not put to test. What was put to test was what one or two leaders in their constituencies determined, whether they were returning or not. So, we lost a lot of legislators even at the primaries level, and that does not help our democracy.”

The Speaker hinted that the National Assembly would further review the Electoral Act 2022, which is the amended version of the Electoral Act 2010 and is being applied to the 2023 general elections.

“So, hopefully, moving forward, we would perfect that document, the Electoral Act, which many people have celebrated but still not perfect yet. Hopefully, we would be able to perfect it,” he said.

Two aggrieved Nigerians had filed a suit seeking the use of the Temporary Voter Card in the general elections in the absence of the Permanent Voter Cards.

The plaintiffs, Kofoworola Olusegun and Wilson Allwell, in the suit filed on February 8 and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/180/2023, challenged the position of INEC and asked the court to determine “whether a person whose name appears in the electronic format in INEC’s central database and manual, printed paper based record or hard copy format of the register of voters and has been assigned a Voter’s Identification Number can be said to be entitled to be accredited to vote with his/her TVC in the general election to be conducted by the defendant.”

The plaintiffs further requested the court to determine whether such a person can, as a consequence of INEC’s liabilities… omission be disenfranchised of the right and entitlement to vote in the 2023 general election.

Consequently, they prayed for the following reliefs should the questions be answered in their favour.

They asked for “a declaration that the plaintiff, having fulfilled all necessary legal requirements to register and having consequently been captured in its central database and manual, printed paper-based record or hard copy format of INEC’s maintained register of voters, the plaintiffs are entitled to vote using their TVC in the 2023 General Elections”.

Ruling, the court held that there was no portion of the law, both the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act that states that it is only PVCs that could be used, but that the law under Section 47 provided for a voter’s card.

Justice Egwuatu stated that the order was made on the grounds that the plaintiffs were duly registered and captured in INEC’s database.

He ruled that, “an order is made compelling the defendant to allow the plaintiffs to vote using their Temporary Voter Cards issued by the defendant, the plaintiffs having been duly captured in the National Register of Voters database”.

The judge further held that the plaintiffs are entitled to vote using their TVC in the forthcoming 2023 general election “having fulfilled all necessary legal requirements to register and having consequently been captured in INEC’s central database and manual, printed paper-based record or hard copy format”.

However, prayer 3 which was a request to allow every eligible voter with a TVC to vote was not granted.

“Any other order, the court may deem fit for all other Nigerians who are like the plaintiffs and have not gotten their permanent voter’s card, as the court may deem fit”

The judge held that the suit was not filed in a representative capacity.

The court maintained that, “This suit having not been brought in a representative capacity, I find myself unable to grant any relief pursuant to prayer three of the plaintiffs application.”

Speaking, counsel for the plaintiffs,  Victor Opatola said that the judgement was a win for all Nigerians who suffered to get registered to vote, were duly registered but due to no fault of theirs could not get their PVCs before the election.

He said, “since my clients had fulfilled all necessary requirements by law but were not issued their PVCs until the time for collection of PVCs was over, they should not be allowed to suffer”.

The lawyer also said that it was the law of equity that what applied to the goose should also apply to the gander.

“So what the court is saying is that these two people who have fulfilled all necessary requirements can vote with their TVCs, then by law of equity, it should also apply to all Nigerians who have fulfilled all necessary requirements and were issued TVCs by INEC.”

Furthermore, he asserted that the content of the TVC was the same as the content of the  PVC and the only difference was the plastic used for the PVC.

Obi disclosed this during his first media appearance as a press conference in Abuja on Thursday following the election umpire’s proclamation of a winner.

“We will explore all legal and peaceful option to reclaim our mandate. We won the election and we will prove it to Nigerians.

“I am challenging the process, This is very unfair. It is the least expected of Nigeria,” he said.

A new Nigeria is possible, and I will work for that new Nigeria… Datti and I remain committed to that new Nigeria.

Just at the commencement of the briefing, Obi observed a one-minute silence for all injured and deceased victims of the February 25 poll.

Also in attendance at the briefing is the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure; as well as the director general of Obi’s presidential campaign, Akin Osuntokun.

He also said himself and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed remain committed to a new Nigeria.

He effusively thanked his youthful followers known as ‘Obidients’, urging them not to be deterred by the outcome of the polls.

“We will work for that new Nigeria that is possible,” he said. “Datti and I remain committed to that new Nigeria.”

Obi assured youths in the country that he is not going away but will stay and work for a new Nigeria.

The former governor of Anambra State said the structure that has created one hundred and thirty-three million people living in multidimensional poverty can’t go away overnight. “We will walk through darkness until daybreak,” he said.

He said the poll did not meet the minimum standard for a free and fair election, adding that the poll will go down as the most controversial election conducted in Nigeria.

Obi lamented that Nigeria cannot conduct elections 63 years after independence.

Obi’s Full Speech:

Address to the Nation

Dear Nigerians,

1. On 25th February 2023, Nigerians trooped out en-masse to participate in what was promised and expected to be a free, fair and transparent Presidential and National Assembly elections. But in all things, we are enjoined to give thanks.

2. First to Almighty God for the privilege of making Datti Baba-Ahmed and I, the tools to champion the cause of a New Nigeria that will fundamentally enhance the fortunes of our dear country. Let me also appreciate and thank all Nigerians that participated in our last election especially those who believed and tirelessly worked for a New Nigeria and voted for us. My profound thanks go to the youths, ‘Obidients’ and support groups for your commitment and resilience for a better Nigeria. You truly showed that you can take back your country!

3. We continue to pray for the repose of the souls of all Nigerians killed during the campaigns and for those that were violently attacked, we pray for their quick recovery. We reiterate our total condemnation of such attacks and continue to demand that security agencies stop further attacks and bring perpetrators to book.

4. The commitment and resilience of Nigerians, even in the face of unwarranted and barbaric attacks is a testimony that a New Nigeria is Indeed POssible. The Lady, Jennifer Efidi who was stabbed but insisted on exercising her right to vote and indeed all Nigerians who voted during the election are the shinning stars leading us to a New Nigeria!

5. The election has been conducted and results announced as programmed. It is a clear deviation from the electoral rules and guidelines as we were promised and did not meet the minimum criteria of a free, transparent, credible and fair election devoid of voter intimidation and suppression, and late commencement of voting in some specific states.

6. This will probably go down as one of the most controversial elections ever conducted in Nigeria. The good and hardworking people of Nigeria have again been robbed by the institutions and leaders whom we trusted.

7. However, let me humbly and most respectfully appeal to all Nigerians to remain peaceful, law-abiding and conduct themselves in a most responsible manner. Please be assured that for Datti and I, and indeed for all of us, this is not the end, but the beginning of the journey to birth a New Nigeria.

8. Datti Baba-Ahmed and I remain absolutely undaunted and deeply committed to this project of a New Nigeria that will be built on honesty, transparency, fairness, justice and equity. All of these starts with the process -The process through which people are elected to office is as important (if not more important) than what they do thereafter with the office and authority.

9. If we seek to be called Your Excellency, then the process through which we are elected should also be excellent or sufficiently credible to generate the required confidence and moral authority to govern and lead. As you all know, the destruction of a society can be a gradual or sudden process through acts such as deliberate refusal to obey the rule of law and via the suppression of the will of the people.

10. Let me reiterate and assure my good people of Nigeria that we will follow all available legal and peaceful procedures to reclaim our mandate.

11. I urge you all to continue with your campaigns and troop out on Saturday 11th March 2023 to vote massively again for Labour Party-LP (Mama, Papa and Pikin) in the Governorship and State Assembly Elections. Please do not despair at a time when we can still achieve massive victories in the forthcoming elections on the 11th March 2023.

Thank you all and God bless The Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Mr Peter Obi
Labour Party Presidential Candidate 

The institute, which has monitored 59 elections in around 27 nations, voiced dissatisfaction with the slow deployment of sensitive and non-sensitive materials in more over 50% of the 176,606 voting locations nationwide, despite INEC’s excellent preparations before the general elections.

The Head of the Observer Mission, AEMPIN, Emenike Umesi, also praised the strong voter participation during the election while briefing journalists on the results of the over 2000 election observers deployed across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, yesterday.

He, however, bemoaned the relocation of voters’ polling units at the eleventh hour of the election, adding that the relocation was a good idea to reduce crowd in polling units but done at the wrong time.

He said: “All polling units were supposed to open at 8am. We observed delays in the opening of some of the polling units due to late arrival of materials and INEC officials. In some polling units, voters started arriving as early as 7am.

”This shows the level of enthusiasm about the election among the voters and their willingness to do all they can to ensure the polling was successful.

“INEC’s decision to further split existing polling units which registered voters exceeded the number recommended is highly commendable. It allowed for easy management of voters and efficiency in terms of the time it takes to accredit a voter.

”As commendable as this is, some of the voters could not easily locate their new polling units either because they did not receive such communication from INEC, or they were simply unaware.

“Logistics failure has become perennial. In fact, one of the most persistent challenges INEC has not been able to address is the deployment of officials and materials to the various polling units across the country. This has made election administration difficult over time and even now.

“This logistics failure is also responsible for the postponement of some elections to the next day. This also affected the collation and transmission of results from the polling units to the local, state, and national collation centers. It also includes the delay this logistics challenge causes and the anxiety the delays usually give rise to.

“With the BVAS, it was thought that electoral violence/malpractice was over in Nigeria. Despite this innovative device that seeks to ensure that electoral malpractice is eliminated from Nigeria’s electoral system, electoral violence/malpractices persisted.

”There were also observed incidences of ballot box snatching and destruction. The swift response of the security forces saved the situation in most of the areas where this happened. There were no visible incidents of vote buying in most of the units where we observed the election.”

While cautioning agitated parties against violence, Umesi urged them to explore the new Electoral Act which empowered INEC to review its declarations.

Calling on INEC to subsequently consider People With Disabilities, PWDs, when selecting the locations of polling units, he recommended that INEC, in other elections, made deliberate efforts to improve on its logistics and ensure that it adhered to the time scheduled for electoral processes.

He also stressed the need for the Federal Government to adopt e-voting or i-voting to reduce electioneering challenges of ballot snatching and mutilation of result sheets.

The mission also noted that the Independence Electoral Commission, INEC lacked transparency.

The leader, Dr. Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi, stated this in a press conference of their preliminary statement on the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria shortly after the collation center went on a recess on Monday in Abuja.

Banda congratulated the citizen for “their resilience and enthusiasm”.

“Despite large crowds in some polling stations and long waits, Nigerian voters demonstrated commitment to participate in the process and a strong desire to have their voices heard,” Banda said.

Banda said logistical challenges and multiple incidents of political violence overshadowed the electoral process and impeded a substantial number of voters from participating.
NDI/IRI confirmed currency and fuel shortages imposed excessive burdens on voters and election officials while marginalized groups, especially women, continue to face barriers to seeking and obtaining political office.

The delegation observed that the late opening of polling locations and logistical failures created tensions and the secrecy of the ballot was compromised in some polling units given overcrowding.

Banda said after the polls, challenges with the electronic transfer of results and their upload to a public portal in a timely manner, undermined citizen confidence at a crucial moment of the process.

“Inadequate communication and lack of transparency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about their cause and extent created confusion and eroded voters’ trust in the process.

“The combined effect of these problems disenfranchised Nigerian voters in many areas, although the scope and scale is currently unknown,” the ex-President added.

The statement, however, commended INEC for conducting the general elections according to the electoral calendar “for the first time in the country’s recent history”.