Politics
INEC Chairman Advocates Stronger Regional Collaboration, As ECONEC’s General Assembly Begins in Gambia
By Nathaniel Gana
Thursday 10th April 2025
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has called for stronger ties and deeper collaboration among Election Management Bodies (EMBs) in the West African sub-region. According to him, working more closely together is key to deepening democratic governance across the region.
Prof. Yakubu made this call on Thursday 10th April 2025 in Banjul, capital of the Republic of Gambia, where he is attending the Extraordinary General Assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC).
Among other items listed on the agenda, member countries will review and adopt a revised draft of the ECONEC statutes at the meeting. One of the significant proposals for consideration at the meeting is the creation of Africa’s first-ever electoral resource-sharing database, an innovative move aimed at boosting collaboration and capacity-building across the continent.
Speaking to his fellow electoral commissioners, Prof. Yakubu, who previously served as president of the ECONEC Steering Committee, expressed gratitude for the support he received during his tenure. He also took a moment to honour past members of the Network who contributed to strengthening democratic institutions not just in their home countries but across Africa. He praised the current leadership for their commitment and dedication in keeping the Network active and relevant.
Looking back on ECONEC’s 2017 meeting in Sierra Leone, Prof. Yakubu recalled how he had proudly announced that every country in the sub-region was under democratic rule. Sadly, he observed, that was no longer the case. He regretted that today, four countries in the region are no longer practicing democracy. Notwithastanding, Prof. Yakubu remains optimistic and expressed the hope that democracy would soon return to the affected nations.
He also informed the Assembly that he was attending the ECONEC meeting for the final time as Chairman of INEC, because his tenure ends later this year. He thanked his colleagues and the Network as a whole for their unwavering support and collaboration over the years, urging them to continue upholding the values of electoral integrity and regional unity.
Several EMB heads also added their voices to the call for deeper regional collaboration. In their individual remarks, they applauded ECONEC for its continued technical support to their respective countries and its vital role in sustaining democratic governance across West Africa.
The Extraordinary General Assembly drew together the chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the EMBs from the Republic of Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
While in Banjul, Prof. Yakubu is also scheduled to join the current ECONEC President, Mr. Konneh Mohamed Kenewui of Sierra Leone, for a series of visits to key stakeholders, including the government of The Gambia as part of ECONEC’s Needs Assessment Mission ahead of the country’s presidential election in 2026.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
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I’m still in PDP – Wike replies Turaki, dismisses expulsion
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