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INEC hosts ECONEC post-election mission to Nigeria

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Monday received a high-level delegation from the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions, ECONEC, on a post-election follow-up and needs assessment mission to Nigeria.

The meeting, held at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja, was aimed at reviewing Nigeria’s implementation of recommendations made by the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, EOM following the 2023 General Election.

The Chairperson of Liberia’s National Elections Commission and Head of the ECONEC Mission, Mrs Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, led the delegation, which included the Deputy Chairman (Corporate Services) of Ghana’s Electoral Commission, Dr. Bossman Asare; the Acting Permanent Secretary of ECONEC and ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division Head, Mr Serigne Mamadou Ka; as well as experts from GIZ, EISA, and International IDEA.

Welcoming the delegation, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, emphasized the importance of the mission, describing it as a “routine but critical” component of democratic consolidation in West Africa.

He noted that Nigeria had itself participated in several such peer missions, most recently to The Gambia in April 2025.

Prof. Yakubu lauded ECOWAS for deploying both long- and short-term observers for Nigeria’s 2023 elections and for following up with actionable recommendations. He revealed that ECOWAS had issued 37 recommendations, 13 of which were directed at INEC, while 24 were addressed to other stakeholders, including the National Assembly, the Nigeria Police Force, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), NITDA, political parties under IPAC, civil society, the NUJ, and NIMC.

“The Commission has already taken administrative steps on the 13 recommendations addressed to us, while we await legislative interventions from the National Assembly on matters requiring legal reform,” Prof. Yakubu stated. “These reforms are also captured in INEC’s 142-point recommendation document for electoral reform, which was developed through extensive consultation with stakeholders and is available on our website.”

The INEC Chairman expressed appreciation to ECONEC for its consistent partnership and to development partners who supported the mission. He specifically acknowledged EISA’s Lenny Taabu, IDEA’s Emmanuel Kissi, and GIZ’s Michael Agada for their technical input.

Prof Yakubu also extended heartfelt gratitude to the ECONEC Secretariat staff for their professionalism and relentless support for electoral development in the region.

In her response, the ECONEC Mission Head, Mrs. Browne-Lansanah, expressed appreciation for INEC’s warm reception and openness to engage. She described the mission as a peer-to-peer learning platform, noting that the challenges and solutions observed during Nigeria’s 2023 elections were invaluable to other electoral bodies in the region.

“We came to understand how INEC has implemented our earlier recommendations and to learn from the experience. The issues you faced are not unique to Nigeria, they mirror what many of our institutions across West Africa encounter,” she said.

Mrs Browne-Lansanah grew emotional while recounting Nigeria’s support to Liberia’s electoral body, particularly INEC’s role in equipping the NEC’s ICT infrastructure. “Because of your intervention, we now have an ICT room in Liberia,” she noted. “When we needed support, ECONEC and Nigeria responded. And that, to me, speaks volumes about solidarity and true leadership.”

She commended Professor Mahmood Yakubu and the entire INEC team for their commitment to democratic values and advancing electoral integrity not only in Nigeria but across the West African region. “We are here to learn and to use your insights to improve our systems back home.”

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Politics

Tinubu Not Responsible for ADC-INEC Leadership Rift, Says Hon Success Opara

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Hon Success Opara

 

The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has nothing to do with President Bola Tinubu, according to Hon Success Opara. Rather, the party’s inability to promote internal cohesion is the root cause of the problem.

The ADC has been embroiled in a bitter leadership dispute, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrawing recognition of the party’s leadership headed by Senator David Mark and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola. INEC cited a Court of Appeal ruling as the reason for its decision.

Hon Opara’s statement aligns with the position of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has dismissed allegations that President Tinubu is behind the ADC’s crisis. The APC maintains that the crisis is self-inflicted and stems from internal disagreements within the party.

The ADC, however, has accused INEC of siding with the government and undermining the party’s leadership. The party has announced plans to proceed with its congresses and national convention despite INEC’s warning.

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I Brought the Infinity Symbol on My Caps to Break the Shackles of Viol%lence, Hopelessness and P+verty In Nigeria— President Tinubu

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has explained that the infinity symbol featured on the caps he wears represents a political commitment to ending vi%lence, p%verty, ignorance, and hopelessness in Nigeria.

The President made the statement during his visit to Jos, Plateau State, following recent att@cks by gunmen that left several people d+ad and communities displaced.

Addressing residents, political leaders, and security chiefs, Tinubu said the symbol signifies a collective resolve to overcome persistent national challenges.

“Politically, I brought the symbol on this cap the infinity symbol to break the shackles of v%lence, the shackles of ignorance, the shackles of poverty, and the shackles of hopelessness. We must break it together,” the President said.

He commended members of the armed forces and security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, for their efforts in maintaining security, while urging them to intensify investigations and ensure those responsible for the k+llings are brought to justice.

“You must unearth and find the k+llers,” Tinubu stated, acknowledging the presence of the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Minister of Defence during the visit.

Reflecting on earlier political struggles and shared national aspirations, the President stressed that leadership must focus on progressive development and improving citizens’ standard of living.

“Our promise then was progressive development and improved standards of living for our people not to bury lives, but to develop,” he said.

Tinubu also announced plans to expand a federal committee to include the Plateau State Governor and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs to assess damages and provide relief for victims.

“For the losses, we cannot replace a human being. But whatever we can do to give them minimum comfort, we will,” he added.

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ADC demands INEC chairman’s sack, alleges plot to make Tinubu only presidential candidate in 2027

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate sack of Joash Amupitan, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after the de-recognition of the party’s leadership.

Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, April 2, the National chairman of the party, David Mark, said the electoral body can no longer be trusted, describing its actions as unlawful.

INEC had on Wednesday announced its decision to delist key ADC figures, including National Chairman David Mark, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and others.In a statement released by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna,INEC stated that the decision was in compliance with a court order directing the commission to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case by the trial court.

Reacting to the body’s decision, Mark at the press conference said

’Right now, I speak to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. I also speak directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: with 90% of the National Assembly and over 30 of Nigeria’s 36 governors in the APC, President Tinubu, what are you afraid of? If you are convinced that you have done well for the people who voted for you, why are you afraid of a free, fair, and transparent electoral contest? If you are indeed the democrat that you claim to be, why are you bent on destroying all opposition political parties?

It is important to state the net implications of this decision taken by INEC, in case they had not thought of it, or they just do not care: First, by attempting to subvert the leadership of the ADC, INEC has already undermined our participation in the Osun and Ekiti elections taking place later this year.

 

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