Election fraud: INEC Chair meets VCs, warns against nomination of partisan, corrupt staff

…As NUC directs closure of Varsities for security reasons

Joel Oladele-Abuja and Jeleel Olawale

As part of efforts to ensure a credible 2023 elections, the  Chairman, Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has warned Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities across the country against nomination of staff who are engaged in partisan politics for election duties.

He said this at a meeting with the VCs and the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja on Thursday.

According to him, the Commision will not give a direct nod to names forwarded by the Universities for the election as extra efforts will be made to scrutinise the list to ensure it’s devoid of bad eggs that can jeopardise the credibility of the election.

Professor Yakubu added that tertiary institutions are critical stakeholders  and without their involvement, the Commission will find it extremely difficult to conduct credible elections.

He therefore solicited their unalloyed support in the interest of the nation and consolidation of democracy.

“At the polling unit level, the critical segment of election duty staff is drawn from products of our Universities and Polytechnics involved in the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

“For the various collation and declaration centres, the Commission draws the required Collation and Returning Officers from the academic staff of our Universities, including the Vice Chancellors who serve as Returning Officers for Governorship election and State Collation Officers for Presidential election.

“Despite a few challenges, this happy partnership has further enhanced the transparency and credibility of the elections in Nigeria as well as public confidence in the process. The Commission wishes to sustain this partnership.

“As in previous elections, we have requested each University for a specified number and category of academic staff as contained in my letter to the Vice Chancellors. I must warn that staff that are card carrying members or have participated in partisan politics should not be nominated.

“Similarly, those who may not be involved in partisan politics but are known to have obvious political leanings should not be nominated. Furthermore, those who have been convicted of electoral malpractice must be excluded.

“The Commission will carefully scrutinise the list which must be submitted confidentially in the manner prescribed by Commission in my letter to the Vice Chancellors. Like all election duty personnel, each Collation and Returning Officer will swear to an oath of neutrality,” Yakubu said

Speaking further, the INEC’s boss said the 2023 General Election will hold in 1,491 constituencies nationwide involving the Presidential, 28 Governorship, 190 Senatorial, 360 Federal and 993 State Constituencies.

The election according to him, will involve the highest number of registered voters in the history of democratic elections in Nigeria as the final register of voters now stands at 93,469,008.

“Our final list also indicates that a total of 15,333 candidates have been nominated by the 18 political parties for the election.

“Collation of results will take place in 8,809 Registration Areas or Wards, 774 Local Government Areas,  36 States and the FCT.

“In addition, we require Returning Officers for each constituency. Put together, we will engage 23,258 personnel as Collation and Returning Officers. It is for this reason that this meeting is of crucial. We need the support of our Universities to source the requisite number of suitably academic staff of impeccable integrity who must also understand that this is a call to national service,” he said.

Reacting to question on security, Professor Yakubu assured the Vice Chancellors that adequate security measures have been put in place for the safety of all staff, media, youth corps members, and the electorates.

Elections:  Minister ordered Varsities to shut down for security purposes — NUC

Meanwhile, regulatory agency for Universities in Nigeria, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has directed  the closure of Universities across the country for the general elections, citing the Minister of Education, Mal. Adama Adamu gave the order following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies.

In a letter addressed to Vice-chancellors of all Universities and Directors of Inter-university centres, the NUC noted that the directive was based on the directive of the Minister of Education.

The Universities are to shut down and suspend academic activities between February 22 and March 14, 2023.

“As Vice-Chancellors of all Universities and Director/Chief Executive of Inter-University Centres are quite aware the 2023 General Elections have been scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 25, 2023, for the Presidential and National Assembly, and Saturday, March 11, 2023, for Gubernatorial and State Assembly, respectively.

“In view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective institutions, the Honourable Minister of Education, Mal. Adama Adamu has following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all Universities and Inter-University Centres be shut down and academic activities be suspended between February 22 and March 14, 2023.

“Consequently, Vice-Chancellors and chief executives of inter-university centres, are by this Circular requested to shut down their respective Institutions from Wednesday 22nd February 2023 to Tuesday 14th March 2023.

“Please, accept the renewed assurances of the Executive Secretary ‘s highest regard for your understanding and cooperation,” the letter from the NUC read.

It has been reported that there have been calls from the public for the closure of tertiary institutions to enable students to vote during the 2023 elections.

The data from the Independent National Electoral Commission reveals that over 26 million students are currently registered.