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SERAP Threatens Court Action Over Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Natasha Akpoti
Natasha Akpoti

By Akinwale Kasali

Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President is facing a barrage of criticisms over the suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District. She was suspended for six months for  alleging sexual harassment against the Senate President.

Though the Senate has clarified that she was suspended for misconduct, and not for her allegations against Akpabio, not a few people disbelieve that line.

Given the development, a group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP,  has urged the Senate President to, with immediate effect, rescind the “patently unlawful suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan”.

SERAP said “the purported suspension is based solely on the peaceful exercise of her constitutionally and internationally recognized right to freedom of expression.”

SERAP to Akpabio:  “The Senate should immediately reinstate Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, and revise parliamentary procedures that unduly restrict Senators’ human rights.”

In the open letter dated 8 March 2025 and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “No one should ever be punished for ‘speaking without permission’. Being a Senator does not deprive Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan of her fundamental human rights.

“The Senate should be setting an example by upholding the rule of law and promoting and protecting fundamental human rights, not stamping them out.

“Punishing Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan solely for peacefully expressing herself is unlawful, unnecessary and disproportionate. Her suspension would also have a disproportionate chilling effect on the ability of other members of the Senate to freely express themselves and exercise their human rights.”

SERAP also said, “Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension is based solely on the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression in the Senate. All the other grounds cited by the Senate for her suspension seem to be a pretext to further restrict her fundamental human rights.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel you and the Senate to comply with our requests in the public interest.

“Any application of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 by the Senate must conform with constitutional and international human rights norms and standards relating to freedom of expression and should not jeopardise the right itself.

“Suspending Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for peacefully exercising her right to freedom of expression has made her opinion in the Senate ineffective.

“No member of the Senate should suffer any consequences for peacefully exercising their freedom of expression.  A higher degree of tolerance is expected when it is a political speech and an even higher threshold is required when it is directed towards government officials including members of the Senate.

“The unlawful restriction of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to freedom of expression has indirectly violated Nigerians’ right to receive information and ideas and seriously undermined the right of her constituency to political participation.

“Given the impracticality of direct participation of all citizens, article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights provides that a citizen shall exercise political power either directly or through freely chosen representatives.

“The suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate has restricted and seriously undermined the ability of the residents of her Kogi Central Senatorial District to effectively participate in their own government. The suspension therefore constitutes a violation of article 13 provisions.

“The Senate has the obligations to uphold the rule of law and the provisions of section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and Nigeria’s obligations under article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

“Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] provides that, ‘(1) Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.

“Under Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights: ‘1. Every individual shall have the right to receive information. 2. Every individual shall have the right to express and disseminate his opinions within the law.

“Article 9 (1) and (2) are substantively similar because the right ‘to receive information’ is derived from the ‘right to express and disseminate’ one’s opinions.

“The Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa, in Principle II (2) provides that ‘any restrictions on freedom of expression shall be provided for by law, serve a legitimate interest and be necessary and in a democratic society.

“Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights provides that, ‘Every citizen shall have the right to participate freely in the government of his country, either directly or through freely chosen representatives in accordance with the provisions of the law.

“The right to express one’s opinion is of paramount importance, not only because it oils the engine of a representative democracy but also because it creates a free and open environment.

“The right to freedom of expression is a fundamental individual human right which is also a cornerstone of democracy and a means of ensuring the respect for all human rights and freedoms.

“The Human Rights Council, the body charged with monitoring implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights has stressed that any limitations or restrictions to freedom of expression should be applied strictly so that they do ‘not put in jeopardy the right itself.

“Article 19(1) of the Covenant establishes the right to freedom of opinion without interference. Article 19(2) establishes the Senate’s obligations to respect and ensure ‘the right to freedom of expression,’ which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, either orally or in writing.

“The Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended) should not and cannot set aside Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to express herself and disseminate her opinions which is clearly guaranteed in section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], and under the human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party.

“According to our information, Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was recently suspended for allegedly speaking without permission. She was also accused of persistent acts of misconduct, blatant disregard for the provisions of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 and gross indiscipline.

“Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan was found guilty of violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Rules including repeated violations of legislative decorum, such as allegedly speaking without being recognised by the presiding officer in clear violation of parliamentary practices and procedures and refusing to sit in her assigned seat during plenary on 25th February 2025, and an act of open defiance.”

It would be recalled that last week, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, after she reportedly ‘spoke without permission’ and ‘refused her new seat in the upper legislative chamber.’

Her salary and allowances will not be paid for the duration of the suspension and she was banned from presenting herself as a Senator.

Ondo Police Command Helpless, As Abductions Thrice, CP Says No Equipment To Track Criminals

By
Ayodele Oni
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Wilfred Afolabi - Ondo CP

By Ayodele Oni

A week hardly passes now that kidnappers will not unleash terror on the people of Ondo State. The latest is the abduction of a farm estate owner, Olanrewaju Oyeleye, 50, and his farm manager.

They were reportedly abducted on Friday morning at the farmland in Oba-Ile, along Akure Airport Road, Ondo State.

Apart from Akure and Owo axis of the State, Akoko area has also become hotspot for the kidnappers who operate day and night, unhindered despite presence of policemen and Amotekun guards.

The State Police Command seems helpless as according to the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, the Command lacks necessary equipment to confront criminals upfront.

According to sources close to the victims, the kidnappers contacted Oyeleye’s family on Saturday, demanding a ransom of N100 million for their release.

Oyeleye, who had lived abroad for several years, returned to Akure four years ago to invest in mechanized farming.

Confirming the incident, the Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, stated that security operatives have been working tirelessly to track the abductors and rescue the victims.

“The kidnapping happened early Thursday morning, and we have been actively pursuing leads to ensure their safe return.”

The Police Commissioner  listed some of the challenges of the Command in carrying out its duties in terms of patrol vehicles and other logistics needed for smooth operations.

According to him,  if the Command is equipped with hi-tech devices including drone, trackers and other devices for lawful interception, fighting crimes in the State would be done seamlessly.

Afolabi revealed that the Command needs assistance from Government and other stakeholders in the State in terms of provision of patrol vans and repair of grounded patrol vehicles for timely and effective response to distress calls.

“We can’t use orthodox method to address present security challenges. Most of our vehicles are grounded. The refurbishing are ongoing through the financial assistance from the people.

“We need Military drone that can go 50km, live tracking devices to get the location where criminals are hiding, Lawful Intersection (LI), fueling of vehicles among others.

“Now, kidnapping has gone highly sophisticated and you can confirm it from anybody. We can’t use the same old method, or maybe the approach of the 70s or the 80s or even the 90s to address this present security challenges.

“In a lot of States where they are having successes and breakthroughs, they have hi-tech machines, drones, Lawful Intersection machine (LI), life tracking, but here, we don’t have them.

“So, most times, what we rely on, whenever there is any incident of kidnapping, you deploy your men into the bush, to comb the bush. That is archaic and you hardly can achieve much success.”

Besides, the CP noted that consistent migration into Ondo State among other factors contribute to the prevailing situation of criminality in the State.

“There are lot of people migrating, relocating to the Southern part of the country and they are coming in hundreds and thousands, and there is no directive coming from anywhere that this movement should be checked.

“So, there is no doubt about it that the rate at which people are migrating, relocating into Ondo state is further worsening the prevailing security challenges we have.

Afolabi however disclosed that in the last two months of his assumption as the 45th Commissioner of Police in the state, the Command has been able to flush out a lot of criminal elements, particularly in Owo and Akoko.

“So, what I had to do was to get a private tracker. And when the guy came, he was deployed along with almost six tactical teams.

“In the process, at least we had close to 10 confirmed suspected kidnappers that were arrested and they are in our custody presently.”

Main Suspect In Killing of General Udokwere Arrested In Abuja

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Harold Udokwere

By Adesina Soyooye

A key suspect in the gruesome murder of Harold Udokwere, a retired Army Brigadier-General, has been arrested by the Police in Abuja.

Udokwere was brutally killed on June 24, 2024, in his Lokogoma Abuja residence by hoodlums who gained entry by scaling his wall. His assassination has remained unresolved but now, it has been cracked by the Police with the arrest of a key suspect, Alkasim Mohammed, 18, and his partner in crime, Suleiman Abdullahi, 22. Given their ages, it means that the retired senior Army Officer was assassinated by those young enough to be his children. At the time they murdered him in 2024, Mohammed and Abdullahi were 17 and 21 years olds respectively.

Revealing this breakthrough in a post on his X handle,  Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert, said that both suspects were arrested during a coordinated operation conducted by the Scorpion Squad at the Durumi Phase 2, Abuja.

It turned out, during interrogation, that the two are a part of a heartless criminal gang which has wreaked havoc on Abuja residents. The gang is blood-thirsty.

Aside from Udokwere, the arrested had taken part in other high profile crimes in Abuja.

For example, on March 7, 2024, they went to Room 303 at the Rita Lori Hotel, Abuja, and murdered a Bureau de Change Operator, Auwal Abdullahi.

In another operation, they attacked a Point of Sale Operator, Mercy Alo, in Jabi, and dispossessed her of the sum of N700,000.00. In the process, they shot a customer, Daniel Inalegwu on the thigh. They have also been deeply and frequently involved in abductions, home-invasions and car jacking in Abuja and environs.

Recovered from them are a Beretta pistol with breach number 58866 and 11 rounds of 9mm live ammunition. Incidentally, it is the same pistol that was used to shoot the POS customer on the thigh.

Rivers Update: Gov Fubara Invites House of Assembly Members To  Meeting

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Speaker Martin Amaewhule

By Ayodele Oni

Following receipt of copies of the Supreme Court judgement, on Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has invited members of the House of Assembly to a meeting.

It us not known if the Assembly Members led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule will honour the invitation given the bitter relationship between both parties, but

the letter, addressed to the Speaker, dated 7th March, stated that the meeting is expected to hold on Monday at the Governor’s office in Port Harcourt.

Slated for discussion, stated the letter, include provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sittings; payment of all outstanding remuneration or allowances of the  members; and Presentation of Budget and sundry matters.

The Assembly, dominated by members who are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike, Fubara’s estranged political godfather, had written to the Governor after one of their sittings just after the judgement, and ordered  him to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill within 48 hours.

In another letter, the Assembly told the governor to sack political office holders, especially about 19 Commissioners who were not screened and cleared by the Assembly.

Fubara, apart from denying receiving any letter from the parliament, also maintained that he would not do anything until he received copies of the Supreme Court judgement.

For now, the State is on edge, and not a few people are waiting with bated breath for what happens next.

Kogi Youths Throw Weight Behind We Akpoti-Uduaghan

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

By Akinwale Kasali

As the sexual harassment saga between Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains unabated, with both parties trading words, Youths in Kogi State have described the suspension of the Senator as crude and peremptory.

The Youths said the 10th Senate is heading in the wrong direction.

They also reminded the Senate President of the dignity of his office.

In a statement, the youths asked supporters of the Senate President not to drag down the reputation of the country.

They applauded Akpoti-Uduaghan for refusing to do things which galled her sense of decency, marital status and political height.

The statement issued by the Chairman of Kogi Central Youth Movement, Alhaji Musa Jato, in Abuja tasked President Bola Tinubu on gender reforms in Nigeria.

It praised Akpoti-Uduaghan for touching and galvanizing the good people of Nigeria, especially Kogi Central.

‘’Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is a woman of charm and faith. She is also a hardworking, energetic woman and well respected by the people because of her genuine interest in their progress’’.

The youths spoke well of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s initiative, thoroughness and seriousness of purpose.

They scolded a former aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, and his co-travelers for deviating from the truth.

‘’Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is an upright woman’’

The youths said those behind the campaign of calumny against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan were lily-livered politicians out to cause disaffection in the country.

They lauded decent Nigerians for supporting Akpoti-Uduaghan and speaking out against an absurd action.

The youths urged political office holders in the country to maintain certain standards of behavior, character and morality.

They advised hired hoodlums, sly and shifty individuals not to mislead Akpabio about troubling feud with Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The statement emphasized truth, justice, poise and endurance.

It also denounced philandering, trivialization of allegations, back-biting and breaking of ranks.

Gombe Gets Second Fed Medical Hospital

By
Ayodele Oni
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General Hospital Kumo in Gombe State

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government has taken over the General Hospital, Kumo, in Gombe State, converting it into a Federal Medical Centre.

The newly established Kumo Federal Medical Centre becomes the second federal medical institution in the state, following the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe, which was previously a medical centre before its upgrade.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday, the move aims to enhance healthcare services in Gombe State and the Northeast, particularly in addressing poor maternal and neonatal mortality rates.

The Kumo Federal Medical Centre will serve as a tertiary health hospital, contribute to the training of medical personnel, and boost health care service in Gombe State and the North-East generally.

“Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya formally requested the takeover of the facility.

“President Tinubu approved the request, given the poor maternal and neonatal mortality indices in the Northeastern region and other health indicators in Gombe State.”

The teaching hospital was initially a medical centre before being upgraded into a Federal Teaching Hospital.

According to the statement, Tinubu commended Yahaya for prioritising citizens’ welfare, stating that the hospital’s conversion would improve healthcare delivery in the region.

“I Know I Will Be Dragged To The EFCC When I Leave Office” –  Gov Eno

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Governor Umo Eno - Akwa Ibom State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Decries anti-grafts invitation to his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Dr Umo Eno, on Saturday, March 8, 2025, decried what he described as the persistent tendency to humiliate, malign and destroy past leaders of the state by some unscrupulous elements .

This is as he expressed fears that he might be a victim of such vicious vilification after leaving office.

Governor Eno’s lamentation is coming against the backdrop of the recent invitation to the immediate past Governor of the State, Udom Emmanuel by the Economic and Financial and Crime Commission, EFCC, over an alleged mismanagement of about  N700 billion of State funds .

Former Governor Emmanuel was on Tuesday March 4, 2025, the guest of the Anti-graft agency.

The Source reports that the invitation of the former Governor was sequel to a petition authored by a non-state actor, the Network against Corruption and Human Trafficking.

The group, in its petition alleged that while a whooping sum of about N3 trillion accrued to Akwa Ibom State between 2015 and 2023, Governor Emmanuel left behind a liability in excess of N500 billion.

The civil society group, also, maintained that there are no visible projects in any parts of the state to justify the humongous sum received during the period under review.

However, at a town hall interactive session in Abak Local Council of the State on Saturday, Governor Eno exonerated his predecessor in office.

He  described the allegations as a mere ploy to tarnish the image of the former Governor.

The Akwa Ibom state Governor expressed serious surprise at the figures being bandied about by the petitioners.

He emphatically distanced the State authorities from the claims of the petitioners, noting that the amount being quoted as missing is not known them.

“I don’t know where they got those figures from because it can’t be from Akwa Ibom state. It cannot also be from the State Government because we don’t have such figures”, Gov Eno noted.

He expressed deep regret that after putting in their best in the service of the State, past leaders could be subjected to such grueling and humiliating treatments.

According to him, such an ugly trend if not checked  has the potential of discouraging office holders from giving their best to the State.

“We have done this consistently from Obong  Victor Attah, Distinguished Senate President Godswill Akpabio. We vilified them after they left office .We took them all to the EFCC.

“Now, it is the turn of former Governor Udom Emmanuel.I am already expecting that it will happen to me after leaving office.

“But what this does is to discourage leadership .It discourages you from giving your best; from burning out yourself because at the end of the day ,the people don’t show gratitude.

“When a man has served his State meritoriously like Udom Emmanuel did, honestly, he should be honoured. He should be respected.

“I don’t see a place for this kind of vilification that is going on. It is not correct. I don’t believe it should go on in our State”, the Governor emphasized.

Akpabio Mocks Natasha On International Women’s Day

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Godswill Akpabio
Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

By Adesina Soyooye

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, chose the day set aside to celebrate women all over the World – International Women’s Day – to mock Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The two clashed on the floor of the Senate over a new seating allocation to Akpoti-Uduaghan, but it boiled over when Akpabio refused to allow Akpoti-Uduaghan make a contribution from her old seat. She refused to go to the new seat.

Flowing from that, in an interview with Arise Television, she accused Akpabio of maltreating her because she refused to give in to his inappropriate solicitations.

That has since resulted in a couple of legal suits – one by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio and an aide of his, and the other by an infuriated Mrs Unoma Akpabio against Akpoti-Uduaghan. It also earned Akpoti-Uduaghan a six-month suspension from the Senate.

Akpabio has since denied he ever made such solicitations, but on March 8, while speaking at a function in Abuja to mark the International Women’s Day, Akpabio mocked Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Aside from denying any such incident took place, he said that all the men Akpoti-Uduaghan had, earlier, accused of harassing her se3ually, came out smelling of roses; that the allegations were proved to be false.

Akpabio: “This is said to have happened on December 8, a day to my birthday which was celebrated in the Stadium in 2023. So, from December 8, 2023, I never heard, my wife never heard, no Nigerian ever heard, even the husband never heard any issue of sexual harassment until her committee was changed and then her seat was changed.

“Have you ever wondered about the trauma caused by that same woman on the other people she has accused in the past. None has been proven so far. Do you even wonder the trauma this caused to the 10th Senate and the image of the Senate with all these useless allegations. I have refrained myself from making a statement.”

He added that he had come across many beautiful women and none had accused her of such misconduct, and wondered why she thought herself more beautiful than the other women.

Ekiti Gov Oyebanji Promises To Use Sports To Create Job

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Biodun Oyebanji - Ekiti State Governor

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to leveraging sports as a tool for job creation and wealth generation.

Oyebanji, who stated this during an inspection of ongoing renovation of Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti, emphasized that sports in the state would no longer be regarded solely as a recreational activity, but as a strategic platform for empowering athletes.

The Governor, who expressed dismay at the poor conditions under which the athletes train, assured them that such situation would soon become a thing of the past as the administration is determined to revamp the stadium to meet international standard.

He also hinted that his government has awarded over Seven billion naira contract for the  construction of a state- of- the – art indoor sports hall, which is expected to be completed before the end of his administration.

The governor assured the athletes that his administration would continue to provide enabling environment for them to thrive, which include modern facilities and training programmes that would position them to compete effectively at national and international levels.

He charged them to remain diligent and concentrate on their goals and take advantage of the opportunities his administration is creating to develop their talents.

“I came here this morning in continuation of what we started yesterday just to look at what is happening at the stadium. I recall that I was here last year, I went round and I did not like what I saw and I promised that we are going to revamp sports in Ekiti State.

“If you look at the six pillars of our administration, one of them is human capital development, that is where sport development is and I made a promise that we will use sport as an avenue to create job and wealth.

“Sport will no longer be a recreation activities, it will be a platform for sport lovers in sporting activities to make money and we can only do that if we put in place structures and buildings that will allow you to exhibit your potentials.”

International Women’s Day: INEC Assured Of Gender Equality

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Prof Mahmood Yakubu

By Ayodele Oni

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has observed that the future of democracy is deeply tied to the empowerment of women and their full participation in the electoral process.

The Commission reaffirmed on Saturday that it is committed to creating an environment for women to participate and be active collaborators in shaping the nation’s electoral landscape, adding that gender equality will remain a priority for INEC in all areas of its work.

In a statement to mark the International Women’s Day by the Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, the electoral body said it was committed to breaking down the barriers women face, including societal expectations, lack of support systems, and gender-based violence.

It urged all Nigerians to join in advancing gender equality, not only in the electoral process but across all aspects of life.

It added that when women are empowered to take leadership roles and given equal opportunities, Nigeria’s democracy will be stronger, governance will be more inclusive, and the future will be brighter for everyone.

The Commission revealed that it is working on policies that will encourage greater participation of women at all levels of the electoral process, from candidates to voters, from election administrators to party representatives.

The statement reads: “Today, as the Commission celebrates the International Women’s Day, it reaffirms its commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women in Nigeria’s electoral process.

“International Women’s Day highlights both the remarkable contributions women have made in society, including within the electoral system, and the need for further efforts toward true gender parity.

“INEC has made significant strides in ensuring women’s inclusion and representation within its leadership and decision-making bodies.

“As the theme for the 2025 International Women’s Day is ‘Accelerate Action,’ INEC recognizes that gender equality is not only a matter of fairness, but also a critical pillar in strengthening democracy.

“A leadership that reflects gender balance, where women equally participate in decision-making, leads to more inclusive and responsive governance.

“INEC continues to make efforts to ensure that women hold leadership positions within the Commission.”

The statement stated further that under the current leadership composition at INEC, two of the 12 National Commissioners are women, making up 16.7% of the total leadership, adding that while this is a notable milestone, there is still work to be done in achieving gender balance in this decision-making body.

It said further that position of secretary, responsible for overseeing INEC’s operations, is held by a woman while four of the current 32 Resident Electoral Commissioners are women, accounting for 12.5% of this critical leadership group.

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