INEC Begins Online Accreditation Of Media Outlets For 2023 Election Coverage

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared its portal open for application and accreditation of media outlets and journalists for the coverage of the 2023 elections.

A flier from the electoral body reportedly handed to journalists in Abuja on Thursday urged interested media organisations wishing to deploy journalists to cover the election to apply via its portal.

INEC stated that the portal would be accessible from Thursday, Jan. 5 to Sunday, Feb. 5.

“Late submission shall not be entertained as the portal will automatically shut down on Sunday. Feb. 5 at 5 pm.

“There shall be no manual accreditation,” details on the flier stated. For further inquiries, INEC advised media organizations to contact Chinwe Ogbuka – 08033141836; Nathaniel Gana – 08033802792; and Patience George – 08032861058.

INEC Chairman Escapes Arrest By DSS, Police, CCB As Court Shun Petitions

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Wednesday, January 4, barred the Department of States Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) from arresting the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

Naija News reports that one dina Uzoabaka had approached the court with a suit seeking to sack the electoral commission’s boss ahead of the 2023 general elections over alleged false asset declaration.

Justice M. A. Hassan, however, on Wednesday refused the application alongside the 14 reliefs brought by the claimants. The judge held that Prof Yakubu’s asset declaration was lawful, valid and in compliance with the law.

The court judge forbade the security agencies mentioned in the ruling from arresting Yakubu.

Uzoabaka’s summon marked FCT/HC/GAR/CV/47/2022 was against the Attorney General of the Federation and Prof. Yakubu.

The individual had sought, among other things, an order of mandatory injunction directing and compelling the INEC chairman to recuse, excuse and exclude himself and/or step down as the chairman of INEC pending the investigation and consideration of the various allegations against him by the various law enforcement agencies.

The plaintiff also sought an order of court stopping the INEC chairman from holding or assuming any public office for ten years.

In response to the allegation, Prof Yakubu presented details of his filings before the court with exhibits showing the sources of money for the purchase of the properties that the plaintiff alleged were illegally acquired and insisted that his assets declarations were validly done.