INEC BENUE STATE

21/10/2026

16/10/2026

On Thursday, 15th October 2026, the Head of Department, Election and Party Monitoring, Mrs. Ethan Afiniki, and the Head of Unit, Political Party Monitoring and Liaison, Mrs. Mercy Ahungwa, featured on a phone-in programme on Radio Benue 95.0FM, Makurdi. The programme focused on Political Party Finance and Tracking, an important aspect of promoting transparency, accountability and compliance with electoral regulations in Nigeria.

During the programme, the officials discussed the importance of monitoring the financial activities of political parties to ensure that their sources of funding, expenditure and financial transactions are consistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act and relevant guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
They highlighted the role of INEC in monitoring political party finances, including the examination of financial records, campaign expenditure and other relevant financial disclosures, in line with the Commission’s statutory responsibilities.

The discussion also underscored the need for political parties to maintain proper financial records, submit required reports and adhere to established regulations governing party funding and election-related expenditure.

16/10/2026

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Benue State, Mallam Aminu Kasimu Idris, on Thursday, 15th October 2026, received a delegation of the Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN), the women’s wing of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), on a courtesy visit to the Commission’s State Headquarters in Makurdi.

Speaking during the visit, the President of SWAN, Mrs. Josephine Wegh Ph.D, ACA, ACTI, expressed appreciation to the REC and Management for receiving the delegation. She explained that the visit was aimed at exploring areas of partnership and collaboration with INEC, particularly in voter education, civic education, and public enlightenment on financial and accounting literacy.

Mrs. Wegh noted that, as accounting professionals, members of the association were well-positioned to support the Commission in educating the public on budgetary processes, financial accountability, and the utilisation of funds allocated for electoral activities. She emphasised that INEC’s core value of transparency aligns with ICAN’s commitment to promoting accountability and transparency in public financial management.

In his response, the REC welcomed the delegation and expressed the Commission’s readiness to partner with SWAN in advancing voter education and public enlightenment. He observed that the professional expertise of the association’s members could contribute significantly to public understanding of electoral processes and the Commission’s activities in collaboration with the Department of Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Civil Society Organisations Liaison (VEPGCO), and the Finance and Accounts Department.

He expressed confidence that such engagements would provide an effective platform for reaching wider segments of the public with credible information on electoral matters and financial accountability.

In their separate remarks, the Heads of the VEPGCO and Finance and Accounts Departments welcomed the proposed partnership, noting that the professional standing and expertise of SWAN members would lend credibility and greater impact to public enlightenment initiatives. They expressed their departments’ willingness to collaborate with the association in implementing mutually beneficial programmes.

During the interactive session, members of the delegation highlighted the association’s commitment to women’s empowerment, grassroots mobilisation, and inclusive development. They maintained that supporting SWAN’s initiatives would translate into broader support for women and generate positive effects across society. The delegation also emphasised its non-partisan and detribalised character, as well as its grassroots network, which could be leveraged to promote civic awareness and public participation in the electoral process.

Delivering the closing remarks, the Administrative Secretary of INEC Benue State, Mr. Shikfu Sim Bewaran, described the visit as heartwarming, particularly given the association’s longstanding presence within the accounting profession. He underscored the importance of women’s education and empowerment, observing that educating a woman contributes significantly to the development of the family, community, and nation.
The Administrative Secretary urged members of SWAN to partner with the Commission in sensitising the public on INEC’s activities, with particular emphasis on the ongoing collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). He stressed that their professional networks and grassroots reach could help disseminate accurate information, encourage eligible voters to collect their PVCs, and promote informed civic participation.

The visit ended with a shared commitment to explore practical areas of collaboration between INEC Benue State and SWAN in voter education, civic enlightenment, financial literacy, transparency, and women’s empowerment.

14/10/2026

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Benue State, engaged journalists in the state as part of efforts to enhance public awareness and promote citizens’ participation in the ongoing display of the Register of Voters for Hearing of Claims and Objections and the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The media engagement was held in the office of the Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Haliru Haruna Sule, who briefed the journalists on the ongoing electoral activities and the need for sustained media collaboration in disseminating accurate and timely information to the public. He further informed the journalists that the Display of Register for Hearing of Claims and Objections, and PVC collection at the Registration Area levels, will last from 9th to 15th October, 2026. After which, PVC collection will continue at the Local Government Area offices from 16th October, 2026.

During the engagement, Mr. Sule highlighted the importance of the display of the Register of Voters, which provides an opportunity for registered voters to verify their registration details and identify any errors, omissions or discrepancies requiring correction. He encouraged eligible citizens to take advantage of the exercise to ensure that their information is correctly captured in the register.
He further explained that the exercise provides an opportunity for claims and objections to be raised in accordance with the Commission’s established procedures, thereby contributing to the credibility, accuracy and integrity of the voters’ register.

On the collection of Permanent Voter Cards, the Head of Department emphasised the importance of ensuring that eligible registrants collect their PVCs, as the card remains an essential document for voter identification and participation in elections. He urged citizens who registered during the 1st Phase of the CVR exercise, and those who registered between 2011 and 2022, who are yet to collect their cards to visit the appropriate collection points.

Mr. Sule called on journalists to support INEC’s voter education and sensitisation efforts by providing adequate publicity for the ongoing activities. He stressed the critical role of the media in bridging the information gap between the Commission and the electorate, particularly in countering misinformation, clarifying public concerns and encouraging citizens to participate actively in the electoral process.

The journalists, in turn, were afforded the opportunity to seek clarification on issues relating to the ongoing exercise, with a view to ensuring that members of the public receive clear and reliable information.

The engagement underscores INEC Benue State’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the media as a strategic stakeholder in electoral administration, voter education and democratic development.

The Commission therefore calls on all eligible citizens to take advantage of the ongoing display of the Register of Voters and PVC collection exercise to fulfil their civic responsibilities and contribute to a credible electoral process.

14/10/2026

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), INEC Benue State, Mallam Aminu Kasimu Idris, accompanied by the Administrative Secretary and the entire Management, undertook a supervisory visit to selected Registration Areas (RAs) in Makurdi and Guma Local Government Areas, on Wednesday,
14th October, 2026, to monitor the ongoing display of the Register of Voters for Claims and Objections and the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The visit was aimed at assessing the level of compliance with the Commission’s guidelines and monitoring the conduct of the exercise at the Registration Area levels.

During the visit, the REC inspected the designated locations for the display of the Register of Voters and PVC collection. He also interacted with Electoral Officers, Revision Officers (REVOs) and Assistant Revision Officers (AREVOs) on ground to assess their level of commitment, address operational concerns, and ensure that the exercise was conducted in an orderly, transparent, and accessible manner.

The supervisory visit also provided an opportunity to assess public awareness and participation in the exercise, while identifying areas requiring further attention to improve service delivery and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.

While speaking to journalists during the visits, Mallam Aminu Idris commended the response to PVC collection, he further urged Benue residents who are yet to collect their PVC, to do so at the Registration Areas (RAs) up till 15th October, 2026 and in the Local Government Area Offices from 16th October, 2026.

The visit underscores the Commission’s commitment to effective monitoring and supervision of electoral activities at the grassroots level to ensure that the display of the Register of Voters and PVC collection are carried out in line with established guidelines.

14/10/2026

The State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Benue State, Hon. Ezekiel Adaji, led a delegation on a courtesy and familiarization visit to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Aminu Kasimu Idris, at the INEC State Office, Makurdi, on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. The visit was aimed at establishing a working relationship with the REC and strengthening engagement between the party and the Commission.

Speaking during the visit, the PDP State Chairman expressed appreciation to the REC for receiving the delegation. He described the REC as a person of high pedigree, experience and sound knowledge of the Commission's operations, as reflected in his professional profile. He explained that the visit was the party's first since the REC assumed office in Benue State and was purely for familiarization, rather than to seek preferential treatment.

The Chairman reaffirmed the party's commitment to complying with electoral rules and conducting its activities peacefully. He acknowledged that elections are won at the polling units, not at the Commission's office, and urged INEC to maintain its neutrality and impartiality in the discharge of its responsibilities. He also pledged the party's continued engagement with the Commission.

In his response, the REC welcomed the delegation and described political parties as critical stakeholders in the electoral process. He disclosed that the Commission intends to sustain regular engagements with political parties to promote mutual understanding and effective collaboration. He emphasized that neutrality remains one of INEC's core guiding principles and assured the delegation that the Commission's doors were open to all stakeholders.

The REC commended the Chairman for acknowledging the importance of polling units in determining electoral outcomes. He urged the party to ensure the timely submission of the names and details of its polling agents whenever the Commission calls for them, in accordance with established procedures. He further reaffirmed INEC's readiness to cooperate with political parties and security agencies to promote credible, peaceful and orderly elections.

During the interactive session, members of the delegation sought clarification on various legal and electoral matters. The Head of Department, Legal Services, Barrister Collins Nanshal, provided the necessary explanations and clarifications.

While delivering the closing remarks, the Administrative Secretary, Mr. Shikfu Sim Bewaran, thanked the delegation for the visit and commended the PDP for its coordinated approach. He noted that the party was the first political party in the state to pay a courtesy visit to the REC since his assumption of duty. He encouraged the party's leadership to sustain regular engagement with the Commission and maintain peaceful conduct in all its activities.

The visit provided an opportunity for constructive dialogue and strengthened the foundation for continued engagement between INEC Benue State and the PDP. The meeting reaffirmed the importance of neutrality, adherence to electoral regulations, peaceful political activities and cooperation among electoral stakeholders in advancing credible elections in Benue State.

14/10/2026

INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION

PRESS STATEMENT

CLARIFICATION ON THE OMISSION OF SOME CANDIDATES FROM THE FINAL LIST FOR THE 2027 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

The general public is aware of the recent decision of the Supreme Court in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026 delivered on 24th September, 2026. The decision arose from INEC’s appeal against the judgement of the Court of Appeal, which nullified the provisions of Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026 requiring the submission of membership registers as a prerequisite for the conduct of valid party primaries.

However, the Supreme Court, in the aforementioned judgement, held that the provisions of Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026 are constitutional and mandatory for all political parties. In particular, the Court upheld the constitutionality of Item No. 2 of INEC’s Timetable and Schedule of Activities, which mandated political parties to submit their membership registers between 21st April and 10th May, 2026.

Furthermore, the Court held that failure to comply with the provisions of Section 77 (5)-(7), renders the defaulting political parties ineligible to sponsor any candidate for the election.

In accordance with Section 287(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Commission, while finalizing the list of candidates for the Governorship election applied the above decision of the Supreme Court and excluded political parties that failed to comply with Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, in relation to fielding of candidates.

Meanwhile, the final list of Presidential and National Assembly candidates had already been published on 12th September, 2026, thirteen days before the Supreme Court delivered its judgement.

Under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly left off the list have 14 days from the date of publication to notify the Commission. The deadline is 24th October, 2026.

The Commission assures the public of its commitment to transparency, the rule of law and the credibility of the electoral process.

Mohammed Kudu Haruna
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee
13th October, 2026

13/10/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE
The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to a fraudulent publication circulating online and purporting to be a special announcement by the Commission regarding issues affecting the list of governorship candidates in six states: Zamfara, Gombe, Delta, Plateau, Yobe, and Kano.

The Commission wishes to categorically inform the general public that the publication is FAKE and did not originate from INEC.

INEC therefore urges members of the public to disregard the fraudulent publication and refrain from sharing it. The public is advised to rely solely on official notices, press releases, and other information issued through the Commission’s verified communication channels, listed below:
- Website: www.inecnigeria.org
-Facebook: INEC Nigeria
-X (formerly Twitter) & Instagram :
-INEC News Portal: www.inecnews.com

The Commission further wishes to clarify that any information suggesting that INEC has issued a special announcement concerning governorship candidates in the aforementioned states is false.

The Commission calls on the public to remain vigilant and verify all electoral information through its official communication channels to avoid being misled by false or fraudulent publications.

For enquiries and further clarification, members of the public may contact INEC through the following channels:

INEC Call Centre: 0700-CALL-INEC (0700-2255-4632)
INEC Short Code: 4632
Phone: 090844444333 | 09050858629
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.inecnigeria.org
News Portal: www.inecnews.com

The Commission reiterates its commitment to keeping the public accurately informed and urges everyone to disregard the fraudulent publication and obtain electoral information only from INEC’s official communication channels.

13/10/2026

Display of the Register of Voters and PVC issuance is currently ongoing at LGEA Primary School Kanshio, Bar Registration Area/Ward of Makurdi LGA.