By Chike Walter Duru

When the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently demanded a staggering ₦1.5 billion from a law firm for access to the national register of voters and polling units, many Nigerians were left bewildered. The request was made under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011 – a law designed to make public records accessible, not to commercialize them. INEC’s justification, couched in legalese and bureaucratic arithmetic, raises a deeper question: Is Nigeria’s electoral umpire genuinely committed to transparency and accountability?

At the heart of this controversy is a simple statutory principle. Section 8(1) of the Freedom of Information Act clearly stipulates that where access to information is granted, the public institution may charge “an amount representing the actual cost of document duplication and transcription.” The framers of this law envisioned modest fees; not financial barriers.

INEC, however, appears to have stretched this provision beyond reason. By invoking its internal guideline of ₦250 per page, the Commission arrived at the colossal figure of ₦1,505,901,750 for 6,023,607 pages – supposedly the total pages needed to print the entire national voters’ register and polling unit list. It is a mathematical exercise that may be sound on paper, but absurd in context and intent.

Let us be clear: transparency is not a privilege that comes with a price tag. It is a fundamental right. The Freedom of Information Act exists precisely to ensure that institutions like INEC cannot hide behind bureaucracy or cost to deny citizens access to information that belongs to them.

INEC’s justification, however elaborate, falls flat against the law’s overriding provisions. Section 1(1) of the FOI Act affirms every Nigerian’s right to access or request information from any public institution. More importantly, Section 1(2) establishes that this right applies “notwithstanding anything contained in any other Act, law or regulation.” This means that no internal guideline, regulation, or provision of the Electoral Act can supersede the FOI Act, within the context of access to information.

By relying on Section 15 of the Electoral Act 2022 and its own “Guidelines for Processing Certified True Copies,” INEC seems to have elevated its internal processes above a federal statute – a position that is both legally untenable and administratively misguided.

Civil society organisations have rightly condemned INEC’s response. The Media Initiative Against Injustice, Violence and Corruption (MIIVOC) called the fee arbitrary and unlawful, while the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) described it as a deliberate attempt to frustrate legitimate requests under the FOI Act. These reactions are not misplaced. Charging ₦1.5 billion for public records is tantamount to weaponising cost – turning what should be a transparent process into a pay-to-play system.

The Attorney-General of the Federation’s FOI Implementation Guidelines pegged the standard charge for duplication at ₦10 per page. Even at that rate, printing the same documents would not amount to anything close to ₦1.5 billion. Moreover, in an age of digital data, it is difficult to believe that the only way INEC can share information is through millions of printed pages.

It is worth noting that the National Register of Voters is a digital database – already compiled, stored, and backed up electronically. The polling unit list is also digitised and publicly available. What, then, justifies this astronomical fee?

Democracy thrives on openness. The credibility of any electoral body depends not just on the conduct of elections, but also on the degree of public confidence in its processes. If the cost of accessing basic electoral data runs into billions, how can civil society, researchers, or ordinary citizens participate meaningfully in democratic oversight?

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ Guidelines on Access to Information and Elections in Africa (2017) are explicit: election management bodies must proactively disclose essential electoral information, including voters’ rolls and polling unit data. Nigeria, as a signatory to this framework, is obligated to promote – not restrict access to such information.

By placing financial barriers in the way of public access, INEC risks undermining not only its own credibility but also Nigeria’s broader democratic integrity. Transparency should not be a privilege of the rich or the powerful. It should be a right enjoyed by all.

This incident presents an opportunity for reflection and reform. INEC must immediately review its internal cost guidelines for information requests and align them with the FOI Act and the Attorney-General’s Implementation Guidelines. More importantly, it should embrace proactive disclosure by publishing the national register of voters and polling units in digital formats that are freely accessible to the public.

There is no reason why information already stored electronically should require billions to access. Doing so not only contravenes the spirit of the FOI Act but also erodes public trust in the Commission’s commitment to open governance.

Access to information is the lifeblood of democracy. It empowers citizens to hold institutions accountable and ensures that governance remains transparent. INEC’s ₦1.5 billion charge is not merely excessive; it is a dangerous precedent that could embolden other public institutions to commercialize public data and silence scrutiny.

If Nigeria must advance its democratic gains, the culture of secrecy and bureaucratic obstruction must give way to openness and accountability. INEC should lead that transformation, not stand in its way.

The Commission owes Nigerians not just elections, but the truth, transparency, and trust that sustain democracy.

Dr. Chike Walter Duru is a communications and governance expert, public relations strategist, and Associate Professor of Mass Communication. He chairs the Board of the Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria. Contact: walterchike@gmail.com

By David Owei, Bayelsa
Bayelsa State Government has commended the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Rotary International and other partners for their supportive role in promoting improved healthcare services in the state.

The state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the commendation while flagging off the State Immunization Plus Days (SIPDs) and Routine Immunization Intensification Campaign at Otuokpoti Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement issued at the weekend by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, attributed Bayelsa’s success story in the health sector in recent years to the effective collaboration between the state and its development partners.

The Deputy Governor, who called on religious bodies and people of the state to make their children available for immunization, said the Governor Douye Diri-led Administration would continue to invest in the health and general well-being of Bayelsans.

He particularly urged parents to ensure that their young girls take the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) to prevent them from being victims of cancer disease, which prevalence rate, he noted, was on the increase in the country.

Addressing some of the issues raised at the ceremony, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, assured that the state government would sustain its war against fake drugs and expired consumable goods in the state to safeguard the health of the people.

The Deputy Governor, who also appreciated chairmen of local government areas, particularly that of Ogbia, for supporting immunization campaigns, announced that the flag off ceremonies of such programmes would henceforth be carried out in the various LGAs.

His words: “I want to encourage our people across the state to come out en masse and take part in this immunization exercise. Apart from the polio vaccine, we also have the malaria and HPV vaccines.

“Our mothers should know that it is always cheaper for you to have your child immunized for malaria and protect the child from malaria disease for about five years than for you not to immunize the child.

For our young girls, I want you know that cancer is rampaging and destroying our women at an alarming rate due to a lot of factors. So, we also want to encourage our young girls to come out for the HPV vaccine.

“But let me also, once again, thank our development partners in the health sector such as WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International and others including our own local government chairmen for their effective collaboration and support that had enable to record appreciable achievements.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, explained that the decision to move the venue of the flag off ceremony from LGA to LGA was to help educate rural dwellers on the importance of immunization as well as achieve their buy-in.

Prof. Brisibe thanked Governor Diri and his deputy, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, for giving leadership to ensure the actualization of the present administration’s vision of providing a robust healthcare system to increase the life expectancy of the people.

Also speaking, the Obanobhan of Ogbia Kingdom, His Eminence, King Charles Dumaro Owaba, represented by the Paramount Ruler of Anyama-Ogbia, Chief Sopana Amakiri-Agala, acknowledged the state government’s development efforts, but urged it to frontally tackle the issue of fake drugs and expired goods in the state.

In their separate goodwill messages, the state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Very Revd Father Joseph Opelema, a representative of the Muslim Community, Rasheeda Abdulkareem, and the Woman Leader of Ogbia Brotherhood, Lady Love Amaseimogha, pledged support for the immunization campaigns on behalf of their various groups.

Others who delivered goodwill messages at the event included, the state Coordinator of WHO, Dr Ntiense Omoette, a representative of Rotary International, Dr Ebitimitula Ogola, her UNICEF counterpart, Mr Godswill Anthony and Dr Nzideka Anene of the state chapter of Paediatric Association of Nigeria.

Highpoint of the event was the administration of oral polio vaccine to some children by the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Commissioner for Health, Prof. Brisibe and the Chairman of Ogbia Local Government Area, Mr Golden Jeremiah.

By GeorgeMgbeleke

The Senate on Thursday at a committee of the Whole screen and confirm the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan as National Chairman, Independent National ElectoralCommission((INEC).

Prof Amupitan entered the Senate Chamber at 12:50 p.m. after a motion by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), to suspend Order 12 and allow the nominee into the chamber and was grilled for about three hour having fielded questions from majority of senators at the plenary on Thursday.
Having been given the floor to answer questions from lawmakers, INEC Chairman-Elect gave these assurances:

“Mr. President, distinguished senators, the concern raised by Senator Sita is indeed a major one — and it reflects the worry of many Nigerians. One of the first things we must do at the Commission is to establish a credible internal mechanism to monitor the conduct and behavior of officials.

“I am taking this position on trust, and those who will work with me must also recognize that they are holding the trust of the Nigerian people. To maintain integrity, I intend to set up an Ethics and Compliance Committee within INEC to audit reported cases of misconduct.

“There have been numerous reports of electoral malpractice in the past, some of which were never properly addressed. In some instances — such as in Bayelsa and Adamawa States — a few offenders were prosecuted and even convicted. We intend to follow through on such cases to ensure accountability.”

Continuning he said, “I believe there is a need for legislative support, and we will collaborate with the National Assembly to strengthen the legal framework. For instance, there is an urgent need for an Electoral Offences Commission that can effectively investigate and prosecute electoral crimes. The current system lacks sufficient capacity for that.

“We plan to develop a system that can detect, investigate, and prosecute misconduct — supported by forensic methods when necessary — and strengthen INEC’s internal disciplinary process to ensure that all those involved in wrongdoing are brought to justice.

“We may also introduce a whistleblower policy within INEC to encourage people to report malpractices without fear of victimization.”

On the issue of security and logistics, Prof said ” I recognize that these are major challenges due to the size and diversity of our country. We will work closely with the Joint Committee on Election Security to enhance protection of materials, personnel, and voters — especially in high-risk areas.

“We will also invest more in logistics and technology to ensure that every part of Nigeria is adequately reached. If necessary, we can deploy innovations — such as drones and other secure means — to guarantee that election materials reach their destinations. No voter will be left behind. That will be our guiding principle.

“In terms of voter and civic education, INEC will carry out its mandate under Section 2 of the Act more aggressively. We will embark on extensive civic and voter education campaigns to enlighten Nigerians about their rights and responsibilities. This will include capacity-building not only for INEC staff but also for all election stakeholders — political parties, their members, civil society groups, and the electorate at large.”

On the issue of court decisions and technological systems, INEC Chairman-Elect noted, “there has been confusion over certain innovations introduced by INEC, such as the electronic collation system.

“The Supreme Court has clarified some of these matters. When we assume office, we will assess the infrastructure on ground, review the technology, and adopt the best approach that enhances transparency and credibility in elections.

“Regarding timelines and inconsistencies in the Electoral Act, I acknowledge that some provisions contradict each other. We will work to harmonize these timelines to remove ambiguity. A clear and consistent electoral timetable will help to build public confidence and reduce post-election disputes.

“Our ultimate goal is to make elections so credible that even the loser will be able to congratulate the winner in good faith — just as a judge delivers judgment and both sides accept it as fair and just.”

On financial prudence, as raised by Distinguished Senator Yeri, he said,” I assure this chamber that the laws already enacted by the National Assembly — particularly the Public Procurement Act and the Finance Act — will be strictly adhered to. INEC funds will be used only for the purposes for which they are appropriated, and we will seek ways to cut costs where possible without compromising efficiency.

“In summary, our approach will be guided by integrity, accountability, security, efficiency, and education — to ensure that elections in Nigeria truly reflect the will of the people.”