Politics
When Transparency Becomes Luxury: INEC and ₦1.5B FOI Controversy
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
Politics
PC-NCG Commends SEC 47 Participants on Recommendations on Blue Economy Development: Urges FG to Establish Coast Guard
By David Owei.
Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the Nigerian Coast Guard Provisionary Committee (PC-NCG), Captain Noah Ichaba has praised participants of Senior Executive Course 47 (SEC 47) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) for their exceptional presentation and thoughtful policy analysis on Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria, which was presented to the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja recently.
In a statement issued by the Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo on Tuesday in Abuja, Capt. Ichaba noted that with the presentation of recommendations blue economy development and opportunities, after a comprehensive study on the subject matter by participants of SEC 47, he highlighted the urgent need for the Federal Government to expedite action on the planned establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard, which its bill is currently before the 10th National Assembly.
Capt. Ichaba, who applauded the Federal Government’s commitment to tapping into Nigeria’s maritime potential, described it as a “positive plan.”
However, he emphasized that intentions alone are not enough, urging the government to take concrete actions to remove obstacles and bridge the gap between plans and outcomes, by backing PC-NCG’s proposal for the establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard which would be a more effective approach.
“Put differently, good intentions must be paired with conscious, effective action and awareness of their real situational impact, so as to bring the desired outcome of converting Nigeria’s Maritime Potential into a major driver of economic diversification, job creation and long-term prosperity via planned discipline and intentional policy refinement”, so that actions leading to achieving the expected result will not be diverted, derailed or misguided, thereby causing unwelcomed expectation.
“PC-NCG humbly wishes to submit that matters regarding “safe and stable maritime environment, implementation of policy recommendations, guidelines and laws affecting maritime business activities/transactions and engagements, strategic plan for arresting escaping maritime revenues, blocking revenue wastages and leakages, creating direct and indirect jobs for millions of Nigerians, using modern information communication technology and innovation to achieve flourishing maritime experience, among many others, government should consider aligning her intention with immediate effective action. There should be no further delay in establishing Coast Guard in Nigeria, which truly will be a helpful outcome and of putting “a square peg in a square hole.”
“It should be noted “fears of institutional interest, overlapping, duplication, operational conflicts in duties, functions and services been advocated against the creation of Coast Guard are imaginations of the human-mind and are not of administrative necessity and national interest, which the Federal Government is determined to achieve thru converting the maritime potentials into a driver that will turn our economic fortunes around in a prosperous and sustainable manner, with increasing opportunities.
“The truth remains that, “all expressed fears cannot be genuinely and godly substantiated by those behind such, because legislative and administrative mechanisms makes it apt for re-alignment and relinquishing of a fraction of duty hitherto performed by one Agency to another Agency whenever such becomes expedient.
“Coast Guard as a fully functional Maritime Law Enforcement Agency is different from a Defence or Regulatory Agency, with different organizational name and occupational nomenclature. Moreso, the ‘Harmonized Standard Operating Procedure’ had outlined smooth functional order between the MDAs and the over one hundred and twenty-nine distinctive specialities that exist within the maritime industry
“The soon to be established Agency and rightly designated Statutory Establishment, that is expected to enforce federal government’s policy and international regulations relating to the plan that was unveiled on December 10, 2025 is the Coast Guard, because, maritime law enforcement and such other array of duties are Coast Guard’s primary, secondary and tertiary responsibilities, services and protocols to carry out.
“Coast Guard is the first and foremost Maritime Law Enforcement Agency, a Security, Safety and Protection Provider for the open maritime commercial activities, transactions and engagements that will ensure the tranquility of the physical locations, installations, facilities, persons and legitimate interests where maritime market and commercial undertakings take place.
“Coast Guard is the Agency that will maintain active presence in all of its jurisdiction 24/7 and in upholding Nigeria’s Maritime Sovereignty and prosperity, through enforcement of all her maritime laws. Coast Guard is to patrol, detect, intercept, disrupt, secure, guard, protect, prevent, enforce, preserve, generate, create, respond, search, rescue, represent, invest, reinvigorate, strengthen, coordinate and collaborates for the achievement of rapid national economic growth, enhanced jurisdictional security, reduced sea crimes, uphold safety of lives, improve Nigeria’s international prestige and developmental strides.
“Coast Guard is the key agency for safeguarding the marine environment and ensuring sustainable opportunities and developments. Coast Guard will work with international partners on global maritime challenges and serves as an armed service that can support naval operations during wartime or national security crises.
“Coast Guard will address threats to the marine and blue economy through a multi-faceted strategy that emphasizes technological innovation, interagency and international cooperation, and a persistent operational presence to ensure safety, security, environmental stewardship, stability and prosperity of the maritime domain.
“There is, therefore, no doubt as to the rightful place, role, service, protocol and desirability of Coast Guard in Nigeria’s maritime domain to implement governments’ policies.
Coast Guard’s operational existence will not invite overlap, duplication, friction, wastage, leakage, and such likes, as it will operate purely within its scheme of service and dual operational orders.
“As a matter of fact, Nigeria is already far behind because of the absence of Coast Guard Agency and had fallen short of the expectation of existing maritime laws, as she has been needlessly spending to have a voice instead of earning the same as a right. Operating a maritime body without a Coast Guard as its life wire over the years had led to loss funds, material, and opportunities worth over hundreds of billions of dollars and trillions of naira.
“This is where the present Federal Government’s plan, as unveiled is worth the full support of Nigerians, Nigeria’s offshore and onshore partners, friends and well-wishers, so that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could be credited for establishing Coast Guard in Nigeria, and for that to form the performance score card of the government of All Progressive Congress (APC), the ruling Party,” Capt. Ichaba emphasized.
Politics
NDDC Honours Ewhrudjakpo, Halts Projects Commissioning *Lokpobiri, PANDEF Eulogise Late Bayelsa Dep Gov
By David Owei, Bayelsa
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has suspended its planned inauguration of completed projects in the region in honour of the departed Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Managing Director of the interventionist agency, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this on Tuesday when he led the commission’s management team on a condolence visit to Governor Douye Diri and the Ewhrudjakpo family in Government House, Yenagoa.
The NDDC MD explained that the commission would have commenced its end-of-year inauguration of projects on Tuesday, December 16 with the 700-bed President Bola Tinubu hostel at the Bayelsa State-owned Niger Delta University but put it on hold because of the unfortunate death of Ewhrudjakpo on December 11.
Ogbuku also stated that all other projects scheduled for inauguration have been placed on hold in honour of the deputy governor and the state government that was mourning.
His words: “We have built partnership with Bayelsa State since the inception of this administration. The NDDC has had one of the best relations with state governors under this administration and that of Bayelsa State has been a wonderful experience.
”The NDDC was supposed to start commissioning of projects in closing the year, starting from today, with the inauguration of a 700-bed hostel named after Mr. President at NDU, Amassoma.”
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who also led a high-powered delegation to the Bayelsa Government House, conveyed the condolences of Mr. President to the state government and the Ewhrudjakpo family, stating that he received the news with shock and sadness.
The Petroleum Resources Minister said the late deputy governor rendered great services to the state and humanity, adding that he would be missed for his outstanding services.
Lokpobiri said: “For those of us from his senatorial district, we are even more pained by his death. We learnt a lot from his proverbs and wisdom. We will miss him. Bayelsa and Nigeria will miss him for his invaluable services to the state and the country. He died a fulfilled man as it is not how long but how well one lived.”
The leadership of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) also paid a condolence visit.
Its National Chairman, Dr. Boladei Igali, who led a delegation comprising members of the Board of Trustees and the executive council, equally expressed shock over Ewhrudjakpo’s passing.
He said: “We know that this is a great personal loss to you (governor), considering the working relationship between the two of you, which was the envy of all Nigeria. The images of the way you related with each other are all over in the media in Nigeria.”
According to the PANDEF leader, the late deputy governor played a major role in the progress and development of the state and would be greatly missed.
Responding on behalf of the government and the Ewhrudjakpo family, Governor Douye Diri again thanked President Tinubu for his concern since the passing of his deputy through personal phone call and a condolence message issued by his media adviser, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
The Bayelsa helmsman equally commended the NDDC MD for his thoughtfulness and comforting words.
He said he was grateful for the brotherly love the government and family of the deceased had received from leaders across the country and that of the state, especially those at the federal level.
Diri emphasised the need for unity among political leaders in the state.
Politics
Tinubu Happy With PAP’s Scholarship Scheme, Stakeholders’ Engagement, Peacebuilding Process – Otuaro •••Says 4500 Students Deployed In Varsities In Nigeria In 2025
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has said that President Bola Tinubu is happy with the significant achievements recorded by the agency in the Niger Delta in about two years.
He spoke at the flag-off of the fourth batch of the two-day “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation Training for PAP Stakeholders” organised by the agency in collaboration with the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, on Monday.
The PAP had in July and August 2025 successfully conducted a similar capacity-building workshop for three batches of its stakeholders at the same military facility.
Otuaro, who said the President is delighted with the agency’s expanded scholarship scheme, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and peacebuilding process in the Niger Delta, urged stakeholders to maintain their position as key players in the region’s peace and development.
According to him, His Excellency, President Tinubu is very supportive of the programme because of his strong desire for the region to enjoy sustainable peace, stability and development.
He reiterated that the workshop is a vital component of the PAP’s peace process with all stakeholders as important partners in the peace initiative.
He stressed that the participants are not only partners for peace, but also the President’s peace ambassadors.
The PAP boss also applauded the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his strategic support to strengthen the programme’s initiatives and enable it to achieve the intended objectives for the people of the region.
While declaring the workshop open, Otuaro said, “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, is very happy with what we have achieved so far in one year and nine months. As stakeholders, you should continue to be key players in the peace and development of the Niger Delta, which His Excellency has been very supportive of and desirous of.
“The objective behind this training is to ensure that all of us are partners in every peace effort in the Niger Delta. This initiative is also to give you a sense of belonging.
“When we organised this workshop in July and August this year, we assured stakeholders that more people would also participate in the training. We don’t want to do the PAP’s work alone. It is a process of putting our heads together to ensure that the region is peaceful and united. When we are united, Mr President will do more for the region.
“We must also realise that peace starts from our communities; you all are leaders in your own rights. I know and acknowledge the support that the Office has received since we came on board. This leadership workshop is part of our peacebuilding process and is designed to ensure that peace is sustained in our region.
“Since we came on board, we have redirected the Programme towards our people and for the next generation. We have achieved a lot. This 2025-2026 academic session, we have sent 4,500 students, our future leaders, on scholarships to universities within Nigeria. We are doing this to invest in the future of our region.”
Otuaro said that his leadership would not be distracted by the smear campaign of some anti-Niger Delta elements who were angry that the programme had been taken to the people of the region, saying “nobody will hold the region to ransom.”
He further urged stakeholders not to be manipulated by political merchants, but to massively support President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid because of his clear agenda for the region.
Otuaro enjoined the stakeholders to participate actively in the workshop and utilise the lessons they would gain to strengthen peace and development in their communities and the Niger Delta in general.
He also expressed appreciation to the management of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, resource persons, and the President of AANDEC, Rear Admiral Ndidi Agholor (retd.), for partnering with the PAP to deepen the peace process in the region.
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