Politics

Finally INEC opens up on why IReV failed during 2023 presidential election

Published

2 years ago

February 23, 2024

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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By Emmanuel Agaji

Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finally explained why the result viewing portal (IReV) failed during the February 2023 presidential election.

The election was won by Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party came second while Peter Obi of the Labour Party came third.

As reported by The Cable on Friday, the electoral umpire gave the explanation in a comprehensive post-mortem report on the 2023 general election released on the first anniversary of the election

The INEC report said the “HTTP error” its server returned during the presidential election was because of a configuration bug which was discovered after the presiding officers at the polling units could only upload the results of the National Assembly elections.

“In configuring and mapping the election results for the presidential and NASS elections,” the report sighted by The Cable reads, “the Commission created Four Hundred and Seventy (470) election types consisting of one presidential constituency covering the entire country, 109 Senatorial Districts and 360 Federal Constituencies.”

The report further noted, “Each Senatorial District and Federal Constituency election on the database was mapped to their respective States.”

It, however, noted that the presidential election result “is a single, countrywide constituency and therefore, does not belong to any one State.

“Consequently, while the uploads for the NASS elections succeeded as the application was able to identify the respective State and build the folder hierarchy for the results organization process for the election, attempts to upload the presidential election results sheets, which does not belong to or mapped to any State on the database, failed.

“Instead, it returned a HTTP server error response. This failure is attributable to the inability of the application to create and build a folder structure to organize the uploaded images of the result sheets of the presidential election.”

Narrating the IReV problem, the INEC in its report, said it was first reported at 4 pm on Election Day and was partially resolved in four hours.

The commission admitted that it was a key challenge that “impacted on the public perception” of the election and elicited “widespread commentary across the country”.

INEC said, “To begin with, it is important to note that the IReV portal is one of the most significant innovations introduced by the Commission prior to the 2023 General Election to promote the integrity and transparency of the electoral process. As a public-facing website, the IReV portal shows the images of the original Polling Unit result sheets as recorded in Form EC8A.

“The operational methodology and the concept behind the upload of results to the IReV for public viewing is quite simple. At the end of polls, Polling Unit results (Form EC8As) are scanned and uploaded to the IReV by the Presiding Officer(s). These results are then available for viewing to the public and all stakeholders.

“The system, which was first deployed during Nasarawa Central State Constituency bye-election in August 2020 and tested in 105 subsequent elections, including three (3) off-cycle governorship elections, has tremendously improved public confidence in the integrity and transparency of the Commission’s result management process.

“The challenge of uploading the PU presidential election results on the IReV after the presidential and NASS elections on 25th February 2023 was unique. As voting ended across the country and POs began the process of uploading the images of the PU result sheets of the elections for the various constituencies around 4:00pm, the Commission began to receive reports that attempts to upload presidential election result sheets was failing.

“Following these reports, the Commission immediately engaged with its field officials for details in order to understand, and trace the origin, source, scale and magnitude of the problem across the result management ecosystem to devise appropriate solutions.

“In the troubleshooting process, it was established that there was no issue in uploading the PU result sheets of the Senate and House of Representatives elections through the Election Result Modules. However, there was a problem with uploading the presidential election results to the system.

“Attempts to upload the results were generating internal server errors, which refer to a significant impairment that usually originate from within an application due to problems relating to configuration, permissions, or failure to create or access application resources correctly.

“Further interrogation of the Election Result Modules indicated that the system is encountering an unexpected configuration problem in mapping the presidential election results uploaded into the system to the participating Polling Units.

“Due to the complex, sensitive and critical nature of the systems and the real potential for malicious cyberattacks, the Commission immediately put in place several strict security and audit control measures to prevent any unfettered or elevated access to the Result Upload System.”

The commission said after identifying the source of the problem, it quickly created and deployed “hotfixes” — software updates for fixing a bug or any vulnerabilities in a system.

The deployed hotfixes eventually resolved the HTTP error on the system “and the first presidential election result sheet was successfully uploaded at 8.55 pm on the 25th of February 2023,” it said.

While rating itself high, INEC stated in the report.

“Yet, the 2023 General Election produced the most diverse outcome in recent Nigerian electoral history in terms of party representation in executive and legislative elections nationwide. Thus, four (4) political parties produced State Governors, seven (7) secured Senatorial seats, eight (8) won federal constituencies and nine (9) in State seats,” the report said.

Politics

Full List: Ex-PDP Chairman Solomon Arenyeka Emerges APC Delta Chairman As Oborevwori Drops 2027 Marching Order

Published

3 days ago

March 4, 2026

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has elected Chief Solomon Arenyeka, a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, as its new State Chairman, following a consensus State Congress held Tuesday at the Cenotaph in Asaba.

Arenyeka’s emergence marks the culmination of a major political realignment that began in April 2025, when he led thousands of his supporters across the state to defect from the PDP to the APC, citing the need to align Delta State with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s renewed vision for Nigeria.

Below is the complete list of executives elected at the state congress:

Position	Name
State Chairman	Chief Solomon Arenyeka
Deputy Chairman	Elder Moses Iduh
State Secretary	Chief Efe Uko
Delta Central Chairman	Chief Paulinus Akpeki
Delta South Chairman	Chief Emmanuel Amgbaduba
Delta North Chairman	Engr. Daniel Ossai
State Organising Secretary	Elder Emmanuel Egbabor
State Publicity Secretary	Barr. Valentine Onojeghuo
State Woman Leader	Mrs. Ifeyinwa Sobotie
State Youth Leader	Christopher Agali
State Legal Adviser	Barr. John Ochala
State Treasurer	Chief Mrs. Grace Ojobo
State Financial Secretary	Mr. Kelvin Omokri
State Auditor	Chief Tony Odibo
State Welfare Secretary	Hon. Mary Emakpor
State Assistant Secretary	Mr. Paulinus Ominini
State Assistant Organising Secretary (x2)	Chief Jude Ofili, Mrs. Esther Okpako
State Assistant Publicity Secretary (x2)	Mr. Emma Arubi, Mr. Peter Okagbare
State Assistant Woman Leader (x3)	Chief Mrs. Alice Uduaghan, Mrs. Felicia Akpoveta, Mrs. Rose Oghenesivbe
State Assistant Youth Leader (x3)	Comrade Oghenekaro Oghenekevwe, Mr. Efe Okpara, Miss Precious Efe
State Ex-Officio (x6)	Chief Joseph Otuh, Chief Paulinus Akpor, Elder Sam Akpoveta, Hon. Michael Diden, Chief Mrs. Cecilia Aboh, Mr. Godwin Etumah

The congress was presided over by the State Congress Electoral Committee chaired by Engr. Vita Abba, who declared the new executive elected after delegates affirmed the consensus candidates.

“The affirmation process was conducted in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines,” Abba said.

Before the election, former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, moved a motion for the dissolution of the outgone State Working Committee led by Elder Omeni Sobotie. The motion was seconded by Olorogun O’tega Emerhor and unanimously adopted by delegates.

Addressing party faithful after the inauguration, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori charged the new executive to begin immediate preparations for what he termed “total victory” in the 2027 general elections.

“Our mission is unequivocal. We must secure victory at every level – the Presidency, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Governorship and the State House of Assembly,” Oborevwori declared.

The governor expressed confidence that Delta APC would deliver massive votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all party candidates in the next electoral cycle.

He commended the peaceful conduct of congresses across the state’s 270 wards, 25 local government areas, describing it as a testament to the party’s internal democracy.

“There was no imposition. What we witnessed is broad consultation, agreement and inclusiveness. This structure belongs to all of us,” he stated.

Arenyeka’s emergence as APC State Chairman is significant given his political history. Until April 2025, he served as a prominent leader in the PDP, the party that has dominated Delta State politics for decades.

His defection, along with thousands of supporters across the state, was widely seen as a game-changer for APC’s fortunes in the traditionally PDP stronghold.

Political analysts note that placing a former opposition party chairman at the helm of the APC in Delta sends a strong signal about the party’s intent to compete seriously in 2027.

Immediate past State Chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, urged the new leadership to lead with humility and collective purpose.

Politics

Edo APC Reelects Tenebe, 35 Others into State Exco

Published

3 days ago

March 4, 2026

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The All Progressive Congress, APC, in Edo State has reelected Emperor Jarret Tenebe as chairman to run the party for another four-year term.

Also reelected in a consensus party congress are Deputy Chairman Sylvester Aigbogbor, State Secretary Lawrence Okah, and other members of the immediate past executive.

Inaugurating the new 36-man EXCO, the Chairman of the National Congress Committee, Hon. Kabiru Ajana, said the committee was mandated to conduct elections into the 36 vacant APC executive positions in Edo State.

According to him, the exercise demonstrated unity within the party, as all 36 positions were returned unopposed after the screening process, with no appeals received.

Ajana, who presided over the congress, commended Governor Okpebholo for fostering unity within the Edo APC and urged other states to emulate the example.

In his acceptance speech, Tenebe said the re-elected executive had formally endorsed President Tinubu and Governor Okpebholo for second terms, noting that both leaders have demonstrated strong performance and improved the lives of Nigerians and Edo residents.

Citing what he described as quality representation, Tenebe also announced the endorsement of former Edo State governor and senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, for a second term in the Senate.

He commended delegates for their trust and overwhelming confidence in the executive, pledging that the team would pilot the affairs of the party to greater heights.

Tenebe also thanked party faithful for their unwavering support, which he said helped the party weather challenging periods and remain united.

Tenebe noted that the period coincides with the implementation of Governor Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda, which he described as a transformational blueprint aimed at repositioning Edo State for sustainable development.

He maintained that the APC remains fully committed to supporting the successful implementation of the agenda.

Also speaking, Oshiomhole thanked delegates for re-electing the Tenebe-led executive, describing the exercise as seamless and symbolic of party unity in Edo State.

“ I thank all the delegates for a seamless exercise which symbolizes the unity of the party in Edo State. This unity makes a bold statement about the leadership of Governor Okpebholo. We celebrate the governor for the unity in the party,” he said.

Other dignitaries at the state congress included Minister for Regional Development Abubakar Momoh; the deputy governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; the secretary to the Edo State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor; and other top party leaders and members.

Politics

Now We Lost All Our Lawmakers – Former LP Organising Secretary Laments Party’s Collapse

Published

6 days ago

March 1, 2026

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A former National Organising Secretary (NOS) of the Labour Party (LP), Clement Ojukwu, has lamented over the effect of court cases brought against the party since the 2023 general elections.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, he expressed disappointment that several legal cases brought against the party since the 2023 general elections have impacted the party’s performance.

Ojukwu, who has recently returned to the interim National Working Committee led by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, said that the party had elected 34 members to the House of Representatives, eight Senators, and 80 members to the state Houses of Assembly after the 2023 general elections.

“Now we lost all of them. I don’t think we have as many as five members in the National Assembly,” he said.

The former LP NOS said he chose to join the caretaker committee led by Nenadi because they are now the officially recognised leaders of the Labour Party.

He said, “I chose to work with the caretaker committee to help save the Labour Party, for the benefit of the party. I also want to use this chance to ask my colleagues at the national, state, and local government levels to come together and help rebuild our party.

“Another election is around the corner. We lost everything we have. They have left to other political parties. So I’ll reach out to all my friends in the other group to get together and work on making this party stronger again.

“The caretaker committee has formed a reconciliation committee. Let’s come together and talk so that we can restore the first opposition political party in Nigeria.”

Ojukwu, who was part of Julius Abure’s group, said there are no more factions in the Labour Party.

He added, “There is a court ruling, and since it is valid, the right people are in the correct positions.”

He urged Abure and others to drop the legal cases they have filed because they are not helping the party.

“Litigations are killing political parties. He said they’ve seen many political parties disappear because of legal battles, and the Labour Party is losing support every day, which makes him feel sad,” he said.

Ojukwu said he did not think joining Senator Usman’s NWC was a betrayal of the Abure group.

He called himself “the oxygen of that particular faction.”

“I’m with this group because of the verdict. But I never betrayed anybody. Rather, I was betrayed,” he added.