The Nation Newspaper

Tag: credible

  • Abia electorate urged to vote credible candidates

    Abia electorate urged to vote credible candidates

    Abia South Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chris Nkwonta has urged voters in the state to cast their ballot only for credible people with a good record.

    Nkwonta, who was speaking when members of the Agalaba Youth Movement paid him a courtesy visit his country home, Akwete in Ukwa East Council, warned that if the people failed to vote in the right candidates, they would continue to elect those who have no business occupying political offices.

    “We must be careful in the quality of people we elect to represent us this time around. We need to elect the right people. They have started calling for your votes. Last week, I went to a campaign tour of Ibeme autonomous community in Obingwa local government. I discovered that the community has no electricity. I was moved and started the process of assisting them to get electricity. It was then that the PDP heard what I have done and also came in to assist the community.

    “The question is, why must Chris Nkwonta, a private person from Akwete in Ukwa East Local Government, be the one to discover that Ibeme, a community in a local government that produced a senator, has no electricity? It tells a lot about the type of representation we have had in the last eight years. If there has been no change in the last 8 years, what is the assurance that there will be change if we give them another four years?”

    The APGA senatorial candidate buttressing the need for credible candidates in various political positions from the local government to the federal level called for the election of people who have track records of performance into political offices to reduce the suffering of the masses.

    “If I have empowered many 2000 people through skill acquisition and tertiary education scholarships within my personal capacity, I will do more if I’m elected as a senator. We can’t continue like this. Cast and defend your votes, you won’t be disappointed. “

    In his address, Vice chairman of the Agalaba Youth Movement, Anthony Nnadozie said the Association accessed all the candidates seeking the senatorial seat and discovered that Nkwonta has the best credentials to represent the zone in 2015.

    According to him, “Abia South needs change and would rejoice with a more grassroots oriented representative like Chris Nkwonta in 2015.”

     

  • Vote for credible candidates, Abatemi-Usman urges Nigerians

    The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, has called on eligible voters in the to vote for candidates that will bring about development at all levels of governance, regardless of whatever political parties they belong to.

    According to a statement by his media assistant, Michael Jegede, the senator, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District made the call while addressing the mammoth crowd that came to show him solidarity, upon his arrival in Okene to formally inform members of his constituency that he was  in the Senatorial.

    Abatemi-Usman was among the senators, who recently quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a result of the injustice meted out to them in the last primary election. He has secured the ticket of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) to pursue his second term ambition in the Senate.

    The PPA senatorial candidate in Kogi Central said: “I thank you all for your unflinching support all this while since you gave me the mandate to represent you in the Senate. I have come to let you know that I am still fully involved in the senatorial contest for Kogi Central holding on February 14, 2015. I am now running on a different platform which is the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA).

    “My dear people, I seek your continued support and I assure you that I will not relent in my pursuit to ensure the sustenance of peace in Ebiraland, where political thuggery and violence will continue to remain a thing of the past. I urge you, and indeed, the entire Nigerians, not to vote for party in the coming election, but to look out for credible candidates that will change things for the better in the interest of the masses, irrespective of the political party on whose ticket they are running in the election.”

  • Can there be credible elections without PVCs?

    Can there be credible elections without PVCs?

    In this piece, Adeyinka Jeje, Election Manager and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, contends that the disenfranchised of eligible voters, through the shoddy distribution of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  is dangerous for democracy.

    I have followed with interest the on-going National discourse on INEC; the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards; and the Continuous Voter Registration.  I have restrained myself from making comment by virtue of my office, but l am finding it difficult to defend my position of silence in the face of what appeared as deliberate effort by INEC to frustrate the 2015 General Elections.

    My change of position is also due to the fact that I am an Election Manager in Lagos State and constitutionally,  whatever is the final product of the voters register by the INEC will also affect the performance on my job, hence, I am constitutionally permitted to shout loud and clear where Any short-coming in the process. Moreover, l am a Nigerian and privileged to have full understanding of the electoral terrain, hence l owe the nation, posterity and myself the duty to analyse the situation as an insider and let Nigerians know and understand the unfolding scenario.

     

    Issues

    It is essential to articulate the issues under these major headlines; (i) Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and (ii) The Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise.

     

    Permanent voter cards

    It would be recalled that the Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) were issued by INEC on registration for the 2011 General Elections. INEC informed all of us that those with double registration had their names deleted as at 2011 and even threatened then to prosecute those affected by double registration. The Permanent Voter Cards being distributed now, had the 2011 Voters Register as its data base. Of course, this was four years ago!  INEC equally informed us in 2011 that it was in the process of issuing the Permanent Voter Cards. In essence it took INEC four years to produce the Permanent Voter Cards purportedly to be used for the 2015 General Elections. One would have expected a perfect and seamless job, not the haphazard issuance, missing of individual names and entire registration units all over the country.

    First, let us examine the issue of double registration. While INEC has the right to perfect its Voter Register, l have checked the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act, l did not see anywhere INEC is empowered to disenfranchise anybody for double registration. Me think the most logical thing to do is to delete double but still maintain the voter in the register. INEC could decide to prosecute anyone for double registration but for God’s sake, it has no right to disenfranchise anybody.

    Secondly, INEC came with some double talks on why voters in some states decreased while obviously these states are states with exploding population. Is INEC saying after the 2011 General Elections it did another editing of the register or it employed another computer application that assisted in weeding out names with double entry?  I know this was not the case, hence something mischievous or hidden from the public and the Election Managers in the 36 State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), who will equally use the same register for their Local Government elections are not being along carried on by INEC. This leads simply to suspicion as election is a process and the compilation of the Voters Register is a very important aspect of that process.

    Thirdly, is the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards for three days and relegation of subsequent collection to INEC Local Council Offices, is a reckless management of the distribution without adequate consideration for the environment. All of us who witnessed the distribution were sure that not up to 30 percent collected the PVCs.  I was therefore ,shocked when INEC claimed that over 60 percent of registered voters had collected the PVCs and that any registered voter without the PVC will not be allowed to vote in the 2015 General Elections. This seemingly simple unconstitutional decision by INEC is a recipe for disaster in the forthcoming election.

    The voters register is biometric in the sense that it has the picture, details and finger-prints of each voter. It is easy to relate the photograph in the register to the face of the voter and one could ask some simple security questions like age, date of birth, etc, to ascertain doubtful voters. To out-rightly ban those who could not locate/collect their PVC is nothing but arbitrary use of power.

    If this situation is not corrected by calling INEC to order, the ground or foundation is being laid for altercations at each of virtually all the polling units across the country. On the day of election, it is easy for altercation to get heated and if not well managed, could lead to squabble which may ultimately lead to chaos, riots and breakdown of law and order. I foresee this happening simultaneously all over the country and this will simply lead to cancellation of elections in those areas where peace appears to have been disturbed.

    I have read voraciously about electoral processes and luckily l was in Washington DC, USA with Prof Jega and his team during the 2011 presidential elections. One constant in stable electoral environments all over the world is confidence in the system. No voter ever expect to be disenfranchised and voters in those climes know that anyone who commits an Electoral offence shall be liable. The simple question l want to ask is: Hhs INEC distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards generated confidence in the Nigeria Electoral System towards the 2015 elections?”

     

    Continuous voters

    registration exercise

    After the 2011 elections, Prof Jega announced that INEC would start the Continuous Voters Registration immediately all over the Federation.  I find the whole gamut of Continuous Voters Registration as a huge joke on Nigerians. Why five days if it is Continuous Voter registrations, is it not contradictory?  We all can remember the problem of the data Capturing Machines when used in 2011 and we begin to wonder what magic INEC wanted to perform within 5 days of what they called Continuous Voters Registration exercise. Of course, this is not the age of miracles, the exercise has failed woefully.

    The INEC has a monopoly on the compilation of Voters Register, but the Constitution also empowers SIECs to advise INEC on the subjects as long as the same Register would be used for Local Councils’ elections. This implies SIECs are Stakeholders, but INEC in its electoral arrogance did not consider it necessary to carry the SIECs along and to worsen the matter has refused to acknowledge inputs from SIECs. INEC is on a solitary journey in the Nigeria electoral terrain whereas it is expected to carry all the stakeholders along. It is more painful because this is one of our areas of core competence where we are, expected to exhibit pure professionalism, which I must confess is lacking in INEC’s management of the exercise.

     

    Inferences

    It is quite clear from the analysis that if INEC is not called to order, it would embark on unconstitutional disenfranchisement of   eligible voters. INEC has no right to delete any name from the Voters Register but can only prosecute those involved in double registration.

    What happens to the names of individuals missing in the Register or to names of people in an entire Registration Unit missing? Many people re-registered but still no Permanent Voter Card. Yet many of these people have the temporary Voter Card but according to INEC, cannot vote.

    What will happen on Election Day.  Are we using the Card Reader? What value is the Card reader going to add to the election? Is the card reader going to replace the Poll Clerk? In fact it is still a mystery to me at our level of electoral development what the card reader is meant to achieve.

    Anyway you must have a Permanent Voter Card before the Card Reader can be used. What if the Card Reader is faulty?

    The INEC should drop the idea of disenfranchising eligible voters for lack of Permanent Voter Card. The blame for non- possession of Permanent Voter Card should be placed at the doorstep of  the INEC. I do not want to subscribe to the allegation that INEC is playing out a script.

    More worrisome is the implication of the aforementioned on the voter turn –out. Any Electoral Management Body (EMB) that refuses to take into cognizance the confidence of the voter in the electoral system and level of participation in the democratic process is invariably plunging the nation into legitimacy crisis. If democracy is the government of the majority, a situation where less than half the voter population elect the representatives could not be said to be democratic in actual terms. Prof. Attahiru Jega should revisit the way INEC is embarking on this journey of 2015 elections.

    Nigeria has a lot to learn from Brazil that incidentally shares some attributes with Nigeria, equally a federal state, highly populated and multi-cultural in nature. Just last year October, 2014 the Voter Turn –out in the presidential election of that Country was 78.9 per cent where  Presidential, Gubernatorial and National Assembly Elections were held same day. Perhaps we need to also note the 2013 parliamentary elections in Australia with 93.23 per cent Voter Turn-out. Nigeria could achieve same feat if the political will and the conducive atmosphere is in place. However the present disposition of INEC and the body language appears to be indifferent to high turn-out of Voters during the coming election.

    The INEC not to allow itself to be an instrument in subverting itself in the process of free, fair and credible election. It should allow without any controversy the use of Temporary Voter Cards during the 2015 election or else it might open itself to litany of litigations which I hope may not add to frustrating credible 2015 general elections in Nigeria.

  • Can there be credible elections without PVCs?

    Can there be credible elections without PVCs?

    In this piece, Adeyinka Jeje, Election Manager and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, contends that the disenfranchised of eligible voters, through the shoddy distribution of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  is dangerous for democracy.

    I have followed with interest the on-going National discourse on INEC; the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards; and the Continuous Voter Registration.  I have restrained myself from making comment by virtue of my office, but l am finding it difficult to defend my position of silence in the face of what appeared as deliberate effort by INEC to frustrate the 2015 General Elections.

    My change of position is also due to the fact that I am an Election Manager in Lagos State and constitutionally,  whatever is the final product of the voters register by the INEC will also affect the performance on my job, hence, I am constitutionally permitted to shout loud and clear where Any short-coming in the process. Moreover, l am a Nigerian and privileged to have full understanding of the electoral terrain, hence l owe the nation, posterity and myself the duty to analyse the situation as an insider and let Nigerians know and understand the unfolding scenario.

     

    Issues

    It is essential to articulate the issues under these major headlines; (i) Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and (ii) The Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise.

     

    Permanent voter cards

    It would be recalled that the Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) were issued by INEC on registration for the 2011 General Elections. INEC informed all of us that those with double registration had their names deleted as at 2011 and even threatened then to prosecute those affected by double registration. The Permanent Voter Cards being distributed now, had the 2011 Voters Register as its data base. Of course, this was four years ago!  INEC equally informed us in 2011 that it was in the process of issuing the Permanent Voter Cards. In essence it took INEC four years to produce the Permanent Voter Cards purportedly to be used for the 2015 General Elections. One would have expected a perfect and seamless job, not the haphazard issuance, missing of individual names and entire registration units all over the country.

    First, let us examine the issue of double registration. While INEC has the right to perfect its Voter Register, l have checked the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act, l did not see anywhere INEC is empowered to disenfranchise anybody for double registration. Me think the most logical thing to do is to delete double but still maintain the voter in the register. INEC could decide to prosecute anyone for double registration but for God’s sake, it has no right to disenfranchise anybody.

    Secondly, INEC came with some double talks on why voters in some states decreased while obviously these states are states with exploding population. Is INEC saying after the 2011 General Elections it did another editing of the register or it employed another computer application that assisted in weeding out names with double entry?  I know this was not the case, hence something mischievous or hidden from the public and the Election Managers in the 36 State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), who will equally use the same register for their Local Government elections are not being along carried on by INEC. This leads simply to suspicion as election is a process and the compilation of the Voters Register is a very important aspect of that process.

    Thirdly, is the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards for three days and relegation of subsequent collection to INEC Local Council Offices, is a reckless management of the distribution without adequate consideration for the environment. All of us who witnessed the distribution were sure that not up to 30 percent collected the PVCs.  I was therefore ,shocked when INEC claimed that over 60 percent of registered voters had collected the PVCs and that any registered voter without the PVC will not be allowed to vote in the 2015 General Elections. This seemingly simple unconstitutional decision by INEC is a recipe for disaster in the forthcoming election.

    The voters register is biometric in the sense that it has the picture, details and finger-prints of each voter. It is easy to relate the photograph in the register to the face of the voter and one could ask some simple security questions like age, date of birth, etc, to ascertain doubtful voters. To out-rightly ban those who could not locate/collect their PVC is nothing but arbitrary use of power.

    If this situation is not corrected by calling INEC to order, the ground or foundation is being laid for altercations at each of virtually all the polling units across the country. On the day of election, it is easy for altercation to get heated and if not well managed, could lead to squabble which may ultimately lead to chaos, riots and breakdown of law and order. I foresee this happening simultaneously all over the country and this will simply lead to cancellation of elections in those areas where peace appears to have been disturbed.

    I have read voraciously about electoral processes and luckily l was in Washington DC, USA with Prof Jega and his team during the 2011 presidential elections. One constant in stable electoral environments all over the world is confidence in the system. No voter ever expect to be disenfranchised and voters in those climes know that anyone who commits an Electoral offence shall be liable. The simple question l want to ask is: Hhs INEC distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards generated confidence in the Nigeria Electoral System towards the 2015 elections?”

     

    Continuous voters

    registration exercise

    After the 2011 elections, Prof Jega announced that INEC would start the Continuous Voters Registration immediately all over the Federation.  I find the whole gamut of Continuous Voters Registration as a huge joke on Nigerians. Why five days if it is Continuous Voter registrations, is it not contradictory?  We all can remember the problem of the data Capturing Machines when used in 2011 and we begin to wonder what magic INEC wanted to perform within 5 days of what they called Continuous Voters Registration exercise. Of course, this is not the age of miracles, the exercise has failed woefully.

    The INEC has a monopoly on the compilation of Voters Register, but the Constitution also empowers SIECs to advise INEC on the subjects as long as the same Register would be used for Local Councils’ elections. This implies SIECs are Stakeholders, but INEC in its electoral arrogance did not consider it necessary to carry the SIECs along and to worsen the matter has refused to acknowledge inputs from SIECs. INEC is on a solitary journey in the Nigeria electoral terrain whereas it is expected to carry all the stakeholders along. It is more painful because this is one of our areas of core competence where we are, expected to exhibit pure professionalism, which I must confess is lacking in INEC’s management of the exercise.

     

    Inferences

    It is quite clear from the analysis that if INEC is not called to order, it would embark on unconstitutional disenfranchisement of   eligible voters. INEC has no right to delete any name from the Voters Register but can only prosecute those involved in double registration.

    What happens to the names of individuals missing in the Register or to names of people in an entire Registration Unit missing? Many people re-registered but still no Permanent Voter Card. Yet many of these people have the temporary Voter Card but according to INEC, cannot vote.

    What will happen on Election Day.  Are we using the Card Reader? What value is the Card reader going to add to the election? Is the card reader going to replace the Poll Clerk? In fact it is still a mystery to me at our level of electoral development what the card reader is meant to achieve.

    Anyway you must have a Permanent Voter Card before the Card Reader can be used. What if the Card Reader is faulty?

    The INEC should drop the idea of disenfranchising eligible voters for lack of Permanent Voter Card. The blame for non- possession of Permanent Voter Card should be placed at the doorstep of  the INEC. I do not want to subscribe to the allegation that INEC is playing out a script.

    More worrisome is the implication of the aforementioned on the voter turn –out. Any Electoral Management Body (EMB) that refuses to take into cognizance the confidence of the voter in the electoral system and level of participation in the democratic process is invariably plunging the nation into legitimacy crisis. If democracy is the government of the majority, a situation where less than half the voter population elect the representatives could not be said to be democratic in actual terms. Prof. Attahiru Jega should revisit the way INEC is embarking on this journey of 2015 elections.

    Nigeria has a lot to learn from Brazil that incidentally shares some attributes with Nigeria, equally a federal state, highly populated and multi-cultural in nature. Just last year October, 2014 the Voter Turn –out in the presidential election of that Country was 78.9 per cent where  Presidential, Gubernatorial and National Assembly Elections were held same day. Perhaps we need to also note the 2013 parliamentary elections in Australia with 93.23 per cent Voter Turn-out. Nigeria could achieve same feat if the political will and the conducive atmosphere is in place. However the present disposition of INEC and the body language appears to be indifferent to high turn-out of Voters during the coming election.

    The INEC not to allow itself to be an instrument in subverting itself in the process of free, fair and credible election. It should allow without any controversy the use of Temporary Voter Cards during the 2015 election or else it might open itself to litany of litigations which I hope may not add to frustrating credible 2015 general elections in Nigeria.

  • ‘Vote for credible candidates’

    Nigerians have been urged to vote for credible candidates in next year’s general elections in the interest of democracy.

    The Lagos State Coordinator of the ‘Ward to Ward Initiative,’ a group in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Ayo Faseke, gave the advice in Lagos  at the meeting of the group.

    Explaining the objective of the group, he said:  “The Ward to Ward initiative by the PDP is a movement where the grassroots are empowered with knowledge on how to vote wisely. Each member of the group is expected to canvass for 20 votes for President Goodluck Jonathan during the election.

    “The initiative is also aimed at educating the people on one man, one vote. We are also drumming support for the Lagos State PDP governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje. Our priority is to encourage people to vote for credible candidates.”

  • ‘We need credible candidates for elections’

    A group the  Obokun/Oriade Solidarity Forum, has advocated for  credible candidates to represent the people of Ijesaland in the legislature.

    The group is saddled with the responsibilities of picking a credible candidate from any party in Ijesa North Federal Constituency to represent the area in  state and national assemblies.

    The Coordinator of the group, Olusola Ojokunle,  said the main objective of the forum is to source for  credible representatives.

    Ojokunle averred that the group is emphasising on sensitization of people in the federal constituency to adopt a better candidate that can lead and represent them.

    He said the group is not working for political parties, but advocating  for the best candidate that would represent the aspiration and interest of the people.

    Ojokunle said the group has set  machineries in motion to sensitise the  people on the need to choose a candidate of their choice.

    The objective  of the group, according to the coordinator, is to support a reliable candidate, that understand the yearnings and aspirations of the people in the constituency.

  • ‘PDP ‘ll ensure credible election’

    ‘PDP ‘ll ensure credible election’

    Senate President David Mark has assured Nigerians that, despite the  challenges  confronting the President Goodluck Jonathan  Administration the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will ensure free and fair elections next year.

    Senator Mark stated this  in Jos, the Plateau State capital,  at the distribution of economic empowerment items sponsored by the Senator representing Plateau North senatorial zone to constituents.

    According to Senator Mark, “Nigerians do not need to nurse any apprehension over 2015 elections, the ruling party, PDP, will ensure a credible election at all levels. We are only pleading that politicians not to make their election a do or die affair.

    He said: “All Nigerians should be assured of free, fair and credible election in 2015. But in every game there must be winner and losers,those who loose should not make it a battle front because there is always another opportunity to try again.

    Senator Mark commended Senator Pwajok for his contribution in the Senate and as well as his concern for his constituents.

    In his opening remarks, Senator  Pwajok said, “The constituency empowerment and Development Program was organised to mark my two years in the senate. These items are meant to economically empower women, youths and the less privileges in my constituency. My desire is for them to have financial independent and self-employed”

    Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, who was represented  by the deputy governor, Ambas Ignatius Longjan was full of praises for Senator Pwajok whom he said had given Plateau State credible representation at the National Assembly.

    Items distributed by Senator Pwajok at the constituency empowerment programme include, grinding machines, sewing Machines, tricycles, hair dressing kits, irrigation water pumps, vehicles and computer sets amongst others amounting to over N150 million.

  • ‘Credible leadership key to achieving vibrant unionism’

    ‘Credible leadership key to achieving vibrant unionism’

    Ifeoluwa Egunjobi has been elected the first woman Speaker of the University of Ibadan (UI) Students’ Union Government (SUG). The 400-Level Law student defeated two male contestants to clinch the position. She shares her thoughts on students’ unionism with HAMMED HAMZAT (400-Level Educational Management).

    What stokes your interest in campus politics?

    Politics, to me, is not something one can venture into without adequate preparation. The only thing that motivates me is the passion to serve the interest of students on campus. In 2011/2012 academic session, I contested as a member of parliament from Queen Idia Hall. I was chosen to be the majority leader. I was re-elected to the parliament the following year, during which I contested and won election as Deputy Speaker. This is my third session in the Students’ Union Government (SUG) and I am the Speaker of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC).

    What is your take on students’ unionism?

    Students’ unionism is one that gives students a civilised platform to air their views on issues of interest within the confines of their campuses. Unionism in University of Ibadan is coming up gradually, after it was proscribed for more than a decade. Unionism is what is helping us to come together to present our interests before management. Although what is obtainable in many schools is not encouraging because, most students’ leaders lack political exposure. It would be good if we have committed students at the leadership of unionism. Credibility of leaders is paramount to keeping students’ unionism vibrant. I have learnt that the welfare of students is the core value of unionism. As such, anyone who aspires to be students’ leader should not toy with this.

    What changes do you want to bring to Students’ Unionism?

    I plan to initiate Constituency Roundtable, where students will have the opportunity to meet management team in Halls of Residence. This will help to bridge the information gap between students and management, which often leads to confrontation. It is a kind of dialogue platform that will help to solve challenges we always have in the hostels.

    What are the challenges so far?

    It is not easy to co-ordinate the thoughts of more than 119 members of the parliament. Balancing academic and unionism is another challenge, which one must not joke with. People generally believe that women are likely to misuse power, whereas what matters most is the personality of the leader. Most of the parliament members are first-timers; they have not acquired the experience of legislative proceedings. It is my duty to guide them on this. All of these are challenges I can point to.

    Do you think women participation in politics is encouraging?

    I think women have been able to come out of their comfort zone and participate in politics. They may have been initially discouraged by the thought that politics is dirty. I believe women have strong will than the men, which is why the contributions of the likes of the late Prof Dora Akunyili and Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili cannot be write off in nation building. Some people still believe certain positions should be reserved for women. Gender discrimination is what is keeping women from participating in politics. However, we can use our gender as strength to ensure we contribute our quota to the development of society.

     

  • Lagos 2015: Groups demand credible governorship candidate

    Lagos 2015: Groups demand credible governorship candidate

    The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) and the Lagos State Chapter of the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria have urged political parties to present credible and reliable governorship candidate for next year’s elections.

    Their spokes man, Prof Ishaq Akintola, who addressed a press conference  in Lagos, said religion sentiments should not be  a yardstick to determine  the choice ofcandidates. He therefore, called on Lagosians to vote for credible politicians, who will serve the society

    .“The Muslims of Lagos State believe that the faith of the next governor should not really be the issue. Rather, Lagosians should fish out a trustworthy person, somebody with the right credentials of transparency, hardwork, vision and integrity. Lagos State needs someone who can guarantee employment for young graduates, security of lives and properties, freedom of speech, equal rights, justice, respect for Allah-given and fundamentals human rights as well as freedom of religions”.  “In particular, Lagos State needs a governor, who is prepared to treat both Christians and Muslims equally, no matter his personal affiliation,” he said.

    The don said sentiment should not be used in determining who emerges as Lagos Governor. He cited cases in the past when religion was not a determinant factor in picking governorship candidates for Lagos. He said Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was elected on merit not on religions basis likewise Governor Babatunde Fasola he therefore called on the Christians to eschew the call for a Christian Governor come 2015.

    “Sentiments apart, the demand currently being made by Lagos Christians for a Christian governor in 2015 is therefore, parochial, divisive and ridiculous. It makes a mockery of democracy,”

    Akintola debunked the claim of an Islamic scholar who is parading himself as the endorsed running mate to a governorship candidate by Islamic organisations. He advised him to stop parading himself as such, as no Islamic organisation has endorsed anyone for such position.

    “We hereby dissociate ourselves from the so called endorsement. We assert clearly, unambiguously and categorically that Islamic organisations were not consulted before the unauthorised endorsement. The Islamic scholar is advised to desist forthwith from parading himself as the mouthpiece of Islamic organisations in Lagos State while we advise gubernatorial candidates to explore the possibility of genuine dialogue with leaders of Islamic Organisations in the state,” he said.

    Also commenting on the case of Hijab which is in court, Prof Akintola said the Muslims in the state will insist on the use of Hijab in public, adding the slogan of Muslims for Lagos 2015 is ‘No Hijab No Vote’.

  • Kumuyi urges voters to choose credible leaders in 2015

    Kumuyi urges voters to choose credible leaders in 2015

    The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Folorunso Kumuyi, has urged voters to choose only credible leaders who will transform the country and make it great again.

    The cleric said voters need to vote “intelligently” in next year’s general elections to ensure that only credible people get their votes.

    Kumuyi spoke in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, when he visited Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    The cleric noted that only credible leaders would make a difference in the lives of Nigerians.

    He also addressed reporters on the three-day “power-packed crusade” with the theme: Explosion of Supernatural Miracles, which was held at the weekend.

    Kumuyi said: “When we are going to cast our votes, we must vote intelligently. We know where we want to be as a country in various areas of development. The leaders who will get us to where we want are those we are going to cast our votes for at all levels.

    “We should also understand that many nations have their peculiar problems: some similar to ours, while some are different. But many of the countries have survived their challenges. I want to say with prayers and hope in God, we will get out of our problems.”

    The cleric scored Aregbesola high in the transformation of Osun State.

    He said Aregbesola’s leadership style had translated to the vast development of the state.

    He said: “We thank God for the progress we have seen in this state. We have seen that a lot has taken place in terms of transformation under Ogbeni Aregbesola.