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  • Why elections will be free, fair, credible, by Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has restated his promise to ensure a level playing ground for all contestants into the various political offices in next year’s general elections.

    The President said he was not unaware of the agony of being cheated during elections.

    He spoke while receiving  a delegation from the International Republican and National Democratic Institute, United States (U.S.) at the State House, Abuja.

    According to him, before the 2015 elections, what was done during elections were merely allocations of votes.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari said: “I am glad you are here to assess our pre-election preparations. It reminds me of the visit by the then Secretary of State, John Kerry, before the 2015 polls. We appreciate the concern of America for stability in developing countries.

    “Having run for president three times, ending up at the Supreme Court all three times, before God and technology made a way for me the fourth time, I know what it is to be cheated at the polls.

    “What they used to do was just to award votes and tell anyone who was dissatisfied to go to court. But we won’t do that. I am prepared to give the opposition the opportunities I was not given in the past.”

    He informed his guests that the heads of the security agencies had been warned not to be partisan, but to do their work professionally, and allow the will of the people to prevail.

    Saying that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would keep faith with its priorities of securing the country, reviving the economy, and fighting corruption, he said he was happy that the opposition has not been able to successfully fault the focal areas of the government.

    He said: “We have done fairly well in the areas we focused on. We know how many local government areas in the Northeast were under Boko Haram occupation before we came.

    “That does not happen again, save for cowardly attacks, using young girls as suicide bombers. Other areas of security challenge like farmers/herdsmen clashes are receiving attention, and would be sorted out as much as possible.”

    On the controversy trailing his veto of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018, the President said: “Time is against us. We are extremely vulnerable, and need to be careful that messages are not hijacked and figures tampered with, while being transmitted electronically.

    “Even the Russians were accused of tampering with American election. So, we will remain conventional, and use electronic transmission in subsequent elections.”

    Leader of the American delegation Ambassador Linda-Thomas Greenfield said they had met with the media, civil society and political parties.

    She also spoke on the fears being expressed on security agencies being partisan in the forthcoming elections, suspected non-commitment to free and fair elections by key stakeholders, delayed budget for the electoral umpire Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the non-signing of the new Electoral Bill into law.

  • Lalong, NBA seek free, fair general elections

    Plateau State Governor Dr. Simon Bako Lalong and the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA) Jos Branch have called on lawyers to be at the forefront of deepening democracy and the rule of law in the forthcoming general elections.

    Lalong spoke at opening of the branch’s yearly Law Week with the theme “The role of lawyers in engendering free, fair, credible and acceptable elections in Nigeria” and 21st Justice Azaki Memorial Lectures, which held at the Millenium Conference Centre, Jos.

    The governor praised the topic for the Law week and lecture, saying that it was apt and timely, when viewed against the backdrop of the 2019 general elections.

    Lalong said: ‘’I am, therefore, of the strongest belief that this event will accord the members of the Jos Bar the opportunity to engage with one another in robust discourses bordering on professional stocktaking and review of members’ physical, intellectual, spiritual and social well-being. The robustness of the Jos Bar in the nation’s Judicial Sector has always been credible and well applauded. Indeed, from quality discussions in this kind of forum, solutions have been found to many national issues, and this week’s activities cannot be an exception. Lawyers, as social engineers, are burdened with the task of agenda-setting and giving direction to government for the common public good. And there is no better time than now to prove our mettle in this regard as the nation prepares to go into the general elections. You are, therefore, setting the agenda or framework for a flurry of judicial activities to take root, far beyond this legal year and lawyers yet unborn will reap from what you sow today.

    “Our administration shares the NBA’s earnest desire and commitment to see that the judiciary continues to play its key role in governance as constitutionally stipulated. It is in recognition of the importance of the judiciary that since we assumed office three years ago, and with the cooperation and support of many of you, we invested quantum resources in the judiciary and left no stone unturned towards ensuring that we reposition the judiciary to achieve the desired results. The government is not oblivious of the fact that though the resources invested in the judiciary are enormous, the gains as far as the future of our people is concerned, are uppermost on our minds. Thus, this administration will remain committed and focused on the course of supporting the judiciary, which to us is key to achieving the socio-political and economic development of the new Plateau State of our dreams.’’

    He continued: ‘’To this end, the government recently secured a property in Jos for the NBA to situate its secretariat. Also, work has reached an advanced stage for the completion of the new state High Court Complex. We also cleared the arrears of bursary to Plateau State indigenous law students, which we inherited and efforts are underway to pay another tranche of assistance to the students. These interventions are already beginning to yield the desired results with some of our students getting better results than ever before. Just recently, a female indigenous student bagged a First Class Degree in the Nigerian Law School. In a bid to provide the necessary mechanism for the settlement of investment and commercial disputes in Plateau State, we have signed into law, the Multi-Door Court House Bill 2017, in order to advance the practice of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the state. This was a deliberate step taken by us as part of the administration’s effort to create the necessary environment to attract investments and enable businesses thrive on the plateau. Upon the  Multi-Door Court House taking off, it is our vision to make Jos a regional hub for ADR practice and the settlement of investment disputes.’’

    “On the reforms in the sector, Lalong said: ”Our renewed zeal and zest in addressing the needed reforms in the Justice Sector made us to take the bull by the horns in an attempt to deeply entrench the Criminal Justice Administration. Accordingly, I have signed The Domestication of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2018 and the Plateau State Penal Code (amended Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, 2018).These new procedural framework guarantees the speedy trial of suspects within the state jurisdiction with stiffer sentences to serve as deterrent if found guilty.”

     

    In his welcome address, the Law Week Planning Committee Chiarman, Chief Garba Pwul (SAN), said: “The branch Law Week this year is unique because it is the first time the heads of all the three arms of government are members of the association. The state Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, is a lawyer; the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Joshua Madaki is a lawyer and the state Chief Judge Justice Yakubu G. Dakwak are proud members of the association. The association is indeed proud of them. With the trio in the privileged positions which God Almighty has put them for us in the state, what can we ask and not receive? Which door can we knock that will not be opened, or what can we seek that we will not find?

    “The theme of the Law Week is tandem with popular demand, not only of the lawyers, but also the public. It is also in consonance with the impeding events of the great significance as we are at the threshold of the general elections of 2019. Not only will the contests at different levels be keen and decisive, they will also constitute a memorable milestone in our democracy. The year 2019 marks two decades of uninterrupted democratic governance in our country – the longest single stretch since independence.

    “Doubtless, the role expected to be played by lawyers at ensuring that the preparations, the processes and the results are transparent and, therefore, credible and acceptable by the generality of Nigerians is by no means a mean one. Be assured that at the end of this great Law Week, we will be more than equipped to take our stance and discharge our professional responsibilities in our clients and the society,” Pwul stated.

    Chairman of NBA Jos branch, Mr. Bon S. Ngyou said: “This year’s Law Week is remarkable in many respects because it comes at a time our nation prepares for the general elections. The choice of the topic was our collective decision. In our collective quest for genuine and true democracy in our country, the foundation,  which is free and fair election is germane. As social engineers, lawyers have a very critical role to play in this venture.’’

    Highlight of the event was the launch of the branch’s Bar Journal, which Ngyou described as a way as the association’s way of boosting continuing legal education among young lawyers.

    The chairman of the occasion, Prof. David Longwap Wonang, urged lawyers to rise up to their calling. He said unless the rule of law takes pre-eminence in the country, there will no meaningful development.

    This session was chaired by Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, who was represented at the event by NBA former First Vice-President, Mr. Caleb Dajan; the keynote speech presented by Prof. Pandang Yamsat.

    The event also witnessed a football match between the NBA Jos branch  and  the state branch of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). NBA won by two goals.

     

     

  • 2019: Our plan for free, fair elections, by Abubakar Panel

    A HEAD  of the 2019 election, the Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar-led National Peace Committee has expressed concern over the security situation in Rivers, the Northeast and other parts of the country.

    The committee will be meeting with chairmen and secretaries of parties today to design a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be signed by their presidential candidates as part of efforts to ensure peace before, during and after the elections.

    Briefing newsmen after the committee’s meeting with some Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, Abubakar stressed the importance of peace in nation building.

    Abubakar noted that from briefing, the commission is 100 per cent ready for the election, notwithstanding that its budget is yet to be signed.

    He said: “We have invited the chairman of INEC and he has come here with his high-power delegation. For the last one hour or so, he has briefed us on the preparation for the elections, his challenges and what he is going to do in order to make sure they are successful, free and fair.

    “We have taken note of flash areas in the states where he wants the committee to intervene in order to bring peace so that elections will be conducted. On our part, we will do the best that we can in order to help sanitise the political arena.”

    On the Northeast, he said: “All of us are worried about the security situation in the Northeast and it is necessary that we try to contain it in order for INEC to go there and conduct elections. You should know that INEC will not send people to endanger their lives in order to conduct elections. And in actual fact, no agent or political party will endanger the lives of its people in any conflict areas and we will try to contain that violence in order to conduct elections.”

    On other possible flashpoints, the former head of state said: “I believe that you are Nigerians, you are the people who tell us where there are crisis. You should know all these things. Well since you asked me a question I will answer. In particular, we have problems in Rivers state, and some other areas where problems are emerging. So we will try to see how we can nip the problem in the bud. And you help us also in giving us information, where you think we should intervene. It is not only the INEC that the responsibility lays on every Nigerian has a role to play.”

    On other challenges the former Head of state identified imposition of candidates by parties. He said: “well mainly on the activities of the political parties. You have seen during the primaries either direct or indirect, or whatever it is, we have seen the report from you the media people where there are impositions of candidates so these are part of the challenges.

    On the campaign so far, he said: “Well, all we can do is to sanitise the polity to make sure that there is no hate speech, to make sure that it is a decent campaign during elections where there will be no name calling and undesired utterances,” he said.

    The committee’s advice to INEC, he said “like all Nigerians, we pray and hope and we got assurances that INEC will do the right thing. Each Nigerian has a role to play and I hope they will play their part.

    Abubakar went on: “As far as INEC is concerned from the briefing we received, they are ready pending of course what the parties do. So now the ball is in the court of the political parties to get their acts together.

    “The next stage is that we are going to meet with chairmen and secretaries of political parties tomorrow (today) in order to discuss and listen to them and to see how we can make progress. After the meeting with the political parties, we are going to draw a memorandum of understanding for peace and tranquility and this we hope will be signed by all the presidential candidates and the chairmen of all the registered political parties,” he said.

    Read also: 2019 poll: EFCC to monitor donations to parties

    He urged the press to “properly inform” the general public, saying “You members of the press have also a role and a duty to educate our people and the politicians so that when they go on campaign, they campaign on issues and there should be politics without bitterness and rancor. You also help us educate our citizens so that they avoid been used as tugs during campaign and during elections. You also help us to educate Nigerians on their citizen’s right to ensure that they check that they receive their permanent voters card (PVCs) and ensure that their names are properly registered, to avoid ballot snatching and all types of hooliganism during the elections.

    “Our people should realise that peace is very paramount in any society. There must be peace before we conduct elections, there must be peace before we have a country. So I implore you, all of you here, you know what people see, what people read, they have the tendency to believe it in total, so please make sure you educate our people, help in voter education and all the necessary things that needed to be done so that we have a peace election.”

    Yakubu said the meeting  would be part of a regular dialogue with the committee ahead of the elections.

    It is a continuation of the briefing that INEC is going to be invited to give  to the Committee.  Remember that this is the second briefing on our preparation for the elections and we have told them everything that we have been doing to ensure free and fair elections including the registration of voters, making the PVCs available for collection well ahead of elections.  And some of the issues and challenges that we are facing in which we have sought the support of the committee.

    “Basically this is a routine meeting with the national peace committee and more of these interactions are planned ahead of the signing of national peace accord involving the presidential candidates and the chairmen of political parties. And we will also continue with this kind of interactions with all the stakeholders across the country as the elections approach. We have exactly 79 days to the elections and this kind of interaction will continue,” he said.

  • Promise of free and fair elections not enough

    Sir: President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his commitment to a free and fair election come 2019.  Based upon his promises, eminent Nigerians including Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakr III has called on Nigerians to hold Buhari to his words. Nonetheless, I want to point it out that holding Buhari to his word is not enough to guarantee free and fair elections.

    The above is premixed on the elections thus far under President Buhari’s watch. May God grant the soul of late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua a perfect peace. He was about the only president committed to free and fair elections. Jonathan also followed suit when he took the reign of government after the demise of Yar’Adua. Thus far, President Buhari has not shown any commitment to free and fair election and this is quite unfortunate. Before he won election to become president, he tasted rigging to the extent that he ordered his supporters not only to be vigilant during the polls but asked them to police their votes. Many of Buhari’s supporters before 2015 therefore believed that election process in Nigeria would be sanitized if Buhari became president. First, because of what he experienced. Two, because of his perceived love for the greatness of the nation.

    However, many have been disappointed by the conduct of elections under Buhari so far. Instead of moving forward, the nation electoral process is going from bad to worse with the unfortunate and degrading slangs like ‘vote and get money to cook stew’ among others. The collaboration of security operatives and electoral body to favour ruling party is another feature of the elections so far.

    So if President Buhari promises free and fair elections in this context, one should think before holding him for his words as the Sultan urged. Unless, there is clear evidence that their votes would count, next election will witness a low turnout never experienced in this nation.

    If we are to get free and fair  election next year, opposition parties have to make it clear to the ruling government as Buhari did in the past that nothing sort of free and fair election can sustain the corporate existence of this nation beyond 2019.

    Nigeria has a long way to go in achieving free and fair elections. Our leaders have seen political power as a pot of honey. They are not ready to forgo it. That is why elections have been war in Nigeria. One only prays that God will give us a leader that will sanitize the process. The crops of leaders in Nigeria today are too myopic and closed their eyes at history but obsessed with ephemeral power and its ancillaries than to give Nigerians a say in who rules them. This is why once they leave government, their memories are obliterated and consigned into abyss of thrash.

     

    • Adewuyi Adegbite, Ayekooto05@gmail.com

  • Smile gives customers SIM with data, free voice calls

    Smile Nigeria, at the weekend, took steps to further delight its teeming customers. It introduced All-in-One subscriber identity module (SIM) offer in a manner that customers could connect and enjoy free on net voice and video calls and best rates to call any local operator and affordable data plan on reliable network.

    The offer comes in an attractive N3, 000 package, which gives unlimited on-net calls, 250 minutes to call any local network, 250 SMS, 1.5GB data and zero roaming charges while abroad. Customers can make calls from abroad at local rates. To cap it all, it has a validity of 30 days.

    To enjoy these benefits, new customers need to purchase the Smile All-In-One SIM, download and activate the app while existing customers only need to download and activate the Smile voice app from their App Store or Google Play Store.

    Its Head, Brands and Communications, Lotanna Anajemba, said the offer would be available to existing customers and new customer prospects through all Smile distribution channels including retail shops, kiosks, field sales representatives (FSRs), independent dealer outlets and online. On activation, the customers will receive their respective activation data GB, Voice minutes and SMS.

  • Aregbesola canvasses free, fair election

    The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has called on the people of the state to eschew every form of violent conduct or act capable of undermining the integrity of today’s governorship election in the state.

    Aregbesola also sent a strong warning to any individual who may intend to disrupt the peaceful, free and fair conduct of the election, saying security agencies are all over the state to nip any criminal and undemocratic act in the bud.

    The foregoing were contained in an early broadcast the governor made to the people of the state yesterday, asking them to be vigilant and report any suspicious or criminal activity to law enforcement agencies.

    The governor described voting as the political power in the hand of the electorate which can only be exercised by registered voters with their permanent voter cards.

    He noted that people must therefore exercise this civil power responsibly in choosing their leaders so as to help put the right person in leadership position, advising them to weigh their choice of candidate carefully and responsibly before making a decision.

    The statement reads in part: “There are two responsibilities here. The first is for those who are registered to vote. They should all come out to vote.

    “Indeed, voting is political power. However, only registered voters with their permanent voter cards are expected at the polling units.

    “The second is responsible voting. This power must be used for the advancement of the state by helping to put the right person in political office.

    “Not everyone has the intellectual, moral and administrative capability and capacity to provide leadership and governance, though everyone has some gifts and can be useful in some other ways.

    “You must therefore weigh your choice of candidate carefully and responsibly before making it.

    “You must also conduct yourselves peacefully and lawfully before, during and after the election.

    “Display your Omoluabi essence and demonstrate to the world that you are the epitome of civility, character, integrity and decency.

    “Shun every form of violence or acts capable of undermining the integrity of the election and of the state and people of Osun.

    “If you are not a voter or do not have any role to play, stay at home while the exercise lasted. Do not come near the polling stations.

    “However, be vigilant. Report all suspicious and criminal activities to law enforcement agencies. You all have a duty to make the election successful.

    “There have been concerns that a few anti-democratic elements might attempt to deny citizens their democratic right to vote for the candidate of their choice or coerce them to vote for a particular candidate.

    “Indigenes and non-indigenes alike have nothing to fear. The entire power and resources of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be deployed to protect you and enable you to exercise your civic rights.

    “For the non-indigenes in Osun, your right to reside in any part of Nigeria and enjoy every right and privilege available to citizens of Nigeria in your locality is constitutionally guaranteed.

    “I will protect you and defend your right with every power at my disposal. If you feel the least uncomfortable in any situation, do not hesitate to report to the law enforcement agents around you.

    “The security agencies have been mobilised to all the nooks and crannies of the state. Law abiding citizens have nothing to fear. They should all go about their lawful duties happily, luxuriating in the mood of the season, the celebration of the festival of democracy that comes around at every election cycle.

    “Criminals, anti-democratic elements, poll riggers and those predisposed to violence should steer clear of Osun before, during and after the election.

    “You will have the overwhelming security powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the resolve of the good people of Osun for a free and fair election to contend with.

    “I urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to double its effort and make this election hitch-free. The body should conduct a free, fair and peaceful election we will all be proud of.”

    He praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his visit to Osun and for all his kind assistance to the state.

    He also commended the President’s commitment to deepening democracy, transparency, credibility and fairness.

     

  • APC aspirant seeks free, fair primary

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and House of Representatives aspirant for Ekiti Central Constituency I, Mr Olusola Fatoba, has urged party leaders to ensure that only popular candidates are presented for next year’s general elections.

    The aspirant also urged them to ensure that the party’s primaries are free from manipulations to enable APC go into the elections as a united family.

    He said APC had become the toast of Ekiti people, following the party’s victory in the July 14 governorship election in the state, adding that it has all it takes to sweep the polls in the next year’s elections.

    Fatoba hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for recording landmark achievements in rail transportation, saying this will boost agriculture across the country.

    He said Ekiti will benefit greatly from the rail system, when the project is extended to the state, as promised by the Federal Government.

  • Ex-minister seeks free, fair primaries

    Governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, and ex-FCT Minister, Senator Akpan Uduedehe, has said he will support who ever wins in a free and fair primary.

    The aspirant, who spoke after collecting his nomination and expression of interest form from the National Organising Secretary, Emma Ibediro, said the interest of the party was paramount.

    He said “the primary has to be free, fair and credible. If you defeat me in a free and fair primary, I will work for you and the party, but if you win in a primary that is not free and fair, you are on your own.

    The senator assured the party that as a firm believer in the principles of the party and President Muhammadu Buhari, he will support the the party, stressing the party in Akwa Ibom will use the direct option for its primary.

    He said he was confident of the APC forming the next government in 2019, stressing with the right candidate and approaches, the APC has what it takes to defeat an incumbent governor.

    “I did it in 2011, and my friend who has joined us now is aware of that even though they locked down the process. Now, with a President who has not only promised, but is interested in a credible election, you can be rest assured that victory is assured and the incumbent who has collected billions from the federations account and has nothing to show for it will be defeated.

    “Akwa Ibom is a rich state, but the people are still poor. We are blessed with abundant water, yet the people still drink from the well. The state has not been able to achieve one of the items on the Millennium Development Goals, which is water and sanitation.

    “That is one of the things we are bringing to the table and by the grace of God, we will return Akwa Ibom to the people. We have done it before and we will do it again”

    National Organising Secretary who presented him with the nomination form assured that the party will ensure a level playing ground for all aspirants as the party intends to present formidable candidates to the people for the various elective offices.

    Ibediro commended him for keeping faith with the APC and for seeking to contest the election on the platform of the party.

     

  • Osun 2018: U.S calls for free, transparent poll

    •Envoy visits APC candidate’s campaign office

    Ahead of the September 22 governorship election in Osun State, the Consular-General of the Embassy of the United States of America (U.S.A) in Nigeria, Mr. John Bray, has called for a free, fair and transparent election.

    The Consular-General, who spoke yesterday at the IleriOluwa Campaign Organisation in Osogbo, the state capital, said he was in the state to know the candidates of all political parties contesting the election.

    He said his visit was meant to show the commitment of the U.S.A to democracy and support its process.

    Bray, who also said he was in Osun to interact with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to assess the situation ahead of the poll, added that knowing the candidates, the process and the players before the election would enable him and his team to know the position of things and write a report for the international community.

    The envoy said the U.S was not interested in any candidate but supporting democracy to increase the quality of elections.

    Oyetola hailed the U.S for its commitment to democracy.

    The APC candidate assured the envoy that his party was determined to ensure a free, fair and credible election.

    He described the direct primary method adopted by APC to pick its flag bearer as the best, participatory and cheap.

    Oyetola noted that it was an innovation that should be replicated across the country.

    The APC candidate urged the U.S to continue to support Nigeria and even do more for the nation’s federating components in many other areas.

    He said Osun State under the Rauf Aregbesola administration had become a model for other states in various sectors of the economy, especially in education, agriculture, health, among others.

  • 2019: EU, Ireland pledge support for free, fair election 

    •Bayelsa seeks partnership to end killings  

    The Republic of Ireland and the European Union (EU) yesterday said they would do whatever they could to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections in Nigeria in 2919.

    The Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sean Hoy, who visited the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) in Yenagoa said the EU would be involved in monitoring the elections.

    He said the EU would support the democratic process and ensure that good conditions were put in place to reduce opportunities for violence.

    Hoy, who is also the ambassador to Ghana, Senegal and Cote D’Ivoire, said  the federal and state governments including faith-based organisations should sensitise the citizens on the need for peace and security.

    He said they would send their people as international observers to ensure that Nigeria gets the democratic process right, adding that the country should lead and set example for other African countries on free and fair elections.

    He, however, said many positive things had taken place in Nigeria, observing that the country’s electoral process was improving every year.

    Hoy also called for peace and security in the Niger Delta, observing that the region remained the economic heart of the country.

    The ambassador said:  “We are coming into another election year in Nigeria and what we feel is that this year could be just as hot as any other years that the potential for violence is always around and as a representative of Ireland and also from the European Union, we’re here to spread the word that we would do whatever we can to support peaceful, free and fair elections in the country.

    “We would be involved in monitoring elections, supporting the democratic process and making sure that the conditions are in place so that the populace believe that the elections are free and fair and that the opportunities for violence are reduced.

    “I want to emphasise the role of government, state government and all the faith-based leaders in relaying that message, especially to your people that elections are about democracy and giving people a voice, they should not be undermined by insecurity.

    “And that we’ll support as international observers in whatever we can by sending our people at different level of  democratic process because it is very important that Nigeria lead and set example in Africa for free and fair elections.”

    In his remarks, Jonah, expressed sadness over the security situation in the country and urged the EU countries to assist Nigeria to ameliorate the problems.

    Jonah said: “I want you to look at the general security situation in this country; it has never been this bad. As diplomats and members of EU countries, try and see in what ways you could assist us to solve the entire security problems in the country.

    “You alluded to a few things concerning elections, it is our prayer that elections will be violence-free and that the voters will have optimum say.”

    The deputy governor lamented the non-participation of Bayelsans in the oil and gas industry, which he said was a major cause of agitations in the Niger Delta area.

    “Wee are not carried along in the oil and gas industry, emphasized that, the Niger Delta peoples’ participation in the industry is almost zero”, he said.

    Jonah, who lauded the Irish envoy’s efforts to prevail on oil companies to give the Niger Delta people a fair share of the oil proceeds, said the state government would liaise with them, in resolving issues with the multinational oil firms.

    Describing the devastation to the environment caused by the activities of oil companies as enormous and unquantifiable, he said, a study was being carried out by experts on the extent of damage to the environment and the people.

    The deputy governor sought the collaboration of Ireland in the development of the Agge Deep sea port, education and Eco-Industrial park to build an economy beyond oil.

     

    He also urged the international community to monitor the forthcoming general elections nationwide.