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Tag: Inec

  • Jega’s resignation portends danger for Nigeria, says Akanbi

    Jega’s resignation portends danger for Nigeria, says Akanbi

    Pioneer chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi Tuesday raised the alarm that the resignation of Prof Attahiru Jega as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chair portends danger for Nigeria.

    The ex-Appeal Court president therefore urged Nigerians to encourage Prof Jega not to resign his appointment.

    The retired jurist added that if INEC chairman resigns at this nick of time’ that will be the beginning of violence’.

    He spoke this in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital during a special public lecture titled “Towards Peaceful Elections In 2015: The Roles of Stakeholders in Nigeria.”

    The lecture was organised by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin.

    Akanbi also cautioned Nigerians against doing anything that would make predictions about a possible breakdown of the country after the general elections a reality.

    He reminded Nigerians of the unfortunate incidents that led to the cancellation of the 1993 presidential elections believed to have been won by the late chief MKO Abiola.

    Akanbi who condemned Monday’s attack on the convoy of Mrs Aishat Buhari in Ilorin, said that, that sad occurrence in a town reputed for peace and harmony “instilled fear in me that we may not have peaceful elections.”

    His words: “We must encourage Jega not to resign before the elections. If he resigns, that will be the beginning of violence. Jega that I know is a man of integrity; if you change him at this nick of time that will draw us back.

    “We should not do things that led to the cancellation of the 1993 presidential election won by the late MKO Abiola. We should know that Nigeria is greater than all of us, therefore, whatever we do concerning these elections must meet international standard. I’m happy that Jega has declared that he would not resign before the elections.

    “Let’s hold the elections and show the World that we are decent people. We should not allow predictions about possible breakdown of Nigeria after the elections become a reality.”

    The anti corruption Czar praised the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona for declaring publicly that traditional rulers, as fathers of all should not campaign for any politician.

    Monarchs should be apolitical and stand for only what is good for the country, he stated.

    Akanbi advised Nigerians to vote wisely and shun ethnicity and religious bigotry in electing people into public offices.

    The guest lecturer from University of Jos, Prof. Danny McCain reminded the political gladiators in Nigeria that “just because one loses an election does not mean that life is over. Should Gen. Buhari lose the upcoming elections, he will have lost nothing. He will continue to be the respected national statesman he has been for many years but with an enhanced status due to representing the combined opposition party and a stronger run for the presidency.

    “Should President Goodluck Jonathan lose the election, he will likely become a respected Africa-wide leader who will be called upon for the rest of his life to support significant projects, reduce tension and share wisdom from his vast experience in governing the largest country in Africa”.

    McCain quoting Enenim Ubom prayed that “may God give us defeated politicians who will use their vast experiences and resources to work for a better World.”

    The Vice- Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali in his remarks urged Nigerians to shun politics of ‘do or die’, saying that ” this is not desirable and we should all join hands to save our democracy and people from the consequences of violence, an evil wind that blows no good to anyone”.

    He noted that “the forthcoming elections offer us another opportunity to deepen our democracy and vote. Votes don’t fight and we should make it a cardinal point and an abiding philosophy that we shall always maintain peace and avoid violence.”

  • Jega: making of a new demon

    Jega: making of a new demon

    Attahiru Jega, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, and Nigeria’s 11th chief electoral umpire, is the latest demon on the political horizon.

    But he is a demon with a difference — at least from the colourful prism of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Not long ago, he was Goodluck Jonathan’s proud mascot of clean elections.  Under Jega’s watch, PDP had lost elections: in Edo, Ondo, Anambra and Osun.  Only in Ekiti did it “win” — and Nigeria’s ruling party loves to flaunt that “democratic” record!

    So, what has changed — with Prof. Jega porting from the mascot of electoral rectitude to the demon of electoral turpitude?

    Not much. But again, a lot.

    Not much, because the chief electoral job, right from the pioneering headache of the late Eyo Esua (who chaired the first Electoral Commission, 1960-1966), always came with demonising.  Since the electoral chief was always perceived to lean toward the ruling party, he was fated to being savaged by the opposition.

    But not without cause.  Everybody knew — the ruling party, by its body language; the opposition, by its iron conviction; and even the people, by their fatalistic acquiescence — that the chief electoral referee is the sitting government’s 12th player: if you would permit a football metaphor.

    Any electoral chief too thick-skulled to get that ended with unimaginable ignominy.  Witness: Humphrey Nwosu.  He gamely delivered June 12, the cleanest election in Nigerian history.  But on his way to declaring the wrong winner in MKO Abiola (God bless his kind soul!), the Ibrahim Babangida junta socked Prof. Nwosu so hard!

    For starters, they annulled Nwosu’s rude call.  Then, there were reports of alleged slaps, fearsome threats and allied personal humiliation.

    Is Jega treading Nwosu’s dreaded path?  It would seem so!

    If indeed that were so, then it would appear a lot has changed.  Still, Jega’s demonization is strange, coming from the sitting government.  It used to be the exclusive preserve of the howling opposition!

    But even that is very nuanced — for the opposition itself had damned Jega to the lowest pit of hell, when it had cause to.

    Good old Comrade-Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, then the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, berated  INEC, after noticing some early polling zone shambolic display, early on re-election day, in 2012.   But as the Edo governor later coasted to victory, the morning jeers segued into evening cheers.  The fulfilled Edo electorate exploded in sheer ecstasy!

    In the mouth of Chris Ngige, candidate of the defunct ACN, the 2013 Anambra gubernatorial election should still leave a bitter taste.  The senator had genuine cause that a good number of his supporters were disenfranchised.

    But All Progressives Grand Alliance’s Willie Obiano, the winner, got away with it; since the courts had since okayed Mr. Obiano’s election.  But INEC got the full lash of Senator Ngige’s tongue.

    Yet, even with opposition scalding, Prof. Jega had managed, somewhat, to keep his personal integrity — which makes very surprising, all the muck and darts and poisonous arrows that the PDP now throws his way.

    From his premium throne as presidential godfather, Pa Edwin Clark has roared: sack Jega!  In his auspicious company, of base but baseless partisan manoeuvring, are a medley of otherwise respected elder citizens, turned unfazed fronts for a suspect campaign: Senator Femi Okunrounmu and Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, aborted 3rd Republic Anambra governor; and seasoned rabble rousers like Gani Adams (who weighed in with some bit of carpentry logic: Jonathan must sack Jega, if he wants to win!) and Ralph Uwazurike, leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), whose cadres even staged anti-Jega road shows on South East streets, just as OPC did its equivalent violent orgies on Lagos streets!

    This strange ensemble threatened that should Jega not be sacked, they would mobilise Southern Nigeria to boycott the election.  Some bluff!

    But from fronts, the PDP itself, given the combined gratings from Femi Fani-Kayode, Ayodele Fayose and Oliver Metuh, has tarred Jega and his electoral household, with everything in its partisan sinews: Jega is a fraud; PVC is a racket; smart card reader (for pre-vote accreditation and authentication) is a crime!

    What has Jega done to earn all these?  Simple: he has been too thick-skulled to read the body language of the president, zestfully backed by his power party — any result, that doesn’t return Goodluck Jonathan as re-elected president, cannot be free and fair!

    That might sound asinine to those who indulge in reason.  But for those locked in the language of power?  It is de-rigueur of thinking!

    Indeed, in Jega, Jonathan would appear the grand victim of his own cunning.  In 2011, he showed off the INEC chair as the epitome of electoral fairness.  After all,  Jega’s much vaunted credibility, in lieu of the Lawal Uwais’s Electoral Reforms Panel’s recommended rigorous strictures to make INEC truly independent, delivered Jonathan the presidency in a “free and fair election”.

    In the intervening years, the same “credibility” ensured PDP lost every election (in Edo, Ondo, Anambra and Osun) but one (in Ekiti) — never mind the Ekiti rigging tapes, which the president has dismissed as a “fabrication”, though he didn’t listen to it; and the fingered dramatis personae have owned up, even if they plead a different motive.

    Still, the PDP election losses would appear a devious scam: Edo, to set the template of Jonathan’s dummy.

    Anambra (won by APGA) and Ondo (won by Labour): a cynical president sacrificing mere pawns for the big one.  Proof?  Both winners,  Mr. Obi, ex-APGA and Dr. Mimiko, ex-Labour, are now ecstatic PDP barons — in grateful quid-pro-quo to the president for “allowing” them to win, back then?

    Ekiti: in retrospect with the rigging tape, a brazen test-running of scientific rigging (though aided and abetted by former Governor Kayode Fayemi’s spectacular blunders, epitomised by his “civil war” with Opeyemi Bamidele), to be fully unleashed on Osun three months later — which, however, got aborted.

    So, the Jega “credibility” that, “free and fair”, made Jonathan president in 2011 is about to, “free and fair”, make Jonathan ex-president in 2015!  That prospect is scary — and you could tell by a panic-gripped president running from pillar to post; and a ruling party, bitterly orchestrating hate campaigns, all over the place!

    But that is even on the surface.  Viewed deeper, in the context of Jonathan Vs Muhammadu Buhari, Jega is trapped in the tempest of the Nigerian ruling class, at a terrible crossroads.  To these wayward children of Lord Lugard, with their cherished ethos of power without responsibility, these are indeed trying times!

    Jonathan epitomises a decayed agency, at its most vulnerable.  Still, Jonathan pitches his class to, through him, at least for four more years, play in the wide and merry way, the big bazaars from the wild festivals of rent, which however might end in sure perdition and class death.

    In Buhari, however, the choice is no less stark: take some galling home cure.  Though that cure could gore a few, it might just save the whole clan!

    Either way, Jega is fated to midwife!

    That seems to explain all the Interim National Government conspiracy theories, and alleged  cloak-and-dagger manoeuvres allegedly involving Jonathan and some former military rulers, with the fond hope of shutting out Buhari.  Well, their problems, not the people’s!

    Let the people look out for themselves in this election.

    Let Jega too, do his duty as a patriot; no matter the high-octane distractions.

    If the people vote right and Jega holds true, Jonathan will be put out of his misery — and Nigeria, with Nigerians, handed a new lease of life.

  • Ondo REC: Card Readers won’t disappoint

    Ondo REC: Card Readers won’t disappoint

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) yesterday assured Nigerians that the Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) Card Readers will not disappoint Nigerians at the presidential elections.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, disclosed this at a stakeholders forum organised by the commission in the Central Senatorial District.

    At the event, the Card Readers were successfully test-run in the presence of the stakeholders in attendance.

    The REC said there is no going back in using three different colours coding of ballot boxes and papers for the March 28 elections.

    Agbaje explained that the three colours have been selected carefully to differentiate the ballot boxes to be used for the presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives polls.

    He added that the red colour is for the presidential ballot box, black for the Senate, while green colour is for the House of Representatives box.

    He noted that wrongful placement of the ballox papers in any of the boxes would be voided adding that voters must be extra-ordinary careful while placing the ballot papers.

    “After you might have been accredited to vote, ensure you placed the right ballot paper in the proper box. If you fail to do this, the ballot paper would be counted as void,” he added.

    He also disclosed that the commission had distributed over 1.18 million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), in Ondo State to registered voters in the state.

    Agbaje noted that the figure represented 74.8 % of the 1.49 million received from the commission headquarters for the registered voters in the state.

    “1, 118, 479 Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, have been distributed as at Friday last week which represented 74.8 per cent out of 1, 494,169? cards sent to the state.

    “At least, about 375,690 PVC were yet to be collected at the commission’s office across the 18 local government areas of the state”, he said.

    Agbaje reiterated that the smartcard reader machines, SRM, device would be deployed for the general elections adding that the device have been test run and would work efficiently to even detect any invalid card.

    “The Smart Card Readers that would be deployed for the elections have been tested and I can assured you that there would not be any hancky-pancky during the polls. We shall be free and fair to all”.

    The REC, maintained that there is no going back in the use of the  PVCs, for the general elections, stressing that it would promote free, fair and credible elections.

  • PDP denies plans to sabotage card readers

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign organisation has denied accusation that President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling PDP were plotting to render the Smart Card Readers (SCR) useless on election day.

    A statement Monday by the Director of Media and Publicity of campaign, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode berated the All Progressives Congress (APC) for coming up with what he described as “a different lie every day of the week”.

    Fani-Kayode said the allegation was wild and baseless; stressing that the Federal Government and the PDP did not have any plans to sabotage the card readers and did not need to indulge in such shady, sinister and tardy practices.

    He said: “We view this wild and baseless allegation with amusement. Frankly, the APC deserves to be pitied. So desperate are they for power that their latest strategy is to come up with a different lie for every day of the week.

    “They have lost control of their senses; their imagination has gone wild and they see things that are simply not there. This latest allegation is absurd; it is not rooted in truth; it is irrational and it is illogical. It is clear that the opposition are already preparing the grounds and making excuses for their own defeat.

    “They are running scared and they are already preparing the minds of their supporters for their imminent failure at the polls. Instead of saying something tangible and attempting to ginger up and encourage their supporters, all they indulge in is giving them a daily dose of sub-standard fairy tales and dirty lies.

    “They should stop all this nonsense and desist from making these wild and baseless allegations. President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP do not have any plans to sabotage the card readers and neither do we need to indulge in such shady, sinister and tardy practices.

    “We look forward to the elections which will commence in two weeks time and we have no doubt that the overwhelming number of the Nigerian people will vote for our candidates and support our party”.

  • Fire scare at INEC Abuja office

    Fire scare at INEC Abuja office

    There was fire scare on Saturday night at one of the warehouse of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
    The incident which occured at the Electoral Institute along airport road, razed non-sensitive materials used in the 2011 elections.
    The fire lasted for about four hours before it was put off by the fire fighters.
    The Institute’s director of security, Shettima Ngiladar told journalists on Sunday that the fire was triggered by the power restoration that caused a sudden burst of an electric panel within one of the warehouses.
    He however said that the incident did not in anyway affect the ongoing preparation for the March and April elections.

  • MASSOB shuts down Enugu, says Jega must go

    MASSOB shuts down Enugu, says Jega must go

    Members of the pan-Biafran organisation, Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Friday marched round major streets of Enugu calling for the removal of INEC’s chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

    Displaying placards of various inscriptions, the pro-Biafrans, most of whom clad in navy blue uniform with the Biafran rising sun insignia assembled at Edinburgh Road, New Layout, from where they ‎trooped to the major streets of Enugu chanting solidarity songs.

    Some of the placards read: “Jega must go”, “Jega has compromised”, “No election with Jega on seat”, “Jega is not impartial” etc.

    They were led by their Enugu zonal chairmen, Mrs. Augustina Ugwuoke, Ben Ekwunugo and E. Ilogu in the peaceful protest march.

    The MASSOB leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike in a telephone chat told our correspondent that ‎: “We organising the protest against Jega because he is biased and cannot conduct a credible election for Nigerians.

    “We know that he is in favour of APC and if allowed to conduct the elections,  he will definitely favour the party and when that happens,  there will be crisis and people will die.

    “The crisis will and can even lead to a war and we don’t want bloodshed.

    “We are not hiding the fact that we are supporting Jonathan because of the burial he gave to our leader, Ojukwu and therefore we are sure that if the election is free and fair that Jonathan will win.”

  • INEC sure of Card Readers

    INEC sure of Card Readers

    There seems to be no going back on the use of Smart Card Readers (SCRs) in the general elections.

    Independent National Electoral Commission has invited all political parties for a session on the machines, which it insists will check rigging and improve efficiency.

    Ahead of the session, the electoral commission last night said it was satisfied that the SCRs will add tremendous transparency and credibility to accreditation on Election Day.

    But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is said to be mobilising smaller parties for a protest against the SCRs at tomorrow’s meeting.

    The plot to “create a scene” in INEC  was uncovered last night.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “INEC will meet with all the political parties on Thursday to make its position known, that it will not go back on SCRs.

    “The commission will, however, use the session to get more input from the parties on how the SCRs can be successfully deployed for the general election.

    “INEC will also present the outcome of the mock election conducted in 12 states to the political parties.”

    But it was learnt that the meeting might be a stormy session because PDP is mobilising smaller parties to protest against INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega over card readers.

    Another source said: “The PDP is poised for a showdown with INEC and Jega over the use of Card Readers. The party and 15 others have plotted a script to “create a scene” on Thursday.

    “They are set to disrupt the meeting between Jega and political parties.

    “Alternatively, they might seek a court injunction to restrain INEC from using Card Readers. There are four suits in court against the use of Card Readers and they are banking on a frivolous injunction to frustrate INEC.

    “The PDP and 15 others are planning this protest, in spite of the fact that they have received legal advice that Card Readers do not violate the Electoral Act.”

    INEC yesterday said it was satisfied with the adoption of SCRs for the general elections.

    The commission, in a statement through the Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Mr. Kayode Robert Idowu, said the Card Readers will ensure transparency and credibility of the accreditation for the general elections.

    The statement said: “INEC is satisfied that the use of SCRs in the 2015 general elections will add tremendous transparency and credibility to the accreditation process on Election Day.

    “The Commission hereby reassures the public that it will do everything necessary to ensure that the processes of the elections are seamless, free, fair, credible and peaceful.

    “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday, 09th March 2015, met to consider field reports from the public demonstration of Smart Card Readers (SCRs) conducted in 12 states on Saturday, March 07th 2015.

    “The states were Rivers and Delta (Southsouth), Kano and Kebbi (Northwest), Anambra and Ebonyi (Southeast), Ekiti and Lagos (Southwest), Bauchi and Taraba (Northeast) as well as Niger and Nasarawa (Northcentral).

    On the mock election last Saturday, the commission said about 59 per cent of the voters had their fingerprints successfully authenticated.

    It, however, promised to correct all lapses before the general election.

    The statement added: “Overall, 59% of voters who turned out for the demonstration had their fingerprints successfully authenticated.

    “ But the Commission, in agreement with registered political parties, had provided in the approved Guidelines for the conduct of the 2015 elections that where biometric authentication of a legitimate holder of a genuine PVC becomes challenging, there could be physical authentication of the person and completion of an Incident Form, to allow the person to vote.

    “The Commission nevertheless took a serious view of the high rate of the SCRs’ failure to authenticate voters’ fingerprints in some areas, particularly in Ebonyi State, and has decided to thoroughly investigate the cause; as well as repeat the public demonstration in that state.

    “This demonstration will be conducted in the particular Registration Area involved in the last exercise, namely Izzi Unuhu (Abakaliki Local Government Area); as well as in Ibii/Oziza Registration Area (Afikpo North LGA). The repeat demonstration will be on Saturday, March 14th 2015.”

    INEC explained four reasons behind the adoption of the SCRs.

    It said: “The Commission observed that its decision to deploy SCRs for the 2015 general elections have FOUR main objectives, namely:

    •To verify Permanent Voter cards (PVCs) presented by voters at polling units and ensure that they are genuine, INEC-issued (not cloned) cards. From the reports on Saturday’s exercise, this objective was achieved 100 per cent.

    •To biometrically authenticate the person who presents a PVC at the polling unit and ensure that he/she is the legitimate holder of the card. In this regard, there were a few issues in some states during the public demonstration.

    •The SCRs provide disaggregated data of accredited voters in male/female and elderly/youth categories – a disaggregation that is vital for research and planning purposes, but which INEC until now had been unable to achieve. The demonstration on Saturday fully served this objective.

    •The SCR sends the data of all accredited voters to INEC’s central server, equipping the Commission to be able to audit figures subsequently filed by polling officials at the PU and, thereby, be able to determine if fraudulent alterations were made. The public demonstration also succeeded wholly in this regard.

  • PDP governors: we won’t push for polls shift again

    PDP governors: we won’t push for polls shift again

    •’Nigeria needs transformation, not change’

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors yesterday said they will not push for the postponement of the general elections. But there must be an assurance by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that no registered voter will be disenfranchised, they said.

    The governors, under the auspices of Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF), said the onus was on the Prof. Attahiru Jega-led INEC to ensure the resolution of the concerns raised about the Smart Card Readers (SCRs) before the polls.

    However, the governors urged Nigerians to reflect on the exercise before choosing between President Goodluck Jonathan and the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), who they insisted is too old for the rigours of the highest office.

    The Chairman of the PDPGF, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, who delivered a keynote address at an interactive session with the media and civil society organisations in Lagos, said the ruling party was now prepared for the elections. The theme  of the parley was: “Sustenance of Democratic Values and National Development. The session, which held at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, was witnessed by the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Akinwumi Adesina, and his Power and Works counterparts, Prof. Chinedu Nebo and Mr. Mike Onolememe.

    With Akpabo were governors Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), James Ngilari (Adamawa), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Shehu Shema (Katsina), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Loyel Imoke (Cross River), Saidu Dakingari(Kebbi), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Babangida Aliyu (Niger) and the deputy governor of Nasararawa State, Bamisi Barau.

    At Akpabio’s request, a minute of silence was observed in memory of martyrs of democracy, including the late Chief Moshood Abiola, his wife, Kudirat,  and Gen. Shehu Yar’Adua.

    Akpabio and Aliyu clarified that the governors were not in Lagos to discuss the formation of a new political party. But, the Niger State governor also fired salvos at Imo State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha, saying that he peddled the rummour that they stormed the state to finalise defection talks with the opposition party.

    Akpabio said the PDP was ready for the rescheduled polls because it has the confidence that it will win.

    Reflecting on the polls shift, he said: “INEC was ill-prepared for the 2015 elections. Twenty three million registered voters have not yet collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the election was postponed. It is more than the population of five countries in West Africa. Jega said the postponement was a blessing in disguise.

    “Three weeks after the shift, INEC was just testing the card readers. Going by the failure of the card readers, it is certain that INEC is not prepared. Our concern is that nobody should be disenfranchised because of the failure of the card readers. We don’t want elections to be postponed, but we don’t want any person to be disenfranchised.”

    Akpabio described the PDP as a mass movement, adding that Nigeria has a chance of survival under President  Jonathan. He decried what he described as the politicisation of the anti-graft war by Gen. Buhari, saying that he has the history of taking over the government through anti-corruption campaigns.

    The Akwa Ibom governor also said that, although he is worried by Gen Buhari’s age, his age of ideas is a matter of concern.

    He said: “PDP has done a lot in fighting corruption, The PDP government established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). We, the PDP governors, want to say that we abhor the politicisation of the corruption by military veterans. When the military toppled the government, it accused the civilian leadership of corruption. Gen. Buhari did worse things to Shagari, Dr. Alex Ekweme and Ajasin. The military veterans are trying to win power by branding the PDP as a corrupt government.

    “Who are the people talking about corruption? Who are the financiers of the opposition? How did they make their money? There is nothing wrong with Gen Buhari’s age, if he thinks he can withstand the rigour of the office. But, we are worried by the age of his ideas.”

    Akpabio said that, when Gen. Buhari was the military Head of State and Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), he was never in charge, adding that he often delegates all duties to his lieutenants.

    He stressed: “He was not in charge. The regime was called Buhari/Idiagbon regime. He is using 50 year-old trick of anti-corruption to deceive Nigerians. If we must move forward, we must move forward with President Goodluck Jonathan.”

    Akpabio highlighted the achievements of the Jonathan administration, pointing out that the President has ensured freedom of expression; created an atmosphere for free and fair elections; refrained from arresting and detaining media practitioners and political opponents and congratulated opposition governors who defeated PDP candidates at the polls.

    He added: “What we need in Nigeria today is transformation, not change. Change is an amorphous term. It could be positive or negative. Any change that is not planned will lead to disaster.”

    Akpabio accused the APC of fuelling insurgency in the North, stressing that states affected by the menace are controlled by the APC.  He also said that the two most poorest states – Zamfara and Yobe – are ruled by APC governors.

    He said: “There is a correlation between insurgency and poverty. Those who ruled those states have contributed to insurgency. The opposition is behind Boko Haram. The Senate has passed a resolution praising the Federal Government and the military for its success in the anti-Boko Haram war. But, APC has only praised the military. The Federal Government and the military deserve commendation for fighting insurgency.

    “They are behind Boko Haram. Lai Mohammed said that it is unconstitutional to deploy troops to fight Boko Haram. Gen. Buhari described Boko Haram as our people on a television programme. When they wanted to negotiate, they said Gen Buhari should negotiate for them. I call on the United States (U.S.) and the United Nations (UN) to help Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram, now that the group is associated with the ISIS.”

    Akpabio thanked the President for convoking the National Conference and promising to implement its recommendations.

    Aliyu, who spoke after him, refuted the allegation that the 16 years of PDP’s rule has been a waste. He also denied that the PDP governors were in Lagos to negotiate with APC. Aliyu said, out of seven aggrieved PDP governors, two of them stayed back in the party to correct the anomaly in the ruling party.

    He said: “If I could enter the party through the front door, why should I now come through the back door? These people who are behind Gen. Buhari have looted the states. Now, they want to move to the centre. Gen Buhari was made a candidate through financial inducement because he promised to do one term. In their states, they are taking bond and incurring debts for the future generation. The election is not about sentiments. It is about the future of the country.”

    Lamido flayed the PDP governors who defected to the APC, saying that they are dregs. He said: “How comfortable are Wamakko and Amaechi in the APC? APC is a contraption, an organisation of hate, envy, anger and confusion.”

    The Jigawa governor berated Gen. Buhari for contrasting personality, stressing that, while high-profiled murders and bombings starred the country in the face, he kept quiet.

    He added: “APC has as members former PDP governors and senators. But, because they lost out in their states, they connived with the APC. The question we face in Nigeria is how to banish poverty. Nigeria must be refocused. It must re-unite. There is corruption everywhere. It is in the boardroom. It is a Nigerian phenomenon. We should think of how to deal with it. APC has no plan for Nigeria. They are dregs of the PDP.

    “They came to Jigawa to talk to me. They said they are saints. I asked them: why do you want me, a member of a party of rot and rogues? If two APC leaders die today, the party will perish. But, PDP is solid and organic. The challenge is how do we preserve Nigeria, salvage Nigeria, reconcile Nigeria and promote understanding.”

    Ngilari, who said the sustenance of democratic value should be anchored on security, said that insecurity is not an invention of the PDP.  The governor lamented that in one household, 120 skulls were found, following attacks by the Boko Haram sect. He added: “It was like watching a film in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. People go through the carnage. But, with what the Federal Government and the military are doing, we will cross the bridge.”

    He chided his Borno State counterpart for not giving enough support to the military in the fight against terror. Ngilari, a lawyer, said: “If the Borno governor has collaborated with the military, as we have done in Adamawa, much success would have been achieved. In two weeks, the sect will be wiped put in Adamawa.”

    Fayose urged the North to exercise patience, saying that power will shift to the region after President Jonathan has completed two terms. He said: “The North must have patience for four years so that we will not regress to the past. Jonathan should conclude his assignment.”

    Fayose maintained that Gen Buhari is too old for the job of the President, adding that he lacks the physical and mental requirements. He said: “My mother is 74. Gen Buhari is 73. I want you to reconcile this.”

    The Ekiti governor said the certificate issue should not be discarded, urging Nigerians to take interest in Gen. Buhari’s academic qualification.

    Fayose added: “Gen. Buhari is too old. Sickness, ailments and problems come with age. This is not a replacement for Jonathan. If this is the change they want, they are making a mistake. Throughout his tour of Nigeria, Gen. Buhari spoke for 57 minutes. Why is Gen. Buhari afraid of a presidential debate. I don’t have a death wish for Gen Buhari. It is reality wish?

    “The Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum said that he has no problem with Buhari’s age. I disagree. A judge must go at 70. Permanent Secretary retires at 65. Pilots have retirement age. Nigerians must not vote for people who have the capability and mental ability to do the job.”

    The governor also rejected the notion of performance in Lagos State by Governor Babatunde Fashola, stressing that the resources have not been judiciously used. He said Lagosians are groaning under the tax law.

    Fayose said: “Ekiti gets N300 million. Lagos gets N30 billion. N30 billion will take care of 12 states. Fashola is not performing.”

    At the interactive session were Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Mr. Bisi Olatilo, Mr. kehinde Ogungbe, Mrs. Aniko Briggs, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Mr Monday Mbani, and other members of the civil society groups.

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko said Jonathan has entrenched democracy with his accommodation of what he described as “the intangibles” of democracy.

    According to the governor, democracy is not just about building roads and others but in ensuring the entrenchment of democratic values.

    He said the president has ensured separation of power by not tampering with the other arms of government.

    Mimiko commended the President for convoking the National Conference, saying he is the man in best position to implement its outcome.

  • INEC secretary now to hold office for four years

    INEC secretary now to hold office for four years

    he National Assembly yesterday pegged the tenure of office of the Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at four years.

    This is contained in the report of the conference committee on the Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act, 2010 to provide for the tenure of office of secretary, power to issue duplicate voter card, determine voting procedure and for other related matters, 2015.

    The conference report, which is the harmonisation of different versions in the clauses of the Bill passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, was adopted by the Senate yesterday.

    Section 8(1) of the Electoral Act which deals with the appointment of the secretary and other staff of the Commission states in the amended Act: “There shall be a Secretary to the Commission who shall (a) be appointed by the Commission; and (b) have such qualifications and experience to be determined by the Commission as are appropriate for a person required to perform the functions of his office under this Act.”

    The Act did not stipulate any tenure for the Secretary.

    The National Assembly however reasoned that the office of the Secretary of INEC is so sensitive that it should be tenured.

    The Senate and the House of Representatives jointly held and adopted Section 8(1)© which states that INEC secretary should “hold office for a period of four years from the date of his appointment which may be renewable for another period of four years only.”

    Section 18(1) of the Act states “Whenever a voter’s card is lost, destroyed, defaced, torn or otherwise damaged, the owner of such card shall, not less than thirty (30) days before polling day, apply in person to the Electoral Officer or any other officer duly authorised for that purpose by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, stating the circumstances of the loss, destruction, defacement of damage.”

    The National Assembly increased the period the owner of lost voter’s card should report from 30 days to 60 days.

    On Postponement of election, Section 26(1) the principal Act states “ Where a date has been appointed for the holding of an election, and there is a reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date or it is impossible to conduct the election as a result of natural disaster or other emergencies, the Commission may postpone the election and shall in respect of the area, or areas concerned, appoint another date for holding of the postponed election, provided that such reason for the postponement is cogent and verifiable.”

    The Senate proposed that the clause in the Principal Act should be retained.

    The House of Representatives proposed clause (i) which states “In the event of an emergency affecting an election, the Independent National Electoral Commission shall as far as possible, ensure that persons displaced as a result of the emergency are not disenfranchised.”

    The additional clause was adopted by the conference committee.

    Section 28(1) of the Act states “All staff appointed by the Commission taking part in the conduct of an election shall affirm or swear before the High Court an oath of neutrality as in the Second Schedule to this Act.

    The Senate and the House proposed that Section 28(1) of the Principal Act should be amended by substituting the wards “the High Court” with the words “any court of law or Commissioner of Oaths.”

    The proposal was adopted by both chambers.

    Section 52(2) of the Principal Act which states “The use of electronic voting machine for the time being is prohibited” was amended to read 52(2) “Voting at an election under this Act shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission.”

    The two chambers made the proposal and was so adopted by the conference committee.

    The Senate said that the Bill seeks to improve the legal framework for Electoral process by providing the tenure of office for the Secretary of the Commission, increase the number of days for application for and issuance of duplicate voter card, determine voting procedure as well as addressing related issues to facilitate electioneering in Nigeria.

    The lawmakers added that the Bill further ensures a level playing field for all participants in the electoral process, more transparent process of conducting election and to gain time to prepare voters and candidates for elections.

  • Niger East by-election: PDP, INEC lose appeal

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday dismissed two appeals filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), against the verdict of the National Assembly Election Tribunal, which declared David Umaru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the Niger East senatorial by-election.

    The court also reserved judgment in the appeal filed by Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu of the PDP challenging his removal by the election tribunal as the senator elected at the August 30 and September 6, 2014 Niger East senatorial by-election.

    The independent appeals filed by the PDP and INEC were struck out by the Court of Appeal panel comprising Justice A. D. Yahaya, Justice T. Akomolafe Wilson and Justice J. E. Ekane, on technical ground, as the two appellants failed to transmit the records of proceedings of the lower court that ruled on the matter to the Court of Appeal.

    The court adopted the briefs by both parties on the appeal filed Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu, which prayed the court to set aside the judgment of the National Assembly Election Tribunal that quashed his victory as the Niger East senator- elect.

    Nuhu argued that the tribunal erred in law by acting on the dumped documents. He also argued that the petitioner (David Umar) called only 33 witnesses out of 111 polling units during the trial.

    Counsel to the petitioner, Ibrahim Mujaheed, raised preliminary objection to Nuhu’s appeal.

    He said the documents presented at the tribunal were not dumped but presented by witnesses on oath and tendered as exhibits after INEC’s confirmation before the court.

    Mujaheed told the court that the documents were not tendered through the Bar but by witnesses and that they were deemed read in court session after INEC’s confirmation of the documents as certified true copies.

    The appeal panel, after hearing both parties, adjourned judgment on the preliminary objection and the adopted reply and briefs by both parties to a date yet to be fixed.

    Reacting, the petitioner said the dismissal of the PDP and INEC appeal suits at the appeal court was a major victory for the rule of law and for democracy.

    Umaru said he was optimistic of victory in Nuhu’s appeal.

    The National Assembly Election Tribunal for Niger East senatorial by-election on January 30 in Minna returned Umaru, the APC candidate, as the lawful winner of the by-election after voiding votes in several polling units due to malpractices and non-compliances with the Electoral Act.