Politics
Count Down To April Polls: Mixed Reactions Greet Voting System
Five days to the commencement of voting, mixed reactions have continued to greet the decision last week by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adopt the Modified Open Ballot Voting System (MOBVS) for the April 2011 general elections.
Reacting to the development, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) and the Progressive Action Congress (PAC) commended INEC for introducing the MOBVS arguing that the pattern would ensure security, accountability and stem electoral malpractices during the elections. In separate interviews, the Aba chapter chairman of CLO, Mr. Ifeanyi Onwuneme and National chairman of PAC, Chief Charles Nwodo said apart from checking irregularities, the system would guarantee the right and independence of voters to secretly make their choice of candidates.
Chief Nwodo, however said that the method could only be successful if INEC officials and other bodies entrusted with conducting the elections did it with integrity and sincerity, noting that the system used in the June 12 , 1993 elections was widely acclaimed the freest election and that the adoption of the modified version would curb election rigging.
The NOA Director in Kaduna, Alhaji Galadima Soba, on Sunday called on Nigerians to ensure a hitch free general elections.
Briefing newsmen in Kaduna, Soba said politics was not a do-or-die affair and that Nigeria should not capitalise on it to express bitterness against one another.
“Political difference is ideal because it brings out the best in us.”
Soba said that political parties were essentially platforms, which people use to achieve political ambitions and “not a licence for violence”.
He called on parents to ensure that their children were not used by “unscrupulous politicians”.
The director said there were institutional mechanism for complaints and redress that politicians were encouraged to explore instead of inciting violence in the society.
Soba said that NOA had embarked on enlightenment campaign to educate Nigerians against violent that could derail the young democracy.
He said the Agency had printed handbills, posters, almanac and flyers containing symbols of the 63 registered political parties to enlighten people on the parties.
He said the materials would enable people to know the party to vote for avoid unnecessary invalidation of ballot papers.
Soba said that the modified open ballot system introduced by INEC would ensure a free and fair election in the country.
He, however, expressed delight at the change of pattern of political campaigns and rallies in some parts of the country, as many candidates had adopted the use of the media.
“Nowadays, many candidates prefer to disseminate their manifestoes through the radio, television and newspapers, and this is a positive development,” he said.
He added that the use of the media had helped immensely in stemming the violence often witnessed during campaigns.
In his view, the chairman of the Kano State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Alhaji Sama’ila Maizare expressed skepticism about the use of the system, describing it as “scary”.
Maizare said that recent developments in the electoral process such as replacement of candidates and the non-registration of some eligible Nigerians due to time constraint, could create hitches for the exercise.
He argued that the system could discourage people from voting because Nigerians often want to keep secret candidates of their choice and that is a negation of democracy.
Meanwhile, INEC has promised to use the Modified Open Ballot System (MOBVS) and streamline security agencies and change any REC found wanting during the elections.
Amieyeofori Ibim
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, passed a vote of confidence in Mojisola Meranda as the Speaker of the Assembly.
The lawmakers expressed their confidence in her leadership at the plenary, which Rt Hon. Meranda presided over amidst tight security.
The Tide’s source reports that there was a growing tension at the assembly as legislative workers protested against the alleged plans to remove Rt Hon. Meranda as the Speaker of the Assembly.
The legislative workers also clashed with the operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) who, in the early hours of Monday, stormed the assembly and sealed Rt Hon. Meranda’s office alongside that of her Deputy and the Clerk.
Our source had reported how armed security personnel took over the complex at Alausa, Ikeja, leading to palpable tension among the lawmakers and workers of the assembly.
There are indications that the ongoing imbroglio at the assembly following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker on January 13 has not abated.
The Monday’s drama came a few days after Mr Obasa, who was removed for alleged abuse of office and corruption, dragged the state lawmakers to court, challenging his removal as the Speaker of the Assembly.
There are alleged plans to return Mr Obasa as the Speaker, a development which has further heightened tension at the assembly.
The Tide’s source reports that when Meranda arrived the assembly complex amidst tight security around 11:15 am on Monday, many legislative workers showed solidarity with the first female Speaker over alleged plans to remove her.
“Meranda we want”, “Meranda We want”, the workers were chanting in a short video clip.
Rt Hon. Meranda visibly overwhelmed by emotion was surrounded by her security details amid the chaotic atmosphere.
Inside the chamber, officials of the DSS clashed with the legislative workers, leading to commotion.
The DSS officials, dressed in black jackets and helmets and armed with weapons, struggled with the workers at the door.
The Tide’s source gathered that, with support from the legislative workers, lawmakers had earlier forced their way into the chamber around 12:30 pm.
It was further gathered that Rt Hon Meranda and about 32 members were present at the plenary.
A short video clip of the plenary showed that all the lawmakers in attendance had passed a vote of confidence on Rt Hon Meranda.
“Madam Speaker, all members standing before you, I move a motion to say that we do pass the vote of confidence on Rt Hon Mojisola Lasbat Meranda”, a lawmaker said.
The motion was supported by all members in attendance.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, on Monday, traded words over the alleged killing of three persons.
Members of both parties were locked in battle for the control of some local government secretariats. While two persons were killed in Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government Area, another was killed in Irewole Local Government Area.
There had been tension across the state over the Court of Appeal judgment in respect of the sacked APC council chairmen and councillors.
While the PDP claimed that the Feb. 10 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure, did not reinstate the sacked APC chairmen and councillors elected in 2022, APC insisted on their return.
Speaking with journalists in Iragbiji, Korede Ajeigbe, the commissioner for government affairs and protocol, claimed that two PDP members were killed while trying to prevent APC members from taking over a secretariat.
Mr Ajeigbe also said that six PDP members were seriously injured and were currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
APC, however, alleged that PDP members attacked its members while trying to enforce the Court of Appeal judgment.
Addressing a news conference in Osogbo, Bayo Adeleke, a chieftain of the APC, claimed that one of the party’s prominent members was killed during the crisis.
He also alleged that another member of the party, Remi Omowaye, escaped an assassination attempt in Ilesa.
Mr Adeleke, a former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, urged the state government to allow peace to reign by allowing the APC chairmen and councillors to return to office.
Another chieftain of the party, Jamiu Olawumi, claimed that APC chairmen had resumed in 15 local governments of the state.
This claim, however, could not be immediately verified.
When contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, CSP Yemisi Opalola, said she was yet to be briefed on the alleged killings.
Ms Opalola, however, said police officers had been deployed to all the local government secretariats in the state to prevent breakdown of law and order.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ademola Adeleke has directed workers as well as politicians to stay away from local government secretariats to avoid further bloodshed.
Mr Adeleke, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said only security agents would be allowed to keep watch at the secretariats.
He condoled with families of victims of the crisis.
Leader of the 8th Opobo/Nkoro Legislative Assembly, Barrister Samuel Nengia, has passed a vote of confidence on the Chairman of the LGA, Dr. Enyiada Cookey-Gam, as he marked his first one hundred days in his second term in office.
Speaking with newsmen recently in Port-Harcourt on Dr Cookey-Gam and the celebration of his first one hundred days in office, among other people-oriented development projects and programmes, Nengia argued that the Chairman and his team have recorded unprecedented developmental strides, which includes infrastructure transformation, empowerment, security, human capital development, payment of the approved N85,000. 00 minimum wage to Opobo/Nkoro workers’, among others.
He pointed out that his commendation was apt as the activities of the Chairman had been monitored and discovered to reflect the expectations and yearnings of the people, especially, the promotion of council staff, the refurbishment of the Assembly Complex to standard, the construction of Corpers’ Lodge, the provision of effective transportation system for the well-being of the people in the area.
Hon. Nengia, representing Opobo/Nkoro Ward 6, averred that the people of the LGA could now sleep with their eyes closed owing to Dr Cookey-Gam’s achievements in in the security sector.
He added that the vote of confidence the Council’s number one citizen would strengthen him to deliver more democratic dividends to Opobo/Nkoro people.
He admonished Opobo/Nkoro people to rally support for the Chairman to perform creditably well for the well-being of the electorate in the area.
Meanwhile, Barr. Samuel Nengia, has thanked Governor Siminalayi Fubara for appointing three illustrious sons of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area into positions of trust vis former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, as Chairman, Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission; former Secretary of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Engr. Edward Namiesimagha, as Chairman, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) and Surveyor Peter Ogolo, as Surveyor-, General of the state.
Hon. Nengia, who described the appointments as well deserved, however, enjoined the appointees to bring their leadership wealth of experience to bear in the herculean tasks of reviving their various areas of jurisdiction.
Bethel Toby