Politics
INEC Blames Government, Commissions For Voters’ Apathy
A research finding by INEC says government, politicians and electoral commissions are responsible for voters’ apathy in Nigeria.
The research, commissioned by the INEC and sponsored by the Friedrich-Eberts-Stiftung, said the trio ranked highest on the list of factors found responsible for voters’ apathy.
Briefing newsmen in Abuja midweek, after the presentation of the report to INEC, the Lead Researcher, Prof. Adigun Agbaje, said the report contained the findings of the research conducted in 12 states randomly selected.
However, a few respondents felt that voters should be held responsible for their indifference to voting while some people blamed the press for lack of objectivity in some reports .
The research was conducted in Kogi, Nassarawa, Borno, Taraba, Kaduna, Katsina, Ebonyi, Enugu, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos and Ogun states.
He said out of the four pos sible reasons adduced by respondent for voters’ apathy, violence and electoral fraud were considered the most significant factors.
Agbaje said the respondents indicated that voters tended to display apathy during the voting process, stressing that they were apathetic to voters registration, voting and activities of some political parties
Agbaje said that voters’ mobilisation was very vital to redcution of apathy and it required the cooperation of the stakeholders to ensure credible,
Agbaje said the respondents indicated that voters tended to display apathy during the voting process, stressing that they were apathetic to voters registration, voting and activities of some political parties
Agbaje said that voters’ mobilisation was very vital to redcution of apathy and it required the cooperation of the stakeholders to ensure credible, posinclusive, transparent, free and fair elections.
According to him, the findings indicate that government must provide adequate support to INEC, fulfill electoral promises, ensure adequate security for voters, enforce law and order in the society to reduce apathy.
The professor emphasised the need for politicians to refrain from “do-or-die politics” and educate their supporters on the need to refrain from political violence during elections.
According to him, the press should be involved in voter education and write unbiased reports, guard against bribery and corruption.
Responding, the INEC Chairman, Prof Atahiru Jega, said the research followed the commission’s determination to come up with a driving policy.
According to him, it has become imperative that any serious effort to bring about electoral reform must consider the challenge of voters’ apathy.
The Chairman, who was represented by Mrs Amina Bala-Zakare, INEC National Commissioner, said as the commission was preparing for the 2015 elections, it had become imperative to do a study on the causes, dimensions and consequences of apathy.
He added that this would enable INEC to make strategies to tackle the challenges in the Nigeria contest.
Jega expressed the hope that the report would pave the way to shape the future political policies in the country.
The research was carried out between March and April 2011, on a nationally representative sample of 1,200 respondents while the primary sampling unit was the electoral ward.
The respondents were selected, using a multi stage sampling design comprising 12 states, 27 local government areas, 43 wards and 60 in rural and urban areas respectively.
Politics
NGO Passes Confidence Vote On Fubara Over Dev Strides
A grassroots organisation known as Sir Siminalayi Fubara Peace Initiative, Friends For Good Governance, has passed a confidence vote on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over his development strides in the state within a short time in office.
Apart from the numerous development projects embarked upon by the governor in the state, the body expressed delight over the recent payment of N85,000.00 minimum wage to civil servants in the State to reduce the economic burden of workers and their dependants.
Spokesperson of the organisation, Chief Felix Ologara, who addressed newsmen in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area described Governor Fubara’s administration as the most compassionate, peace-loving and labour-friendly in Nigeria.
Coordinator of the NGO, Comrade Felix Nnaa, also lauded the governor of Rivers State for staying focused on the development of the state despite the challenges by detractors of his administration.
The NGO also commended the newly elected local government chairmen in the state, particularly the chairman of Khana LGA, Hon Martin Nwigbo and his Tai counterpart, Hon Mathew Dike for modelling their leadership style after Governor Fubara’s in providing essential services to the people.
On his part, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Martins Nwigbo, who also spoke with the press assured that his administration will give priority attention to the development of Khana, particularly in providing security, economic empowerment, human capital development and restoration of power in the area.
Politics
Ex-Inc President Harps On People-Centred Governance
Former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, has called for a people centred governance in Nigeria.
Prof. Obianime said this at the Rivers Liberation Summit and Awards organised by the Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide in Port Harcourt.
He said projects execution are good but government must come up with policies that will create employment opportunities for the people.
The former INC president particularly urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to revive all moribund industries with the view to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state and stressed the need for the revamping of the agricultural sector in the state.
Also speaking, a former chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr Sam Sam Jaja, said the Ijaws will never surrender their rights for any reason.
“We know where we come from and we know where we are now; we know the battle we fought and we know the battle we are still fighting and one thing is very important among us, we will never surrender our rights for any reason”, he said.
Dr Jaja said the Ijaws have been known to fight against oppression and marginalisation and commended the Ijaw Wari Initiative for complementing the INC.
“What we are doing today is to honour Ijaw sons and daughters who deserve to be honoured and of course we have one of our elderly sons to tell us what we have done in terms of pursuing leadership”, he added.
He also described the Ijaws as symbols of leadership, adding: “it starts from us and it will continue to remain with us for a long time”
Dr Jaja also declared that with an Ijaw man at the saddle of leadership in the State, the people will see a new phase of governance, adding that areas neglected will be touched, while expressing optimism that the event would equip the participants to face the challenges ahead.
In his welcome address, the president of Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide, Somina Wokoma, said the event was to “commemorate the October 30th, 2023, failed attempt to impeach our dear Governor which marked a turning point in our democratic journey”.
“As we converge on this epoch making occasion, we celebrate the triumph of democracy, people oriented leadership and the resilience of Rivers people”, he said.
John Bibor
Politics
Group Tasks Rivers LG Chairmen On Aggressive Rural Dev
A non- governmental organisation in Rivers State, the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force ( (NDPVF), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, has tasked Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State to urgently focus on aggressive infrastructural and human capital development projects.
This is contained in a statement released by the group in Port Harcourt shortly after her Chapter Executive Council ( CEC) meeting in Opobo Town, and signed by its Coordinator, Commander Idawari Brown; Secretary, Comrade Success Dinne Ebranga and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Lucky Ubani.
The group urged the chairmen and councillors to be proactive in the discharge of their assignment of dispensing quality service delivery in their areas of jurisdiction and admonished them to follow the leadership example of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“There is need for the Chairmen of various Councils in the state to ensure that they emulate the leadership style of the governor by building bridges of transformation, human capital development and youth inclusiveness in governance of their LGAs”, the statement said.
The group further admonished the chairmen of the various councils and their Councillors to put in their best in the leadership of their local areas for the well-being of the people.
“The people are in dire need of your contributions for better development bridges in terms of even distribution of development projects and programmes that will have direct- bearings on the people’s welfare and lives.
“They should include those who have what it takes to develop the areas through their contributions to move the area forward developmentally.
“We urge the chairmen of various councils and their councillors not to appoint anybody on political patronage in order to siphon the treasury of the councils.
“We would not tolerate this lackluster attitude from any council chairmen Councillors. The real thing should be done through those with leadership expertise and are ever ready to join forces with them to build a pleasant and virile Local Government Areas administration for posterity.
By: Bethel Toby
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