Niger Delta
REC Blames Poor Voter Education For Electoral Flaws
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Delta State, Mrs Gesila Khan, has blamed flaws in the country’s electoral process on poor voter education.
Khan also identified absence of a functional and sustainable political culture as contributory to the electoral pitfalls, which often led to controversies and agitation after every election.
She spoke in Asaba at the opening of a one-day voter education workshop for principals of secondary schools in the state.
She noted that elections in Nigeria had been characterised by violence, destruction of ballot boxes, ballot box-stuffing, incorrect voting, and falsification of results as well as use of under-age voters and inducement of electoral officers.
The REC said the workshop was therefore meant to enlighten the electorate with a view to producing politically articulate citizenry necessary for the growth of democracy.
Khan said that it was also conceived by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as part of its voter education programme in secondary schools.
“It is believed that by institutionalising voter/civic education through primary and secondary schools, where our children pass through, the potentials of generating keen political interest and right electoral values on them would be most expedient.
“It is imperative that for any democracy to thrive, the citizenry must possess the necessary skills, display the right values, believe and be willing to participate actively in the electoral process.
The REC said that much was expected from the principals in ensuring the success of the voter education programme.
“As a dynamic process that involves everyone in a society, especially those of voting age, voter education should be seen and propagated as a tool to empower citizens to assert commitment to the values of democracy”, she added.
Khan urged the school heads to support INEC to build a strong, well informed and enlightened electorate, capable of making informed choices during elections and refrain from all forms of electoral vices.
She advised them to critically examine various ideas “and come up with more strategies on how voter education could be effectively and efficiently disseminated to the students’’.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.
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