Politics
Task Before New RSIEC
Before the 2011 general elections, which was conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of Prof. Attahiru Jega ,many Nigerians had expressed the belief that several factors had constituted hindrances to the country’s development.
One of such important factors for attaining its potential of an egalitarian, rich and prosperous country with a stable polity ,despite its huge endowment in human and material resources has been the nation’s inability over the years to conduct elections which results are widely accepted as representing the people’s wish, save for the 1993 Presidential elections, the results of which were unfortunately annulled.
Since the 1993 Presidential election, which many believed was won by late Alhaji Moshood Abiola, many Nigerians regard other elections in the country as having been marred by partisanship on the part of the electoral body unbridled violence leading to loss of lives and various forms of corrupt practices, including the manipulation of votes through dishonest and deceptive means ,especially by the ruling political class.
It is widely believed that the situation is far worse at the Local Government level, where public opinion holds that state Electoral Commissions, which shoulders the responsibility of conducting elections at that level, simply reflect the wishes of the party of the government in power without recourse to fairness, equity and aspirations of the people.
Indeed, so strongly debated have election issues become in Nigeria, with a huge outcry for electoral reforms ,that they are currently situated on the front burner of national discourse as flawed elections have come to be regarded by many as the very essence of the nation’s backwardness.
This public outcry informed the change by Governor Chibuike Amaechi, when he inaugurated Prof Nimi Briggs on the 27th of November,2007, a month after the supreme court ruled in his favour the governorship of the state, to salvage the electoral process and conduct an election which would be worthy of emulation by other electoral Commissions in the country.
No doubt, the Commission under the leadership of Prof Briggs took its assignment seriously and put in great thought and time. In the end, it achieved some level of success in the 2008 and 2011 Local Government Elections in the state.
Prof Briggs made history not only in Rivers State, but in Nigeria when in 2010, he presented a written report of the 2008 local government council elections in Rivers State. In that election, other political parties won some wards though the ruling peoples Democratic Party (PDP)won the Chairmanship seats in the 23 Local Government Areas.
It is, therefore, expected that the present Chairmanship of Prof Ahiazu whose record had been transparent in his previous major public task as Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Nkpolu, would be discrete to carry out the task of conducting and supervising the next Local Government election in the state.
His appointment and subsequent confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly recently, makes Prof. Ahiazu the third Executive Chairman to continue the task of piloting the State Electoral body which was established in 2003.
He succeeds the former Chairman, Prof Nimi Briggs whose tenure expired last April. The former University of Port Harcourt Vice Chancellor, took over from the pioneer Chairman, Senibo Sam Jaja after whose tenure crisis erupted, before the court intervened.
The State legislators confirmed Ahiazu’s appointment with six other commissioners, Dr.Eddy Adiele, Mr Kennedy Saro Pueba, Dr Viviala Fubara, Mrs Ngozi Ayayi, Dr Solomon Nwanchukwu and Mrs Ibiso Dakuru.
The Electoral body was established in the state in accordance with section 197(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
The then Governor of Rivers State, Dr.Peter Odili, established the Commission to conduct and supervise Local Government elections in Rivers State.
From the fore-going the immediate, task before the commission is the Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni local Government Council election scheduled for January 2013. The board would be expected to conduct an election that would be fair and acceptable to all in the area by all the participating political parties.
The commission as a matter of urgency should. thus commence extensive consultations with stakeholders in that Local Government Area and, all the political parties to ensure an acceptable election in the January 2013 election.
This approach would not only form the basis for careful planning of the forthcoming Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Council election, but would also help the Commission to conduct, supervise and monitor all the primaries of political parties and ensure the safety of electoral materials.
During the presentation of the 2008 Local Government Reports to Governor Chibuike Amaechi, the then Chairman, Prof Nimi Briggs noted that he faced many challenges during and after the election. It is therefore not out of place to expect that the present Commission will face tougher challenges.
Apart from the challenges, the conduct of an acceptable election can only be made possible with cooperation and participation of everyone, and the determination of the electoral body to remain transparent and impartial. This among other factors includes provision of a level playing field for everyone who wish to stand for the election.
Political parties, on their own, must not only apply for internship for the Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Council election, but must have well defined and organised structures with sufficient presence that should make them electable.
Political Parties, especially the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), should start by first practicing internal democracy, which should preclude them from thwarting and frustrating the wishes of their party members with often unpleasant consequences.
As for other stakeholders, they must always stand up for their rights at all times and be prepared to take all necessary legal measures that would ensure they are able to cast their votes, and that those votes count in the eventual outcome of the elections.
Lastly, our law courts must realize the powers they are vested with regarding respect for the electoral process, and that these powers should be used to make votes count.
It may also be pertinent to appeal to the Executive Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi to continue to keep away from interfering in any way in the electoral process in the forth coming election which will serve as a test for the new RSIEC board.
Meanwhile, the new board of the Rivers State the Commission has promised to use the required process in conducting a free and fair election.
Addressing the press after their first inauguration meeting at the RSIEC headquarters, the Commissioner in charge of media and Public Affairs, Hon. Ibiso Dakoru said the Commission will consult widely with stakeholders in making sure the right things are done in the electoral process.
The Commissioner stated that the new boards have resolved to carry every body along in the scheme of things, adding that the board decided to resume duties immediately in order to acclimatise with both men and materials in the commission.
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