Front Pix
US, APC, Others Condemn Polls Shift …Postponement In Nation’s Interest
The United States Government has expressed disappointment over the postponement of Nigeria’s general elections which was announced Saturday night by the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega.
In a statement in Washington, DC, shortly after the announcement of the postponement in a press briefing in Abuja, US Secretary of State, John Kerry, said: The United States is deeply disappointed by the decision to postpone Nigeria’s presidential election, which had been scheduled for February 14.
“Political interference with the Independent National Electoral Commission is unacceptable, and it is critical that the government does not use security concerns as a pretext for impeding the democratic process”, he added.
According to him, “The international community will be watching closely as the Nigerian government prepares for elections on the newly scheduled dates.
“The United States underscores the importance of ensuring that there are no further delays. As I reaffirmed when I visited Lagos last month, we support a free, transparent, and credible electoral process in Nigeria and renew our calls on all candidates, their supporters, and Nigerian citizens to maintain calm and reject election-related violence”, Kerry noted.
Similarly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has lamented Saturday’s decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the 2015 elections by six weeks on the advice by the security chiefs, who said that they cannot provide security for the elections nationwide because of the commitment of its resources to fight insurgency in the Boko Haram-ravaged North-East.
“This is clearly a major setback for Nigerian democracy,” APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun said in a statement issued in Abuja.
He announced that the party had called an emergency meeting to study the implications of the poll shift, promising to inform Nigerians of its decisions in the next few days.
“In the meantime though what has happened is highly provocative, I strongly appeal to all Nigerians to remain calm and desist from violence and any activity which will compound this unfortunate development. We must not fall into this obvious trap. Change we must. They can only delay it; No one can stop it,” Odigie-Oyegun said.
“I want to assure all Nigerians that the All Progressives Congress will not abandon its commitment to change and will sustain the struggle to establish a new Nigeria,” he added.
But in contrast, however, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation has expressed support for the INEC’s postponement of the general elections, saying it was in the nation’s interest.
The party’s position is contained in a statement by the Director of Media and Publicity of campaign organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, yesterday in Abuja.
Fani-Kayode said that the organisation concurred with the decision to shift the elections, stressing that it was in the interest of deepening democracy in the country and in national interest.
“INEC must be commended for showing the courage to shift the elections, after acknowledging the fact that its state of preparedness was not 100 per cent,” he said.
“Since this decision has been taken in the interest of deepening democracy and in national interest, we accept it in good faith.
“We commend INEC’s courage and obvious commitment to ensuring a free and fair election.”
Fani-Kayode said that with the postponement, INEC had allayed the fears of many Nigerians that may not have the opportunity to vote for the candidates and parties of their choice on election days.
He maintained that INEC had by the decision ensured that no one would be disenfranchised and had helped to guarantee the safety and security of Nigerians during the elections.
He added that the shift would enable the nation’s security agencies to put better measures in place to secure the North-East and ensure that elections could hold in the region.
He urged PDP supporters to remain calm and patient, stressing that the party was strong.
“Our candidate is confident; our course is just; our God is mighty and our victory is assured. No matter what happens and no matter how long it takes, we shall prevail,” he said.
The Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya said the postponement of the February elections to March 28, and April 11, 2015 was a plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rein its rigging plans.
Ikanya said this, Saturday, at the APC governorship rally at Opobo town, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, barely four hours before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the postponement of February elections to March 28, and April 11, 2015.
Ikanya, who condemned the PDP’s conspiracy in the election postponement, said the sudden postponement was part of the PDP’s plans to impose President Goodluck Jonathan on the Nigerian electorate.
He called on INEC to be watchful, and not to succumb to PDP’s plan to truncate the country’s democracy, assuring that APC would surely win the polls, in spite of the postponement.
Also condemning the postponement, a House of Representatives candidate on the platform of APC, Hon. Sampson Egop said, this is the first time Nigeria would witness a ruling party seriously agitating for election postponement.
According to him, for the ruling PDP and key officials of the Federal Government to call for postponement of elections, calls for serious scrutiny and probe.
He called on Nigerians to resist any plan by the PDP to draw Nigeria’s democracy backward.
The APC House of Representatives candidate in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Chief Tony Okocha, also condemned the polls shift, describing it as PDP’s master plan to manipulate and rig the elections.
According to him, the insecurity in about 14 local governments in the North and the non-collection of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by eligible voters were not enough reasons to justify the election postponement, adding that it was certain that not all registered voters would collect their PVCs before the elections.
The National Assembly member representing Rivers South East, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, described the poll shift as the shameless manipulation of the security services, against the interest of the country by the PDP.
Abe said that it was not only immoral to contrive the election shift, but using the armed services and feasting politically on the suffering of innocent Nigerians in the North East, was despicable.
According to him, in our quest for power, wealth and undeserved privileges, surely there must be some things that we cannot and should not do.
This is one of those things that will never be forgotten because it is a new low, even for Nigeria.
The Rivers State Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party, Prince Tony Princewill, described the shift of the election as a divine intervention for him and his party.
According to him, ’’the party campaign was just getting warm”, adding that the decision was wise for the country, stressing that it will deepen the country’s democracy by ensuring increased participation by voters.
‘’The 60 per cent collection of the permanent voters’ cards is nowhere near enough. My worries were eased when I saw All Progressives Congress keen for the elections to hold. I often find them doing the opposite of what they say. Why the rush?”, he asked.
It would be recalled that at a press conference in the late hours of Saturday, the Independent National Electoral Commission in Nigeria (INEC) had formally announced a shift in the 2015 general elections dates to March 28 and April 11.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who announced the new dates after series of meetings with political stakeholders, had said that the presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on March 28 while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections would hold on April 11.
While struggling to pacify majority of Nigerians who were angry over the postponement, Jega and other top officials of the INEC, had justified the date shift, stressing that the decision was not influenced by any group or individuals.
He said: “We have done wide reaching consultations to enable us have as much input as necessary before taking an informed decision.
“In the series of consultations that we had with stakeholders, the questions constantly posed to them for consideration are; in view of the latest developments, should INEC proceed with the conduct of the general elections as scheduled in spite of the strong advice and if so, what alternative security arrangements are available to be put in place.
“The second is; should INEC take the advice of the security chiefs and adjust the schedules of the general elections within the framework of the constitutional provisions,” Jega said.
According to him, the commission decided to take the advice of the security chiefs and adjust the dates of the elections in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“We have done this, relying on section 26 (1) of the Electoral Act, as amended.
“Where a date has been appointed for the holding of an election and there is 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 an 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 day for the holding of the postponed election provided that such reason for the postponement is cogent and verifiable.”
The INEC Chairman pointed out that for the fact the commission was not a security agency that could guarantee protection of personnel, voters during elections and observers, the commission could not likely wave-off the advice by the nation’s security chiefs.
“The commission is concerned about the security of our ad-hoc staff, the young men and women of the NYSC and students of the tertiary education who constitute at least 600,000 young men and women that we will use in the election,” he said.
Jega further said that the concern was not limited to the areas in the north-eastern part of the nation that has witnessed series of attacks by the members of a terrorist group, the Boko Haram but to the security of the commission’s officials and the observers.
“We believe that few election management bodies around the world will contemplate conducting elections under these circumstances,” he said, emphasising that “the prospect for free, fair and credible elections will not be guaranteed if the election was held as scheduled”.
The commission’s boss said that the rescheduling fell within the constitutional framework for the conduct of the election, stressing that the INEC will, “under no circumstances approve an arrangement that is not in line with the provisions of our rules.”
Jega said that the decision to shift the election was taken in good faith and in the best interest of democracy in Nigeria.
The commission expressed hopes that the security services would ensure that the security environment needed for safe and peaceful conduct of the elections were rapidly put in place, promising that it would do everything within the law to conduct a free fair and credible election.
“We call on security agencies to restore sufficient normalcy for elections to take place within the period of extension.
“Nigerians and political parties’ candidates were urged to accept the decision in good faith and ensure the maintenance of peace.”
The issue of Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) distribution had also been raised at different occasions, with some electorates lamenting that the process of distribution was slow.
Jega said that out of the 68.8 million registered voters 66.58 per cent of the PVCs have been distributed, promising that the commission would continue to do its best to resolve all issues in respect of non-collection of the PVC.
He further said that the commission had considered the effect the postponement would have, but decided to take the decision in the interest of the nation’s democracy.
Enoch Epelle
Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi addressing supporters, during the APC governorship campaign rally at Isiokpo, headquarters of Ikwerre LGA, last Friday
Front Pix
DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.