Nation
More Nigerians Berate NASS Over Rejection Of E-Transmission Of Poll Results
The National Assembly has continued to receive backlash over its failure to include electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill just passed by the lawmakers.
It would be recalled that both the Senate and House of Representatives, last week, passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, but expunged electronic transmission of election results.
In his reaction, the Senator representing Plateau North, Istifanus Gyang, described the refusal by the All Progressives Congress senators to admit electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill as scoring an own goal.
The lawmaker also said their action has put them on the wrong side of history, as they have denied the nation an opportunity to “sanitise and bestow credibility on the electoral process”.
Gyang, however, said, himself along with PDP senators with the exception of only two, voted in favour of the above provision which clearly supports “electronic voting and electronic transfer of election results. Senators of the APC opposed and voted against the recommendation of the committee as contained in Section 52(3) of the report”.
The lawmaker, who is the Deputy Chairman Senate Committee on Defence, further stated that, “The refusal of the APC senators to pass the provision of Section 52(3) was an own goal which has put them on the wrong side of history and denied the country an opportunity to sanitize and bestow credibility on the electoral process”.
Also speaking, a civil society activist, Comrade Japhet Philip La’abes, said, “This decision will end in the annals of eternal infamy.”
He said, “It is quite shameful that legislators who should know better have chosen to circumvent the principles and letters of democracy of which they are major beneficiaries.
“This level of impunity, rascality and corruption by these doomsday lawmakers must be resisted headlong by the Nigerian people.
“How can lawmakers make laws that are inconsistent with the will of the people and the constitution they have sworn to protect?
“Nigerians must rise up to this challenge. If we want good governance, we must be seen to be active participants in the democratic process. Let’s say no to clueless and self centred leaders”, he admonished.
In his reaction, a civil society practitioner, Comrade Pwakim Jacob Choji, said, “It just shows the state of affairs in the country. It confirms our fears about the current occupants of the National Assembly.
“The names of those who voted against electronic transmission should be placed in the hall of shame so that generations unborn should know those who missed the opportunity to better the relevance of their opinions as enshrined in the election.
“Remember that, the electoral transmission would have just been one issue done to leave the next assembly with the burden of addressing other issues.
“However, even if they had approved the e-transmission, as far as the onus still remains on the president to assent to it, that bill wouldn’t have seen the light of day”, he maintained.
According to him, ”We need to get to a level that joint resolutions of the two houses should be a law rather than to always run to the president whose singular power can veto the resolution of 469 elected representatives”.
A civil society activist, Comrade Gad Peter, while reacting to the action of the National Assembly, said, “Some members of the National Assembly cannot think for themselves, don’t consult those that send them there, and only follow the instructions of their party, which most often is anti people.
Peter said, “Their recent decision on electronic transmission of result was a very poor decision and non progressive.
“INEC had said they have the capacity, ‘We have the capacity for electronic transmission of results, we have uploaded results from very remote areas, even from areas where you have to use human carriers to access’.
“Nigerians should demand for the transmission of the results”.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council has thrown its weight behind the proposed industrial action by the Lagos State-owned media organisations.
The proposed industrial action is set to begin on Monday, Jan. 13.
In a letter jointly signed by the Lagos State NUJ Chairman, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, and the Secretary, Mr Tunde Olalere, on Thursday, the union expressed its support for the strike.
The letter, dated Jan. 9, was addressed to the General Manager of Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja.
The NUJ, along with the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Worker’s Union (RATTAWU) of the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporations, including Lagos Television, Radio Lagos/EKO FM, and Lagos Traffic Radio, had announced the proposed strike.
They said this was in response to the non-payment of the minimum wage and integration into the Oracle database by the state government.
The union leadership stated that it was fully aware of the several discussions, congresses, and notices given to the state government regarding the need for state-owned media house workers to be integrated into the Oracle database.
“You will agree with the union that these were enough notices given to address the issues at stake,” the letter read in part.
The leaders recalled that an initial 10-day ultimatum was issued, followed by a 21-day ultimatum, and finally, a seven-day final ultimatum.
“It is imperative that our members working in the state-owned media organisations should also enjoy the new minimum wage like other workers of the state,” the NUJ stated.
The union further noted that the revenue generated by state-owned media organisations could no longer sustain the payment of workers’ salaries and benefits, highlighting the urgent need for the state government to intervene for their survival.
“The welfare of our dear members is paramount and this is why the union deems it fit to support and pledge solidarity with our members going on strike,” the union stated.
The union also acknowledged the commitment and dedication of protesting workers to their duties in propagating state government policies and activities, stating that such dedication should be rewarded by the state government.
“The union, therefore, advises that only an amicable resolution and approval of the demands of our members can stop the industrial action,” the union stated.
The new Rivers state commissioner of police ,CP Olugbenga Adepoju has assured that his administration will remain apolitical in the discharge of his duties in the state.
Adepoju who officially assumed office last Friday as the 47th police commissioner of police stated this during his median press briefing held at state police command over the weekend in Port Harcourt.
He assured that under his watch as the police helmsman in the state his administration will ensure protection of human rights and warn that any police officer who violate the rights of people will be sanctioned in accordance with the police act and
urged Rivers people to hold the Police accountable, share view of people with police.
“We are committed to transparency.
My priority is to ensure safety, security and welfare of all residents in the state.
Being an economic hub of the country,the state faces challenges of crisis from political interest, economic sabotage illegal oil bunkering.
“I will ensure Rivers people sleep with their two eyes close. I have what it takes to keep the command safe.We do Intelligence gathering work with community and public engagement to proactively prevent crime.We have meetings and seminars with members of the public.”
“We will enforce discipline and ensure zero tolerance for corruption.I have my team.I will put them to work.There will be improvement on the part of my officers.
“We will Combat youth restiveness and cultism, oil theft, environmental crime. we will work with other agencies to ensure is reduce to the barest minimum.
“We will enhance response time and police visibility. We do all we can for our men to respond to distress call in time. We will deploy more men in metro. More visibility policing.
“We will address land grabbing issues.We will work with our legal team. If we have to partake in any execution order, we will look at it critically.
“We will enforce all vehicle regulations with human face. Especially tinted glasses. We may excuse those that have it from the factory. Either the vehicle will be impounded, the tinted glass removed or they are charged to court.
“Our men will not violate rights of citizens. If there is any violation of rights, it should be reported to the police for necessary actions. Our men will be more professional and polite to the people “he stated
CP Adepoju however urged residents of the state,the media and all necessary stakeholders to give the Police the relevant cooperation and support for effective policing of the society.
Akujobi amadi
The Rivers State Police Command says it has acknowledged a social media report on alleged assault of a lady by police officers along Evo Road, Port Harcourt.
A statement signed by the police public Relations Officer (PPRO),SP Grace Iringe Koko in Port Harcourt, yesterday said the police acknowledged the report of such alleged assault and invite the lady involved to visit the command so as to enable the command to commence investigation with a view to apprehend the officers involved.
“We urge the lady involved to visit the Police Headquarters to enable a thorough investigation into the matter. This step will assist us in identifying the officers involved and ensuring that appropriate actions are taken.”
“The Command appeals to members of the public to cooperate with police officers during stop-and-search operations, as these measures are essential in combating crime and maintaining security.”
“We also encourage residents to report any misconduct by police officers through the following channels:
• PPRO: 0816 135 5218
• Control Room: 08032003514, 08098880134
• Complaint Response Unit (CRU): 07057605256, 08120822987, 07072323049, 07057605209”
“Your cooperation is vital in helping us maintain accountability and professionalism within the Rivers State Police Command.
Thank you.”
Akujobi Amadi
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