Politics
INEC Yet To Decide Fate Of Multiple Registrants
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is yet to decide on what action to take against those who engaged in multiple registration during the just concluded Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
The Board Chairman of The Electoral Institute (TEI), Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, said this, on Monday, during the Post Election Training Audit (PETA) for Ekiti and Osun states governorship elections in Abuja.
The INEC which said multiple registration constitutes electoral offence, said it carried out sufficient awareness campaign to educate Nigerians against registering more than once.
According to him, INEC has also not discussed the issue of possible extension of the CVR after the July 31 deadline.
“That is a decision that the commission will take and such decision is taken after the exercise and we look at the picture across the country. There are many reasons for double or multiple registration, by the time we hear from the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), a decision will be taken and when that is done, the world will know the step we are taking.
“We are fully aware that multiple registration is an electoral offence, everywhere we went during the mobilization for people to come out for the registration, we drew their attention to that,” he said.
While commending INEC for the success of the Ekiti and Osun states governorship elections, Zuru, also commended the election workers for their diligence and commitment.
He said, “The electorates’ perception of the fairness, freeness, credibility and inclusivity of an election is largely determined by the performance of the poll workers. That is, the Ad hoc staff in our nomenclature.
“Poll workers play a critical role in elections as they serve as a bridge between voters who cast their votes, the Election Management Body and Indeed the officials to be elected for a country. Positive disposition of poll workers encourages voter turnout, while negative disposition evokes apathy. Thus, competent and confident poll workers influence voters’ confidence in the credibility and fairness of an election.
“In Ekiti and later in Osun States, the voters, observers, media and indeed the general public applauded the elections and commended the commission. This is a heartwarming. This training audit is expected to deliver objective insights into the conduct of electoral trainings in the affected states and to provide the institute with an overview of the effectiveness and efficiency of its training activities in preparation for the 2023 General elections.”
Speaking earlier, the Director General of the Institute, Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, said elections can be derailed due to training lapses.
According to him, “As part of preparations towards the successful conduct of the coming General Elections in 2023, TEI seeks to undertake an evaluation and audit of all electoral training activities that took place in Ekiti and Osun.
“Reports from both internal and external observation and monitoring groups from the field during the conduct of the just concluded Governorship Elections shows that there were recorded improvements in the overall performance of poll officials as a result of quality training delivery.
“This is in line with the Electoral Institute’s aim at churning out the highest level of professionalism in poll officials to enable them perform their duties at their best and optimal capacity to ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour expressed concern over the development, saying a dangerous precedent was being set.
He said: “What we witnessed at the House of Assembly represents a troubling pattern where might is increasingly valued over right. This forceful seizure of the legislative chambers undermines the very foundations of our democracy and sends a disturbing message about how power is wielded in our state.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour criticised the ruling party in Lagos, accusing it of systematically promoting thuggery and violence over ideas.
He argued that such actions have eroded public trust in governance and weakened democratic values that should preserve the rule of law.
He said: “For too long, Lagos politics has been defined by intimidation rather than inspiration, by coercion rather than conviction. The ruling party has consistently demonstrated a willingness to use force to have its way notwithstanding the popular will of the people.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour urged Lagosians to take the current crisis as a wake-up call ahead of future elections, saying voters should prioritise candidates who demonstrate character, competence and compassion regardless of party affiliation.
“The quality of our democracy depends entirely on the quality of individuals we elect to represent us. Lagosians deserve leaders who view public office as a sacred trust rather than a platform for personal aggrandizement”, he said.
In a statement, signed by its spokesman, Mr Chika Adiele, the group warned that the judiciary would be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Rivers State.
They expressed shock over the verdict, warning that it could disrupt the peace and development efforts of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The statement read in part: “The attention of the pan-Niger Delta Youths Empowerment Forum, under the leadership of Comrade Maobu Nangi Obu, has been drawn to the shocking verdict of the Supreme Court of Nigeria ordering seizure of Rivers State’s allocation. This is nothing short of economic sabotage against Rivers people.
“The apex Niger Delta youths body is dismayed by the infantile antics of anti-democratic forces whose stock in trade is brewing crisis in a bid to topple the people’s Governor. We firmly condemn this judgement as it is against the tenet of the constitution of Nigeria.
“It is an invitation to war and against equity, justice, and fair play. We equally condemn the order nullifying the local government election as reckless and vindictive.
“Unfortunately, the justices of the Supreme Court positioned themselves as a party to the suit rather than impartial arbiters of justice.”
They urged Nigerians to note that the principle of democracy is rooted in sound constitutional pronouncements with a view to establishing justice. “Therefore, any attempt by the enemies of Rivers people to seize power by judicial fiat will be resisted by the Niger Delta youths.
“We cannot be cowed, neither shall we lay in surrender at the altar of political manipulations of rascals. We reiterate boldly, once again, that anyone, no matter how highly placed, will face fierce resistance by the majority of Rivers people,” they said.
Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has appealed to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, to withdraw her suit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking during a live television interview on Saturday, Senator Olujimi said she does not want women to “look emotionally unstable”.
On February 20, Senator Akpabio, the senate president, and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged in a heated debate during plenary over a change in seating arrangements.
On February 25, the senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review.
However, the Kogi senator filed a N100 billion defamation suit against Senator Akpabio over an alleged defamatory statement reportedly made by the senate president’s legislative aide.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan later alleged that her trouble in the senate began after she rejected sexual advances from Senator Akpabio.
Reacting to the development, Senator Olujimi said a senator cannot speak outside the assigned seat according to the senate rule.
The former lawmaker said the request of the Kogi senator that her senate probe proceedings should be broadcast live was a “little overboard.”
She added that the clash between the senate president and Akpoti-Uduaghan should not have been escalated, noting that the change in seating arrangements is a normal phenomenon in the red chamber.
The former senate minority leader expressed support for the probe of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “weighty” allegations against Senator Akpabio.
She said Senator Akpabio is someone who jokes a lot, adding that the senate president usually made fun of everything.
“I want to say that in the 8th and 9th senate, we never had anything like that (referring to the allegations), and Senator Akpabio was one of us.
“They treated us (female senators) with decorum. We did not have anything like that, and I have not heard anything of such from any other of the remaining senators.
“It is tough for me to be able to take that without proper investigation. There should be an investigation.
“He (Akpabio) jokes a lot. He is fond of making little fun out of everything. He loves to make everything light; when you do that, you become very vulnerable.
“I saw all that they (referring to male senators) went through as men when I was there. They were all victimised by people from outside. I had to rescue them all of the time.
“The court case, I want to appeal to her to take the case out of court. We don’t want women to look like they are emotionally unstable.
“We need to also be strong enough to face the men. Going to court against a presiding officer is not on. I know she is hurt, but she needs to handle it in a better way. I think that should get out of court as fast as possible”, Senator Olujimi said.