Politics
IPAC Advises Reps To Stop De-Registration Of Parties’ Investigation
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has advised the House of Representatives to halt its plan to investigate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on why some political parties have not been deregistered.
The council made the call in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Ademola Babatunde, in Abuja last Wednesday.
Babatunde said the advice became necessary as IPAC’s attention had been drawn to the move by the assembly to investigate INEC over its failure to deregister political parties.
He said that such “purported decision” was undemocratic and contrary to the principles of constitutional democracy.
Babatunde said that the move should be immediately stopped, particularly when the matter was before a court of competent jurisdiction.
He noted: “It is an elementary principle of Nigerian legislative process that once matters are before a competent court of record, no authority or persons legislate upon them, unless and until it is determined on merit.
“Any attempt to discuss such matters robs the court of its guaranteed power as encapsulated under Section 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Supreme Court has reiterated in numerous cases, that where authorities or group of persons undermine the level of speed with which the court of law travels, it amounts to self-help and contravention of advanced democracy and the spirit of law.”
He said that political parties de-registration was never a solution to the enormous challenges facing Nigeria’s electoral processes or other areas that needed drastic attention.
Babatunde said that at this time the amendments to the Electoral Act should be the major point of discourse in order to plan effectively for the years ahead from the lessons derived from the 2019 general elections.
“It will be better to intelligently look at the constraints and lacuna in our Electoral Act and effect a credible process that will create avenue for peaceful, free, fair and credible elections that will reflect the true will of Nigerians.
“This should be done rather than presenting a motion for an action geared towards the de-registration of political parties,” he said.
He said that the number of political parties was not the problem affecting the credibility of the electoral process.
Babatunde said that attention should be on issue of violence and the killings of innocent Nigerians during elections, snatching of ballot papers, ballot boxes, abuse of INEC staff, vote buying, vote selling, among others.
“It is expedient, for the House Committee on Electoral Matters to be more concerned about matters that have direct bearing on the delivery of free, fair and credible electoral processes for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.
“In respect to the rule of law and separation of powers, the House of Representatives should patiently await the just determination of the suit initiated by political parties, without any further discussion on the issue,” he said.
A grassroots organisation known as Sir Siminalayi Fubara Peace Initiative, Friends For Good Governance, has passed a confidence vote on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over his development strides in the state within a short time in office.
Apart from the numerous development projects embarked upon by the governor in the state, the body expressed delight over the recent payment of N85,000.00 minimum wage to civil servants in the State to reduce the economic burden of workers and their dependants.
Spokesperson of the organisation, Chief Felix Ologara, who addressed newsmen in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area described Governor Fubara’s administration as the most compassionate, peace-loving and labour-friendly in Nigeria.
Coordinator of the NGO, Comrade Felix Nnaa, also lauded the governor of Rivers State for staying focused on the development of the state despite the challenges by detractors of his administration.
The NGO also commended the newly elected local government chairmen in the state, particularly the chairman of Khana LGA, Hon Martin Nwigbo and his Tai counterpart, Hon Mathew Dike for modelling their leadership style after Governor Fubara’s in providing essential services to the people.
On his part, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Martins Nwigbo, who also spoke with the press assured that his administration will give priority attention to the development of Khana, particularly in providing security, economic empowerment, human capital development and restoration of power in the area.
Former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, has called for a people centred governance in Nigeria.
Prof. Obianime said this at the Rivers Liberation Summit and Awards organised by the Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide in Port Harcourt.
He said projects execution are good but government must come up with policies that will create employment opportunities for the people.
The former INC president particularly urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to revive all moribund industries with the view to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state and stressed the need for the revamping of the agricultural sector in the state.
Also speaking, a former chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr Sam Sam Jaja, said the Ijaws will never surrender their rights for any reason.
“We know where we come from and we know where we are now; we know the battle we fought and we know the battle we are still fighting and one thing is very important among us, we will never surrender our rights for any reason”, he said.
Dr Jaja said the Ijaws have been known to fight against oppression and marginalisation and commended the Ijaw Wari Initiative for complementing the INC.
“What we are doing today is to honour Ijaw sons and daughters who deserve to be honoured and of course we have one of our elderly sons to tell us what we have done in terms of pursuing leadership”, he added.
He also described the Ijaws as symbols of leadership, adding: “it starts from us and it will continue to remain with us for a long time”
Dr Jaja also declared that with an Ijaw man at the saddle of leadership in the State, the people will see a new phase of governance, adding that areas neglected will be touched, while expressing optimism that the event would equip the participants to face the challenges ahead.
In his welcome address, the president of Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide, Somina Wokoma, said the event was to “commemorate the October 30th, 2023, failed attempt to impeach our dear Governor which marked a turning point in our democratic journey”.
“As we converge on this epoch making occasion, we celebrate the triumph of democracy, people oriented leadership and the resilience of Rivers people”, he said.
John Bibor
A non- governmental organisation in Rivers State, the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force ( (NDPVF), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, has tasked Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State to urgently focus on aggressive infrastructural and human capital development projects.
This is contained in a statement released by the group in Port Harcourt shortly after her Chapter Executive Council ( CEC) meeting in Opobo Town, and signed by its Coordinator, Commander Idawari Brown; Secretary, Comrade Success Dinne Ebranga and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Lucky Ubani.
The group urged the chairmen and councillors to be proactive in the discharge of their assignment of dispensing quality service delivery in their areas of jurisdiction and admonished them to follow the leadership example of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“There is need for the Chairmen of various Councils in the state to ensure that they emulate the leadership style of the governor by building bridges of transformation, human capital development and youth inclusiveness in governance of their LGAs”, the statement said.
The group further admonished the chairmen of the various councils and their Councillors to put in their best in the leadership of their local areas for the well-being of the people.
“The people are in dire need of your contributions for better development bridges in terms of even distribution of development projects and programmes that will have direct- bearings on the people’s welfare and lives.
“They should include those who have what it takes to develop the areas through their contributions to move the area forward developmentally.
“We urge the chairmen of various councils and their councillors not to appoint anybody on political patronage in order to siphon the treasury of the councils.
“We would not tolerate this lackluster attitude from any council chairmen Councillors. The real thing should be done through those with leadership expertise and are ever ready to join forces with them to build a pleasant and virile Local Government Areas administration for posterity.
By: Bethel Toby