News
NLC, NBA, Others Demand Shift Of 2011 Elections
There are indications that elections may not hold as expected in Nigeria following lack of logistics on ground for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible elections next year.
The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Abdulwahab Omar has called for the shift of the next year polls from January to April to enable INEC produce credible voters register and procurement of necessary electoral materials needed to conduct free and fair elections.
“We believe that INEC needs more time to be able to conduct an election that would be largely acceptable. We believe that there is the need for a new voter register, because the current one produced the worst elections in the history of the nation. We will push for an extension of time within which to conduct next year’s election”.
Omar said.
The NLC boss also urged the national assembly to ”to ensure that all the funds necessary
for the conduct of the elections be released to the commission and not in piecemeal and as
at when due.”
Recall that the INEC boss Jega had declared at his maiden press conference on the job
that “Following extensive consultations with experts in electronic voters registration and
logistics, as well as manufacturers and vendors of electronic data capture equipment in the
past three weeks, our assessment is that it will cost between N55 billion and N72 billion to conduct a credible compilation of a new voters register between August and November.
Other agencies and associations like Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Transitional Monitoring Group (TMG) and other civil societies group are also buying the idea of the poll extension.
These groups believe in order to avoid “’national calamity” and to restore confidence of
voters in the electoral process, the amended Sections 132 and 178 of the Constitution which now provide that elections must hold between 120 to 150 days to the expiration of
the tenure of the incumbent political office holders, should be deferred to 2015.
Reports reaching African Examiner indicate that the clamour for the poll shift is also
receiving favourable nod from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the political
camp of President Goodluck Jonathan. The shift would enable the PDP more time to put its house together on the issue of zoning which has largely polarised the party.
Meanwhile, the Senate has re-assured Nigerians that elections will hold in January 2011 in compliance with the amended Electoral Act in spite of doubts expressed in some quarters.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu gave the assurance while addressing National Assembly correspondents in Abuja.
“We have provided the law that will bring about free, fair and credible elections in 2011 and we expect that INEC should be ready to conduct free and fair elections too.
“We also expect the executive to ensure that there is free, fair and credible elections. INEC on its part is also expected to display fairness, equity and integrity that will also help us to say to ourselves that we have done well after the 2011 elections,” he said.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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