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INEC Blames Poverty, Insecurity For Voter Apathy
A National Commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Lai Olorode, has identified poverty and insecurity as a factor militating against voter apathy in elections.
Olorode told newsmen on Thursday in Lagos that there had not been “a thorough battle” against poverty in Nigeria since 2004.
It will be recalled that political observers have said that the turnout of voters in recent elections have been very low, especially when compared with the turnout during the April 2011 elections.
Governorship elections held in Cross River and Bayelsa were characterised by voter apathy, a situation, which a cross section of observer groups attributed to lack of enlightenment and voter education.
“The security situation and the rising level of poverty is a factor that has deprived people from coming out to vote in elections.
“If these issues are not addressed before 2015, it may be difficult to convince voters of the need for them to come out to exercise their franchise,” he said.
According to him, poverty has become more excruciating since 2004.
The commissioner urged the Local, State and Federal Governments to do more in addressing these issues and to impress the average Nigerians, saying “the ball is at the door step of those in government”.
“In the context of poor governance, generally speaking, I am not sure what we have seen since 1999 are really too good or too motivating for the ordinary person on the street to really feel a sense of enthusiasm to troop out to vote,” he said.
He said that it was only good governance that could bring out the electorate out to exercise their civic rights.
“Our role is to make sure we organise a true and fair, credible election which I think we have tried to do.
“Of course there are pit falls, there are holes here and there but we have tried our best,” he said.
He added that the commission had just concluded a study on voter apathy hoping that the trend would be reversed before 2015.
Malam Auawl Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC), argued that the reason electorate no longer have interest in elections was because politicians did not allow Nigerians to elect a candidate of their choice.
“The solution to this is for the politicians and political parties to allow Nigerians to elect candidates of their choice and let the true results be reflected.
“They know that the people would be able to participate in the process but if they knew that after they cast their votes other result would be announced, it would further discourage and demoralise them from coming out,” he said.
Rafsanjani, however, said for the country to move forward, political parties and politicians must begin to respect the results of the elections or the votes of the people.
Alhaji Balarabe Musa, National Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), urged those elected to ensure that they satisfied the needs of the people.
“The voters do not think their votes will count because of rigging and they do not see clear and qualitative difference between one candidate and another or between the parties sponsoring the candidates,” he said.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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