Politics
Party Harps On Voter Education
The Progressive Action Congress (PAC) on Thursday called on
politicians and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to give
priority attention to voter education for the betterment of the nation’s
electoral process.
The National Chairman, Chief Charles Nwodo, who made the
call in an interview with The Tide’s source in Abuja, said voter education was
a critical area that must be given a priority in the process of electoral reform.
He regretted that it was the negligence of the importance of
voter education that had been responsible for violence and bulk voided votes
during elections.
“ It is unfortunate that Nigeria operates fire brigade
approach in some of our undertakings, especially as regards to voter education.
“ Instead of encouraging the electorate with voter education
within the four years of interregnum, we waited until elections are about to
start,” he said.
He said it was not the responsibilities of INEC alone, but
collaborative efforts among the stakeholders, like the political parties, civil
societies, NOA, churches and mosques and even the traditional institutions.
Nwodo said the government should accommodate in its plans
the stakeholders in the budgetary allocation to voter education for vast
campaign down to the grass roots.
According to him, the campaign should be holistic ranging
from logo identification to the right fingers to be used during elections.
“ The process of complaints where one’s name is omitted, the
dangers of violence and rigging, how to protect their votes and how to make
votes count generally will be avoided.
“ All information related to the elections should be made
known in advance for the betterment of the exercise.
“ People who have relocated from their original homes are
expected to know where to vote in subsequent elections,” he added.
The chairman said it must also be followed with honesty,
transparency and accountability in all resources to be used for the elections.
He added that the electoral officers were also expected to
be conversant with the functions of each form used during elections in order to
avoid confusion and anarchy.
He urged the Federal Government to put every measure in
place in order to ensure smooth running of the entire exercise and to also
serve as basis to punish electoral offenders.
He also tasked the National Assembly in the interest of the
nation to create Electoral Offences Commission (EOC) with defined
responsibilities in order to check mate electoral fraud.
“ It is high time we practiced rule of law to avoid the
jamboree experienced in the previous elections where people keep registration
machines in their homes and nothing comes out of it at the end of the day.
“ When people are fully educated, it will go a long way in
curtailing violence and bring about credible elections, ‘’ he said.
He said voter education should be taken as part of civic
education in primary and secondary schools with the intentions of, “ catching
them young and avoiding the repeat of the past.”
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
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