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Wanted: Replacement For Jega …Towards A Truly Independent INEC
Prof Jega and Amina Zakari
Most Nigerians knew that the life of the Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would end early August, this year, until the principal eventual left office. He then handed over to Ambassador Ahmed Wali, the most senior National Commissioner before taking his final leave from office.
Apparently uncomfortable with Jega’s discretion, the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government named Hajiya Amina Bala Zakari as acting chairperson of the commission. Since then, politicians have been divided in support for or against her choice, for various reasons, key among which is the appointee’s relationship with President Buhari.
While the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) insisted that Bala-Zakari is an in-law of the President and so could not be depended upon to be neutral on issues affecting her in-law and his concerns, the All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to insist that her appointment was based purely on merit. This means, either party that gets the day eventually would need to contend with a protracted disapproval of the other and thus place question mark on the required impartiality of the appointee.
In such a case, no matter how neutral the appointee might be , the outcome would continue to attract questions, and by extension diminish the supposed independence of INEC. Simply put, Hajiya Amina Bala Zakari’s appointment, no matter how meritorious, just and well-thoughout, cannot radiate the required general acceptance that greeted the appointment of Prof Attahiru Jega as INEC chairman.
It was that pedigree that indeed inspired the much expected public approval and confidence in the Professor’s ability to be neutral and which indeed enhanced the cooperation of political parties in all INEC programmes. Indeed, the parties saw in the professor a kind of clear neutrality that made him dependable.
This was why even when, it was discovered few months before the 2015 elections, that Prof Jega was a member of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), which adopted President Buhari as preferred presidential candidate, his response, ‘I am a member of ACF but I was not in the meeting that took that decision’, was enough to end what would have been another protracted controversy.
Were it to be someone else, many more questions would have been asked, one of which was, ‘but is the ACF decision binding on members or not? If yes, how do you work against the ACF position as INEC Chairman and still maintain the required neutrality?
But all these were ignored because of Prof. Jega’s pre-appointment pedigree as a varsity don with impeccable character and a civil society icon with high nationalistic mien to make Nigeria much better than he met it. Without such popularity, INEC would not have enjoyed the relative acceptance it did, among political parties and indeed politicians.
Added to all these was the true freedom and independence the Commission enjoyed under the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency.
With the modest gains made by the Commission, every action taken now must, of necessity help deepen democracy. The way to achieve that is to appoint one that would be dependable, independent and indeed upright. One who would not only be neutral but whose neutrality must shine-forth in the eyes of stakeholders.
By the on-going debates, with all her impressive credentials, high moral standards and meritorious stay in INEC, Hajiya Amina Bala Zakari falls short. Her appointment, rather than attract support of the political parties, would instead polarize them and end-up heating up the polity and in the end, question the most needed neutrality of the national elections body.
This is why President Buhari must make a choice: Confirm Bala Zakari substantive Chairperson of INEC or replace her with someone else. And without further delay, because, among other pressing issues two governorship elections are just around the corner.
Infact, by a time-table released August 12, this year, by INEC, in exercise of its powers conferred on it by the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), activities for the conduct of the governorship elections of Bayelsa State shall start September 5, this year. This begins with the official Notice of Election which provides for a period not later than 90 days before the election, in keeping with section 30 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).
In like manner, campaigns by political parties are expected to begin on September 6, this year, collection of forms for the election by political parties at INEC Headquarters, September 7 – 10, 2015 and conduct of party primaries September 7 – 30, this year, while the last day for submission of forms CF001 and CF002 at INEC Headquarters is a month later on October 7.
These activities, publication of official voters register, publication of list of nominated candidates, Publication of Notice of Polls and submission of names of Party Agents for the Election to the Electoral Officer of the Local Government Areas of the INEC would all culminate to the December 5, 2015 date, set for the governorship elections in the State.
All these are procedures that require an acceptable umpire to preside over, if the eventual outcome of the Bayelsa elections would be accepted as credible, free and fair. Without such an independent, neutral and acceptable umpire the Bayelsa elections would be adjudged flawed no matter the quality of machines and men deployed to conduct the elections.
Interestingly, apart from political parties and politicians who have been bickering on the subject matter, Nigerians are beginning to voice concern over the void created by the Jega exist and the seeming unconstitutionality of an acting Chair in INEC, as same was not foreseen by the framers of the INEC Act.
It was instead expected that before the termination of one tenure another successor tenure must be in place.
This is why more and more Nigerians are calling for the immediate appointment of a substantive Chairman of INEC, along with the filling of all vacant positions in the Commission.
On Tuesday, August 11, 2015, a coalition of civil rights groups led by the leader of the Human Rights Monitor (HRM) Festus Okoye urged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately appoint a substantive National Chairman of INEC along with other Commissioners of the electoral body in order to engage them on the early preparation for the 2019 general elections.
Among the rights groups that endorsed a joint statement include, institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law and Centre for Gender Initiatives. The statement was timed after the exit date of the Prof Jega tenure.
In it, the rights activists also cautioned the Federal Government against appointing political party loyalists as officials of INEC, saying that doing so will compromise the independence of the electoral commission.
The activists wondered why President Buhari has been delaying the appointment of such key officers knowing fully well that their tenure would have expired by August 11, 2015. Which means, the appointments ought to have been made long before that final day to avoid any seeming inactivity or even lull.
Okoye therefore said, “the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should think through appointments into INEC and appoint persons with the requisite courage, integrity, pedigree and drive to sustain improvements already made in the institution and lead the charge towards the greater use of technology in the electoral process and making our elections to conform to national and international standards”.
The Activist, who was also a member of the defunct Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Panel listed as one of the demands of the members of the Civil Rights Coalition, the condition that ‘the President should exercise due diligence and appoint persons with requisite courage, competence, ability and expertise to fill the vacant positions created in the Electoral Management Body.”
The Activists warned against allowing the acting Chairman remaining in that capacity for too long, saying, ‘it is important not to leave her in acting capacity for too long as doing so, has its own limitations and limitation of actions”.
This is why it has become imperative that INEC be fully reconstituted. Less than four years to another election must not be considered long enough a period to right any or all shortcomings of the last experiment and make the next one hitch-free. This period ought to be fully utilized to inform Nigerians of the new INEC leadership’s policy directive, operational plans, reviews and introduction of fresh options if any. The period should also be used to build confidence and properly bond with key and secondary stakeholders.
These are not expectations an Acting Chairman, unsure of his or her tenure can plan towards. They are better handled by substantive appointees with the right pedigree, knowledge, integrity, popularity and neutrality that will endear him or her to all political parties, as worthy umpire.
An appointment which takes-off with controversies builds distrust, and distruct builds disobedience and or apathy. Sound as Bala Zakari may be, the controversy her choice as acting chairman has generated will not help build the required confidence of the parties on the Commission.
It would instead endbolden the opposition to finding faults in every INEC action and such can erode public confidence in INEC.
The Bayelsa State governorship election will surely be a test case in assessing the required neutrality of the new INEC. As a state being controlled by opposition PDP, and which national leadership has openly opposed the choice of Amina Zakari, in view of her relationship with President Buhari, the Bayelsa elections must be handled with the required responsibility, if the outcome is to be seen, half as credible as the 2015 elections.
A reasonable outcome requires a reasonably long period of planning. December 5, 2015 is less than four months away which is hardly sufficient a period to address all the issues daily being raised by parties in Bayelsa State. Time indeed is of the essence, a reason which the delay in the appointment of INEC Chair is no longer acceptable.
My Agony is that the Buhari government knew that Jega’s tenure would expire August 11, this year, even before the February 28 Presidential elections, about a period of six months today and cannot comprehend the delay any longer. If indeed Hajiya Amina Bala Zakari is the one and only choice of the President and the ruling APC, then, her name should be forwarded to the Council of States and then the Senate for confirmation, with or without the protestations by the opposition parties.
But whatever choice Buhari makes must sustain, if possible, improve on the scenario that made it possible for him to defeat an incumbent. Nothing less is acceptable.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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