Politics
ECOWAS Commission To Partner ECONEC For Improved Polls
The ECOWAS Commission has pledged continued collaboration with ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) to ensure that elections in West Africa continue to improve.
The President of the commission, Mr Jean-Claude Brou, made the pledge at a Symposium and 6th Biennial General Assembly of ECOWAS ECONEC in Abuja last Monday.
Brou said that the commission would continue to work with ECONEC until countries within the sub-region got to a point where electoral outcomes were accepted by all and electoral violence completely eradicated.
He said that ECONEC, under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had been a helpful partner of the ECOWAS Commission in the pursuit of its electoral assistance mandate to member states.
He said that with the support of ECONEC the region had witnessed a significant improvement in the way elections were organised and conducted in the sub-region.
Brou said, although notable achievements had been made, there were still challenges, such as the rising cost of organising elections in member states.
The high cost were in most cases in countries with low income, huge infrastructure deficits, failing healthcare and educational system and wide spread youth unemployment, he said.
“There is urgent need to harmonise the manner in which elections are conducted in our region, drawing from the best practices and taking into account the specificities of individual member states.
“I hope that going forward, ECONEC will assist us in exploring ways for achieving desired political convergence in West Africa,” he said.
On his part, Yakubu, the President of ECONEC and Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, identified funding as a critical issue for the future of ECONEC in spite of the fact that member states had fully paid their dues.
He expressed the network’s gratitude to bilateral assistance in terms of electoral logistics consistently extended by successive Nigerian governments to countries across the sub-region.
Yakubu appealed to ECOWAS to continue to strive to actualise the vision of establishing the electoral logistics depot at Lungi in Sierra Leone.
“This is a depot from which countries in need can draw such facilities and ballot boxes and trucks for movement or election materials without each country having to procure its own material with every election.
“This is achievable and in the long run will help to reduce the cost of elections in our sub region,” he said.
The highpoint of the event was the public presentation of two ECONEC books, titled; ` Cost of Elections in ECOWAS Region’ and `ECONEC Activities in Support of Credible Elections in West Africa’.
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.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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