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Deploy Technologies To Ensure Credible Polls, PDP Govs Tell INEC
Ahead of the 2023 general election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has requested the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to deploy appropriate technologies necessary to ensure that the votes of every Nigerian was counted and made to count.
Similarly, the forum has also tasked the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), especially, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd, and telecommunications companies to ensure that universal access and service of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are provided, especially in rural, un-served and under-served areas of the country before the 2023 general election.
The governors, who met in Bauchi, Bauchi State, last Monday, stated these in a 10-point communique issued at the end of their meeting, during which they deliberated and reviewed the deteriorating state of the country’s democracy, the economic and security situation in the country.
The Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who read the communique, said the forum identified with the need for free, fair and credible elections in the country, and called on the National Assembly to entrench electronic transmission of results of elections in the nation’s electoral jurisprudence.
In attendance were, Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Douye Diri (Bayelsa); Samuel Ortom (Benue); Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta); Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde (Oyo); Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa); Godwin Obaseki (Edo); Bala Mohammed (Bauchi); Darius Ishaku (Taraba) and Deputy Governor Mahdi Mohd (Zamfara).
The PDP governors condemned the attempt to foist on all political parties, one method of conducting primaries, that is, by direct method only through the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
According to the forum, the direct method was prone to massive rigging, as evidenced by a situation where President Muhammadu Buhari scored about 15million votes in the 2018 APC direct primaries, only to score 15million votes from the entire country in the 2019 general election.
The governors stressed that political parties should be allowed to decide whether to use direct or indirect method of conducting primaries as part of internal democracy in political parties.
Again, the PDP governors condemned the use of underhand tactics to arm-twist some of their colleagues and other stakeholders to join the APC, a political party that has wrecked Nigeria’s economy, turned Nigeria into a killing field, and has nothing to offer Nigerians, but misery and bad governance.
The forum lampooned Buhari and APC for turning the Presidential Villa that belongs to all Nigerians into the new APC headquarters, where coerced PDP members were being paraded at intervals.
On the issue of the economy, the PDP governors admonished the APC-led Federal Government to collaborate more with state governments to stem the unemployment scourge affecting the youths of Nigeria, through technology and increased production in all fields of endeavour.
The governors advised the Federal Government to stop paying lip service on the Ease of Doing Business, as foreign direct investments have continued to fall partly due to obstacles placed on foreign companies wishing to invest in Nigeria.
“A glaring example is that of FACEBOOK which insisted on investing in Nigeria rather than Ghana, and is being frustrated by regulatory authorities.”
The PDP governors maintained that it was time to bring the activities of bandits, kidnappers and terrorists to an end, through increased use of military equipment, traditional means of conflict resolution and technology for surveillance and the development of the political will to flush them out.
“Kidnapping, banditry and terrorism are not business ventures as claimed by APC, but heinous state crimes that is destroying the Nigerian economy, the educational and social future of our children and causing significant social upheavals in society.”
The governors reiterated the need for the NNPC and other revenue generating agencies of government to strictly abide by the Constitution by remitting all their revenues less cost of production into the Federation Account as provided for by Section162 of the Constitution.
Furthermore, the governors enjoined all Nigerians of goodwill to take advantage of the ongoing registration of voters by INEC to register to vote, thereby arming themselves with the necessary tools in the struggle to rescue Nigeria from the APC maladministration.
“The general public, especially our youths and women are implored to use the opportunity of the PDP e-registration exercise which will kick off soon, to register as PDP members, while PDP members should update their membership electronically.
The forum thanked the chief host, Governor of Bauchi, Senator Bala Mohammed, for providing conducive atmosphere for the meeting and for the huge difference he has made in provision of infrastructure and general welfare of citizens of the state.
The 10-point communique reads, “Governors elected on the platform of the PDP met in Bauchi, Bauchi State on 26th July 2021. The meeting deliberated once again on the state of the nation, reviewed the deteriorating state of our democracy, the economic and security situation in the country, the state of the PDP as the main opposition platform in Nigeria, and arrived at the following decisions.
“On the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, the Governors identified with the need for a free, fair and credible election in the country and called on the National Assembly to entrench electronic transmission of results of elections in the nation’s electoral jurisprudence.
“The meeting requested Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the only body empowered by the Constitution to conduct elections, to deploy appropriate technologies necessary to ensure that the votes of every Nigerian is counted and made to count. The meeting further called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), especially, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT), Telecommunications Companies (telcoms) and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that universal access and service of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are provided especially in rural, un-served and under-served areas of the country before the 2023 general election.
“The meeting condemned the attempt to foist on all political parties, one method of conducting primaries, that is, by direct method only, through the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. The governors noted that the method is prone to massive rigging, as evidenced by a situation where President Buhari scored about 15million votes in the 2018 APC Direct Primaries only to score 15million votes from the entire country in the 2019 general election. The governors advised that political parties, should be allowed to decide whether to use direct or indirect method of conducting primaries as part of internal democracy in political parties.
“The governors reiterated, once again, the need for the NNPC and other revenue generating agencies of government to strictly abide by the Constitution by remitting all their revenues less cost of production into the Federation Account as provided for by S.162 of the Constitution.
“The meeting condemned, once again, the use of underhand tactics to arm twist some PDP governors and other stakeholders to join the APC, a political party that has wrecked Nigeria’s economy, turned Nigeria into a killing field and has nothing to offer Nigerians but misery and bad governance.
“The governors condemned Mr President and APC for turning the Presidential Villa, that belongs to all Nigerians, into the new APC headquarters, where coerced PDP members are being paraded at intervals.
“On the economy, the meeting admonished the APC Federal Government to collaborate more with state governments to stem the unemployment scourge affecting the youths of Nigeria, through technology and increased production in all fields of endeavour, reiterating that government should stop paying lip service on the Ease of Doing Business, as foreign direct investments have continued to fall partly due to obstacles placed on foreign companies wishing to invest in Nigeria. A glaring example is that of FACEBOOK who insisted on investing in Nigeria rather than Ghana, and is being frustrated by regulatory authorities.
“On security of lives and properties, in addition to our earlier recommendations, it is time to bring the activities of bandits, kidnappers and terrorists to an end, through increased use of military equipment, traditional means of conflict resolution and technology for surveillance and the development of the political will to flush them out. Kidnapping, banditry and terrorism are not business ventures as claimed by APC but heinous state crimes, that is destroying the Nigerian economy, the educational and social future of our children and causing significant social upheavals in society, the PDP governors admonished.
“The PDP governors enjoined all Nigerians of goodwill to take advantage of the ongoing registration of voters by INEC to register to vote, thereby arming themselves with the necessary tools in the struggle to rescue Nigeria from the APC maladministration.
“Furthermore, the general public, especially our Youths and Women are implored to use the opportunity of the PDP e-registration exercise which will kick off soon, to register as PDP members, while PDP members should update their membership electronically.
“The governors thanked the Chief Host, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State for providing a conducive atmosphere for the meeting and for the huge difference he has made in provision of infrastructure and general welfare of citizens of Bauchi State, the Pearl of Tourism”.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has said that the structural imbalance in resource ownership, weak fiscal federalism, environmental degradation, political exclusion, and the implementation of anti-oil-producing community policies still continue in the Niger Delta 58 years after Isaac Adaka Boro died for the struggle.
MOSIEND made this observation in commemoration of 58th Isaac Adaka Boro Day in Port Harcourt at the weekend.
Boro was a revolutionary leader of Ijaw extraction in the Niger Delta who fought for the emancipation of the minorities in the region.
The group described the late hero as a visionary son of the Niger Delta whose struggle transcended ethnic identity and spoke for the collective aspirations of all minority nationalities of the region.
The statement noted that though Boro was of the Ijaw heritage, “his agitation was never for the Ijaw extraction alone, his revolutionary call was for the emancipation, dignity, justice, and equitable treatment of all oppressed minorities of the Niger Delta.”
This was contained in a statement by the MOSIEND President, Comrade Kennedy Tonjo West.
MOSIEND said 58 years after Boro’s prophetic declaration, the injustices and dissatisfaction he identified remain substantially unresolved.
“The structural imbalance in resource ownership, weak fiscal federalism, environmental degradation, political exclusion, and the persistent implementation of policies perceived as anti-oil-producing communities continue to validate Boro’s concerns.
“The continued operation of laws such as the Land Use Act, and policy frameworks many consider unfavorable to host communities, has sustained the painful contradiction whereby the Niger Delta bears the burden of exploration while often seeing inadequate proportional development.
“This inequity becomes even more troubling when compared with differing approaches to resource governance across other parts of the federation.
“It is important to state that the commemoration of Boro’s Day must not be reduced to an Ijaw youth event alone, doing so diminishes the broader significance of his sacrifice and narrows the historic burden he carried for the entire Niger Delta.”
“The group urged the Federal Government to “revisit all policies that inhibit host community participation and to sincerely address the demands for true restructuring and fiscal federalism, which remain essential for national stability and justice.”
The statement reads in part, “We also note with concern the slow pace of strategic marine and blue economy development within the Niger Delta, despite the region’s immense maritime potential, while comparable developments elsewhere often receive accelerated implementation. This imbalance reinforces long-standing perceptions of exclusion.
“To the Ijaw nation, Boro’s Day calls for sober reflection. Disunity remains one of the greatest obstacles to our collective progress. Internal divisions create loopholes for manipulation and weaken the strength of our advocacy. We therefore call on all Ijaw sons and daughters to embrace peace, unity, and purposeful engagement.
“To all Niger Deltans, this is a moment to rise above ethnic boundaries and work together in harmony for the advancement of our shared destiny. To Nigeria as a whole, the time has come to confront the unresolved questions of justice, equity, constitutional balance, and national inclusion.
“The strength of any federation lies not in the dominance of some, but in the fair accommodation of all.
“This 58th Boro’s Day is not merely a remembrance of history; it is a solemn reminder that Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro was a man far ahead of his time. His vision remains alive because the issues he raised remain alive.
“May this day inspire courageous leadership, sincere dialogue, national rebirth, and a renewed commitment to building a Nigeria where every region can truly call this nation home.”
By: Chinedu Wosu
The Federal Government will soon inaugurate a dedicated radio station to broadcast lessons for adult and non-formal education learners across the country.
Director of Literacy and Development at the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, Dr John Edeh, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Saturday.
Edeh, who is also overseeing the commission, said the initiative was approved by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, to expand access to learning in remote communities.
He explained that radio remained the cheapest and most accessible medium for reaching marginalised and hard-to-reach populations.
According to him, the station will broadcast literacy and vocational education programmes nationwide and beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“Already, we have started the implementation process with the National Commission for Nomadic Education, and this approval was granted by the Minister to ensure that the radio station is established.
“With the radio, we can also leverage myths, so that it can broadcast lessons to every nook and cranny of the country, and this radio station also covers other countries.
“We are using digital technology now to reach our learners wherever they are,” he said.
Edeh added that the radio platform would be jointly utilised by NMEC, the National Commission for Nomadic Education and other agencies responsible for the education of out-of-school children.
“That radio will become a non-formal education radio station, so it will be utilised by our commission.
“Those three agencies will have access to use the radio station to broadcast lessons.
“So, there won’t be any issue of any area not being reached.
“When broadcasting begins, the frequency will be shared with learners so they can tune in from anywhere,” he said.
Edeh added that the initiative formed part of the government’s digital strategy to ensure no learner was excluded from education due to location or circumstance.
Rivers State Governor ,Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The affirmation followed the widespread speculations that he has defected from the ruling APC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the ongoing realignment of political forces ahead of the 2027 General elections.
Fubara made the clarification during an inspection tour of the newly constructed General Hospital and the fully remodelled Neuropsychiatric Hospital, in Rumuigbo, Obiakpor Local Government Area of the State, recently.
He said that contrary to the erroneous reports in a section of the media in the last couple of days, suggesting that he had joined another political party, he remained a member of the ruling party and will continue to work for the overall interest of the party.
“I know that there have been a lot of drama in the media; one story or another. I am a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and nothing has changed. People should stop using whatever situation that they pick up from the social media or their own interpretation of any situation to present me wrongly.
“I’ve not gone anywhere; I’m still a member of the APC and I remain a member. Whatever happens, what is important is supporting the overall interest of the party,” he said.
The governor, who was conducted round the facilities by the Director of Medical Services in the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, expressed delight at the completion of the two projects which, according to him, were conceived to address critical needs in the health sector in the state.
He recalled that while the rehabilitation of the Psychiatric Hospital became necessary at some point, the administration also discovered that the area had no General Hospital to take care of the basic health needs of the people.
“This very project, if you could remember, when we came in we had an issue that required our sudden visit and it had to do with mental health. So, when we came here for the inspection of the Rehabilitation Centre that the board was trying to put together, we found out that we had more issues than even the mental health issue.
“We didn’t have a General Hospital to serve the people within this area. The closest medical center that they had here was the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) which is very far from here. We felt that with the space we have in this compound, it will be proper for us to also have a General Hospital situated in this particular facility to take care of the neighboring communities up to Rumuola, Rumuolumeni and all the surrounding areas.
“Today, to the glory of God, we can see that the project is already completed. It is not 95 percent complete, it is a hundred percent completed.
“We’re happy because, it is a promise made and a promise fulfilled. Like I’ll always say, what is important is doing what will touch the life of our people. Our people should be first and that is how important this project is for us in this administration,” he said.
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