Politics
Osoba, Falana, Want Ex- INEC Chairman Probed
Former governor of Ogun,Segun Osoba, Lagos lawyer Femi Falana and other eminent personalities on Wednesday in Abeokuta called for a complete re-organisation of INEC to ensure credible polls in 2011.
In addition, they called for the probe of the former INEC Chairman, Prof Maurice Iwu, a new digitalised voters’ register and simultaneous accreditation and voting nationwide.
The personalities spoke at the 12th anniversary of the death of Chief M.K.O. Abiola, organised by the Coalition of Democrats against Rigging in conjunction with the state chapter of AC, Osoba described the new INEC chairman, Prof. Atahiru Jega, and his team as “people of outstanding qualities’’, but charged them to flush out all the bad elements in the commission.
The former governor said that without doing this, Jega and his team would not conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2011.
He said that some resident electoral commissioners who conducted the worst elections in certain states in 2007, should be shown the way out in order not to further corrupt the system.
“Until Jega does this, we should not be clapping for him. He should not only re-organise INEC, he should re-invent it. And part of this is to ensure that Iwu’s tenure as INEC chairman is probed.
“If he is found to have misappropriated any funds or he is found to have used his position to enrich himself in any way, he should be prosecuted,’’ Osoba said.
Osoba, who said that he ran away from Ogun over alleged insecurity of his life, said he had decided to relocate back home and join hands with other progressives to participate in the 2011 elections.
He described the late Abiola as an icon of democracy, stressing that he would continue to live forever as long as democracy was thriving in the country.
On his part, Falana charged the people to be vigilant with their votes, adding: “Anybody who attempts to rig election must be dealt with accordingly.’’
According to him, the 2007 experience should be enough for people to know that it is better to prevent rigging than to be challenging election results before election petition tribunals.
Falana urged the Federal Government to recognise and immortalise Abiola“so that Nigeria can be at peace’’.
According to Odumakin, all the accolades being showered on the late Abiola are well-deserved as he laid down his life for the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria.
Pastor Bakare, who was represented by Mr Dipo Famakinwa, stressed the need for one man, one vote in the forthcoming general elections “so as to change Nigeria for the better’’.
Bakare urged all progressives to come together, irrespective of their party leanings, to work for the success of the 2011 elections.
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
As the news of the defection of 17 members of Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to make the rounds, a cross section of Rivers people who spoke to The Tide have expressed varying views regarding the development.
At Etche, a senior lecturer with the Rivers State University, who did not want his name in print, said even though defection was the right of politicians, peace and stability remained more fundamental than any action that could further challenge the fragile political situation in the state at the moment.
He also warned that the situation should not be used to witch-hunt any one, adding that the state had suffered enough and needed to be at peace.
In his reaction, Engr Polycarp Geoffrey said even though citizens and residents of the state had cause to be concerned about the decision of the lawmakers, there was nothing to worry about if it was done in good faith.
“I don’t think there is any big deal about it – defection is defection. But people are worried because of past events in the state. So, for me, I don’t see anything about it”, he said.
Engr Geoffrey also urged the Governor Siminalayi Fubara to also openly declare political affiliation in a bid to douse the political tension in the state and to provide clarity regarding his future political direction.
Another respondent, Mr Ebere Alex, alleged ulterior motive behind the law makers’ defection but urged both the law makers and the governor to work for the peace and development of the state.
However, speaking on the development, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Hon Nname Ewor, told The Tide that said his party would reach out to the remaining lawmakers who have not defected.
He also denied an alleged internal squabble within the PDP, adding that there was no crisis in the party.
It would be recalled that 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, during plenary last Friday, announced their migration from the PDP to the APC, citing internal party crisis.
Other members who also defected were the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Dumle Maol, representing Gokana Constituency; House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akulga Constituency 1 and Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, representing Okrika Constituency; Hon. Solomon Wami, Port Harcourt Constituency 1 and Hon Granville Tekena Wellington representing Asari Toru Constituency 1; Hon. Ofiks Kagbang, representing Andoni Constituency; Hon. Peter Abbey representing Degema Constituency; Hon. Arnold Dennis representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency; Hon. Chimezie Nwankwor representing Etche Constituency 2 and Hon. Franklin Nwabochi representing Onelga Constituency 1.
The rest were, Hon. Azeru Opara, representing Port Harcourt Constituency 3; Hon. Smart Adoki representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2; Hon. Igwe Afforji ,Eleme Constituency and Hon. Lolo Opuende representing Akuku Toru Constituency 2.
By: John Bibor
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