News
NLC, NBA, Others Demand Shift Of 2011 Elections
There are indications that elections may not hold as expected in Nigeria following lack of logistics on ground for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible elections next year.
The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Abdulwahab Omar has called for the shift of the next year polls from January to April to enable INEC produce credible voters register and procurement of necessary electoral materials needed to conduct free and fair elections.
“We believe that INEC needs more time to be able to conduct an election that would be largely acceptable. We believe that there is the need for a new voter register, because the current one produced the worst elections in the history of the nation. We will push for an extension of time within which to conduct next year’s election”.
Omar said.
The NLC boss also urged the national assembly to ”to ensure that all the funds necessary
for the conduct of the elections be released to the commission and not in piecemeal and as
at when due.”
Recall that the INEC boss Jega had declared at his maiden press conference on the job
that “Following extensive consultations with experts in electronic voters registration and
logistics, as well as manufacturers and vendors of electronic data capture equipment in the
past three weeks, our assessment is that it will cost between N55 billion and N72 billion to conduct a credible compilation of a new voters register between August and November.
Other agencies and associations like Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Transitional Monitoring Group (TMG) and other civil societies group are also buying the idea of the poll extension.
These groups believe in order to avoid “’national calamity” and to restore confidence of
voters in the electoral process, the amended Sections 132 and 178 of the Constitution which now provide that elections must hold between 120 to 150 days to the expiration of
the tenure of the incumbent political office holders, should be deferred to 2015.
Reports reaching African Examiner indicate that the clamour for the poll shift is also
receiving favourable nod from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the political
camp of President Goodluck Jonathan. The shift would enable the PDP more time to put its house together on the issue of zoning which has largely polarised the party.
Meanwhile, the Senate has re-assured Nigerians that elections will hold in January 2011 in compliance with the amended Electoral Act in spite of doubts expressed in some quarters.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu gave the assurance while addressing National Assembly correspondents in Abuja.
“We have provided the law that will bring about free, fair and credible elections in 2011 and we expect that INEC should be ready to conduct free and fair elections too.
“We also expect the executive to ensure that there is free, fair and credible elections. INEC on its part is also expected to display fairness, equity and integrity that will also help us to say to ourselves that we have done well after the 2011 elections,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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