Niger Delta
We’re Ready For Improved Rivers LG Polls – RSIEC
Following hints of another local government elections in the first quarter of next year in the state, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has declared that all measures are being put in place to check lapses of the last local government polls as it gears up for the elections.
Commissioner for Public Affairs and Civil Education of RSIEC, Barrister Nimi Walson-Jack made the declaration while answering questions during a media interactive forum organised by Silverbird Communications in Port Harcourt at the weekend.
Barrister Walson-Jack said the lapses during the last local government polls had been taken care of, but noted that the quality of the elections still rested on the populace.
One major factor that would determine better polls, according to the RSIEC commissioner, was a transparent voters registration. With accurate voters register, he argued that electoral manipulations would be minimised.
Asked how the commission would ensure that the parties produce credible candidates, Barrister Walson-Jack responded that, “we have powers to monitor parties primaries but we cannot go beyond that to know what they do behind to choose consensus candidates. Our own is to ensure that the person that wins is elected”.
The RSIEC commissioner denied insinuations that the body was being influenced by the State Government even though it gets its funds from the authorities.
He argued that the last polls conducted in the state confirmed the body’s independent status, pointing out that some opposition parties for the first time clinched some councillorship positions in the state.
In order to have credible local polls next year, the RSIEC commissioner said a lot had to be done by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), “when there is more openness, people would have trust in the system. The mistake we made so far is that we separated the electoral system from the society forgetting that the former affects the latter”.
Barrister Walson-Jack used the medium to hail the Appeal Court ruling in Ekiti State, while lamenting that prolonged electoral petitions help to stifle the political system.
For him, “the judicial system should see itself as seperate from the electoral system. That is why there is slow adjudication of matters, so when once that is corrected, I think most of the matters would not last as they do now”.
Niger Delta
Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday
The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.
Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.
Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.
According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.
The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.
“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.
He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.
On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.
“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.
