Politics
C’River REC Wants Cameras At Polling Units
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Cross River, Mr Mike Igini wants residents of the state to come to the polling stations with their video cameras to record the governorship election.
Igini said in Calabar that “You are free to come to the polling units with your video cameras to record proceedings at every polling unit and collation centre.
“What we want is openness, we want the people of Cross River and Nigerians to take ownership of the electoral process in this country.”
Igini told The Tide’s source that INEC was ready to conduct a free and fair governorship election on Feb. 25, in the state.
He, however, said that politicians, should campaign to get their mandate from the electorate, instead of getting them from the courts.
According to him, politicians had been spending a lot of resources on litigations at the electoral tribunals, hence he advised that such resources should rather be utilised for the development of the country.
“We have spent so much money on tribunal cases. Such money should have been used for development of Nigeria, the REC said.
He said that it was the desire of INEC to put an end to endless litigations at electoral tribunals in Nigeria.
Igini continued that INEC in Cross River was determined to make Cross River one of the states that would start the process that would make politicians to accept election results without going to the tribunal.
The REC said no fewer than three security personnel would be at every polling unit in the state in the forthcoming election.
He advised political parties to provide INEC with the list and pictures of their agents, who would be expected at the polling units for the election.
“The list of all agents of political parties that will be present at every polling unit with their pictures should be submitted seven days before the elections.
“This is to ensure that at every polling unit you have the presence of all the agents,’’ he said.
Igini said that INEC would sanction anybody, who failed to adhere to the rules of the game.
“And to the electorates I say, you have a responsibility, people should not go to polling units to canvass for votes 24 hours before the elections.
“There should be no campaign within that period; we will be watching out. In fact, that was one of the key issues in our security meeting.
“All the security agents should ensure that at every polling unit, those who make the mistake of coming there to canvass for votes will be arrested,’’ he said.
He warned that politicians, who distribute money, during the elections would be arrested.
“On the day of the election, it is a punishable offence to campaign.
“We shall discipline anybody found to have either been distributing money or canvassing for votes at any polling unit,’’ Igini said.
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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