Politics
INEC Blames Government, Commissions For Voters’ Apathy
A research finding by INEC says government, politicians and electoral commissions are responsible for voters’ apathy in Nigeria.
The research, commissioned by the INEC and sponsored by the Friedrich-Eberts-Stiftung, said the trio ranked highest on the list of factors found responsible for voters’ apathy.
Briefing newsmen in Abuja midweek, after the presentation of the report to INEC, the Lead Researcher, Prof. Adigun Agbaje, said the report contained the findings of the research conducted in 12 states randomly selected.
However, a few respondents felt that voters should be held responsible for their indifference to voting while some people blamed the press for lack of objectivity in some reports .
The research was conducted in Kogi, Nassarawa, Borno, Taraba, Kaduna, Katsina, Ebonyi, Enugu, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos and Ogun states.
He said out of the four pos sible reasons adduced by respondent for voters’ apathy, violence and electoral fraud were considered the most significant factors.
Agbaje said the respondents indicated that voters tended to display apathy during the voting process, stressing that they were apathetic to voters registration, voting and activities of some political parties
Agbaje said that voters’ mobilisation was very vital to redcution of apathy and it required the cooperation of the stakeholders to ensure credible,
Agbaje said the respondents indicated that voters tended to display apathy during the voting process, stressing that they were apathetic to voters registration, voting and activities of some political parties
Agbaje said that voters’ mobilisation was very vital to redcution of apathy and it required the cooperation of the stakeholders to ensure credible, posinclusive, transparent, free and fair elections.
According to him, the findings indicate that government must provide adequate support to INEC, fulfill electoral promises, ensure adequate security for voters, enforce law and order in the society to reduce apathy.
The professor emphasised the need for politicians to refrain from “do-or-die politics” and educate their supporters on the need to refrain from political violence during elections.
According to him, the press should be involved in voter education and write unbiased reports, guard against bribery and corruption.
Responding, the INEC Chairman, Prof Atahiru Jega, said the research followed the commission’s determination to come up with a driving policy.
According to him, it has become imperative that any serious effort to bring about electoral reform must consider the challenge of voters’ apathy.
The Chairman, who was represented by Mrs Amina Bala-Zakare, INEC National Commissioner, said as the commission was preparing for the 2015 elections, it had become imperative to do a study on the causes, dimensions and consequences of apathy.
He added that this would enable INEC to make strategies to tackle the challenges in the Nigeria contest.
Jega expressed the hope that the report would pave the way to shape the future political policies in the country.
The research was carried out between March and April 2011, on a nationally representative sample of 1,200 respondents while the primary sampling unit was the electoral ward.
The respondents were selected, using a multi stage sampling design comprising 12 states, 27 local government areas, 43 wards and 60 in rural and urban areas respectively.
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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