2015 Polls: Lawyers, Others Hail Release Of Time Table

Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in a handshake with members of Save Rivers Movement at a rally organised by the body in Bori, headquarters of Khana LGA. last Saturday. Photo: Samson Egberi

Some prominent lawyers
in Lagos last Saturday commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its timely release of the timetable for the 2015 general elections.
The lawyers, in separate interviews with newsmen in Lagos, called on the populace to support INEC towards making the election a success.
INEC in a statement issued on Friday, fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February  14, 2015.
It also fixed state assembly and governorship elections for February 28, 2015.
The Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Mr Onyekachi Ubani, said the timetable was in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“The Electoral Act has made provisions for the resolution of all election matters within 90 days.
“So, I think INEC is thinking and planning ahead towards ensuring that these matters are resolved before the inauguration of eventual winners,” he said.
A human rights activist and lawyer, Mr Fred Agbaje, urged INEC to put all logistics in place towards the realisation of free and fair polls.
Agbaje also advised politicians to abide by the relevant electoral laws and put an end to unguarded utterances capable of heating up the polity.
“The utterances by some of our politicians have clearly showed that they are not ready to play by the rules,” he said.
Another lawyer, Mr Wale Ogunade, said that it was the responsibility of every Nigerian to cooperate with INEC to ensure that it succeeded in delivering on its mandates.
“The timetable was issued by INEC based on its ability to conduct the elections. All stakeholders, including the politicians, should work with it to make a success of the project,” he said.
Some other stakeholders also commented on the release of the time table.
National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odunmakin,  a sociopolitical organisation, said that the timing of the elections gave enough time to have the national conference, complete it and subject it to a referendum.
He said it was important that several issues which caused tension in the country should be resolved by the national conference before the elections.
A former Electoral Commissioner of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Mr Mohammed Oyefeso,  said the timing would reduce tension in some states.
“I want to commend INEC for putting us on notice this time around and for setting the tone.
“This will reduce the tension in some states and everybody will want to play and abide by the rules of the game,” Oyefeso said.
The Chairman, National Coalition of Political Parties (NACOPP), Mr Damian Ogonna, said releasing the timetable on time would allow political parties adequate time to prepare.
“Releasing it on time is good as it will allow parties to work ahead of time.
“But the commission should not fail to recognise political parties that have been freed by the ruling of the Federal High Court,” Ogbonna said.