Politics
We Should Go Back To Option A4 – Prince Benebo
Hon Prince Benebo
With months of prepara
tion and concentration of efforts and resources to conduct the governorship election in the least populated state in Nigeria, many did not envisage any issues around adequacy in availability and functionality of materials for that election. But it is now history that the card readers again failed in that election thereby raising concerns and questions about this device that is intended to tame the evil of electoral fraud in Nigeria.
In this interview with Opaka Dokubo, Hon. Prince Benebo, one time local government chairman and governorship aspirant in Rivers State proffers a way forward in our electoral process among other issue, in the polity. Excerpts.
What do you make of the fight against corruption at the federal level?
Fighting against corruption is good for the overall good of the country. If the problem of corruption is objectively addressed, it will indeed help this country considerably. Having said that, I believe that the fight against corruption is not the only promise made by the president during his electioneering campaigns.
The president, we are told, is a man of integrity and the test of integrity is the ability to keep to your word. Therefore, keeping to his promises to the Nigerian electorate by fighting corruption and also creating jobs, as well as addressing the security challenges will go a long way to show to the entire nation that indeed he is a man of integrity. If he does that, he will be a role model to young men and women as well as young politicians in this country.
Are You Impressed by the way the fight against corruption has gone so far?
Well, he has started the fight against corruption but we also hear some politicians who are crying that the fight is one sided, that its only PDP members that are being witch-haunted. I believe that party affinity does not limit corruption. Every human being has that tendency to be corrupt, including party, government and so on. Therefore the fight against corruption should be holistic. In other words, irrespective of party leanings, if somebody is reported to be corrupt the government should take necessary steps to investigate and prosecute that person and recover the money. For us to assess the success or otherwise of Mr. President’s fight against corruption, we need to see the facts we will be given. For instance, number of persons arrested, amount of money recovered, number of persons prosecuted and how effectively corruption has been prevented. Indeed the fight against corruption must include the prevention of corruption.
When these facts are made available, we will be in a position to say yes there is fight against corruption. It is not enough for party faithful to shout that they are fighting against corruption.
Is the political atmosphere in Rivers State conducive for development?
Well, as one who does not belong to either of the two dominat parties, my own objective assessment of issues is that when there is instability, it breeds further instability and adversely affects economic growth and development generally.
Election was conducted and somebody was declared winners by INEC. Others said there was no election. All of them went to the tribunal, presented their facts, the tribunal looked at those facts and looked at the law and took a decision which nullified the governorship election and some other legislative elections. Now the governor has gone on appeal.
The practice in Nigeria is that there is a stay of execution of judgement. If it were a place like the United States, the governor will be out of office until a superior court overturns that decision of the lower court. But the reverse is the case in Nigeria and that’s what is keeping the governor in office. Now that the case continues, all of them or the other. In the face of such situation, there can be no stable development.
What do you make of the black Monday by the APC and white Friday by the PDP in Rivers State?
This is tied to the issue of political instability in the state. Yes, in a democratic society people are free to air their views, people are free to embark on peaceful protests. But that protest should not degenerate to create crisis or to cause a breakdown of law and order in the society. At the same time, I want to say that Rivers State is bigger than PDP or APC. Parties come and go. In the 1960s, we saw the NCNC, Action Group, NPC. They are gone. Nigeria remains. We also saw the NPN, UPN, NPP< GNPP, PRP.
They have all come and gone. We also saw the SDP and the NRC. They have all come and gone. Now we are in this era. The truth is that in terms of membership, the PDP and the APC probably have more members but it time will come and we will not see them.
They can lawfully do whatever they intend to do but it has to be according to law.
Your feeling about Bayelsa elections
Well, I do not have personal preference for either candidate since I have not got details about them, both in character and manifesto. But even if I have personal preference, the ultimate decision lies with the people of Beyelsa. That is democracy. Sovereignty lies with the people and it is they that can surrender their sovereignty through the social contract, through the election and say we give you four years to govern us. Which ever way they decide, to me they have made their wise decision.
The election is already on and I think the people should vote not against their conscience and they should know the candidates and not for them to regret after they have made the choice my advice to the candidates first and foremost, and indeed the parties, is that once the election is conducted, and also seen to be credible, free and fair, they should be courageous enough to congratulate your opponent. It is about service, every one wants to serve that state.
On the other hand, if any one has reason to dispute the outcome of the election, there are legal processes.
I will advise all of them to follow the due process of law and not to take the law into their hands in the interest of peace, progress and development of Beyelsa.
The overall interest of that state and the people should override individual ambitions.
Your thoughts on the performance of the card reader machines in Bayelsa
My own thought about this is that, in Nigeria, there are people who are obstacles to doing the right thing.
The late president Yar’Adau set up a committee to review the electoral process and to make recommendations on the way forward. That committee was headed by retired Chief Justice Uwais and there were other notable members like Prof Bolaji Akinyemi. Even Prof. Atahiru Jega was a member and part of their recommendation was the Option A4, open ballot system for Nigeria. We tested it under the SDP and NRC era and it clearly reflected the true voting pattern of the people.
President Jonathan submitted that recommendation to the National Assembly but the National Assembly deleted that recommendation.
Jega and his team brought in card readers and we’re all living witnesses to what we’re experiencing. Even in the last general elections, so much crisis was created.
The election has been won and lost, agreed but those problems are still there with us. If in a state election that they have used so many months to plan is having this type of problem where the name of a former president is disappearing, then what hope has the common man in that electoral system that they’re applying?
I remember watching a television program where a legislator was making the point that he could not understand how a peaceful state like Kogi could record only 40% PVC distribution while Borno that was in crisis achieved over 90% distribution rate.
And even though many people had moved to other states, Borno returned up to one million votes in the election. There are indeed a lot of questionable issues in the way that election was conducted. It has come and gone but if this issue is not addressed, perhaps one day it might lead to something else.
My take on this is that if INEC knows that their machine is not working, they should remove those machines. My recommendation is that we should go back to Option A4, Open Ballot system. I don’t know what we are afraid of. It is your inalienable right to vote for who you want and not to vote for who you don’t want. I think it is a lot easier to rig election in the system in place than under the Option A4.
Is your ambition still alive to be Governor of Rivers State?
With every sense of humility my desire is to serve the people of Rivers State in the capacity as governor and I believe that I will serve them right. That desire is alive and well. I believe that Rivers people need a very committed, honest, pragmatic person to serve them. Service needs humility. You need humility to serve people and so having gone round this state, and seen the people, they themselves recognise that fact. But it is this lack of internal democracy in the parties that has been the problem.
Yes, I am still ready to go into contest for the position of governor of Rivers State.
Do you have a time frame?
The time frame depends on what I’m working on and at the appropriate time it will be made known to the people. I know that time will come and the people will recognise who indeed is ready, willing and humble enough to serve Rivers State in the capacity of governor. As long as god fathers are installing people and not the people themselves, as long as there is no internal democracy in the parties and manipulation is going on, any governor who emerges will not be able to sincerely committedly, humbly serve this state.
I know that is only in this part of the world that people only one who has amassed wealth that can go in for governor. In being a governor you’re not going in to do business, you’re going in there to serve people. It is the people who are supposed the candidate to go in so they can own the government and make that government accountable to them.
Is this realistic here?
We might say it’s not realistic but, believe me, time is coming for that because those who say they will not make available their five naira or two hundred naira to support a candidate even when they know that this candidate is going in for what is good for them, when those candidates who are imposed by godfathers and money bags come into those offices, they pay more through the education system, the healthcare system roads and all kinds of ways.
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday in Abuja, swore in the sixth substantive chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN).
At the ceremony held at the State House Council Chamber, President Tinubu urged the new INEC Chairman to serve with integrity and beyond reproach.
“Your nomination and the subsequent confirmation by the Senate are a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and the legislative arms of government.
“This significant achievement marks the beginning of a challenging, yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibility with the highest level of integrity, dedication and patriotism,” the President said.
President Tinubu noted that the country had been on a path of democratic governance and learning since 1999, with notable achievements in the strengthening of various institutions.
“Our democracy has come a long way in 25 years. We have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions, particularly in electoral systems, through innovations and reforms.
“We have learned a great deal along the way and have improved significantly from where we were many years ago. We must now remain committed to the principles that underpin democracy in a complex and multifaceted society.
“The electoral process is a vital part of a democracy that grants the people the exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future. To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral process must be beyond reproach,” he added.
President Tinubu stated that the governorship election on November 8, 2025, in Anambra State will serve as a litmus test for the new leadership of the electoral commission.
“It is important that our elections are free, fair and credible. We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow.
“To maintain public trust in the election, electoral integrity must be protected. All aspects of the process – from registration to campaigning, the media access, voting and counting should be transparent, non–violent and credible.
“No electoral system is flawless, but since elections are vital to a nation’s future, it is essential to continually strengthen electoral institutions, ensuring that they are robust, resilient and safeguarded against artificial setback.
“I therefore charge you, Prof Amupitan, as you take on this important assignment to protect the integrity of our electoral process and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.
The swearing-in ceremony follows the Senate’s confirmation of the INEC Chairman’s nomination on October 16.
Amupitan succeeds Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as INEC Chairman ran from 2015 to 2025.
The 58-year-old academic outlined his plans to reform Nigeria’s electoral system, strengthen institutional independence, and rebuild public trust in the commission at the screening.
The new INEC Chairman will assume office immediately.
The House of Representatives yesterday urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, to take urgent and decisive measures to curb the growing trend of arbitrary rent increases across the country.
The House, which described incessant rent increment as exploitative and detrimental to citizens’ welfare, took the resolution following the adoption of a motion on notice at Thursday’s plenary, sponsored by the member representing Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency, Cross River State, Bassey Akiba.
Recall that in May 2024, the House passed a similar resolution sponsored by Emmanuel Udo (PDP, Akwa Ibom), calling for rent control and landlords’ regulation within the Federal Capital Territory.
Udo’s motion advocated monthly rent payments and directed the House Committee on the FCT to propose measures to address excessive, reckless increments in rent by landlords.
Across the country, there are reports of a hike in rents, particularly in areas witnessing new government infrastructural projects such as roads and markets.
In the FCT, rents in some neighbourhoods have jumped from ?800,000 to ?2.5 million annually, for a two-bedroom flat; a development that has plunged many Nigerians into economic distress.
Akiba, while drumming support for the bill, argued that “The rise in the cost of living has made it increasingly difficult for families and businesses to meet rental obligations,” warning that “Unregulated rent increments threaten stability in the housing sector.”
While acknowledging landlords’ rights, he noted that tenants’ welfare must be equally protected to ensure fairness and economic balance.
Referencing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the lawmaker reminded his colleagues that the welfare and security of citizens constitute the primary responsibility of government.
He also cited the United Nations Habitat Agenda, which emphasises access to adequate and affordable housing as a basic human right.
Lawmakers present at the plenary voted in support of the motion when it was put to a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session.
Consequently, the House urged the Federal Government to “Intensify efforts toward providing affordable housing schemes to ease pressure on the rental market and expand access to low-cost homes.”
It also directed the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to “Collaborate with state governments in implementing effective rent control policies, ensuring that public infrastructure development does not trigger unjustified rent escalations.”
The House also recommended that any rent review should not exceed 20 per cent of the existing rate, regardless of improvements in facilities.
Furthermore, the House mandated its Committee on Housing and Habitat to ensure compliance and submit a report within four weeks for further legislative action.
The newly sworn-in Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has vowed to restore credibility and public confidence in the country’s electoral system, declaring his appointment as a “divine” call to serve the nation.
Speaking shortly after his inauguration by the President at the State House yesterday, Amupitan declared that his mission was clear — to deliver free, fair, and credible elections while deepening democratic values across the nation.
During his first official meeting with the commission’s directors, he stressed that achieving INEC’s mandate would hinge on teamwork, discipline, and integrity within the institution.
“Our mandate is clear, and what is it? To deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people. To achieve this, we must work together as a team,” he stated.
Addressing INEC staff and directors, the don pledged to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
“As we mark the beginning of the new chapter, I want to assure you of my commitment to upholding the highest standard of integrity, transparency, and discipline in all our operations,” he said.
Turning his attention to the upcoming Anambra State governorship election, the INEC chairman described it as a defining moment for the commission.
“The upcoming Anambra state governorship election is not just another electoral exercise. It represents a pivot opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to free, fair, and credible elections,” he declared.
“The eyes of the nation are upon us, and it is our duty to rise to that occasion.
“Credibility in our election is paramount, and we must ensure that every voter feels confident that their vote will count. Because that is a constitutional task. And let’s restore back the confidence of every voter that whenever there is an election, their vote will count,” Amupitan added.
The don also made staff welfare a central part of his agenda, acknowledging that the commission’s workforce plays a vital role in ensuring credible elections.
“For me, staff welfare is going to be my priority. We are going to be expecting so much from you, so your welfare is going to be a priority.
“We’ll work assiduously and tirelessly to ensure that our working conditions are conducive and that our staff are equipped with the necessary resources to excel,” the INEC chairman assured.
The chairman, accompanied by his wife, children, and senior officials from the University of Jos, expressed gratitude to his academic colleagues who celebrated his appointment.
“I was told that the whole university got shut down out of excitement. One of theirs is now given this very heckling and important responsibility of heading this commission at this time,” he said.
Despite the weight of his new responsibilities, he said he was ready for the challenge.
“The places I’ve gone to, including some national commissioners, they were saying, I don’t envy you. But let me say that I am excited about the journey ahead.
“Together, let us uphold the values of democracy and work tirelessly for the credibility of our elections,” the don said.
He concluded his remarks on a reflective note, describing his appointment as part of a divine plan.
“Maybe if I had a choice, I would say I would not come here. But from all the indications, I could see that God is moving in this country, and my coming is divine.
“If God says go, who are you to say I’m not going? I’m here because I have a role to play to ensure that a new Nigeria is born. And of course, you know, INEC has a very, very important role to play in this quest.
“God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he concluded.