Politics
Kudos To INEC Over Certificates Of Returns
The state chairman of the
People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Brother Felix Obuah has praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for issuing certificate of returns to its candidates who won the re run elections.
He described the move as a welcome development, saying however that the delay to issue the certificates was regrettable.
INEC is expected to release results and issue certificate of return after seven days as stipulated in the Electoral Act without any compromise.
Obuah called on INEC to urgently reschedule re run in the cancelled areas and conclude all processes required in the election in Rivers State.
Similarly, the Rivers State Chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has praised the electoral body for the move.
The State Chairman of SDP, Engr Joshua Worlu who stated this in an interview with The Tide noted that the exercise came a bit late.
He urged the electoral body to continue to be fair in all its activities even as he warned politicians to stop seeking powers and political offices by all means.
The SDP boss said the INEC should not be blamed of the violence that characterised the 19th March re run election in the state, stressing that the bulk of the blame should go to politicians who wants to win at all cost.
‘’INEC is to ensure that it conduct a free, fair election while the politicians should adhere to the rules lay down by the law’’, he said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, last Friday, presented certificates of return to candidates who were declared winners in the last March 19th re run elections in Rivers State.
The Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak who presented the certificates to the candidates said the re run election was marred by violence and wide malpractices, noting that there were places where Returning Officers and INEC officers were held hostage and made to declare results under duress.
He used the opportunity to express reservation some candidates who were declared winners, stressing that some of them did not meet the criteria but the law said the majority should be declared winner by the accredited returning officer.
He however said the House of representatives candidates will receive their certificate in Abuja.
Eleven House of Assembly candidates were issued certificate of returns, out of which 9 are Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 2 All Progressive Congress (APC).
They are Messrs Martins Mina, Edison Nwole, Major Jack, Benibo Anagbraba, Samuel Oge and martins Amawhule. Others are Micheal Oke Chinda,Kelechi Worgu,christain Ahiakwo, Andrew Mila and Tonye Smart.
This was announced in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Tersoo Kula, on Wednesday in Makurdi.
The House of Assembly had passed a resolution to suspend the SUBEB boss for six months, enabling it to investigate her activities at the board.
Others suspended include the Chairman, Otukpo Local Government Area, Mr Maxwell Ogiri, and the Executive Secretary of the lottery commission, Mr Michael Uper, for a month each.
Gov. Alia, however, reiterated his unwavering commitment to the rule of law, due process, and the principles of separation of powers.
The governor commended the House of Assembly for exercising its constitutional responsibilities and assured the people of the state of his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.
He urged all affected institutions to ensure seamless continuity of service delivery during the period of suspension of the officials.
The governor called on the people of the state to continue supporting the government’s efforts to build a state that works for all.
Mr Moghalu spoke on Wednesday while addressing journalists at the party secretariat in Udoka Estate, Awka, describing the incident as “an embarrassing scandal and the height of irresponsibility.”
“I was very saddened over what I saw in the video. It was indeed a scandalous embarrassment, not only to Anambra or the state government, but to every responsible citizen of this state,” he said.
He condemned the brutality meted out to the corps member, adding, “Whatever offences she may have committed, there are better civil ways to handle it. The right thing was to arrest her and hand her over to the police, rather than tear her dress and dehumanise her.”
Mr Moghalu insisted that Udo-Ga-Chi members must be properly trained and indoctrinated before being constituted as a security outfit.
“You can’t kill those you are meant to protect. You don’t take guns and hand them to irresponsible people to terrorise citizens,” he stressed.
Highlighting previous complaints against the outfit, he said, “We have heard cases of people they’ve killed, maimed, or extorted. This is a case too many. The Federal Government must urgently scrutinise and regulate this group, and make an official statement on the matter.”
Expressing concern about the whereabouts of the assaulted corps member, Mr Moghalu added, “Where is the victim? The government must produce her and allow her to speak publicly about her ordeal. She was serving her country and deserves protection from both state and federal authorities.”
He further alleged that Udo-Ga-Chi has been politicised to influence elections, particularly in favour of the incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
“It is now evident that the outfit was created as a political tool, and their actions during the last Saturday election made that very clear,” Mr Moghalu said.
The proposed review by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) would see the President, Vice President, governors, and other top officials receive substantial pay increases.
The ADC said the proposal is coming at a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with the effects of inflation, rising fuel costs, and an inadequate minimum wage, suggesting a pay rise for the Nigerian workers instead.
A statement by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, said, the constitutional mandate of the RMAFC is to review salaries of political office holders, but considering such at this time further underlines how far this government is disconnected from the reality of Nigerian people.
The statement said, “We are aware of the Commission’s constitutional mandate to periodically review relevant emoluments of political office holders in the country. However, proposing such a review at a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling with soaring food inflation, high cost of fuel, inadequate and largely unpaid minimum wage would indicate a total disregard for the people.”
The party questioned how the political office holders are able to support their lifestyle of luxury and opulence if indeed these “outdated” salaries means anything to them.
He said, “For perspective, our national minimum wage stands at N70,000 per month, a figure that has been largely eroded by the APC’s inflation, even where it has been paid. Yet, unlike public office holders, most Nigerians do not receive additional allowances or emoluments to cushion the effects of the rising costs of living.
“This is why this proposed plan to increase the salaries of public office holders is not only tone-deaf, it is an all-out affront to the Nigerian people. It signals that the government is clearly disconnected from the struggles of ordinary citizens.
“In light of these developments, the ADC demands that this absurd plan be suspended immediately. No such increase should be implemented while ordinary citizens are grappling with extreme financial hardship. Government should focus on improving the lives of the people rather than improving the salaries of the President and other political office holders who already live in obscene indulgence.
“Government has no moral right to demand sacrifice from ordinary citizens while they focus on making lives easier for themselves. Political office holders cannot be insulated from economic hardships, while the everyday Nigerian suffers.”