Politics
Rerun Polls: INEC Yet To Begin Preparations
Barely three weeks to the
conclusion of the legislative re run elections in Rivers State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State is yet to begin preparations for the suspended polls.
Sources hinted The Tide on Wednesday at the state, headquarters of the commission that they were awaiting further directives from INEC’s national headquarters to commence preparations for the polls.
The INEC National Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu late last month after consultations announced July 30 for the conclusion of the suspended polls in Rivers and other states.
The Rivers State Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak had also met with security agencies, party leadership and stakeholders on the need to educate and enlighten their supporters on the importance of violence- free elections before the July 30 date was announced.
The Tide gathered that the commission has concluded some of its preparations for the polls, but has to wait till next week for the recruitment of Ad hoc workers for the polls.
Efforts to contact the REC, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak was not fruitful as he was away and could not answer his calls.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the commission in Port Harcourt, Anthonia Amaimo said the commission was waiting for further directives from the headquarters to commence work.
Amaimo noted that all directives had to come from the headquarters even though the date for the elections has been announced.
The legislative rerun election would be conducted in the three senatorial districts in Rivers State but politicians and political parties complained that they were yet to know the details and polling units where the elections would be held.
Meanwhile, as the people of Kogi East senatorial district prepare for the senatorial re-run election next week Saturday, no fewer than 1,390 ad hoc staff will be involved in the election to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Samuel Usman, disclosed this last Wednesday, while briefing journalists on the commission’s preparations for re-run elections.
He noted that after due consultations with relevant stakeholders both at the state and national levels on the conditions precedent for the peaceful re-run election in the zone, and based on the outcome of these meetings/consultations, had scheduled July 23, 2016 for the conduct of the elections.
According to him, the local government areas involved in the senatorial re-run election are Ankpa,
Bassa, Dekina, Ibaji and Idah Others are Igalamela/Odolu, Ofu and Olamaboro.
He stressed that the state constituency re-run elections will be conducted in one polling unit out of 89 (PU 003) in Idah while in Ofu, election would be conducted in 79 polling units out of 129.
The REC assured the electorate that the lessons learnt from the previous exercises would be used in raising the bar during these elections, saying he would also continue to encourage participation in the electoral process as the present commission was poised to meet the global best practices.
He therefore warned that no permanent voters cards (PVCs), no voting, saying anybody who has no business with the process should steer clear from the polling and collation centres.
“Security agencies have collectively vowed to secure the election and would deal decisively with hoodlums who would disrupt the process,” he warned.
He therefore called for co-operation and appealed to members of the public should be highly informed to conduct themselves before, during and after the exercise and take precautions in order to avoid repetitions of violence and disruption of the electoral process.
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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