Politics
To Get It Right In Edo
We’re back to the
starting block for the 2016 Edo State governorship election. Two weeks have passed since the original date was blown away and a new date of Wednesday, September 28, 2016 decreed. No one may have computed how much was lost to the decision to cancel the September 10, 2016 date but it does not require mathematical wizardry to understand that the Independent National Electoral Commission, the political parties, the candidates, the civil society and other observer groups, the Edo people and the country at large must have lost huge scarce resources to that decision. Of course, this has not helped our unenviable reputation for wastage of resources in Nigeria, even in lean times, as we are currently in.
All that is behind us now and the mobilisation of needed resources for the conduct of the election has started all over again in earnest.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Edo State, Mr. Sam Olumekun has already told a stakeholders’ meeting that the commission would on Monday, September 26, begin the distribution of sensitive materials for the conduct of the election. To this end, Mr. Olumekun has invited political party agents, collation officers and security agencies to be at the Central Bank, Benin City to observe the distribution.
While this is a strong suggestion that INEC is fully prepared on its part, the Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has declared Tuesday, September 27 and Wednesday, September 28, 2016 as work free days.
Announcing the public holidays during an event organised in his honour by the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress in Edo State, on Saturday in Benin City, the governor said the action was to enable all eligible voters to have ample time and freedom to move to their respective registration areas where they will be expected to cast their votes.
Force Public Relations Officers, Donald Awunah, told newsmen in Abuja last Friday that advance units of the police force had already moved into Edo while others had been scheduled to move in stages.
According to the police image maker, t he force is deploying 25,000 personnel consisting of the Police Mobile Force, the Counter Terrorism Unit, the Anti-Bomb Squad, the Marine Police, Conventional Policemen, the Armament Units, personnel from Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Force Intelligence Bureau and the Sniffer Dog Section.
“In addition, helicopters and gun boats, 10 additional Armored Personnel Carriers and 550 patrol vehicles would be deployed to cover all the polling units, RAC centres, collation centres, riverine areas and difficult terrains,” he said, adding that a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police and three Commissioners of Police will head the operations.
Awunah promised neutrality of the police and warned of severe consequences for anyone or group caught in any act that will be inimical to the smooth and peaceful conduct of the election.
Speaking with The Tide on the issue in Port Harcourt, the spokesman of the Civil Society Platform in Rivers State, Comrade Christian Lekia, urged the political parties, especially the major ones, and their candidates in Edo State to put the overall interest and wellbeing of the State ahead of their personal and party ambitions.
The civil society activist cautioned the major political actors in Edo State to exercise restraint in their utterances and also rein in their supporters to focus on issues and the conduct of the polls in an atmosphere that is devoid of violence, thuggery and other forms of electoral fraud.
Comrade Lekia who is also the President, Niger Delta Coalition Against Violence charged the people of Edo State to cooperate with the security agencies not only to achieve a hitch-free election but also to ensure their overall security and safety of lives and property.
He advised INEC to assert its authority over the process and to jealously guard its independence and impartiality in order to give credibility to the exercise and win back the confidence of the people.
Comrade Lekia said INEC must rise up to the challenge of effectively coordinating all other agencies and personnel and materials to minimize sabotage and discredit the eventual outcome of the poll.
“Edo State people should understand that it’s all about Edo State,” he stressed, adding that it will not serve the interest of the state and the people if anything is done to undermine a smooth and orderly conduct of the election again.
Exchanging views on the same issue with The Tide, the State Director, National Orientation Agency, NOA, in Rivers State, Mr. Oliver Wolugbom, urged INEC not to leave anything to chance in tis preparation and prosecution of the Edo governorship election on Wednesday this week.
“I think that INEC should be very mindful of what they’re going to do in Edo,” he said. He reiterated that “they should be more careful and more cautious so as to get it right this time around and redeem itself from the unsavoury reputation of conducting inconclusive polls.
“They must come clean this time around and in coming clean, they must ensure that they drive the process that will be transparent,” he emphasised.
To achieve the overriding goal of a free, fair, peaceful and credible electoral contest, the NOA boss urged the electoral commission to take firm control of the process and effectively coordinate all other supporting agencies as well as its personnel.
“I want to encourage Nigerians to help them. But I also want to say that if there are some characters among them that have not come to terms with how elections should be conducted, I think such people should be given orientation,” he said, pointing out that “the unity of this country is at stake if they make mistakes.”
The NOA State Director encouraged the people of Edo State to cooperate with INEC in order to achieve a result that will truly reflect their wishes and aspirations by strictly adhering to the guidelines of the commission.
“If they cooperate with INEC, the result will be good for all of us,” he noted and advised that those that are eligible to vote should restrict themselves to their polling units on election day while those who are not qualified to participate in the process should not get involved.
“To me, what should preoccupy Edo people is for their votes to count,” he said, reminding them that the validation of the expression of their will is a direct function of their comportment as they go about exercising their civic responsibility on the election day.
Yes, INEC, the security agencies, the political parties, their candidates and supporters and the generality of Edo people may collectively hold the key to the eventual outcome of the gubernatorial poll on Wednesday, September 28, 2016, but that outcome will have far reaching implications for the electoral process in Nigeria.
Opaka Dokubo
The lawmaker representing Ipokia/Idiroko Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Bisi Oyedele, says Nigerian legislature, especially at the state level, has not ceased to be an appendage of the executive because the constitution which guarantees its financial autonomy has not been strictly adhered to.
Hon. Oyedele argued that a legislature that goes cap in hand to the executive cannot perform it functions optimally.
He spoke at a symposium organised by the Forum for Governance Leadership and Value (FGLV) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The symposium with the theme: “Enhancing The Value Of The Legislature In Nigeria’s Democratic Process”, was put together in honour of the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Adeola Olamilekan, who was decorated as the legislative icon in Nigeria.
“The constitution is clear about legislative autonomy in section 121 of the constitution. It states clearly how legislature should be autonomous, independent. Until when that is done in Nigeria, the legislature will continue to become an appendage of the executive.
“I must tell you that if there’s strict adherence to the dictate of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you will begin to see changes in the operationalities of the houses of assembly.
“That’s very important because when you are not empowered financially, when everything you want to do, you have to raise a memo to the governor, we want this; you’re more like at the service of the governor, of which the constitution doesn’t put us under the governor”, Hon. Oyedele said.
He described the legislature as the bedrock of democracy, saying lawmakers should be the ones speaking for the people.
Delivering the lecture, a university don, Prof. Moshood Omotosho, lamented that corruption and lobbying by powerful political ‘cabals’ are major obstacles to effective lawmaking in Nigeria.
The professor of International Relations at the Obafemi Awolowo University, said despite the challenges, the crucial role of the legislature in stabilizing democratic governance through law-making, oversight promoting good governance, amongst others must not be undermined.
He said, “The legislature’s ability to make effective laws can be affected by factors like political gridlock, corruption, and the influence of special interest groups, i.e., lobbying by powerful political mafia in the state, major power brokers, and political cabals.
“The relationship between the executive and legislature can be strained, leading to conflicts that hinder effective governance due to differing priorities and power struggles,” Prof. Moshood explained.
A Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Ogun State, Morakinyo Akinleye, who represented Senator Adeola, applauded his strides in lawmaking and empowerment of his constituents.
“The legislature is the closest arm of government to the people. Hon. Solomon Adeola should be commended for his understanding of grassroots needs and his effective committee management,” Akinleye stated.
The convener, Bolaji Adeniji, disclosed that the purpose of the symposium was to have a conversation on how the legislature can add value to the society.
The Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso has accused the members of the party that recently defected to the All Progrssives Congress (APC) of betraying the party and the masses that brought them to power.
He spoke at his Bompai residence in Kano State, when he received supporters of Senator Abdulraham Sumaila (Kano South) who recently declined to defect with him (Kawu Sumaila) to the APC.
“Kano South is a lesson. Voters rejected spaghetti, N200 and Atamfa (wrappers) and were patient to vote for the NNPP. But those who won the election on the party’s ticket decided to abandon the masses to join those who do not have the masses at heart but are only after what they will get for themselves and their families” he stated.
“There is no worse political sin than leaving the party that gave you the opportunity and support but later you abandoned the party. This is the highest level of betrayal,” Senator Kwankwaso added.
Senator Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, appreciated the loyal members for “taking the courage to return to their base,” while predicting that all those who betrayed the Kwankwasiyya Movement would regret their political actions sooner or later.
“Fighting Kwankwasiyya is not an easy task, they will not know until when they engage in the fight,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the supporters, Muntari Fararawa, said that they came to his home to inform him of their refusal to join the APC with their senator.
“We thought it wise to return home so as to continue to propagate the ideals of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the NNPP as well as to contribute our quota to the development of our dear state.
“We hope that we will be accepted back and reintegrated into the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the NNPP to enable us to enjoy the same rights and privileges as other members,” he said.
Business mogul and elder statesman, Prince Arthur Eze, has hailed President Bola Tinubu for his historic visit to Anambra State and the Southeast zone, describing it as a clear message of healing and reconciliation to the Igbo.
The business magnate stated this in a letter he sent to the president, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, upon his return to Nigeria from Venezuela, where he had gone for a business endeavour.
“I have seen the joy and excitement elicited amongst our people by your visit to Anambra State.
“To this end I write to thank you specially for the visit to Anambra and by extension to the Southeast,” Prince Eze wrote.
He noted that the visit has gone a long way in healing the civil war wounds of South Easterners and assured the people that there is hope for proper reconciliation and reintegration.
“Today, it has entered the annals of Nigeria’s chequered history that you are the first President of the country, from the Southwest who has taken this historic initiative to visit the Southeast after the bitter civil war with a clear message of reconciling the Igbo with other parts of the nation.
“Nigerians have not forgotten the bitter civil war and its painful relics with its tribal cleavages and dimensions. This visit by you is therefore a giant leap forward and a clear signal that the wounds of that unfortunate era is healable.
“Your pronouncements during the visit are vivid indications that you are indeed a nationalist and a bridge builder who has risen above tribal dogmatism.
“Your actions by this singular visit has sent a message of hope of complete reintegration and reconciliation to the Igbo race.
“This is monumental and a generational landmark that we would continue to cherish and value,” he said.
Prince Eze also expressed appreciation to the president for appointing Igbo sons and daughters into key positions in his government.
“We are appreciative to the genuine concern you have always shown as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the cause of the Igbos. You have appointed Igbo sons and daughters to key positions as a mark of recognition for the entire Igbo people of this country.
“You also gave us important ministerial positions which no President before you had done, signaling your appreciation of the people of Southeast extraction.
“I also commend your robust appreciation of the laudable economic and infrastructural development projects accomplished by the Anambra State government under the able leadership of the amiable Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. Soludo is a genuine and sincere personality, and every Igboman will support him. Be rest assured that he will ensure massive support for you from the Southeast in the 2027 elections”.
While describing President Tinubu as a true nationalist, Prince Eze pledged his support and those of other Igbo for the re-election of the president in 2027.
“I therefore make bold to say that Igbos, wherever they may reside in this country now have very concrete and genuine reasons to support you and work actively for your re-election in 2027 so that you can do more for the Igbos.
“Once again, I thank you immensely, my dear President, Dike Si’mba!” Prince Eze said.
-
Sports15 hours ago“Remo Ladies will win every NWFL Super Six match”
-
Business8 hours agoNCDMB, Partners Sweetcrude On Inaugural Nigerian Content Awards
-
News9 hours agoEleme Indigenes Hail Council Boss Over Evacuation Of Refuse
-
News15 hours agoOver 80 Army captains to sit for 2025 promotion exam in Benin
-
Politics9 hours agoLP Crisis, Poetic Justice For Betrayal – Ex-presidential Aspirant
-
Sports15 hours agoAfroBasket: D’Tigers To Play Against Tunisia, Cameroon, Madagascar
-
Oil & Energy8 hours agoStakeholders Laud PINL For Oil Pipeline Safety
-
News9 hours agoHYPREP Commits To Prioritising Workers’ Welfare, Job Creation