Editorial

Fake INEC Papers: Need For Probe

Published

9 years ago

November 11, 2016

Signals emerging from the recent arrest of a syndicate engaged in the printing of fake In
dependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) result sheets for the December 10, rerun elections in Rivers State are very disturbing. Under a regime that prides itself with fighting corruption, government’s indifference to a scandal of that magnitude is indeed shameful, counterproductive and worrisome.
Last Saturday, the Police in Port Harcourt smashed a syndicate allegedly engaged by chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State to print fake result sheets meant to be used for the Rivers South-East Senatorial rerun polls. Manager of the printing press located along Isiokpo Street and relation of the APC’s governorship candidate in the last State elections, indeed named a former Agriculture Commissioner under the former Governor Rotimi Amaechi administration, as having engaged him to print the fake sheets.
The culprit’s account which was recorded by stakeholders and other newsmen, especially, the African Independent Television (AIT), even went viral on the social media. Public expectation therefore, was that the police would complete their good job by concluding investigations and charging culprits to court.
This is why it came to many as a huge surprise that rather than track-down those named by the prime suspect and probe INEC for the source of the various codes for different polling precincts, obliged the printers, there were signals that the matter was about being swept under the carpet. The last, the public heard was that the AIG in charge of the Zone had directed that the matter be moved to Calabar, “a dangerous sign that nothing would come out of the matter,” lamented some politicians.
Even more dangerous is the fact that no one can say for sure, how many other result sheets for other Senatorial Seats and Federal Constituencies had already been printed and are in wrong hands. This is most unfortunate.
The Rivers rerun elections to fill the three vacant senatorial seats, 12 House of Representatives slots and 21 of the State House of Assembly have lingered for too long and at great loss to the State. It is not a fault of the electorate but indeed that of INEC which has failed to demonstrate sufficient neutrality, capacity and willingness, needed to make all votes count.
Instead, what seems glaring is a secret collaboration between the supposed electoral umpire and a party in the contest. It is now obvious, that the rerun elections were delayed primarily because that party in coalition seemed unprepared for elections and remains bent on subverting the people’s will through rigging.
It is also clear now that the declaration of the last polls as inconclusive might have stemmed from disturbing signals that the results were not going to be in favour of the APC, since 10 out of 11 early results favoured the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It was therefore, not surprising that INEC was in no hurry to conclude the elections until the intervention of the Senate.
What is expected of INEC, therefore, is to prove skeptics wrong. That it is capable of being neutral, that it can conduct free, fair and credible polls and finally that it is willing to eschew partisanship and bias, this time around.
The first step towards that should be for INEC to undertake an internal self-probe to fish out those who might have compromised their integrity by stealing out codes of essential electoral materials meant for the December 10 rerun. That is if the criminal action did not get the blessing of the INEC high command, in the first place.
It must be stated for the umpteenth time, ‘no one is good enough to govern another … without that other’s consent,’ as enthused by one-time American President, Abraham Lincoln. This means, elections of all kinds must be based on persuasion and demonstration of true readiness for service. In all, the power of choice must rest with the people, the electorate and in this instance, the Rivers people.
To attempt to subvert the people’s will is to create confusion, avoidable unrest and even violence, as a worst case scenario. This must be avoided now that INEC still has the chance to conclude the elections that have lingered for so long.
The handling of the Rivers situation, especially the reproduction of fake result sheets for the December 10, rerun, is a litmus test of the honesty of President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade and readiness to defend democracy. Nigerians expect the President to demonstrate that he is a President for all, and so would do justice to all, no matter who is involved, friend or foe, supporter or opponent.
The silence of the security community in an obvious case of likely miscarriage of justice or theft of political mandate is indeed worrisome and questions their true sincerity to fight crime. That is why the protest by lawyers and civil society groups in Abuja last Tuesday, against the silence is most reassuring. It confirms there are still Nigerians who would not keep quiet in the face of obvious oppression.
Rivers has suffered lack of representation for too long. Nothing should extend that denial beyond December 10, due to desperate attempts by a few, in order to hijack the People’s Mandate. That must be avoided.

Editorial

No To Political Office Holders’ Salary Hike

Published

3 days ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

Nigeria’s Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has unveiled a gratuitous proposal to increase the salaries of political and public office holders in the country. This plan seeks to fatten the pay packets of the president, vice-president, governors, deputy governors, and members of the National and State Assemblies. At a time when the nation is struggling to steady its economy, the suggestion that political leaders should be rewarded with more money is not only misplaced but insulting to the sensibilities of the ordinary Nigerian.

What makes the proposal even more opprobrious is the dire economic condition under which citizens currently live. The cost of living crisis has worsened, inflation has eroded the purchasing power of workers, and the naira continues to tumble against foreign currencies. The majority of Nigerians are living hand to mouth, with many unable to afford basic foodstuffs, medical care, and education. Against this backdrop, political office holders, who already enjoy obscene allowances, perks, and privileges, should not even contemplate a salary increase.

It is, therefore, not surprising that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has stepped in to challenge this development. SERAP has filed a lawsuit against the RMAFC to halt the implementation of this salary increment. This resolute move represents a voice of reason and accountability at a time when public anger against political insensitivity is palpable. The group is rightly insisting that the law must serve as a bulwark against impunity.

According to a statement issued by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the commission has been dragged before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Although a hearing date remains unconfirmed, the momentous step of seeking judicial redress reflects a determination to hold those in power accountable. SERAP has once again positioned itself as a guardian of public interest by challenging an elite-centric policy.

The case, registered as suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1834/2025, specifically asks the court to determine “whether RMAFC’s proposed salary hike for the president, vice-president, governors and their deputies, and lawmakers in Nigeria is not unlawful, unconstitutional and inconsistent with the rule of law.” This formidable question goes to the very heart of democratic governance: can those entrusted with public resources decide their own pay rises without violating the constitution and moral order?

In its pleadings, SERAP argues that the proposed hike runs foul of both the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and the RMAFC Act. By seeking a judicial declaration that such a move is unlawful, unconstitutional, and inconsistent with the rule of law, the group has placed a spotlight on the tension between self-serving leadership and constitutionalism. To trivialise such an issue would be harum-scarum, for the constitution remains the supreme authority guiding governance.

We wholeheartedly commend SERAP for standing firm, while we roundly condemn RMAFC’s selfish proposal. Political office should never be an avenue for financial aggrandisement. Since our leaders often pontificate sacrifice to citizens, urging them to tighten their belts in the face of economic turbulence, the same leaders must embody sacrifice themselves. Anything short of this amounts to double standards and betrayal of trust.

The Nigerian economy is not buoyant enough to shoulder the additional cost of a salary increase for political leaders. Already, lawmakers and executives enjoy allowances that are grossly disproportionate to the national average income. These earnings are sufficient not only for their needs but also their unchecked greed. To even consider further increments under present circumstances is egregious, a slap in the face of ordinary workers whose minimum wage remains grossly insufficient.

Resources earmarked for such frivolities should instead be channelled towards alleviating the suffering of citizens and improving the nation’s productive capacity. According to United Nations statistics, about 62.9 per cent of Nigerians were living in multidimensional poverty in 2021, compared to 53.7 per cent in 2017. Similarly, nearly 30.9 per cent of the population lives below the international poverty line of US$2.15 per day. These figures paint a stark picture: Nigeria is a poor country by all measurable standards, and any extra naira diverted to elite pockets deepens this misery.

Besides, the timing of this proposal could not be more inappropriate. At a period when unemployment is soaring, inflation is crippling households, and insecurity continues to devastate communities, the RMAFC has chosen to pursue elite enrichment. It is widely known that Nigeria’s economy is in a parlous state, and public resources should be conserved and wisely invested. Political leaders must show prudence, not profligacy.

Another critical dimension is the national debt profile. According to the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s total public debt as of March 2025 stood at a staggering N149.39 trillion. External debt obligations also remain heavy, with about US$43 billion outstanding by September 2024. In such a climate of debt-servicing and borrowing to fund budgets, it is irresponsible for political leaders to even table the idea of inflating their salaries further. Debt repayment, not self-reward, should occupy their minds.

This ignoble proposal is insensitive, unnecessary, and profoundly reckless. It should be discarded without further delay. Public office is a trust, not an entitlement to wealth accumulation. Nigerians deserve leaders who will share in their suffering, lead by example, and prioritise the common good over self-indulgence. Anything less represents betrayal of the social contract and undermines the fragile democracy we are striving to build.

Editorial

No To Political Office Holders’ Salary Hike

Published

3 days ago

September 22, 2025

The Tide

Editorial

Rivers’ Retirees: Matters Arising

Published

2 weeks ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government deserves commendation for the manner in which it conducted the last biometric exercise for pensioners in the state. For the first time in many years, the verification process was not only efficient but also humane, a development that has brought relief to a category of citizens that often bears the brunt of neglect.

Unlike previous verification exercises that left pensioners exhausted and unattended, the latest exercise set a refreshing precedent. Retirees were given proper and sumptuous meals, and in addition, the government paid the sum of N10,000 into their accounts to cushion their transportation costs. Such gestures go a long way in demonstrating that those who had laboured for the state are not forgotten in their twilight years.

The measure was particularly necessary given that some pensioners had to travel long distances to reach their verification centres. For elderly men and women, such journeys come with physical and financial strain. By recognising these realities and easing the burden, the government has shown that pensioners deserve dignity, not disdain.

Beyond this laudable act of consideration, the authorities must reflect on the very structure of pension verification. The era of compelling retirees to be physically present for routine verification should be reconsidered. With digital tools and innovation, the government can adopt systems that capture and confirm data without the stress of physical assembly. This is crucial for pensioners residing in other states or even abroad.

While we acknowledge the importance of verification in cleaning up pension records, we cannot ignore the darker side of the matter. It is regrettable that some allowances continue to be paid to deceased pensioners, with relatives fraudulently collecting the funds. The latest biometrics, thankfully, exposed some of these sharp practices. The exercise, therefore, is not only about order but also about justice.

We urge families of deceased pensioners to be patriotic enough to inform the government of the deaths of their loved ones. It is deeply shameful that in some instances, individuals attempted to impersonate late pensioners during the biometrics. Such behaviour undermines the spirit of honesty and deprives genuine retirees of their due entitlements.

The exercise also revealed another important area of concern: the health of pensioners. It is reassuring to learn that the state government has reportedly promised to take over the medical treatment of some retirees who arrived for the biometrics in critical condition. This is a step in the right direction. Elderly citizens, after years of service, should have access to special health care facilities in the state. Setting aside hospitals or designated centres for the aged is not just desirable but necessary.

While pension payments in Rivers State have remained consistent, attention must now be directed towards gratuities. Senior citizens deserve to receive their retirement benefits without the bureaucratic hitches that have often marred the process. After years of loyal service, nothing is more demoralising than to see retirees languish for want of their gratuities. Every worker, as Scripture reminds us, is worthy of his wage.

Retirement, in any civilised society, should not be reduced to a sentence of suffering. In dealing with pensioners, government must consistently wear a human face. The humane manner displayed during this verification exercise should not be a one-off. It must become the norm in all dealings with retirees. Measures must continually be put in place to ensure that they do not feel abandoned by the state they served.

One welcome innovation has already been introduced. The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has altered the method of gratuity payment. Pensioners now receive their monies directly into their bank accounts, eliminating the cheque-based system that for years served as fertile ground for corruption. This reform is both pragmatic and forward-looking. Similarly, the implementation of the N32,000 pension harmonisation is also commendable.

Direct payments gratuities ensure transparency and drastically reduce the possibility of diversion of funds. More importantly, they restore confidence in the system and assure pensioners that their entitlements will reach them without interference. In this way, the government has not only safeguarded the process but also upheld the principle of accountability.

Seamless gratuity payment has a ripple effect on the workforce as a whole. When workers are confident that retirement will not plunge them into hardship, the temptation to falsify age in order to remain in service is eliminated. Such reforms, therefore, enhance efficiency, honesty, and productivity in the public service.

In sum, the Rivers State Government has struck a refreshing chord in its handling of pension verification. It has shown empathy, innovation, and accountability. However, the momentum must be sustained, and the focus must shift towards modernising verification methods and prioritising retirees’ welfare in health, gratuity, and dignity.

When retirees are treated with compassion and fairness, the message to those still in service is clear: faithful service to the state will not go unrewarded. The humane verification exercise, though a single event, offers a hopeful glimpse of what governance can look like when people, especially the elderly, are placed at the heart of policy.