Politics
Stakeholders Decry Rigorous Voter Registration Process
As the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) continues to witness large turnout in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of Rivers State, some local government areas have lamented the rigorous process and journey to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)”.
Stakeholders from Ikwerre, Emohua, Khana, Degema and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas decried the difficulty in moving to the INEC headquarters in their local governments from their villages and communities, appealing for remedial measures.
Some who spoke to The Tide over the weekend complained that the INEC local government headquarters is far from most of the villages and communities, as they urged the electoral body to bring the exercise close to some communities.
The Rivers State Chairman of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Deacon Princewill Enyi, said the INEC office is at Emohua, and villages like Akpobe, Elele Alimini,Obele,Ibaa, Egbeda and Ubimini are far from the local government area and it may cause some disadvantages for persons from the areas to conveniently register.
Enyi urged the commission to adopt a system whereby those who came from far distance could be attended to, avoid fear among others.
According to him,’’ if a person from Ubimini decided to register and he or she gets there and maybe he is attended to, it may be difficult for such a person to make another journey considering the distance.
“Such person’s experience may discourage others. We should also know that majority of those parcipating in the exercise are mostly those that had recently attained 18 years of age. Among this group of persons,majority still live under their parents and are sponsored by their parents’’, he said.
Also, the Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)said already those from Woji,Rumuola, Rumueme and Oginigba are finding it difficult to move to the registration centre, adding that some who attended could not be registered due to crowd problem.
He urged the commission to see how it can consider some of the local governments that are large but commending the exercise and the time frame which will end in 2019.
According to him, this is a welcome development. “The commission is moving ahead with new innovations but they should consider local governments that have huge voters and larger populations’’.
‘’Obio/Akpor is large,it would be disappointing for someone coming from Rukpokwu, Eneka, Rumuolumini, Ogbogoro, Ozuoba to be going to Rumuokoro on daily bases. We plead that INEC should reconsider and give considerations to some local government due to their populations’’, he said.
Those at Kula and other oceanic areas are not left behind as they complained that the process of moving to Abonnema for the exercise is tedious.
It would be recalled that some party stakeholders had during the flag off, urged INEC to decentralize the process to enable the people conveniently access and participate in the exercise.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
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.
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