Politics
2023: Stakeholders Task INEC On Smooth Polls
Political stakeholders in Plateau State have advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure timely preparation towards more credible general elections in 2023.
The stakeholders gave the advice last Monday at a Post-Election Community Dialogue, organised by the Centre for Advocacy of Justice and Rights (CAJR) in Jos, in conjunction with other international agencies.
Some of the stakeholders identified poor preparation on the part of INEC, failure of smart card readers, vote buying, under-age voting, as some of the major challenges faced during the just concluded general polls.
They, therefore, called for a total overhaul of the electoral system.
Mr Steve Aluko, a public affairs analyst, called on INEC to begin building a more sustainable synergy with relevant organisations and engage critical stakeholders at all levels to ensure free, fair and credible polls come 2023.
Aluko also called for a total reform of the electoral law in order to address some loopholes that often hindered a smooth electoral process in the country.
The analyst, who frowned at the late preparations by the electoral umpire, called for timely approval and release of budgetary allocation to the commission to enable it make adequate preparations for elections.
“For us to have credible and successful elections in 2023, there must be total overhaul of the entire electoral system in Nigeria.
“INEC as the electoral umpire, must begin to build and sustain strong synergy with organisations, both government and private, and critical stakeholders at different levels to ensure peaceful and successful polls.
“Government must ensure timely approval and release of the commission’s budgetary allocation to enable it prepare adequately for the task of conducting free, fair and credible elections in the country
“So, the right time for INEC to prepare for 2023 elections is now, not three months to the conduct of the polls,” Aluko advised.
On his part, Mr Bulus Shanding, Programme Officer, Plateau Chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JNAPWDs) called for the inclusion of the persons with disabilities in the electoral process.
Shanding commended INEC for modalities put in place to ensure the PWDs participated in the just concluded polls, but noted however, that the arrangements were inadequate.
“No doubt INEC did well in giving the PWDs first class attention during the just concluded general elections compared to previous ones, but it was not enough as most of our members were disenfranchised.
“So, my call on INEC is to ensure that PWDs are carried along during the 2023 General Elections because they are also part of the society and have the right to vote and be voted for,” he said.
On her part, Miss Chudung Sheku of the Youth Initiative Against Violence and Human Rights Abuse (YIAVHA) called on INEC, political parties and all critical stakeholders to engage in aggressive electoral education.
Sheku noted also that electoral education for the just concluded polls was poor.
“There was poor sensitisation of citizens before the 2019 General Elections, and that has affected the smooth conduct of the polls.
“So, I want to call on INEC to ensure timely and adequate sensitisation of people before the 2023 polls,” she said.
She further called on the security agencies to begin immediate training of its personnel on professionalism towards ensuring peaceful and successful polls in 2023.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Miss Etty Peter, the Executive Director of CAJR, said the meeting was aimed at reviewing the challenges faced during the 2019 General Elections with a view to proffering possible solutions.
“We are stakeholders in our various communities and orgnaisations, so, we are here to brainstorm on our experiences during the just concluded polls,” Peter said.
That the event was in conjunction with the International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES) with support from UK Agency for International Development (UKAID) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (UKAID).
NAN also reports that the meeting had community and religious leaders, PWDs, CSOs, the Media, and security agents as participants.
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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