Politics
Ijaw Organisations Insist On Credible Council, Guber Polls In Bayelsa
Some Ijaw organisations in the Niger Delta have insisted that the impending local government council and gubernatorial elections scheduled for August 10 and November 16, respectively should be devoid of electoral manipulations.
The organisations made up of the Ijaw Elders’ Forum, Ijaw Professionals’ Association, the Ijaw Nation Forum, Ijaw Women Connect and the Embasara Foundation, made the call in a joint statement made available to newsmen in Lagos.
The statement, signed by Mr Efiye Bribena, noted with dismay the numerous disturbing signals arising in relation to the upcoming local government elections earlier scheduled for July, but now put-off till August 10.
“We note the importance of a virile local government system, and the enshrinement of a democratic electoral process by the 1999 Nigerian Constitution for local governments.
“And with the impending governorship election in the state, we find it pertinent to call on all relevant government authorities, especially the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) and the Bayelsa Government, to take every necessary precaution for the conduct of rancour-free elections.
“That will earn the trust of the electorate, avoid blood-letting and genuinely bring government closer to the people,’’ the statement said.
The organisations stressed that it was pertinent for critical stakeholders in Bayelsa to close ranks, to ensure that the elections are not hijacked by mischief makers.
“This serves to also remind all political parties, civil society platforms and the general Bayelsa populace to be vigilant against any attempt to deny the people the benefit of the constitutional guarantee of a democratically elected local government system.
“Every lawful step must be pursued to enforce our collective vigilance in the local government council elections and the gubernatorial polls later in the year.
The Ijaw organisations also condemned the sudden resignation of the Chairman of BSIEC, Dr Perekeme Bertola, on grounds of alleged life threats.
They criticised the immediate appointment of Mr Ball Oyarede as the new Chairman of BSIEC.
“The sudden resignation of Dr Perekeme Bertola as chairman of BSIEC, only a few weeks to the local government elections calls for a full investigation.
“This should be followed promptly by the prosecution of identified culprits, if any. We demand nothing less from the state government.
“We urge the Bayelsa government to address the misgivings expressed against the appointment of Mr Ball Oyarede as the new chairman of BSIEC, based on allegations that he is a member of the ruling party in the state.
“This will help to avoid a credibility trap for the elections, more so as 32 political parties have threatened to boycott the polls if his appointment is not reversed and a clearly neutral person appointed to the Office,’’ the statement said.
The body warned that all participants must play by the rules to ensure free and credible elections during and after the elections.
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
As the news of the defection of 17 members of Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to make the rounds, a cross section of Rivers people who spoke to The Tide have expressed varying views regarding the development.
At Etche, a senior lecturer with the Rivers State University, who did not want his name in print, said even though defection was the right of politicians, peace and stability remained more fundamental than any action that could further challenge the fragile political situation in the state at the moment.
He also warned that the situation should not be used to witch-hunt any one, adding that the state had suffered enough and needed to be at peace.
In his reaction, Engr Polycarp Geoffrey said even though citizens and residents of the state had cause to be concerned about the decision of the lawmakers, there was nothing to worry about if it was done in good faith.
“I don’t think there is any big deal about it – defection is defection. But people are worried because of past events in the state. So, for me, I don’t see anything about it”, he said.
Engr Geoffrey also urged the Governor Siminalayi Fubara to also openly declare political affiliation in a bid to douse the political tension in the state and to provide clarity regarding his future political direction.
Another respondent, Mr Ebere Alex, alleged ulterior motive behind the law makers’ defection but urged both the law makers and the governor to work for the peace and development of the state.
However, speaking on the development, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Hon Nname Ewor, told The Tide that said his party would reach out to the remaining lawmakers who have not defected.
He also denied an alleged internal squabble within the PDP, adding that there was no crisis in the party.
It would be recalled that 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, during plenary last Friday, announced their migration from the PDP to the APC, citing internal party crisis.
Other members who also defected were the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Dumle Maol, representing Gokana Constituency; House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akulga Constituency 1 and Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, representing Okrika Constituency; Hon. Solomon Wami, Port Harcourt Constituency 1 and Hon Granville Tekena Wellington representing Asari Toru Constituency 1; Hon. Ofiks Kagbang, representing Andoni Constituency; Hon. Peter Abbey representing Degema Constituency; Hon. Arnold Dennis representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency; Hon. Chimezie Nwankwor representing Etche Constituency 2 and Hon. Franklin Nwabochi representing Onelga Constituency 1.
The rest were, Hon. Azeru Opara, representing Port Harcourt Constituency 3; Hon. Smart Adoki representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2; Hon. Igwe Afforji ,Eleme Constituency and Hon. Lolo Opuende representing Akuku Toru Constituency 2.
By: John Bibor
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