Politics
CAN, JNI Warn INEC, Security Agencies On Kogi Polls
Religious leaders in Kogi State, have warned the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies not to compromise the November 16 governorship election in the state.
The religious leaders, who gave the warning in Lokoja last Saturday during a stakeholders’ interactive session, said the rising tension in the state was an indication that all was not well with the people, INEC and the security agencies.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Jama’tu Nasril Islam, Council of Ulamah, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and other stakeholders.
They insisted that the only way to avoid violence during the election was to create a level playing field for all candidates and for results to reflect the wish of the people.
The State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop John Ubenu, said the lukewarm attitude of the group to the election was due to certain things that happened during the last general elections.
He said: “Some of the things that happened during the last elections discouraged us, but as elders, we have decided to move forward.
“We all know what to do and what to say, but the problem is with the implementation.”
He said CAN deployed observers to monitor the elections but expressed shock that those trained by the commission to conduct the last general elections were replaced.
The cleric said the biggest problem facing elections in Nigeria was at the collation centres where he claimed INEC and security officials “see an election not as a national issue but pocket issue”.
He said Nigeria was ripe for electronic voting, urging the National Assembly to work towards realising it.
The State Chairman of the JNI, Usman Bello, said the success of the election depends on INEC, police and the parties.
Bello said the only way to avoid violence in the election was to ensure justice, fairness and creation of a level playing field for all parties.
He added: “If they (government) are interested in peace, they should work for peace. The election must not be compromised.
“Let us not disturb peace, if you disturb peace, what you get is your own.”
Another speaker at the event, Alhaji Zaak Aliyu, claimed attempts were being made to compromise the election, saying some politicians had been sharing money.
He suggested INEC should facilitate a meeting between religious leaders, police and parties towards ensuring a peaceful election.
Chairman, state CAN youth wing, Pastor Alfred Owoyemi, stressed the need for the commission to warn its officials not to commercialise the election.
The State Secretary, JNI, Alhaji Isa Adeboye, suggested the use of common uniform for the security officials that would be on duty on Election Day to frustrate attempts by politicians to recruit fake security officers.
The state Resident Electoral Commission, Prof James Apam, assured the people that their votes would count in the coming election.
The former two-term governor went down memory lane to recall how they founded the APC but were used and dumped.
In his words, “…those calling on us to join APC, we have agreed to join the APC but on clear agreement that protects and respects the interest of my party, NNPP and my political movement, Kwankwasiyya. No state where you go that you don’t have NNPP and Kwankwasiyya. We have gubernatorial candidates, senatorial candidates and others.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us.
“We were among the founding fathers of the APC and endured significant persecution from various security agencies while challenging the previous administration.
“Yet when the party assumed power, we received no recognition or appreciation for our sacrifices, simply because we didn’t originate from their original faction.
“We are not in a hurry to leave the NNPP; we are enjoying and have peace of mind. But if some want a political alliance that would not disappoint us like in the past, we are open to an alliance. Even if it is the PDP that realised their mistakes, let’s enter an agreement that will be made public,” Sen. Kwankwaso stated.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing claims that he once sought to extend his tenure in office, insisting he never pursued a third term.
Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Chief Obasanjo said there is no Nigerian, living or dead, who can truthfully claim he solicited support for a third term agenda.
“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” the former president declared.
Chief Obasanjo argued that he had proven his ability to secure difficult national goals, citing Nigeria’s debt relief during his administration as a much greater challenge than any third term ambition.
“I keep telling them that if I could get debt relief, which was more difficult than getting a third term, then if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he said.
He further cautioned against leaders who overstay in power, stressing that the belief in one’s indispensability is a “sin against God.”
On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan said any leader who failed to perform would be voted out of office if proper elections were conducted.
Describing electoral manipulation as one of the biggest threats to democracy in Africa, he said unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform democracy, it may collapse in Africa.
He added that leaders must commit to the kind of democracy that guarantees a great future for the children where their voices matter.
He said: “Democracy in Africa continent is going through a period of strain and risk collapse unless stakeholders came together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa.
“We in Africa must begin to look at our democracy and rethink it in a way that works well for us and our people. One of the problems is our electoral system. People manipulate the process to remain in power by all means.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want good education. Our people want security. They want access to good healthcare. They want jobs. They want dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned.”
The dialogue was also attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto diocese of Catholic Church among others who all stressed that democracy in Africa must go beyond elections to include accountability, service, and discipline.
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
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