Kogi: Group Rejects Gov Bello’s SIEC Nominees

The Initiative for Grassroot Advancement, INGRA, has criticized the list of Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello as a members of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC).
The Governor through his Chief Press Secretary in a statement last Wednesday night had forwarded eight names to the State House of Assembly, for screening and clearance which was expected to take place yesterday at the hallowed chamber.
The SIEC nominees as submitted by the Governor to the House include; Lawal Shiru, Chairman Lokoja/Koto Federal Constituency
Ozovehe John Enesi ,Secretary Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency, Adaji Ainoko, Member Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency.
Others are Musa Adama (Babakeke), Member Idah Federal Constituency, Hon. Funsho Olorunfemi, Member Kabba/Bunu Federal Constituency, Chogudo Yakubu Musa, Member Okene/Ogori Magongo Federal Constituency, Hon. Labaran Yahaya Oyigebe, Member Ankpa Federal Constituency and Abdulkarim Jamiu, Member Ajaokuta Federal Constituency.
The Governor’s recommendation is based on section 197, sub-section 1(b) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The responsibility of the SIEC is to conduct free, fair and credible Local Government and Council polls in the state.
Reacting to the composition of SIEC, the Executive Director of INGRA, Hamza Aliyu in a statement yesterday lamented that, the Kogi State Government wants to appoint card-carrying members of a political party that will have vested interest in the outcome of the elections, as members of the Commission and most importantly as the Chairperson of the commission.
Aliyu observed that, this will certainly be providing undue advantage to the political party and will certainly not provide the needed perception of fairness and level playing field needed for a credible election.