Nation
Stakeholders Advocate Severe Sanctions For Electoral Violence
Stakeholders have called for severe punishment for sponsors of thuggery and electoral violence, ahead of the 2023 General Elections.
A cross section of those interviewed by The Tide’s source on Monday in Abuja, said decisive action must be taken against electoral violence to ensure hitch-free general elections.
National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA), Chief Kenneth Udeze, said perpetrators of electoral violence must be sanctioned according to law, to serve as deterrent to others.
“Our approach is to keep advising the youth and all the citizens on the negative impacts of violence.
“However, they will have to go further on this issue of peace accord that was signed most recently by all the political parties with presidential candidates.
“We have to go beyond the accord. We have to find a way of legal sanctions possibly, if people are proven to have been involved in orchestrating issues that have to do or led to violence,” he said.
Udeze advised political actors in the 2023 General Elections to strive hard to prevent violence in whatever form.
“You can only know the beginning of a war, no one can predict when it will end or the consequences.
“Violence cannot do anyone good. When you start from one state, you think it is an easy thing, but by the time it starts developing, by the time other interests are building, it spreads all over the country, and that is what leads to civil disorder or war.
“So, we have to do everything possible to make sure that violence does not thrive in this election.
“Nobody knows who is going to die tomorrow. If are orchestrating it you don’t know if the bullet will hit your wife somewhere, or your sister, or your brother,” he said.
According to Udeze therefore, Nigerians should work diligently and in unity as a people to ensure that the 2023 General Elections become the driving force that will bring citizens to the new Nigeria of everybody’s dream.
He said his party, the AA, was committed to ensuring peaceful conduct of the poll and would continue to appeal to its members and supporters, even up to the grassroots, to be law abiding, shun violence and play by the rules.
“In AA, we consider ourselves as a silent majority and underdog. People may not know what we are doing, but the candidate we are giving Nigerians, Dr Hamza Al Mustapha, knows this country very well, we know what we are doing.
“We are embarking on our campaign very diligently without name calling. So we call on people to always find a way to engage on issue-based campaigns.
“With that, our supporters all over Nigeria are doing the job which we have actually asked them to do. And we are doing it as a silent majority,” he said.
Mr Yabagi Sani, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), was also of the same view, and urged all political actors, especially politicians, to shun violence for smooth conduct of the poll.
“The fact of the matter is that the biggest and immediate losers when democracy fails are the politicians, not the public really.
“It is later the public suffers for it, but the immediate casualties when democracy fails is the politician.
“So for that reason, we have to shun anything that will affect the smooth conduct of elections because it matters to us,” Sani said.
The IPAC chairman expressed concern over what he described as the emerging negative signals against a peaceful and credible 2023 election.
He listed the signals to include the use of money with impunity, during the last off-season governorship election in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun, in breach of the provisions of the Electoral Act and other extant laws.
“Also, IPAC leadership has noted the spikes in the use of divisive languages and hate speeches by several chieftains and spokespersons of some of the political parties in the mass media, and at political rallies,” he said.
He said that efforts were ongoing by IPAC to address irresponsible and reckless utterances capable of heating up the polity, with the potential of igniting mutual hate, animosity and violence in the country.
“To deepen the roots of democracy and good governance, violence in all its ramifications must be uprooted from the political space.
“We are in this regard, calling on the nation’s security agencies and other relevant bodies to gear up in the performance of their statutory responsibilities professionally and objectively,” he added.
The National Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Victor Okoye, on his part, expressed optimism that the 2023 poll would not witness violence in any form.
“I believe 2023 election is going to be peaceful. Every act of man is within the confines of God’s providential authority. No man can change what God has written,” Okoye said.
He advised Nigerians to remain firm and play politics without bitterness.
“Let us remain firm, avoid violence and money bags during elections. Vote according to your conscience. Vote for sustainable democracy. Vote for a good a good government you will get a good result,” he said.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the National Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), cautioned political parties and their supporters against violence, saying it could further complicate the security situation in the country.
“Parties, candidates and their supporters should not by acts of commission or omission, further complicate the prevailing security situation in the country,” Yakubu said.
The INEC helmsman expressed sadness over the recent clashes among party supporters in some states, describing it as worrisome.
“Even as the commission is working hard to ensure a credible process in the forthcoming elections, reports of clashes among parties and their supporters in some states of the country during the ongoing electioneering campaign are worrisome.
“So too is the reported denial of access to public facilities for parties and candidates in some states of the federation.
“Let me caution parties and their supporters to focus on issues and steer clear of attacks on each other.
“These are not only violations of the Electoral Act, 2022, but also negate the voluntary commitment by all political parties and candidates to the letter and spirit of the peace accord signed about three weeks ago under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC),” he said.
The INEC chairman therefore reiterated that a peaceful electioneering campaign was critical to the conduct of peaceful and credible elections.
“At our consultative meeting few days ago, leaders of political parties in Nigeria also complained about the denial of access to public facilities and exorbitant charges in some states for the use of such facilities for the dissemination of their campaign materials, messages and rallies.
“These attacks and denials are a violation of the Electoral Act 2022 and ominous signs of what will follow as the campaigns enter critical stages.
“They may also be a prelude to violence on Election Day and beyond. We should tackle the smoke before it snowballs into a major inferno.
Yakubu urged security agencies on effective enforcement of law to curb the issue of vote buying, violence and other menace that could affect the peaceful conduct of the 2023 General Elections.
“The effective enforcement of our electoral law is the best way to deal with the menace. We should work together to ensure the arrest and prosecution of violators of the provisions of especially Sections 92 – 93 of the Electoral Act 2022.”
Yakubu said that ahead of the 2023 general election, INEC would continue to appraise the security situation in the country and its possible impact on the conduct of the election.
“We are right now working to harmonise our Election Risk Management (ERM) and Election Violence Mitigation and Advocacy Tool (EVMAT), for a more effective risk assessment and mitigation measures ahead of the general election.
“We will continue to share information with the security agencies and most importantly, work together to ensure that elections hold peacefully nationwide as scheduled,” he said.
Nation
NCSU Hails Tinubu’s Intervention in Rivers Crisis
The Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his intervention in the political rift between Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, describing the move as timely, strategic and crucial to restoring stability in the State.
The union also urged members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to reciprocate the President’s peace efforts by working harmoniously with Governor Fubara to promote good governance and political stability.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Chairman of the NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, said President Tinubu’s intervention has demonstrated responsible national leadership and reaffirmed his role as a unifying figure.
According to Osumah, the President’s action followed a formal appeal by the union calling for federal intervention in the protracted political crisis, a response he said clearly showed Tinubu’s concern for peace and development in Rivers State.
“By intervening at this critical moment, Mr President has done what was long expected of him as the father of the nation. His action has laid to rest doubts and speculations about his commitment to restoring peace and political stability in Rivers State,” Osumah said.
He expressed satisfaction that the intervention had effectively halted impeachment threats against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, noting that the development provides an opportunity for sober reflection and a renewed focus on governance.
Osumah said the resolution of the dispute would allow the governor to concentrate fully on delivering dividends of democracy and advancing development across the oil-rich State.
While acknowledging the political realities in Rivers State, the NCSU chairman said he had no objections to the recognition of Chief Wike as the political leader in the State, while Governor Fubara remains the constitutionally elected governor.
“The most important thing is peace. All parties must sheathe their swords and embrace reconciliation in the overall interest of Rivers people,” he said.
He appealed to lawmakers, particularly those aligned with Wike, to act in good faith by complying with the presidential directive to drop all impeachment plots and work collaboratively with the executive arm of government.
According to him, a harmonious relationship between the legislature and the executive would create opportunities for effective lawmaking, smooth execution of constituency projects and improved service delivery to citizens.
Osumah further advised the lawmakers to set aside emotions and sentiments and conduct themselves in line with democratic norms and legislative rules of engagement, warning that actions capable of destabilising governance would no longer be tolerated by the President.
He also noted that the President’s peace initiative has paved the way for lawmakers to fully relocate to the new Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, commending Governor Fubara for completing and equipping the facility to support effective legislative work.
Expressing optimism about the future, Osumah said Governor Fubara was disposed to reconciliation and would readily respond to genuine peace overtures from the lawmakers in the interest of the collective wellbeing of the State.
He concluded by thanking President Tinubu for once again demonstrating his commitment to Rivers State, urging all political actors to align with the presidential directive and prioritise stability, good governance and public service.
Nation
Group Tasks Rivers Govt To Establish Foundation In Honour Of Onyeishi Etche, Oche ENB Opurum
A sociocultural group in the Etche ethnic nationality of Rivers State, the ELGA Committee of Friends, has called on the Rivers State Government to establish a foundation in honour of His Eminence, Oche ENB Opurum, the Onyeishi Etche and the only surviving member of the founding fathers of Rivers State.
The call was made by the Mayor of the group, Eze Charles Nweke, during an exclusive interview in Port Harcourt. Nweke described Oche ENB Opurum as a symbol of sacrifice, resilience and commitment to the struggle that led to the creation of Rivers State, stressing that such historic contributions should not be allowed to fade into obscurity.
According to him, honouring Oche ENB Opurum would amount to honouring the collective sacrifices of the founding fathers of the state, while also serving as motivation to younger generations that selfless service to society is valued and remembered.
“To keep the memories of the founding fathers alive, the only surviving member needs to be properly honoured. That is why we are calling on the state government to set up a foundation in honour of Oche ENB Opurum,” Nweke said.
He added that beyond symbolic recognition, the government should also consider incentives and welfare support for families of the founding fathers of Rivers State, noting that some of them are currently living in difficult conditions.
Nweke warned that neglecting the families of those who fought for the state’s creation could discourage future generations from making similar sacrifices for society and the nation at large. He urged both government and non-governmental organisations to take practical steps to preserve the legacy of the state’s founders through institutional support, scholarships, and historical documentation.
Meanwhile, the ELGA Committee of Friends has commended the Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Chief Chima Boniface Njoku, for what it described as proactive and people-oriented leadership. Nweke noted that Njoku is the first chairman since the creation of the council to embark on comprehensive assessment tours across communities in the local government area.
He said the tour reflects the chairman’s commitment to grassroots development, adding that communities across Etche are already feeling the impact of his administration, particularly in the ongoing grading and rehabilitation of roads across Etcheland.
The group also passed a vote of confidence on the Executive Chairman of Omuma Local Government Area, Hon. Uchechukwu Obasi, praising his developmental strides and governance style.
According to Nweke, the leadership of both council chairmen has brought pride to the Etche nation, assuring them of the continued support of the group as they work to deliver dividends of democracy to their people.
Nation
Registrar Bags Award Of Honour Urges Students To Prioritise Academics
The Registrar of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Port Harcourt, Dr Ajie Chinonye, has charged Nigerian students, particularly those at the postgraduate level, to remain focused on academic excellence and eschew all forms of violence, cultism and social vices that undermine scholarship and societal development.
Dr. Ajie gave the charge while receiving an Award of Honour from the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union, led by its President, Barrister Chidi Enyi, during a courtesy visit to him in his office.
He stressed that the primary purpose of studentship is the pursuit of knowledge, noting that academic excellence must be pursued with vigour and commitment. According to him, involvement in cultism, examination malpractice and other social vices poses serious danger not only to the university system but to society at large.
The Registrar reaffirmed that IAUE, under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Okechuku Onuchuku, maintains zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractice and all acts inimical to the smooth running of the institution.
Dr. Ajie further urged postgraduate students to see themselves as role models, saying they have a responsibility to lead by example for undergraduates and younger scholars to emulate.
“As postgraduate students, you are expected to prove yourselves as the best in character, conduct and academics. Society looks up to you to demonstrate excellence in all standards,” he said.
Drawing from his personal experience, Dr. Ajie disclosed that his background as a student unionist contributed significantly to his leadership journey, encouraging the students to leverage their positions to make positive impacts in society.
He also advised the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union to strengthen collaboration with Deans of Graduate Studies across institutions in the state, noting that such partnerships would enhance effective administration and help the union achieve its objectives.
While commending the union for its unity and commitment to promoting students’ welfare and scholarship, the Registrar assured them of the university management’s continued support towards initiatives that advance academic growth and student wellbeing.
In his remarks, the President of the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union, Barrister Chidi Enyi, said the award was conferred on Dr. Ajie in recognition of his outstanding track record, commitment to educational development and exemplary service to humanity.
He expressed appreciation to the Registrar for his support for postgraduate students and promotion of academic excellence, adding that the union was proud to identify and work with leaders who prioritize education and student welfare.
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