Politics
INEC Should Consider Airlifting Of Election Materials To Difficult Terrains – Herbert-Miller
As part of measures to overcome the perennial issue of late arrival of electoral materials to voting points in the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been urged to consider the option of distributing sensitive materials by air to these areas.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Power, Hon. Damiete Herbert-Miller, made the call while lamenting the late arrival of INEC officials and election materials to parts of Degema Local Government Area, including his country home, Ogurama.
Hon. Herbert-Miller, who spoke with The Tide after casting his vote in last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections at Ogurama (Old Bakana), said there was need for a new approach to logistics arrangements by the election management body in order to change the ugly narrative at every election circle.
He said one way of addressing the problem would be to dispatch non sensitive materials and electoral officials to the hard to reach localities, at least, a day ahead of time while the sensitive materials could be airlifted to these areas on election day.
“Materials got to my community, Ogurama, Ward 17, Degema, as late as 12:30pm while accreditation and voting started by 1:30pm across the various units. That’s why I score them (INEC) 50 per cent and I hope that they improve in the next election”, he said.
“In Degema Local Government Area, out of the 17 Wards, 13 are not motorable. Secondly, the 13 Wards that are not motorable are more easily accessible from Port Harcourt. But then, you take materials from CBN in Port Harcourt and take to various LGA headquarters, in this case Degema, and when materials are distributed, you bring them back to Port Harcourt before taking them to their various Wards. There is no way that is not going to take much of your voting time.
“I have talked about Ward 17 (where I come from) where Ogurama is just directly opposite Rumuolumeni, just three minutes from Rumuolumeni actually, and the other half of Ward 17 which is Ke is down in the ocean, just two/three kilometers from Bonny.
“How can these two communities vote at the same time when the same SPO brings materials here before he goes to Ke, or he goes to Ke before he comes to Ogurama?
“So, it’s a very difficult situation for us and I had advocated to INEC to distribute our materials from the CBN or from the INEC office at Aba Road so that we don’t need to go to Degema and then come back. But they have refused to listen and would not make adequate logistics arrangement”, he said.
On his assessment of the general conduct of the exercise, Hon. Herbert-Miller said it was peaceful and devoid of violence.
While expressing the hope that the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections coming up on Saturday, March 11 will be conducted under the same atmosphere, he appealed to INEC to be more tidy in their logistics arrangements.
By: Opaka Dokubo
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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