News
Local Govt Elections As A Referendum
The much-awaited local government elections in Rivers State would become a reality, by the Grace of God on the 5th of October, 2024. From all indications, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission would fulfil one of the landmark political directives of Governor Siminalayi Fubara on that date.
In the midst of unexpected distractions and challenges from the direction of the immediate past Governor of the state, Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, it became absolutely necessary that Fubara must visibly assume control of the structures of government and governance which the former Governor had claimed to be under his control and even dared that they should not be tampered with.
That was inspite of the fact that Local Governments constitute a tier of government as contained in the Nigerian Constitution, just as other tiers of government like the Federal and State Governments.
Indeed, the Nyerishi Mbam as Wike is being currently addressed by his supporters surprisingly claimed that those whom he claimed to have fixed as Chairmen and Councillors of the 23 local government areas were members of his political structure and should remain untouched even after the end of his tenure.
To affirm that ridiculous claim, another arm of Wike’s superficial structures, the defected House of Assembly members, also purportedly enacted a law to extend the tenure of the chairmen and Councillors for a period of six months
That seemed to have broken the patience and tolerance of Governor Similayi Fubara to call off the bluff of Nyesom Wike and put the issue of the Local Governments on its proper perspective.
Secondly, it became absolutely necessary to conduct local government elections after the Supreme Court’s decision for the direct funding of all Local Governments in the country.
The apex court had clearly directed that only democratically elected Local Governments would be entitled to the allocations.
That was basically the reason to justify the holding of the elections which are also being held in other States around the country.
The supporters of the former Governor failed to make any justifiable case against the appointment of Care Taker Committees in the respective Local Government Areas to manage the affairs of that tier of government and avoid a vacuum while awaiting the election of substantive office holders.
Most previous administrations in the State had carried out similar exercises when the need arises including. the Wike administration.
It would be recalled that when the initial preparations for the Local Government elections were announced, the two parties of” a leprous hand”, as the Late Senior Advocate, Bola Ige would say, the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressive Congress in the State announced their intention not to participate in the elections.
The reason for that decision was not farfetched because the two parties were and being controlled by the former Governor, Nyesom Wike.
Chukwuemeka Aaron, the Chairman of Wike’s arm of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state repeated the party’s stand not to contest the elections.
However, the boycott of the elections by the Tony Okocha faction of the APC does not diminish the wide acceptance of the forthcoming elections. About 20 registered parties are falling over themselves on their decision to participate in the elections.
The elections would produce 23 Local Government Council Chairmen and almost 400 councillors.
Already, the State is agog with campaigns by the candidates and their respective parties, going round all the nooks and crannies of all the wards in the local governments.
Pundits are already predicting that voters would be more excited to participate in an election that is being touted as the most credible than previous and similar exercises ever held in the State.
Indeed, Tony Okocha, the most vitriolic critic of Governor Siminalayi Fubara had openly stated in a news interview that during their time, when he was the Chief of Staff in one of the previous administrations, they were writing the results or outcome of the elections in the (his) office rather than allowing the appropriate body, the Electoral Commission to do its job.
Contrary to that infamous practice, the Fubara administration had declared not to be involved in the electoral process.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, has indicated that it is on ground and it is adequately prepared for the elections.
The Rivers State citizenry is massively informed and educated on the need to turn-out in their thousand to vote for their candidates in all the wards and local governments of the States.
The parties and their candidates are demonstrating a positive sense of democracy which was so much lacking during the last Presidential and Legislative elections.
In view of the wide public acceptance of the elections, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission is being expected to produce a free, fair and transparent election.
Political pundits are pointing out an interesting scenario, arguing that the positive approval given to the holding of the elections is clearly transmuting to a referendum to finally nail the political reality on ground that a greater majority of people in Rivers State are solidly behind Governor Siminalayi Fubara in his policies, programmes and projects.
Those in this school of thought believe that despite the distractions, intimidations and blackmails from his political opponents, Sim is steadfastly carrying out his projects and programmes unperturbed.
Their argument is that the elections should equally rate as a referendum of approval for SIM.
The massive enlightenment programmes of the various Simplified movement are yielding positive results and political consciousness in the Rivers political space,
The Simplified Movement is present in all the Local Government Areas of the State. There is also the senior citizens’ version that is called the Supreme Council for Sim.
Indeed, there are numerous support groups for SIM, to the extent that it is being openly advertised that the Governor’s entry to politics has agitated and uprooted a political culture that was enmeshed in docility and disinterest in politics and its negative colorations we had witnessed in the past.
That is the reason why the elections could be tagged as a referendum of sorts.
Amabipi Martins
Elder Martins is former General Manager of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation resides in Port Harcourt.
The Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBE) has trained 1,000 newly recruited teachers with a view to raising standards in public primary and junior secondary schools in the state.
The two-day orientation and capacity building programme held in Port Harcourt introduced the teachers to civil service rules, classroom management practices, and professional conduct expected of educators in the state.
The State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, told the newly recruited teachers that teaching demands more than academic qualifications, and called for discipline, diligence, and a strong commitment to service.
He described teaching as a noble profession that is central to the development of the state.
The recruitment, he said, reflects the government’s investment in children and long-term development.
“Education is the foundation of societal progress, and basic education is where that foundation is laid,” Nwagor stated.
He urged the teachers to shape the values and character of pupils during their most formative years.
He pledged continued support from the Ministry of Education through training, resources, and an environment that allows teachers to perform effectively.
Nwagor directed RSUBEB to reject transfer requests from rural to urban schools, saying the newly employed teachers have an obligation to serve where they are posted and help strengthen education in those communities.
In his opening remarks, the RSUBEB Chairman, Hon. Sam Oge, explained that the recruitment process began in 2023 under the previous board, adding that after assuming office, he consulted widely and secured Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s approval to complete the exercise.
Oge said the selection was competitive, with 1,000 candidates chosen from more than 5,000 applicants, and urged the teachers to treat the opportunity seriously and avoid lobbying for reposting.
He directed the teachers to resume at their assigned schools immediately, saying request for reposting will not be entertained.
The former RSUBEB Chairman, Ven. Dr. Fyneface Akah, who delivered the keynote address, described the orientation as the teachers’ formal entry into the civil service.
He urged them to be creative, purposeful, and open to learning on the job.
Akah stressed that teachers have a role in restoring values lost to moral decline, and urged them to model national values and see their work as a calling with lasting impact on the society.
He thanked the State Government for approving the recruitment, noting that the exercise will improve access to quality basic education across the State.
Akujobi Amadi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that no fewer than 1.4 million members of the National Youth Service Corps will be deployed for the 2027 general elections.
The Chairman of the commission, Prof Joash Amupitan (SAN), made this known on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig Gen Olakunle Nafiu, at the Yakubu Gowon House, headquarters of the scheme, in Abuja.
Amupitan, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, described the meeting with the NYSC senior management team as more than a formal courtesy visit, saying it was also a mission of gratitude.
According to him, the NYSC remains a critical pillar in Nigeria’s democratic process.
He noted that corps members had participated in virtually every election cycle since 1999, stressing that, “INEC cannot conduct elections in Nigeria without the NYSC.
“As the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, I am honoured to discuss our collaborative efforts toward ensuring seamless and credible elections in Nigeria.
“You provide the heartbeat of our field operations. When we speak of election manpower, we are essentially speaking of corps members.
“They are the most dedicated, educated and patriotic election duty staff we have, and their presence at polling units brings a level of neutrality and public confidence that is irreplaceable.
“They form the backbone of our election processes, especially as ad hoc staff, whose dedication, discipline and patriotism are critical to the success of our elections,” he added.
Amupitan said institutional data from the 2023 general election showed the importance of the partnership between INEC and the NYSC.
He explained that INEC deployed about 1.2 million ad hoc staff for the 2023 elections, with over 70 per cent, nearly 850,000 personnel drawn from corps members and student volunteers.
Speaking on preparations for the 2027 elections, the INEC chairman said more than 1.4 million ad hoc staff would be engaged, with corps members making up the majority.
“For the 2027 general election, we will require 707,384 ad hoc staff for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.
“The same number will be needed for the governorship and Houses of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027, making a total of 1,414,768,” he said.
He added that INEC would also require 52,446 corps members for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, as well as by-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi and Kano states.
Amupitan said corps members accounted for nearly 90 per cent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers in many states during previous elections.
“These young Nigerians did not just facilitate voting; they protected the sanctity of the ballot in 176,846 polling units across some of the most difficult terrains in the country,” he said.
He further praised the corps members for their role in off-cycle elections, particularly the Anambra governorship election and the FCT Area Council polls.
According to him, their digital proficiency contributed significantly to the seamless operation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.
“In those exercises, it was the digital proficiency of corps members that ensured the seamless performance of our BVAS, proving they are the tech-savvy backbone of our modern democracy,” he added.
Amupitan acknowledged the sacrifices made by corps members during elections and assured that INEC would continue to work with the NYSC and security agencies to strengthen safety measures and welfare packages for them.
As the 2027 general election approaches, we are committed to ensuring adequate mobilisation and preparedness of NYSC members for this important national assignment,” he said.
He also noted that the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, scheduled for June 20 and August 15, respectively, alongside several by-elections, would serve as tests for innovations ahead of the 2027 elections.
Responding, Brig. Gen. Nafiu thanked INEC for its continued collaboration with the scheme.
He recalled that the Memorandum of Understanding between both organisations was signed in 2011 and had been periodically renewed.
Nafiu described corps members as credible, reliable and easily trainable manpower.
“The last batch of millennials will soon exit the scheme, leaving behind Gen Z corps members known for their digital savviness, which will benefit INEC,” he said.
He assured the commission of the NYSC’s continued support in both the 2027 general elections and upcoming off-cycle elections.
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