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To Get It Right In Edo

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8 years ago

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We’re back to the
starting block for the 2016 Edo State governorship election. Two weeks have passed since the original date was blown away and a new date of Wednesday, September 28, 2016 decreed. No one may have computed how much was lost to the decision to cancel the September 10, 2016 date but it does not require mathematical wizardry to understand that the Independent National Electoral Commission, the political parties, the candidates, the civil society and other observer groups, the Edo people and the country at large must have lost huge scarce resources to that decision. Of course, this has not helped our unenviable reputation for wastage of resources in Nigeria, even in lean times, as we are currently in.
All that is behind us now and the mobilisation of needed resources for the conduct of the election has started all over again in earnest.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Edo State, Mr. Sam Olumekun has already told a stakeholders’ meeting that the commission would on Monday, September 26, begin the distribution of sensitive materials for the conduct of the election. To this end, Mr. Olumekun has invited political party agents, collation officers and security agencies to be at the Central Bank, Benin City to observe the distribution.
While this is a strong suggestion that INEC is fully prepared on its part, the Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has declared Tuesday, September 27 and Wednesday, September 28, 2016 as work free days.
Announcing the public holidays during an event organised in his honour by the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress in Edo State, on Saturday in Benin City, the governor said the action was to enable all eligible voters to have ample time and freedom to move to their respective registration areas where they will be expected to cast their votes.
Force Public Relations Officers, Donald Awunah, told newsmen in Abuja last Friday that advance units of the police force had already moved into Edo while others had been scheduled to move in stages.
According to the police image maker, t he force is deploying 25,000 personnel consisting of the Police Mobile Force, the Counter Terrorism Unit, the Anti-Bomb Squad, the Marine Police, Conventional Policemen, the Armament Units, personnel from Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Force Intelligence Bureau and the Sniffer Dog Section.
“In addition, helicopters and gun boats, 10 additional Armored Personnel Carriers and 550 patrol vehicles would be deployed to cover all the polling units, RAC centres, collation centres, riverine areas and difficult terrains,” he said, adding that a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police and three Commissioners of Police will head the operations.
Awunah promised neutrality of the police and warned of severe consequences for anyone or group caught in any act that will be inimical to the smooth and peaceful conduct of the election.
Speaking with The Tide on the issue in Port Harcourt, the spokesman of the Civil Society Platform in Rivers State, Comrade Christian Lekia, urged the political parties, especially the major ones, and their candidates in Edo State to put the overall interest and wellbeing of the State ahead of their personal and party ambitions.
The civil society activist cautioned the major political actors in Edo State to exercise restraint in their utterances and also rein in their supporters to focus on issues and the conduct of the polls in an atmosphere that is devoid of violence, thuggery and other forms of electoral fraud.
Comrade Lekia who is also the President, Niger Delta Coalition Against Violence charged the people of Edo State to cooperate with the security agencies not only to achieve a hitch-free election but also to ensure their overall security and safety of lives and property.
He advised INEC to assert its authority over the process and to jealously guard its independence and impartiality in order to give credibility to the exercise and win back the confidence of the people.
Comrade Lekia said INEC must rise up to the challenge of effectively coordinating all other agencies and personnel and materials to minimize sabotage and discredit the eventual outcome of the poll.
“Edo State people should understand that it’s all about Edo State,” he stressed, adding that it will not serve the interest of the state and the people if anything is done to undermine a smooth and orderly conduct of the election again.
Exchanging views on the same issue with The Tide, the State Director, National Orientation Agency, NOA, in Rivers State, Mr. Oliver Wolugbom, urged INEC not to leave anything to chance in tis preparation and prosecution of the Edo governorship election on Wednesday this week.
“I think that INEC should be very mindful of what they’re going to do in Edo,” he said. He reiterated that “they should be more careful and more cautious so as to get it right this time around and redeem itself from the unsavoury reputation of conducting inconclusive polls.
“They must come clean this time around and in coming clean, they must ensure that they drive the process that will be transparent,” he emphasised.
To achieve the overriding goal of a free, fair, peaceful and credible electoral contest, the NOA boss urged the electoral commission to take firm control of the process and effectively coordinate all other supporting agencies as well as its personnel.
“I want to encourage Nigerians to help them. But I also want to say that if there are some characters among them that have not come to terms with how elections should be conducted, I think such people should be given orientation,” he said, pointing out that “the unity of this country is at stake if they make mistakes.”
The NOA State Director encouraged the people of Edo State to cooperate with INEC in order to achieve a result that will truly reflect their wishes and aspirations by strictly adhering to the guidelines of the commission.
“If they cooperate with INEC, the result will be good for all of us,” he noted and advised that those that are eligible to vote should restrict themselves to their polling units on election day while those who are not qualified to participate in the process should not get involved.
“To me, what should preoccupy Edo people is for their votes to count,” he said, reminding them that the validation of the expression of their will is a direct function of their comportment as they go about exercising their civic responsibility on the election day.
Yes, INEC, the security agencies, the political parties, their candidates and supporters and the generality of Edo people may collectively hold the key to the eventual outcome of the gubernatorial poll on Wednesday, September 28, 2016, but that outcome will have far reaching implications for the electoral process in Nigeria.

 

Opaka Dokubo

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Fubara Tasks Rivers Stakeholders On Political, Economic Emancipation …Commissions NAVAL Training Command Headquarters At Ebubu

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1 week ago

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April 29, 2024

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Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that the task of emancipating Rivers State and taking it to its desired height of development among the comity of Nigerian states depends on the concerted efforts of all stakeholders in the state.
Governor Fubara said this at Ubima, on Saturday, when he attended the burial ceremony of late Madam Cecelia Omehia, mother of Sir Celestine Omehia.
Addressing the leaders of the state who attended the burial ceremony in their numbers, the governor urged them to demonstrate their love for the state by living up to their patriotic responsibilities and make meaningful contributions that will move the state forward.
Governor Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to the service of the state and cautioned against politics of bitterness and animosity, stating that he will not govern the state as an underdog, nor compromise  the interest of Rivers people, no matter the challenges facing his administration.
“Anybody who claims to love this State should not be party to anything, directly or indirectly, that will bring us backwards. We will continue to support every course that will advance the interest of our dear Rivers State.
“And I am happy to say, and I’ve said it over and again, it doesn’t matter the number of people that are standing with me, I will stand on the side of truth.
”I will not, I repeat, I will not govern our dear State on my knees. If that was the purpose, I will not do that. I will stand to govern our dear state and stand continually on the side of right”, he said.
The governor commiserated with the Omehia family over the transition of their beloved matriarch and urged  them to take solace in the good legacies she left behind.
Sir Celestine Omehia, the chief mourner, in his response  thanked  the Rivers State governor  and his entourage for honoring the memory of his beloved mother, whom he described as a role model, teacher and great disciplinarian.
Earlier on Saturday, Governor Fubara visited the scene of the Friday night inferno occasioned by a tanker explosion that occurred at the Indorama axis of East West Road, causing untold disaster with over 60 vehicles razed and about four lives lost.
Governor Fubara who was accompanied by the  Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olatunji Disu, and the state Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Mr Uchechukwu Nwafor, during the visit, expressed deep concern over the unfortunate incident and condoled with the families of the victims, assuring that the state government will provide needed assistance to cushion the effects of the tragedy.
“We are here to see for ourselves and get a first hand information of what happened yesterday night.
“I was told that it was caused by a tanker that was conveying premium motor spirit. In fact, I got the information through the MD of Indorama, and I immediately alerted the security agencies to make sure they take control of the security situation in the area.
Governor Fubara, on Friday, commissioned the new Naval Training Command Headquarters at Ebubu, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara said he was delighted with the transformation recorded in the abandoned facility after it was ceded by the Rivers State Government to the Nigerian Navy on request in 2023.
He pointed out that the relocation of the Naval Training Command headquarters to Rivers State underscores the proficiency of the Nigerian Navy in managing the maritime sector, especially in safeguarding the waterways and  fighting against economic sabotage such as crude oil theft and its associated menace.
Governor Fubara commended the Navy for investing in the training of its personnel to evolve a highly skilled workforce to secure the Nigerian waterways, stating that the new development is a manifestation of President Bola Tinibu’s commitment to building a strong security architecture for Nigeria.
The Governor who assured the support of his administration to the Navy and other security outfits, announced a donation of N350m to the Navy, and urged synergy between the Navy and the host communities in terms of development support and security of lives and property.
“As you go on to put this training command into full service, my charge to you is to ensure that this sprawling facility is effectively maintained and utilized to expand your operations and activities for national security development.
“I further implore you to provide effective security and development support to the host communities, and live in peace and harmony with the civilian population in the local government area,” the Governor added.
In his remark,  the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral, Emmanuel Ogalla, expressed gratitude to the Governor for the continuous support and partnership of the Rivers State Government with the Navy.
Taneh Beemene
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Constitution Amendment: Senator Barau Urges Stakeholders’ Collaboration

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1 week ago

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April 29, 2024

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Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, Senator Barau Jibrin, has called for robust collaboration among all stakeholders to drive the ongoing constitution amendment process to a successful conclusion.
Senator Barau stated this on Saturday at the joint retreat of the secretariat and consultants to the Senate and House of Representatives committees on the review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, in Abuja.
He commended the synergy between the constitution review secretariat and consultants to the Senate and House of Representatives committees, saying this will create harmony in the workings of both committees.
Senator Barau assured that the National Assembly will carry out the review of the constitution by a thorough aggregation of the yearnings of Nigerians from all walks of life through public hearings and collection of memoranda from various interests throughout the country, as well as embarking on a progressive engagement with state governments and legislatures and the federal government to achieve consensus on all issues.
“We must work together. Our country is facing a lot of challenges and this is the right time to fashion out a constitution that will go in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people of this country.
“The world is dynamic and this compels all serious countries to go with modernity and fashion their laws in accordance with contemporary happenings within their peculiarities.
“We have started on a progressive note of collaboration and let us add momentum to this very important collaboration within our ranks in order to achieve a result that will help in driving the process of making prospective peace, justice and fair play in the way we run our affairs as a nation,” he said.
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Makinde Hails Electorate, OYSIEC Over LG Poll Conduct 

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1 week ago

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April 29, 2024

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Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has applauded the residents of the state for turning out to vote in the ongoing local government election across the state.
The governor also rated the conduct of the election high, stating it compared favourably with elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The governor stated this on Saturday after casting his vote at Unit 1, Ward 011, Abayomi Open Space, Iwo Road, Ibadan North East LGA of Oyo State.
Addressing journalists after exercising his civic responsibility, Gov Makinde said, “For us in Oyo State, it is almost like a given that democracy at the grassroots is what we practise. This is almost our fifth year in office and we are holding local government election for the second time.
“Before we came in, it had always been caretaker administration at the grassroots without the people having a say in who should govern them.
“You can see around also that the people are going about, performing the exercise peacefully and the traffic restriction is being obeyed by the people. So, I will commend our people for coming out to take seriously democracy at that level.”
The governor, who noted that security report about the election had been excellent, also charged those who observed any untoward development to report same to the security agencies.
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