Politics
Lagos IPAC Urges INEC To Relax Conditions For Polling Agents
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw its earlier demand for passport photographs for polling agents in the conduct of the 2019 elections.
The Lagos State Chairman of IPAC, Malam Shakirudeen Olofin, said yesterday in Lagos that the demand was cumbersome and some parties might not meet the deadline.
INEC had on January 21, sent letters to political parties demanding that they submit names, addresses and recent passport photographs as well as their respective Polling Units, Voting Points or Collation Centres to which they have been assigned to the commission.
INEC said only a polling agent whose name had been submitted to the commission in the prescribed manner should receive a copy of the result sheet at a polling unit or collation centre.
“We are appealing to INEC to look into this matter, listen to the yearnings of our members and cancel the clause for passport photographs in the conduct of 2019 elections.
“We are proud of the Resident Electoral Commissioner so far, he has showed that he is accountable and responsive.
“We will work with him to ensure that the conduct of elections are free,’’ Olofin said.
He appealed to political parties to ensure they submitted the list of their polling agents on or before the date given by the commission.
The IPAC chairman also appealed to the electorate to come out en masse and participate fully in the process of choosing their leaders without fear or favour.
He warned political parties to shun all forms of hate speech and campaign of calumny.
Meanwhile, the Head, Election and Party Monitoring Department of INEC, Mr Oyewole Adegboyega, told newsmen that the commission might improvise a way out for political parties on the matter.
“For now, the Electoral Act has no such thing like withdrawal contained in it, but the commission may improvise”.
“We are having 13,325 voting points in Lagos State and they are to submit their list of agents directly to the electoral officers in the local government areas.
“Apart from that, we are still waiting for further directive from Abuja, once it comes, we will transmit same to them; maybe they may design a form for them to attach passports.
“But for now, we cannot devise what is not in the electoral act presently on our own,’’ Adegboyega said.
The elections, according to INEC, will hold for the National Assembly and the President on Feb. 16, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly hold on March 2.
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.