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Malpractices, Others Forcing Nigerians To Lose Confidence In Elections -TMG
The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), has warned the Federal Government that Nigerians are increasingly losing confidence in the electoral system which is full of all forms of malpractice, manipulation, violence, commercialization and privatization of political parties and political offices for self-centred interests.
This is even as accused the Federal Government and military of treating the issue of national security with levity while all geopolitical zones continue to bleed in a manner that portends grave danger to the nation’s hard-earned democracy.
The Chairman of Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, stated this, yesterday, at press conference on the state of the electoral process in Nigeria and the unveiling of group’s agenda for the next four years.
He assured that the Board and members of TMG that will do their best to advocate for electoral transparency and accountability by mobilizing Nigerians to demand positive change in our electoral process.
According to him, the appreciation of TMG and what it represents in Nigeria is an attestation of the confidence reposed on the leadership and the trust on the group as a flagship organization in the electoral system.
Rafsanjani added that the new leadership of the group will build on the gains of the former leadership and acknowledged the need for fundamental reforms within the group.
He added that group will also resuscitate the TMG Newsletter, ‘Democracy Watch’ to maintain constant communication with the members on the activities of the group as well as sustained relationship the group enjoys with the media.
Rafsanjani listed some of TMG’s agenda for the next four years, agenda setting, advocacy to reform and institutionalize internal democracy in Nigeria’s political parties, engage in massive voters’ education, continuous voters’ registration, engage in observing conducts of security personnel, politicians and political parties during elections and observation of election litigations/tribunals in Nigeria.
On the state of the nation, he said TMG is compelled to react to several unsavoury developments in the polity.
He said the group the recent attack on Nigeria Defence Academy as unacceptable.
He said, “We expect that government would nip the security issue in the bud and tow an acceptable and less divisive path of bringing a lasting end to the security challenges that presently bedevil the country. We, however, note with concern that the Federal Government and military have been treating the issue of our national security with levity while all geopolitical zones continue to bleed in a manner that portends grave danger to our hard-earned democracy.
“The electoral processes have had their share of violence with the secessionist movement calling for a boycott of the election with threats to disrupt the poll, thugs razing down electoral management offices, killing of security personnel, burning of police stations and kidnapping of election officials.
“There is a pervasive atmosphere of uncertainty as to when the government will address the cases of banditry and kidnapping that have engulfed the country. TMG calls on the government to urgently address our multifaceted security challenges before the conduct of the 2023 election to prevent voter apathy that may arise due to the inability of voters to travel to exercise their civic rights, the safety of electoral materials and election officials and the credibility of election results.
“Corruption in Nigeria’s electoral processes is showing no signs of leaving soon as politicians continue to flaunt unaccounted campaign spending and party financing by using illegitimate funds as the sole means of winning voters over. INEC and other relevant agencies need to tackle the menace to allow voters to form a more objective opinion of the people they are to vote for.
“Since 1999, credible local government elections in Nigeria have been illusory, the processes and outcome of the LGA elections have remained the will of the state and ruling party rather than reflecting the consent and aspirations of the people as the electorate.
“The political interference from the state government and partisanship of the state independent electoral commission has led to a lack of trust in local elections and the increasing cases of voter apathy with inconsistency in the application of electoral guidelines and poor communication channels between state electoral commissions and electoral stakeholders.
“TMG sees this as rape of local governance that portends grave danger for participatory democracy, accountability and rural development. We call on the Nigeria Governor’s Forum, political parties and relevant stakeholders to join voices in ensuring that credible LGA elections are prioritized and conducted as at when due and reforms should be put in place for local institutional strengthening and framework for local government development.
“It is also of great concern that the autonomy of states judiciaries and Houses of Assembly are yet to take effect. This has continued to fuel disregard for the rule of law and court orders. Without the autonomy, separation of powers and checks and balances in Nigeria will remain only on paper as the executive continues to technically wield the powers of the other two arms of government.
“TMG condemns the ongoing attempts to use agencies that are paid from the taxpayer’s funds of Nigerians to intimidate the citizenry. The barbaric use of security forces to intimidate fellow citizens is unacceptable. We, therefore, call on the government to immediately bring to a halt the ongoing intimidation of citizens who are expressing their fundamental rights of opinion on national issues across the country.
“We make bold to say that the government is further eroding its legitimacy as long as it continues to use the military and other security agencies to intimidate and harass fellow Nigerians. This brazen infringement on the fundamental rights and civil liberties of Nigerians is a recipe for chaos and anarchy.
“This is an unfortunate return to those despicable days of the military when the goons of state were used to attempt a rollback of civil liberties and freedom. Thankfully, the forces of history were on the side of the Nigerian people.
“The heroic sacrifices of courageous Nigerians ensured that the military was chased out of the political space to the barracks, where they rightfully belong under full civilian control. The result is the current democracy that Nigerians enjoy today, despite all its many flaws.”
Rafsanjani also urged the media to “take a deep study of the political environment, take a continuing interest in the political affairs of this great country, understand and suggest areas you feel are in need of further engagements by the TMG so that we can all move into the field to succeed.”
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), has decried the continued exclusion of its members from payment of specialist allowance despite performing specialist functions in various health institutions across the country.
It also condemned the persistent casualisation and poor remuneration of members by chief executives of tertiary hospitals.
The President of the association in Akwa Ibom State, Dr Osundara Tope, raised the concerns while addressing a press conference where he read the communique issued at the end of the May ordinary meeting and scientific conference with the theme: “The Medical Profession: Policies, Politics, and Future Prospects,” held in Uyo at the weekend.
The communique was signed by the association’s President, Dr Osundara Tope, Secretary-General, Dr. Odunbaku Kazeem Oluwasola, and Public and Social Secretary, Dr. Amobi Omoha, respectively.
“The OGM observed with disappointment the continued exclusion of resident doctors from the payment of specialist allowances, despite their active role in delivering specialist care across various health institutions.
“The OGM strongly condemns the continued and persistent casualisation and the consequent poor remuneration of doctors by the chief executives of tertiary hospitals .The meeting also expressed disappointment over the non-payment of arrears from the upward review of the CONMESS salary structure and other outstanding salary arrears,” the communique read.
The association condemned federal government’s failure to pay the 2024 Accouterments Allowance arrears and persistent shortchanging of its members for the past 16 years due to absence of consequential adjustments to the CONMESS structure, which it noted was a breach of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
He further expressed disappointment over lack of response to multiple correspondences on the issue, emphasising that such contradicts the National Policy on Health Workforce, which advocates improved incentives to retaining healthcare workers.
According to Tope, “The OGM notes with concern the persistent short-changing of members for 16 years, due to the absence of consequential adjustments to the CONMESS structure, in breach of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
“This contradicts the National Policy on Health Workforce, which advocates improved incentives to retaining healthcare workers.
“The OGM is dismayed at the lack of response to multiple correspondences sent over the past six months regarding the consequential adjustments.The OGM condemns the Federal Government’s failure to pay the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance arrears.”
The meeting further expressed displeasure over the delay in addressing welfare issues in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital including the non-payment of outstanding March 2024 salaries, the 7–14 months of arrears still owed to Residents and Medical Officers of the association
It therefore demanded immediate payment of the arrears of the 25/35% upwardly revised CONMESS, and other salary arrears and full implementation of consequential adjustments to the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage on basic salaries and allowances, along with accrued arrears.
A maritime security outfit, Active Marine Surveillance and Coast Guard Limited, says it is ready to deploy its men to ensure security across waterways in Rivers State and Niger Delta.
The group which said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt also pledged to collaborate with the various security agencies to ensure safety on the state waterways.
Director General of the organisation, Commandant Godwin Amare, said the organisation cannot sit down and watch pirates take control of the waterways in Rivers State and the Niger Delta region.
He said his group is planning to deploy its men to the Bonny, Bille and Degema rivers to check the activities of pirates
According to him, allowing pirates to take control of these waterways will not only affect the economy of Rivers State but the entire Niger Delta region.
He said the paramilitary organisation has the manpower to check piracy on the waterways but required the support of both the federal and state governments especially in the provision of the necessary security equipment such as speed boats.
Amare said the organisation, which protects jetties and waterways from pirates is also involved in search and rescue operations ,adding that his organisation has competent divers who can undertake rescue operations, in deep waters.
“We cannot be sitting down here while our aims and objectives is not being fulfilled. “We want to tell the federal and state governments that we want to come out and join in the fight against sea piracy to make our waterways safe
“The Nigerian Navy cannot do it alone. We want to support the government by deploying our men across waterways in Rivers State and the Niger Delta so that it would be safer for people to travel on the waterways”, he said.
He said the government can assist the organisation by providing them with security boats and other instruments
Amare also disclosed plans by the organisation to embark on a tour of jetties across the region with a view to guaranteeing their safety.
Also speaking, Deputy Commandant, Active Marine Surveillance and Coast Guard Limited, Captain Dain Elekima, said all the creeks in the region need to be combed daily to flush out pirates.
He said his group has the required manpower but needs the support of both the state and federal governments to ensure safety on the waterways.
Speaking the director Finance and Operations Active Marine Surveillance and Coast Guard Limited Captain Emberro Michael said they are ready to work with the Nigerian Navy and Marine police to check all Incidences of insecurity along the waterways.
Captain Michael stressed the need for the federal and state governments to support the group.
By: John Bibor & Claire Julius
The Nigeria-Cameroon border motor park construction site is now overgrown with weeds.
Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State embarked on the project last January 2025 when they cleared the entire expanse of land and deployed machinery to commence construction work.
The international motor park site is situated along the Ikom-Mfum border road, a few distances into Cameroon.
There are outcries and worries by motorists, traders and international travellers who were initially excited over the project, given the volumes of trade and travels between the state and Cameroon Republic.
A visit to the site at the weekend showed how the site of the facility has been overtaken by bush and reptiles.
In an interview, a farmer on Effraya Road, Etomi, in the council area, Mr Anthony Attah, expressed sadness over the seeming abandonment of the project five months after it was commenced.
“I had considered the project a laudable one, and had commended the Council chairman, Henry Anom, for the initiative, considering the economic importance of such a park to the Local Government Area, taking advantage of the Cameroon borders.
“Barely four months after the excavation of the land, the place has become a bush again.”
A business man and cocoa farmer, Everlasting Eriom, also lamented the apparent discontinuation of the project which he believed, would have eased his tasks and boost his cocoa sales.
Eriom said, “Whatever are the reasons for the abandonment, let the administration of Henry Anom note that this is about the only visible project that would etch his name in history books and has the capacity to raking up Council internal revenues.”
Reacting in a statement, the Supervisor for Finance in the Etung Local Government Area, John Ogar explained that the project has been mired in controversy and legal tussle.
“The Executive Chairman of Etung Local Government Area, Henry Anom, conceived the initiative of giving Etung a unique Motor Park Facility as a border local government. Unfortunately barely days after excavating the site to kickstart actual development, we were slammed with a court injunction, as previous administration had given out the parcel of land without proper documentation to guide the current dispensation, so we can’t fight the court.
“We only have to obey the law while we fine-tune measures to have things work out.”
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