By Fred Nwaozor
Imo as a state, and Imolites as a people, are at the moment conspicuously in jubilation mood owing to the emergence of Chief Emeka Nkem Ihedioha as the democratically-elected governor of the Eastern Heartland.
Prior to the election, his candidacy was obviously popular, which resulted in his notable victory at the Imo guber poll. The popularity in question, however, wasn’t unconnected with the origin of the race and the parameters that surrounded it.
Anyone who’s deeply concerned about this euphoric moment in Imo cannot painstakingly mention the progenitors behind this well-celebrated victory without mentioning the current Deputy Governor of the state, Prince Eze Madumere; a well-celebrated politician and technocrat who made reality to dawn on countless Imolites when it seemed they have all been deceived or misled.
The immediate past Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Chief Ihedioha who had been a well-known player in respect of the Imo guber game, is now widely and popularly recognized as the incoming Executive Governor of the ancient state.
The erstwhile legislator, who ventured into politics as a technocrat, was amazingly declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at about 12am on Tuesday, 12th March 2019 as the winner of the March 9 election and returned elected, having polled a total of 273,404 votes under the aegis of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to defeat his closest rival, Uche Nwosu of the Action Alliance (AA) who polled a total of 190,364 votes.
Lest I forget; I earlier pointed out in strong terms in one of the previous paragraphs that Prince Madumere was one of the prime reasons behind Chief Ihedioha’s victory at the just concluded Imo guber poll. I want to revisit that assertion for the sake of clarity, and posterity too.
It would, therefore, be very pertinent to throw more light in regard to that succinct remark, though it ought to be in a nutshell since this piece isn’t targeted to analyze politics or political intrigues that transpired but the numerous technical values that are likely to accompany the awaited enthronement of the former federal lawmaker as the next governor of Imo come May 29, 2019.
It would be recalled that a faceoff was, perhaps instigated by nature, between Prince Madumere and the incumbent Imo governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha. This was owing to the duo’s political differences, or precisely the latter’s dogmatic approach to make his son-in-law Uche Nwosu his successor to the detriment of the former who had already been tipped or endorsed by many as the most preferred, dependable and eligible man for the governorship position.
When the teeming discerning Imolites, comprising mostly members cum followers of Okorocha’s camp, realized that an unjust treatment was meted out to the easy-going Madumere, they were compelled to dump the governor for his deputy, towards throwing their unalloyed weight behind the latter to enable him secure the gubernatorial slut.
Unfortunately or fortunately, when the Imo guber ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) couldn’t in the long run go to Prince Madumere, most of the uncountable allies and supporters – consisting of millions of Imolites – abruptly decided to rather shift their solidarity to the candidate of the opposition party (the PDP) Chief Ihedioha than that of the APC, Sen. Hope Uzodinma.
Their major reason for supporting Ihedioha wasn’t reportedly unconnected with the opinion that the PDP candidate was another well qualified, reliable and experienced person, among other aspirants for the Imo number one post as well as the belief that he hails from the zone (Imo East) that had been presumably marginalized as regards the leadership structure in the state. It’s worthy of note that Madumere is equally from Imo East.
Hence, these countless supporters and/or followers of the deputy governor who eventually joined the Ihedioha’s camp – mainly in their bid to secure a mandate that would be well and largely acceptable by Imolites and in the best interest of Imo – are the real basis of this well-celebrated victory recorded by the Mbaise-born politician.
This is to assert that the victory in question was devoid of politics or had nothing to do with the political cum social affiliation of the victor, but could be basically attributable to Prince Madumere’s wide acceptance by the people.
Lest I digress; this piece is informed by the reason to inform us that technocrats in Imo are at the moment rejoicing or joyous over the recent emergence of Chief Ihedioha as the next Executive Governor of the Eastern Heartland. And as they rejoice, they are in their number celebrating Madumere who they believe is the genesis of the ecstasy.
In this context, the term ‘technocrats’, which means technically-inclined individuals or other experts belonging/affiliated to a group that possesses political power, could be said to be ambiguous; ambiguous, in the sense that, it encompasses everyone or entity that’s knowledgeable enough to carry out or execute a certain task.
It’s ambiguous because it has to do with not just tech experts but people who truly believe in technicalities irrespective of their respective fields of endeavour. So, it’s all about individuals within the political circle who acknowledge the language of expertise, techniques, technical values, technicalities, or what have you.
Aside the indisputable fact that Chief Ihedioha is a technologist by profession, having duly bagged a bachelor degree in Food Science and Technology from the prestigious University of Lagos (UniLag), he joined politics – or was contracted to be part of Nigeria’s political happenings – based on his professional prowess in media and communications.
As he emerges victoriously at the guber poll, Imolites – home and abroad – who really have keen interest in tech-driven issues, or technicalities in general, are variously rejoicing over the victory because they are of the strong view that the victor wouldn’t hesitate to embrace technocracy – rather than ‘familiocracy’ – the moment he enters into the Imo Government House.
It’s opined in various quarters that Imo is presently in need of serious technically-oriented initiatives with a view to resuscitating her lost glory, especially in the area of education, health, public utilities and agriculture. And well-meaning Imolites are of the view that the incoming governor has all it takes to do the needful.
There’s a great believe in most quarters that Chief Ihedioha is imbued with the required features and expertise to positively turn Imo around in no distant time. It is hinted in virtually all nooks and crannies of the state that his successful emergence at the poll is apt and timely. Every wall within the shores of the state could feel the wide acceptance of the victor.
This could be the reason the technocrats in the state are already blowing their trumpets to herald the arrival of the awaited number-one citizen of the ancient state, as those who could aptly trace the origin of the victory cannot stop celebrating Prince Madumere who’s equally a technocrat.
Subsequently, on this column, I’ll extensively do a piece to exclusively assist in setting a tech-driven agenda for the impending Ihedioha-led government, because it’s my utmost desire that the victor who comprehends the language and essence of technocracy utilizes this great and golden opportunity to the fullness.
So, as I candidly congratulate this fine, young and vibrant technocrat over the well-deserved victory, I pray these hopes already raised by the teeming Imolites – particularly the technocrats – wouldn’t be dashed in the long run.
Hence, this skillful hand must be ready to take practical steps towards rigorously rebuilding Imo. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor
- Policy Analyst, Rights Activist & Tech Expert -
National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement
___________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador
Wednesday, 3 April 2019
Monday, 1 April 2019
Tech I On Forensic Scrutiny Of The Polls
By Fred Nwaozor
The last time I checked, the scheduled Nigeria’s 2019 Presidential polls have eventually come and gone, to the glory of God who made the all-inclusive national ritual possible.
Though the historic and remarkable event had been successfully conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the ripples and mixed feelings created by its outcome still conspicuously linger.
The news is everywhere that Presdient Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was returned elected by the INEC as the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for another period of four years.
In a related development, the news is equally at all corners of the country and beyond that the closest rival to the recognized victor of the poll, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has alongside his party leadership refused to accept the outcome of the keenly contested election, citing irregularities at the polls, despite the strong plea from some quarters to concede defeat in good faith.
According to the aggrieved candidate, he was robbed of his presumed victory, thus vowed to “retrieve the mandate” through the court, which is widely believed to be the “last hope of a common man”.
Naturally, it’s common among the human race that when a victor or the second to none in a certain competition emerges, the second best would invariably feel bitter and may end up putting the blame of his/their failure on the umpire.
Such a feeling is natural, in the sense that nobody or competitor wishes to become a loser at the end of any contest, hence that of the PDP isn’t an exception. It’s indisputable that every participant or contestant in any competition definitely looks forward to grabbing the trophy at the end of the show.
In this case, the PDP who has been publicly declared as the best loser is strongly of the view that it deserved to emerge victoriously or as the winner, at the Presidential poll that was reportedly observed by both local and foreign observers.
It’s not anymore news that the aggrieved party has lawfully approached the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, as was clamoured by its teeming allies as well as followers who share same sentiments with the party’s leadership.
We were equally reliably notified that the plaintiff, who had made a plaintive sound, pleaded with the court for a forensic investigation to be carried out on the sensitive materials used for the said election, in addition to its prayer for the INEC to reverse the declaration in favour of the PDP.
On 6th March 2019, the tribunal consequently rejected the request of the candidate of the PDP, alongside his party, to be allowed to conduct forensic analysis and scanning of the electronic gadgets – such as the computers, card readers and servers, among others – deployed for the conduct of the February 23 Presidential election.
The tribunal declared that such a request was beyond the scope of the provisions of Section 151 (1) and (2) of the Nigeria’s 2010 Electoral Act, as amended, which permits the inspection of election materials coupled with allied documents upon the request of any concerned individual or entity.
In a unanimous ruling on an ex-parte application tendered by the PDP, a 3-man panel of the tribunal stated “Section 151 of the Electoral Act, which allows an intending petitioner to inspect materials used for an election, only allows inspection and obtaining of certified true copies of such materials” and nothing more.
In the lead ruling by Justice Abdul Aboki, who led the panel, the tribunal granted the prayers that allow the applicant the permission to only inspect the materials and obtain their Certified True Copies (CTC). It also granted the applicant’s prayer for leave to be allowed to bring such application at the pre-hearing stage of the tribunal’s sitting.
It reiterated that the request by Atiku and PDP to call experts to engage in forensic analysis and scanning of INEC gadgets, among other materials, was outside the scope of the meaning of inspection under the aforementioned section of the Electoral Act.
It’s noteworthy that the section in question, which talks about inspection of documents, stipulates as follow:
“151 (1) An order for an inspection of a polling document or an inspection of a document or any other packet in the custody of the Chief National Electoral Commissioner or any other officer of the Commission may be made by the election tribunal or the court if it is satisfied that the inspection is required for the purpose of instituting, maintaining or defending an election petition.
“(2) A document other than a document referred to in subsection (1) of this section relating to an election and which is retained by the Chief National Electoral Commissioner or any other officer of the Commission in accordance with this section shall be open for inspection on an order made by the Election Tribunal or a Court in exercise of its powers to compel the production of documents in legal proceedings, but shall not otherwise be open for inspection.”
Since the section is obviously silent regarding forensic inspection or investigation, and doesn’t also stipulate whether only manual pattern should be deployed, it’s therefore the statutory obligation of the court to determine the apt line of action prior to amendments in respect of that.
As I appreciate the tribunal for exercising its lawful duties without bias, it’s equally pertinent for the relevant authorities to henceforth consider some key issues for the sake of effectiveness and efficiency as well as way forward in electoral matters.
As a tech expert and activist, I’ve overtime analyzed and advocated on the need for the Nigeria’s political system to join the rest of others globally as regards technology, particularly matters pertaining to elections.
Nigeria is arguably of age to follow suit concerning the issue at hand. The required brains or hands are readily available to initiate the project. But the acclaimed giant of Africa is unequivocally still lacking the enabling environment to strive.
The fact, irrespective of who is aggrieved or victorious, is that forensic audit or means of inspection into matters of public interest enables apt and timely outcome, and equally saves cost. It’s, therefore, cost and labour effective. It creates room for the needed work to be done with ease or effortlessly.
So, considering electioneering issues, it would be wise and ideal for Nigeria to key into such a tech-driven initiative in order to share the numerous benefits enshrined in it. Involving forensic measures in pre, during and post election matters would undoubtedly write the country’s name in gold in regard to her political system and democracy in general.
In view of this professional counsel, the INEC is expected to hold the bull by the horn with a view to thinking towards making all activities or cases pertaining to elections tech-driven. Four years from now, prior to the next general elections, is enough space and opportunity to plan aptly ahead of the awaited lofty approach.
However, such a measure wouldn’t be effective or lawfully acceptable by the system if the relevant laws aren’t amended to suit the quest. Hence, the lawmakers shouldn’t hesitate in doing the needful without much ado.
The recently reviewed Electoral Act, that’s yet to be assented to by the Presidency, ought to therefore be further reviewed to accommodate all the required parameters regarding forensic measures. The time to act is now. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, a Policy Analyst, Rights Activist
& Tech Expert, is National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement
___________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
The last time I checked, the scheduled Nigeria’s 2019 Presidential polls have eventually come and gone, to the glory of God who made the all-inclusive national ritual possible.
Though the historic and remarkable event had been successfully conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the ripples and mixed feelings created by its outcome still conspicuously linger.
The news is everywhere that Presdient Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was returned elected by the INEC as the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for another period of four years.
In a related development, the news is equally at all corners of the country and beyond that the closest rival to the recognized victor of the poll, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has alongside his party leadership refused to accept the outcome of the keenly contested election, citing irregularities at the polls, despite the strong plea from some quarters to concede defeat in good faith.
According to the aggrieved candidate, he was robbed of his presumed victory, thus vowed to “retrieve the mandate” through the court, which is widely believed to be the “last hope of a common man”.
Naturally, it’s common among the human race that when a victor or the second to none in a certain competition emerges, the second best would invariably feel bitter and may end up putting the blame of his/their failure on the umpire.
Such a feeling is natural, in the sense that nobody or competitor wishes to become a loser at the end of any contest, hence that of the PDP isn’t an exception. It’s indisputable that every participant or contestant in any competition definitely looks forward to grabbing the trophy at the end of the show.
In this case, the PDP who has been publicly declared as the best loser is strongly of the view that it deserved to emerge victoriously or as the winner, at the Presidential poll that was reportedly observed by both local and foreign observers.
It’s not anymore news that the aggrieved party has lawfully approached the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, as was clamoured by its teeming allies as well as followers who share same sentiments with the party’s leadership.
We were equally reliably notified that the plaintiff, who had made a plaintive sound, pleaded with the court for a forensic investigation to be carried out on the sensitive materials used for the said election, in addition to its prayer for the INEC to reverse the declaration in favour of the PDP.
On 6th March 2019, the tribunal consequently rejected the request of the candidate of the PDP, alongside his party, to be allowed to conduct forensic analysis and scanning of the electronic gadgets – such as the computers, card readers and servers, among others – deployed for the conduct of the February 23 Presidential election.
The tribunal declared that such a request was beyond the scope of the provisions of Section 151 (1) and (2) of the Nigeria’s 2010 Electoral Act, as amended, which permits the inspection of election materials coupled with allied documents upon the request of any concerned individual or entity.
In a unanimous ruling on an ex-parte application tendered by the PDP, a 3-man panel of the tribunal stated “Section 151 of the Electoral Act, which allows an intending petitioner to inspect materials used for an election, only allows inspection and obtaining of certified true copies of such materials” and nothing more.
In the lead ruling by Justice Abdul Aboki, who led the panel, the tribunal granted the prayers that allow the applicant the permission to only inspect the materials and obtain their Certified True Copies (CTC). It also granted the applicant’s prayer for leave to be allowed to bring such application at the pre-hearing stage of the tribunal’s sitting.
It reiterated that the request by Atiku and PDP to call experts to engage in forensic analysis and scanning of INEC gadgets, among other materials, was outside the scope of the meaning of inspection under the aforementioned section of the Electoral Act.
It’s noteworthy that the section in question, which talks about inspection of documents, stipulates as follow:
“151 (1) An order for an inspection of a polling document or an inspection of a document or any other packet in the custody of the Chief National Electoral Commissioner or any other officer of the Commission may be made by the election tribunal or the court if it is satisfied that the inspection is required for the purpose of instituting, maintaining or defending an election petition.
“(2) A document other than a document referred to in subsection (1) of this section relating to an election and which is retained by the Chief National Electoral Commissioner or any other officer of the Commission in accordance with this section shall be open for inspection on an order made by the Election Tribunal or a Court in exercise of its powers to compel the production of documents in legal proceedings, but shall not otherwise be open for inspection.”
Since the section is obviously silent regarding forensic inspection or investigation, and doesn’t also stipulate whether only manual pattern should be deployed, it’s therefore the statutory obligation of the court to determine the apt line of action prior to amendments in respect of that.
As I appreciate the tribunal for exercising its lawful duties without bias, it’s equally pertinent for the relevant authorities to henceforth consider some key issues for the sake of effectiveness and efficiency as well as way forward in electoral matters.
As a tech expert and activist, I’ve overtime analyzed and advocated on the need for the Nigeria’s political system to join the rest of others globally as regards technology, particularly matters pertaining to elections.
Nigeria is arguably of age to follow suit concerning the issue at hand. The required brains or hands are readily available to initiate the project. But the acclaimed giant of Africa is unequivocally still lacking the enabling environment to strive.
The fact, irrespective of who is aggrieved or victorious, is that forensic audit or means of inspection into matters of public interest enables apt and timely outcome, and equally saves cost. It’s, therefore, cost and labour effective. It creates room for the needed work to be done with ease or effortlessly.
So, considering electioneering issues, it would be wise and ideal for Nigeria to key into such a tech-driven initiative in order to share the numerous benefits enshrined in it. Involving forensic measures in pre, during and post election matters would undoubtedly write the country’s name in gold in regard to her political system and democracy in general.
In view of this professional counsel, the INEC is expected to hold the bull by the horn with a view to thinking towards making all activities or cases pertaining to elections tech-driven. Four years from now, prior to the next general elections, is enough space and opportunity to plan aptly ahead of the awaited lofty approach.
However, such a measure wouldn’t be effective or lawfully acceptable by the system if the relevant laws aren’t amended to suit the quest. Hence, the lawmakers shouldn’t hesitate in doing the needful without much ado.
The recently reviewed Electoral Act, that’s yet to be assented to by the Presidency, ought to therefore be further reviewed to accommodate all the required parameters regarding forensic measures. The time to act is now. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, a Policy Analyst, Rights Activist
& Tech Expert, is National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement
___________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Tech I As Buhari Reemerges, Tech-Driven Projects Continue
By Fred Nwaozor
Unfavourable suspense and intrigues ostensibly heralded the conduct of the Nigeria’s 2019 Presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections. It suffices to assert that the circumstance that lately led to the exercise instilled perturbed mood in Nigerians.
The national ritual, which was initially billed for 16th February 2019, was eventually unannounced postponed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), hence rescheduled to hold the following Saturday.
It’s not anymore news that the elections were consequently successfully conducted on 23rd February 2019 across the nooks and crannies of the Nigerian State. The event conspicuously witnessed the presence of both foreign and local observers.
It’s equally no longer news that the victor as regards the just concluded Presidential polls has finally emerged as was graciously and publicly declared by the INEC in the early hours of Wednesday, 27th February 2019 via its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
The current President of the country, Muhammadu Buhari who keenly contested under the auspices of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was announced as the winner of the election at about 4am on the said date.
President Buhari, who reportedly polled a total votes of 15,191,847 to defeat his closest rival Alhaji Atiku who garnered a total votes of 11,262,978, had elatedly appreciated the teeming Nigerians for finding his candidature worthy to be returned reelected as the next democratically-elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It’s worth noting that the Certificate of Return had since 2pm on the very day of the declaration been handed over to the victor alongside his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo by the INEC boss. Since then, it has been jubilation galore in some quarters as other Nigerians contrarily showcase their grievances over the outcome.
Whatever the case might be, the fact remains that the citizenry are at the moment filled with mixed feeling as regards the impending second term reign of President Buhari. Such a feeling has been a natural phenomenon among the human race whenever something is being awaited.
Many who have candidly wished the current administration well and currently celebrating over the recent victory are apparently jittery in regard to how the incoming reign of Buhari/Osinbajo would look like.
Some discerning mindsets are no doubt deeply yearning for continuity concerning some ongoing projects of the Buhari-led government across the federation. This set of individuals cannot wait to embrace the finishing stage of these capital intensive projects.
It’s understandable that government is a continuum, meaning literally that whosoever or whatever team/party that succeeds the other is expected to continue from where their predecessor stopped. But in Nigeria, the case has overtime been different; successive governments don’t usually have the interest to continue from where the previous one(s) stopped.
In view of the above, as President Buhari reemerges victoriously for a second term in office come 29th May 2019, well meaning and patriotic Nigerians – both home and abroad – are of the view that definitely the various ongoing projects in the country would get to completion.
As rational citizens of the country clamour for continuity of these ongoing projects, particularly the economically-oriented ones, I’m more concerned about the tech-driven initiatives coupled with the related ones yet to be initiated by the Federal Government (FG).
It’s only a non-Nigerian that’s not yet informed that construction of numerous roads, cutting across all the six geo-political zones in the country, has been duly approved and the required funds have already been released for the projects by the FG.
On the wake of 2019, the FG graciously released the sum of N100bn from the proceeds of the Sovereign Sukuk Fund for immediate construction of 28 federal roads within the shores of the federation as was captured in the 2018 budget. And in his words, the Minister of Works Mr. Babatunde Fashola who received the fund, assured that the approved projects would commence immediately on the affected roads.
As he stated that “time has gone when contractors go to sleep when they are contracted to initiate and complete a certain contract”, I earnestly look forward to seeing an era when Nigerians in their number would release a sigh of relief regarding the current ugly state of the federal roads in their respective jurisdictions.
We are equally not unaware that a tremendous railway project is ongoing across the Nigerian State. It’s worthy of note that if duly completed, this very tech-driven project would go a long way in cushioning the excruciating effects of conveying bulk goods from one locality to another within the country.
Aside its anticipated impact on the area of transportation of commodities, it will also help enormously to supplement the functions of other transport systems – such as road, water and air – as regards the human race.
Hence, it is the wish and prayer of virtually all citizens of Nigeria that the political will that instigated the commencement of the railway project should endeavour to facilitate its apt and timely completion without much ado.
Inter alia, we are equally informed that the rehabilitation of the second Niger Bridge is already ongoing. Nigerians were reliably notified by the FG that a total sum of N302bn has been budgeted towards the reconstruction of the said remarkable edifice. We are appealing that politics shouldn’t be played with this very economically-oriented project.
In the same vein, it’s high time the River Niger is properly dredged by the FG, as it’s being agitated by the people, towards aiding economic activities. A seaport ought to also be created therein to boost importation of goods and services within the region.
Lest I forget; in the spirit of eventually completing the Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik) mausoleum situated in Onitsha that was abandoned by previous governments for almost thirty years, the citizenry are equally awaiting a holistic clean-up of the ancient Ogoni land – that has been ignored for donkey’s years by past administrations – as earlier proposed by the Buhari-led government.
It’s very crucial to counsel Mr. President that new bloods are required to be introduced into his administration whenever its second term commences with a view to ensuring that more wholesome tech-driven projects are initiated into the system for the good of all. Issues such as power supply, or what have you, can only be aptly addressed if the right hands or cognoscenti are engaged.
Towards ushering in an all-inclusive government as already promised by President Buhari come his second term, he shouldn’t be reminded that Nigerians are expecting these ongoing projects, and the ones yet to be initiated, to come to completion soonest.
So, as we collectively congratulate Mr. President for reemerging victoriously at the polls, it’s imperative to notify him that Nigerians as a people cannot wait for the apt and timely completion of these numerous ongoing projects.
It’s noteworthy that the people’s expectations can only be fulfilled if the incoming administration firmly sticks to the political will that instigated the commencement of the aforementioned initiatives. Think about it!
Comrade Fred Nwaozor, is National Coordinator,
Right Thinkers Movement
___________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Unfavourable suspense and intrigues ostensibly heralded the conduct of the Nigeria’s 2019 Presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections. It suffices to assert that the circumstance that lately led to the exercise instilled perturbed mood in Nigerians.
The national ritual, which was initially billed for 16th February 2019, was eventually unannounced postponed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), hence rescheduled to hold the following Saturday.
It’s not anymore news that the elections were consequently successfully conducted on 23rd February 2019 across the nooks and crannies of the Nigerian State. The event conspicuously witnessed the presence of both foreign and local observers.
It’s equally no longer news that the victor as regards the just concluded Presidential polls has finally emerged as was graciously and publicly declared by the INEC in the early hours of Wednesday, 27th February 2019 via its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
The current President of the country, Muhammadu Buhari who keenly contested under the auspices of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was announced as the winner of the election at about 4am on the said date.
President Buhari, who reportedly polled a total votes of 15,191,847 to defeat his closest rival Alhaji Atiku who garnered a total votes of 11,262,978, had elatedly appreciated the teeming Nigerians for finding his candidature worthy to be returned reelected as the next democratically-elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It’s worth noting that the Certificate of Return had since 2pm on the very day of the declaration been handed over to the victor alongside his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo by the INEC boss. Since then, it has been jubilation galore in some quarters as other Nigerians contrarily showcase their grievances over the outcome.
Whatever the case might be, the fact remains that the citizenry are at the moment filled with mixed feeling as regards the impending second term reign of President Buhari. Such a feeling has been a natural phenomenon among the human race whenever something is being awaited.
Many who have candidly wished the current administration well and currently celebrating over the recent victory are apparently jittery in regard to how the incoming reign of Buhari/Osinbajo would look like.
Some discerning mindsets are no doubt deeply yearning for continuity concerning some ongoing projects of the Buhari-led government across the federation. This set of individuals cannot wait to embrace the finishing stage of these capital intensive projects.
It’s understandable that government is a continuum, meaning literally that whosoever or whatever team/party that succeeds the other is expected to continue from where their predecessor stopped. But in Nigeria, the case has overtime been different; successive governments don’t usually have the interest to continue from where the previous one(s) stopped.
In view of the above, as President Buhari reemerges victoriously for a second term in office come 29th May 2019, well meaning and patriotic Nigerians – both home and abroad – are of the view that definitely the various ongoing projects in the country would get to completion.
As rational citizens of the country clamour for continuity of these ongoing projects, particularly the economically-oriented ones, I’m more concerned about the tech-driven initiatives coupled with the related ones yet to be initiated by the Federal Government (FG).
It’s only a non-Nigerian that’s not yet informed that construction of numerous roads, cutting across all the six geo-political zones in the country, has been duly approved and the required funds have already been released for the projects by the FG.
On the wake of 2019, the FG graciously released the sum of N100bn from the proceeds of the Sovereign Sukuk Fund for immediate construction of 28 federal roads within the shores of the federation as was captured in the 2018 budget. And in his words, the Minister of Works Mr. Babatunde Fashola who received the fund, assured that the approved projects would commence immediately on the affected roads.
As he stated that “time has gone when contractors go to sleep when they are contracted to initiate and complete a certain contract”, I earnestly look forward to seeing an era when Nigerians in their number would release a sigh of relief regarding the current ugly state of the federal roads in their respective jurisdictions.
We are equally not unaware that a tremendous railway project is ongoing across the Nigerian State. It’s worthy of note that if duly completed, this very tech-driven project would go a long way in cushioning the excruciating effects of conveying bulk goods from one locality to another within the country.
Aside its anticipated impact on the area of transportation of commodities, it will also help enormously to supplement the functions of other transport systems – such as road, water and air – as regards the human race.
Hence, it is the wish and prayer of virtually all citizens of Nigeria that the political will that instigated the commencement of the railway project should endeavour to facilitate its apt and timely completion without much ado.
Inter alia, we are equally informed that the rehabilitation of the second Niger Bridge is already ongoing. Nigerians were reliably notified by the FG that a total sum of N302bn has been budgeted towards the reconstruction of the said remarkable edifice. We are appealing that politics shouldn’t be played with this very economically-oriented project.
In the same vein, it’s high time the River Niger is properly dredged by the FG, as it’s being agitated by the people, towards aiding economic activities. A seaport ought to also be created therein to boost importation of goods and services within the region.
Lest I forget; in the spirit of eventually completing the Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik) mausoleum situated in Onitsha that was abandoned by previous governments for almost thirty years, the citizenry are equally awaiting a holistic clean-up of the ancient Ogoni land – that has been ignored for donkey’s years by past administrations – as earlier proposed by the Buhari-led government.
It’s very crucial to counsel Mr. President that new bloods are required to be introduced into his administration whenever its second term commences with a view to ensuring that more wholesome tech-driven projects are initiated into the system for the good of all. Issues such as power supply, or what have you, can only be aptly addressed if the right hands or cognoscenti are engaged.
Towards ushering in an all-inclusive government as already promised by President Buhari come his second term, he shouldn’t be reminded that Nigerians are expecting these ongoing projects, and the ones yet to be initiated, to come to completion soonest.
So, as we collectively congratulate Mr. President for reemerging victoriously at the polls, it’s imperative to notify him that Nigerians as a people cannot wait for the apt and timely completion of these numerous ongoing projects.
It’s noteworthy that the people’s expectations can only be fulfilled if the incoming administration firmly sticks to the political will that instigated the commencement of the aforementioned initiatives. Think about it!
Comrade Fred Nwaozor, is National Coordinator,
Right Thinkers Movement
___________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Tech I NEMSA And the Commissioned Electricity Lab
By Fred Nwaozor
Is there anyone who’s domiciled in Nigeria that’s yet to realize what the country has overtime been passing through as regards electricity supply? The apt respond to the candid enquiry ought to be ‘No’.
It’s not anymore news that Nigerians in their entirety have hitherto been experiencing untold hardship when it calls for electricity across the nooks and crannies of the acclaimed giant of Africa.
Aside the fact that the Nigerian State cannot boast of a steady power supply, it’s noteworthy that even the available one is densely characterized by myriad of irregularities alongside poor service delivery by the authorities in charge of the said public utility.
This could be one of the reasons that resulted in the emergence of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), the government authority that sees to the day-to-day standardization of power supply and other related technical issues across the federation.
NEMSA was established to carry out the functions of enforcement of technical standards and regulations, inspection, testing and certification of all categories of electrical installations, meters and instruments, to ensure efficient production cum delivery of safe, reliable and sustainable power supply as well as guarantee safety of lives and property in the Nigerian electricity supply industry coupled with allied matters.
The regular supply of power in any locality around the globe is characterized by three major segments, namely: generation, transmission and distribution. In each of these segments, it’s worth noting that different gadgets or machines are being utilized towards enabling effective and efficient services.
To guarantee apt functionality of these technical materials, an electricity laboratory, or otherwise known as ‘electricity lab’, is needed in the process by the relevant authorities. It’s the said lab that would assure the genuineness and adequacy of the gadgets before they are duly installed in the localities where they are required.
Similarly, whenever any of the instruments broke down or malfunctioned, the same lab is still being used to run some needed tests, or technical diagnoses, to ascertain what is/are actually wrong with them as well as map out strategies on how best the anomalies could be addressed. After the needed ‘diagnosis’, and due corrections afterwards, the equipment would further be installed for onward usage.
It was perhaps the keen quest for such a well-equipped testing unit that informed the practical gesture displayed by NEMSA penultimate month. In the aforementioned period, precisely on 25th January 2019, the agency graciously commissioned an electricity lab in Ijora, Lagos State to aid further testing cum confirmation of the commercial viability of these gadgets used by Generating Companies (GenCos), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Distribution Companies (DisCos), virtually on a daily basis.
Commissioning of the upgraded ‘Chemical and Engineering Laboratory’ received tremendous accolades from numerous stakeholders in the power sector, particularly the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola who was physically present at the epochal occasion.
In his words, Mr. Fashola who commended the leadership of the NEMSA for adhering to safety compliance and enhancing the growth of the industry, elatedly stated “This is now an upgraded and properly fitted laboratory to help the agency in enforcing compliance in the power sector. This will also make them do their jobs effectively now that they have tools. We hope there will be improvement in all the operators’ compliance conducts”.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the NEMSA Mr. Peter Ewesor proudly disclosed that the remodelling of the lab would help the agency to curb substandard equipment in the power sector.
He said “The facility is a specialized analytical laboratory for inspection, sampling, testing and analysis services for transformer insulating and lubricating oils. Others include greases of various grades, turbine oil, and hydraulic oil, used in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and allied industries as well as potable and effluent water resources.”
Mr. Ewesor, who is a chartered engineer, further revealed “This laboratory has been operating as a reference quality control laboratory for the entire power industry since the era of the defunct NEPA and PHCN, and now in the post-privatization era when NEMSA took it over in a dilapidated state in 2014. NEMSA, in realization of its key role in furthering its mandate as enshrined in NEMSA Act-2015, embarked on the upgrading and remodelling of the laboratory to provide accurate tests and analyses.”
He added that the electricity lab was equipped with a wide range of world-class test equipment, instruments and devices, including Dissolved Gas Analyzer (DGA) – a diagnostic machine. According to him, it equally contains equipment for detecting, indentifying and evaluating incipient faults within transformers and reactors, such as Dielectric Strength Tester (DST) to determine oil viscosity.
NEMSA may have done novel by thinking it wise to come up with this milestone, but I’m bothered over a certain cankerworm that has overtime bedevilled the Nigeria’s system, which remains sustainability syndrome. The country’s sustenance culture has colossally deteriorated that it has eaten deep into her blood stream.
It’s on this premise I urge the leadership of the NEMSA to ensure that this electricity lab is secured and safeguarded at all cost, so that, it would thoroughly succeed in actualizing the core motives for which it was established or upgraded.
Hence, the authority must, therefore, be prepared to fish out saboteurs in their midst. It has been proven that in any clime or entity, there must be a Judas, thus the NEMSA wouldn’t be an exception. The unpatriotic Nigerians or unscrupulous elements found in the agency need to be shown the way out without much ado if its management is truly ready to soar beyond expectations.
Inter alia, as concerned authorities strive towards improving power supply across the federation, the NEMSA alongside the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), needs to became more proactive in their day-to-day bid to monitor the activities of the GenCos, TCN and DisCos by respectively setting up various mobile technical teams.
So, as we celebrate the emergence of this milestone, let’s not forget that the teeming Nigerians are variously suffering from an untold hardship in the hands of these stakeholders that are meant to serve and protect them. Think about it!
How Do You Rate The Card Readers?
The long awaited Presidential and National Assembly elections were eventually conducted across the Nigerian State on 23rd February 2019. As a tech expert, whenever such a national ritual is being carried out, my optimum interest invariably lies in the tech-driven processes involved.
It’s not anymore news that the electronic Smart Card Readers were utilized in the exercise. In my area, what I witnessed indicates that the said device performed as expected. However, some reports I received from other quarters informed that the gadgets malfunctioned.
At this point, prior to the impending gubernatorial and States’ Houses of Assembly polls, I suggest the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should go back to the drawing board towards ascertaining the variety of technical hitches encountered with a view to forestalling its repeat. This must be handled with all manners of seriousness and rigorosity. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, is National Coordinator,
Right Thinkers Movement
______________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Is there anyone who’s domiciled in Nigeria that’s yet to realize what the country has overtime been passing through as regards electricity supply? The apt respond to the candid enquiry ought to be ‘No’.
It’s not anymore news that Nigerians in their entirety have hitherto been experiencing untold hardship when it calls for electricity across the nooks and crannies of the acclaimed giant of Africa.
Aside the fact that the Nigerian State cannot boast of a steady power supply, it’s noteworthy that even the available one is densely characterized by myriad of irregularities alongside poor service delivery by the authorities in charge of the said public utility.
This could be one of the reasons that resulted in the emergence of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), the government authority that sees to the day-to-day standardization of power supply and other related technical issues across the federation.
NEMSA was established to carry out the functions of enforcement of technical standards and regulations, inspection, testing and certification of all categories of electrical installations, meters and instruments, to ensure efficient production cum delivery of safe, reliable and sustainable power supply as well as guarantee safety of lives and property in the Nigerian electricity supply industry coupled with allied matters.
The regular supply of power in any locality around the globe is characterized by three major segments, namely: generation, transmission and distribution. In each of these segments, it’s worth noting that different gadgets or machines are being utilized towards enabling effective and efficient services.
To guarantee apt functionality of these technical materials, an electricity laboratory, or otherwise known as ‘electricity lab’, is needed in the process by the relevant authorities. It’s the said lab that would assure the genuineness and adequacy of the gadgets before they are duly installed in the localities where they are required.
Similarly, whenever any of the instruments broke down or malfunctioned, the same lab is still being used to run some needed tests, or technical diagnoses, to ascertain what is/are actually wrong with them as well as map out strategies on how best the anomalies could be addressed. After the needed ‘diagnosis’, and due corrections afterwards, the equipment would further be installed for onward usage.
It was perhaps the keen quest for such a well-equipped testing unit that informed the practical gesture displayed by NEMSA penultimate month. In the aforementioned period, precisely on 25th January 2019, the agency graciously commissioned an electricity lab in Ijora, Lagos State to aid further testing cum confirmation of the commercial viability of these gadgets used by Generating Companies (GenCos), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Distribution Companies (DisCos), virtually on a daily basis.
Commissioning of the upgraded ‘Chemical and Engineering Laboratory’ received tremendous accolades from numerous stakeholders in the power sector, particularly the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola who was physically present at the epochal occasion.
In his words, Mr. Fashola who commended the leadership of the NEMSA for adhering to safety compliance and enhancing the growth of the industry, elatedly stated “This is now an upgraded and properly fitted laboratory to help the agency in enforcing compliance in the power sector. This will also make them do their jobs effectively now that they have tools. We hope there will be improvement in all the operators’ compliance conducts”.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the NEMSA Mr. Peter Ewesor proudly disclosed that the remodelling of the lab would help the agency to curb substandard equipment in the power sector.
He said “The facility is a specialized analytical laboratory for inspection, sampling, testing and analysis services for transformer insulating and lubricating oils. Others include greases of various grades, turbine oil, and hydraulic oil, used in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and allied industries as well as potable and effluent water resources.”
Mr. Ewesor, who is a chartered engineer, further revealed “This laboratory has been operating as a reference quality control laboratory for the entire power industry since the era of the defunct NEPA and PHCN, and now in the post-privatization era when NEMSA took it over in a dilapidated state in 2014. NEMSA, in realization of its key role in furthering its mandate as enshrined in NEMSA Act-2015, embarked on the upgrading and remodelling of the laboratory to provide accurate tests and analyses.”
He added that the electricity lab was equipped with a wide range of world-class test equipment, instruments and devices, including Dissolved Gas Analyzer (DGA) – a diagnostic machine. According to him, it equally contains equipment for detecting, indentifying and evaluating incipient faults within transformers and reactors, such as Dielectric Strength Tester (DST) to determine oil viscosity.
NEMSA may have done novel by thinking it wise to come up with this milestone, but I’m bothered over a certain cankerworm that has overtime bedevilled the Nigeria’s system, which remains sustainability syndrome. The country’s sustenance culture has colossally deteriorated that it has eaten deep into her blood stream.
It’s on this premise I urge the leadership of the NEMSA to ensure that this electricity lab is secured and safeguarded at all cost, so that, it would thoroughly succeed in actualizing the core motives for which it was established or upgraded.
Hence, the authority must, therefore, be prepared to fish out saboteurs in their midst. It has been proven that in any clime or entity, there must be a Judas, thus the NEMSA wouldn’t be an exception. The unpatriotic Nigerians or unscrupulous elements found in the agency need to be shown the way out without much ado if its management is truly ready to soar beyond expectations.
Inter alia, as concerned authorities strive towards improving power supply across the federation, the NEMSA alongside the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), needs to became more proactive in their day-to-day bid to monitor the activities of the GenCos, TCN and DisCos by respectively setting up various mobile technical teams.
So, as we celebrate the emergence of this milestone, let’s not forget that the teeming Nigerians are variously suffering from an untold hardship in the hands of these stakeholders that are meant to serve and protect them. Think about it!
How Do You Rate The Card Readers?
The long awaited Presidential and National Assembly elections were eventually conducted across the Nigerian State on 23rd February 2019. As a tech expert, whenever such a national ritual is being carried out, my optimum interest invariably lies in the tech-driven processes involved.
It’s not anymore news that the electronic Smart Card Readers were utilized in the exercise. In my area, what I witnessed indicates that the said device performed as expected. However, some reports I received from other quarters informed that the gadgets malfunctioned.
At this point, prior to the impending gubernatorial and States’ Houses of Assembly polls, I suggest the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should go back to the drawing board towards ascertaining the variety of technical hitches encountered with a view to forestalling its repeat. This must be handled with all manners of seriousness and rigorosity. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, is National Coordinator,
Right Thinkers Movement
______________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Analysis I On Madumere's Vigour And Ihedioha's Victory
By Fred Nwaozor
The last time I checked, Imolites have swiftly switched their tentacles and concerns from the current government in the state to the impending one, which isn’t unconnected with the outcome of the just concluded Imo guber poll.
It’s not anymore news that at about 12am on Tuesday, 12th March 2019, the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the Imo State gubernatorial election held on 9th March, 2019, Prof. Francis Otunta officially declared Chief Emeka Nkem Ihedioha as the Governor-elect of the Eastern Heartland.
It’s noteworthy that the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly’s Green Chamber, Chief Ihedioha who keenly contested under the aegis of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), reportedly polled a total of 273,404 votes to defeat his closest contender Uche Nwosu who competed under the auspices of the Action Alliance (AA) and garnered a total of 190,364 votes.
At the moment, virtually every nook and cranny within the shores of Imo is obviously branded ‘Ihedioha’, meaning literally that the victory of the erstwhile legislator is apparently remarkable and acceptable by almost all residents of the state.
It’s equally worthy of note that Chief Ihedioha had been in the guber race for four years now. He was remarkably there during the 2015 general elections but luck couldn’t smile at his person. This is to say that prior to his victorious emergence last two weeks, he was a popular candidate.
Nevertheless, I wouldn’t be misinforming anyone if I assert that his popularity didn’t play the major role towards his election as the next governor of Imo. We cannot finish discussing what truly resulted in Chief Ihedioha’s victory without mentioning the incumbent Deputy Governor of the State, Prince Eze Madumere.
Though Prince Madumere was, and is still, strongly of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), his popularity and vigour played a major role towards the victory in question. I would opine that he, advertently or inadvertently, contributed immensely in making the candidature of Chief Ihedioha to be widely acceptable by the electorate. Read my lips.
Let’s swiftly revisit the political history in Imo to enable us fully acknowledge the picture I’m trying to portray herein. We may have forgotten in haste but those who are keen in politics or political trending would invariably recall that Prince Madumere and the state’s sitting governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha recently displayed their muscles to each other owing to the duo’s political differences.
The faceoff wasn’t unconnected with the governor’s insistence on installing his ‘anointed’ son-in-law, Uche Nwosu as his successor. The number one citizen remained resolute and dogmatic in his dream, ignoring the popular call from the Imo People to consider reversing his decision to favour the loyal and pleasant deputy governor who they believed has all it takes to govern the state.
In the long run, the APC’s guber ticket wasn’t grabbed by the governor’s candidate, nor Prince Madumere who had an overwhelming support from the Imo residents. Although the latter candidly, deeply and obviously supported the eventual guber flag-bearer of the party, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, his teeming allies and followers abruptly made a u-turn, defecting to the camp of Chief Ihedioha of the PDP who they believed was the only alternative candidate that could be wholly entrusted with the welfare of the overall Imolites.
According to these countless supporters and lovers of the deputy governor who seemingly meant well for the state, Chief Ihedioha was well qualified compared to any other aspirant and hails from the zone (Imo East) who they were of the view had been marginalized as regards the Imo leadership structure or Charter of Equity since the inception of the state. It’s worth noting that Prince Madumere is equally from the Imo East senatorial district whilst Sen. Uzodinma hails from Imo West.
The above candid analysis implies that what really led to Chief Ihedioha’s victory at the Imo guber poll was devoid of politics, or had no political undertones. Prince Madumere’s outstanding and astonishing acceptance by the Imo People, irrespective of party affiliations, was apparently the main reason for the current season.
It suffices to assert that as Imo is presently awash with celebrations, millions of well-meaning Imolites are equally celebrating the number two citizen of the state, even though the royal prince isn’t of the PDP extraction that secured the mandate.
One might then enthuse that the nature and features of Prince Madumere, of the APC, have succeeded in making the majority of Imo People, both home and in the Diaspora, to bear one indivisible voice regardless of their socio-political and religious inclinations. Politics and humanity undoubtedly have no meeting point.
This is the reason it’s currently opined in various quarters across Imo that, had it been Madumere clinched the APC’s guber ticket, he would have effortlessly emerged successfully at the polls as the Governor-elect of the state.
People are, therefore, predicting that Ihedioha would perform very well when enthroned as the Imo governor come 29th May 2019, since his victory is likened to divinity. According to them, considering that his successful emergence at the poll wasn’t apparently as a result of politics or politicking, but humanity, “he is destined to lead Imo”.
As Madumere’s vigour has eventually yielded Ihedioha’s victory in a grand style, it’s imperative for the victor to acknowledge that power comes from the Creator, or that power is being given by the people, not taken as wrongly opined in most quarters.
Acknowledgement of the above fact would enable him to be so magnanimous in victory. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, is National Coordinator,
Right Thinkers Movement
_________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador
The last time I checked, Imolites have swiftly switched their tentacles and concerns from the current government in the state to the impending one, which isn’t unconnected with the outcome of the just concluded Imo guber poll.
It’s not anymore news that at about 12am on Tuesday, 12th March 2019, the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the Imo State gubernatorial election held on 9th March, 2019, Prof. Francis Otunta officially declared Chief Emeka Nkem Ihedioha as the Governor-elect of the Eastern Heartland.
It’s noteworthy that the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly’s Green Chamber, Chief Ihedioha who keenly contested under the aegis of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), reportedly polled a total of 273,404 votes to defeat his closest contender Uche Nwosu who competed under the auspices of the Action Alliance (AA) and garnered a total of 190,364 votes.
At the moment, virtually every nook and cranny within the shores of Imo is obviously branded ‘Ihedioha’, meaning literally that the victory of the erstwhile legislator is apparently remarkable and acceptable by almost all residents of the state.
It’s equally worthy of note that Chief Ihedioha had been in the guber race for four years now. He was remarkably there during the 2015 general elections but luck couldn’t smile at his person. This is to say that prior to his victorious emergence last two weeks, he was a popular candidate.
Nevertheless, I wouldn’t be misinforming anyone if I assert that his popularity didn’t play the major role towards his election as the next governor of Imo. We cannot finish discussing what truly resulted in Chief Ihedioha’s victory without mentioning the incumbent Deputy Governor of the State, Prince Eze Madumere.
Though Prince Madumere was, and is still, strongly of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), his popularity and vigour played a major role towards the victory in question. I would opine that he, advertently or inadvertently, contributed immensely in making the candidature of Chief Ihedioha to be widely acceptable by the electorate. Read my lips.
Let’s swiftly revisit the political history in Imo to enable us fully acknowledge the picture I’m trying to portray herein. We may have forgotten in haste but those who are keen in politics or political trending would invariably recall that Prince Madumere and the state’s sitting governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha recently displayed their muscles to each other owing to the duo’s political differences.
The faceoff wasn’t unconnected with the governor’s insistence on installing his ‘anointed’ son-in-law, Uche Nwosu as his successor. The number one citizen remained resolute and dogmatic in his dream, ignoring the popular call from the Imo People to consider reversing his decision to favour the loyal and pleasant deputy governor who they believed has all it takes to govern the state.
In the long run, the APC’s guber ticket wasn’t grabbed by the governor’s candidate, nor Prince Madumere who had an overwhelming support from the Imo residents. Although the latter candidly, deeply and obviously supported the eventual guber flag-bearer of the party, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, his teeming allies and followers abruptly made a u-turn, defecting to the camp of Chief Ihedioha of the PDP who they believed was the only alternative candidate that could be wholly entrusted with the welfare of the overall Imolites.
According to these countless supporters and lovers of the deputy governor who seemingly meant well for the state, Chief Ihedioha was well qualified compared to any other aspirant and hails from the zone (Imo East) who they were of the view had been marginalized as regards the Imo leadership structure or Charter of Equity since the inception of the state. It’s worth noting that Prince Madumere is equally from the Imo East senatorial district whilst Sen. Uzodinma hails from Imo West.
The above candid analysis implies that what really led to Chief Ihedioha’s victory at the Imo guber poll was devoid of politics, or had no political undertones. Prince Madumere’s outstanding and astonishing acceptance by the Imo People, irrespective of party affiliations, was apparently the main reason for the current season.
It suffices to assert that as Imo is presently awash with celebrations, millions of well-meaning Imolites are equally celebrating the number two citizen of the state, even though the royal prince isn’t of the PDP extraction that secured the mandate.
One might then enthuse that the nature and features of Prince Madumere, of the APC, have succeeded in making the majority of Imo People, both home and in the Diaspora, to bear one indivisible voice regardless of their socio-political and religious inclinations. Politics and humanity undoubtedly have no meeting point.
This is the reason it’s currently opined in various quarters across Imo that, had it been Madumere clinched the APC’s guber ticket, he would have effortlessly emerged successfully at the polls as the Governor-elect of the state.
People are, therefore, predicting that Ihedioha would perform very well when enthroned as the Imo governor come 29th May 2019, since his victory is likened to divinity. According to them, considering that his successful emergence at the poll wasn’t apparently as a result of politics or politicking, but humanity, “he is destined to lead Imo”.
As Madumere’s vigour has eventually yielded Ihedioha’s victory in a grand style, it’s imperative for the victor to acknowledge that power comes from the Creator, or that power is being given by the people, not taken as wrongly opined in most quarters.
Acknowledgement of the above fact would enable him to be so magnanimous in victory. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, is National Coordinator,
Right Thinkers Movement
_________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador
Opinion I After the Blame Game, Winner Emerges
By Fred Doc Nwaozor
Life generally is conspicuously characterized by tremendous intrigues and intricacies. This is the reason some persons who truly comprehend the features of nature don’t seemingly hold anything firmly.
They do so, believing that whatever one beholds can depart at anytime, and in most cases, it happens unannounced. This set of individuals, that’s invariably found anywhere across the globe, is often referred to as a group of realists.
Realism is simply the ability to face any ongoing circumstance or trending events squarely as they appear without making any effort to twist their real outlook or value. This school of thought enables mankind to be rational and real at all times.
In elections or electioneering era for instance, several intrigues are usually observed by the onlookers. Taking Nigeria as a case study, each time any election approaches, the concerned aspirants or political parties are – rather than dwelling on issue-based campaign – relentlessly involved in exposing their dirty lilies in the public domain.
An aspirant or candidate who is expected to inform the people what he/she intends to do towards ushering in the anticipated good governance when he emerges victoriously, would end up telling the electorate why they shouldn’t vote for his/her rival(s), thereby contradicting the scenario.
In a situation whereby the ruling party is contesting for a certain position or reelection and its closest rival happens to have tasted the leadership seat in the past, the two parties – both the ruling and opposition – would be mainly involved in castigating each other as they go about their day-to-day campaigns towards gaining the people’s votes.
They invariably concentrate on this wayward style of campaign, and they do so vigorously and doggedly, forgetting that what the voters really need to hear from them is their plan on how to position or reposition the country/state positively if they became elected at the polls.
This character assassination as mentioned above, popularly known as “blame game”, has currently eaten deep into the bloodstream of the Nigeria’s political system and its likes. It has hitherto continued unabated as being witnessed in the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections in the country.
Such a game was keenly, though ‘shamefully’, played by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that happened to be its closest rival, towards the last presidential polls that eventually held on 23rd February 2019. And it is still occurring across the country as we await the Gubernatorial and States’ Houses of Assembly elections come 9th March 2019.
At the moment, it’s obvious that after the blame game that heralded the 2019 Presidential election, a victor has consequently emerged as was publicly declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, 27th February 2019, precisely at about 4am.
The INEC through its Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, having painstakingly studied the overall outcome of the elections as was separately tendered by the states’ Returning Officers, graciously announced Muhammadu Buhari of the APC as the winner of the keenly contested poll. The Certificate of Return was given to the victor at 2pm on the same day.
Millions of people the world over are currently celebrating with the victor as some others are reportedly aggrieved with the pronounced outcome of the poll. Whatever the case might be, the bone of contention remains that a winner has finally emerged from the blame game after the suspense and intrigues that transpired.
At this juncture, I want to candidly appreciate Nigerians for the maturity and patience displayed thus far. Election as an exercise is a process, hence entails various sections. The first part of it is for the electorate to collectively cast their votes; Nigerians participated in this phase with extreme maturity.
The second phase entails awaiting the pronouncement of the outcome of the election. This section equally requires to be participated with patriotic mindset imbued with patience. Nigerians in their number also did as expected while in this very phase.
The third phase involves declaration of any of the contenders as the victor of the exercise or competition. It’s noteworthy that the victor is constitutionally the candidate who garnered the maximum number of votes as against his/her co-contestants.
I equally commend the citizens for accepting this section in good faith as we appeal to the defeated candidate(s) who wish(es) to query the outcome or the declaration to use the apt channel, which remains the legal means. The PDP has already approached the Election Tribunal; we therefore enjoin them to remain calm and mature till the entire proceeding is over.
Similar appeal goes to the candidates or political parties who were reportedly defeated at the various 29 states that experienced the recent conduct of the gubernatorial elections. They must endeavour to use the right and lawful channel in showcasing their respective grievances.
So, as I congratulate Mr. President alongside his entire team for reemerging as the next democratically-elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I also congratulate the teeming Nigerians for the fantastic and remarkable role they have variously played so far towards ensuring that peace and harmony are maintained across the shores of the Nigerian State.
Above all, as I appreciate the INEC for eventually concluding this labour and cost intensive task, I enjoin the commission to look inwards to ensure that whatever lapse(s) experienced in the last polls isn’t/aren’t witnessed in the impending ones.
Hence, the electoral umpire must tactically go back to the drawing board. The practice of spending up to four days or thereabouts after the election before the final results are announced must, therefore, be reviewed with a view to ensuring that such an inconsequential suspense doesn’t repeat itself.
All in all, as we collectively enjoy this relative peace, I urge us to continually remind ourselves that there’s no other country, aside Nigeria, we can proudly and boldly call our own. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, a Policy Analyst, Rights Activist & Social Crusader,
is National Coordinator of Right Thinkers Movement
Life generally is conspicuously characterized by tremendous intrigues and intricacies. This is the reason some persons who truly comprehend the features of nature don’t seemingly hold anything firmly.
They do so, believing that whatever one beholds can depart at anytime, and in most cases, it happens unannounced. This set of individuals, that’s invariably found anywhere across the globe, is often referred to as a group of realists.
Realism is simply the ability to face any ongoing circumstance or trending events squarely as they appear without making any effort to twist their real outlook or value. This school of thought enables mankind to be rational and real at all times.
In elections or electioneering era for instance, several intrigues are usually observed by the onlookers. Taking Nigeria as a case study, each time any election approaches, the concerned aspirants or political parties are – rather than dwelling on issue-based campaign – relentlessly involved in exposing their dirty lilies in the public domain.
An aspirant or candidate who is expected to inform the people what he/she intends to do towards ushering in the anticipated good governance when he emerges victoriously, would end up telling the electorate why they shouldn’t vote for his/her rival(s), thereby contradicting the scenario.
In a situation whereby the ruling party is contesting for a certain position or reelection and its closest rival happens to have tasted the leadership seat in the past, the two parties – both the ruling and opposition – would be mainly involved in castigating each other as they go about their day-to-day campaigns towards gaining the people’s votes.
They invariably concentrate on this wayward style of campaign, and they do so vigorously and doggedly, forgetting that what the voters really need to hear from them is their plan on how to position or reposition the country/state positively if they became elected at the polls.
This character assassination as mentioned above, popularly known as “blame game”, has currently eaten deep into the bloodstream of the Nigeria’s political system and its likes. It has hitherto continued unabated as being witnessed in the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections in the country.
Such a game was keenly, though ‘shamefully’, played by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that happened to be its closest rival, towards the last presidential polls that eventually held on 23rd February 2019. And it is still occurring across the country as we await the Gubernatorial and States’ Houses of Assembly elections come 9th March 2019.
At the moment, it’s obvious that after the blame game that heralded the 2019 Presidential election, a victor has consequently emerged as was publicly declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, 27th February 2019, precisely at about 4am.
The INEC through its Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, having painstakingly studied the overall outcome of the elections as was separately tendered by the states’ Returning Officers, graciously announced Muhammadu Buhari of the APC as the winner of the keenly contested poll. The Certificate of Return was given to the victor at 2pm on the same day.
Millions of people the world over are currently celebrating with the victor as some others are reportedly aggrieved with the pronounced outcome of the poll. Whatever the case might be, the bone of contention remains that a winner has finally emerged from the blame game after the suspense and intrigues that transpired.
At this juncture, I want to candidly appreciate Nigerians for the maturity and patience displayed thus far. Election as an exercise is a process, hence entails various sections. The first part of it is for the electorate to collectively cast their votes; Nigerians participated in this phase with extreme maturity.
The second phase entails awaiting the pronouncement of the outcome of the election. This section equally requires to be participated with patriotic mindset imbued with patience. Nigerians in their number also did as expected while in this very phase.
The third phase involves declaration of any of the contenders as the victor of the exercise or competition. It’s noteworthy that the victor is constitutionally the candidate who garnered the maximum number of votes as against his/her co-contestants.
I equally commend the citizens for accepting this section in good faith as we appeal to the defeated candidate(s) who wish(es) to query the outcome or the declaration to use the apt channel, which remains the legal means. The PDP has already approached the Election Tribunal; we therefore enjoin them to remain calm and mature till the entire proceeding is over.
Similar appeal goes to the candidates or political parties who were reportedly defeated at the various 29 states that experienced the recent conduct of the gubernatorial elections. They must endeavour to use the right and lawful channel in showcasing their respective grievances.
So, as I congratulate Mr. President alongside his entire team for reemerging as the next democratically-elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I also congratulate the teeming Nigerians for the fantastic and remarkable role they have variously played so far towards ensuring that peace and harmony are maintained across the shores of the Nigerian State.
Above all, as I appreciate the INEC for eventually concluding this labour and cost intensive task, I enjoin the commission to look inwards to ensure that whatever lapse(s) experienced in the last polls isn’t/aren’t witnessed in the impending ones.
Hence, the electoral umpire must tactically go back to the drawing board. The practice of spending up to four days or thereabouts after the election before the final results are announced must, therefore, be reviewed with a view to ensuring that such an inconsequential suspense doesn’t repeat itself.
All in all, as we collectively enjoy this relative peace, I urge us to continually remind ourselves that there’s no other country, aside Nigeria, we can proudly and boldly call our own. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, a Policy Analyst, Rights Activist & Social Crusader,
is National Coordinator of Right Thinkers Movement
Opinion I Intrigues of Elections And Democratic Values
By Fred Doc Nwaozor
The last time I checked, democracy seemingly remained the best system of government. And till this very moment, this generally accepted assertion hasn’t changed.
Many in various quarters have overtime opined that the worst democracy can never be compared to the best autocracy anywhere in the world, meaning literally that the former is far better than the latter.
In view of the above, several persons all over the global community have invariably and rigorously been canvassing for apt sustenance of democratic system and processes in their respective societies. According to them, the said system has convincingly proven to run an all-inclusive pattern of government compared to others.
It’s noteworthy that democracy is conspicuously characterized by two prime recipes namely: elections and freedom of speech. These key factors spice up the regular functionality of any democratic terrain wherever it is found.
An election or electoral process heralds the swearing-in era of the aforesaid government, whereby a set of leaders is constitutionally empowered to be at the helm of affairs of the given nation or province, as might be the case.
The above clause implies that it is through elections the leadership class of any democracy emerges. It suffices to say that it’s only by the conduct of an election the people would meet their leaders. When the leaders are eventually produced via the polls, the people or the electorate can be classified as followers.
The bone of contention is that an election is not unlike a pivot on which a democratic state firmly stands. It is, therefore, the progenitor of the system of leadership in question. It is the foundation or basis of this lovable platform currently enjoyed by the majority of countries across the globe.
Elections are simply the rudiments of democratic values; they are invariably one of the paramount reasons people all over clamour for democracies; they are the origin of good governance, which equally is one of the main features of any existing democracy. An election is summarily the engine room of all democratic processes and values.
It’s on this premise people are urged to safeguard elections with all their might. The obvious beauty of an electoral process is why discerning mindsets in every nook and cranny have at all times preached the reason it must be treated with all manners of seriousness.
It’s of note that the peaceful and credible conduct of any election, either national, state or association, does not depend on the electoral umpire alone. That is to say; for any election to be peaceful or for its outcome to be appreciated and acceptable by all and sundry, all hands – such as the umpire, voters, candidates, security outfits, the media, and observers – are required to meaningfully contribute their quota.
Each of the stakeholders mentioned above has a very vital and inevitable role to play towards guaranteeing a well transparent and commendable election, particularly a societal electoral process. Their respective roles are well defined in the Electoral Act guiding the election in question in such a way that they aren’t meant to derail in the long run till the exercise is holistically concluded.
The most basic attitude that’s expected of all participants in any election is to see the overall interest of the benefitting entity as more crucial than the various interests of the individuals that make up the union or group.
Considering the interest of the province, nation or association, or collective interest of the members, as sacrosanct would enable all participating parties to render contributions that are devoid of pranks or what have you. Placing the people’s general interest ahead of their personal gains remains the best way indisputable credible polls could be witnessed in any clime that upholds or understands the language of democracy.
Taking Nigeria as a case study, it’s needless to assert that the acclaimed giant of Africa is presently undergoing a serious trial period as regards elections and their possible outcomes. As well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians are at the moment apparently perturbed, there are key facts they are required to embrace with a view to ensuring that the country isn’t in any way marred by any form of crisis, irregularity, or mayhem.
If any right thinking Nigerian truly looks forward to seeing a more peaceful and greater country called Nigeria, then he/she shouldn’t be told or reminded that the citizenry are expected to remain calm, rational and law abiding throughout the conduct of the entire scheduled polls and as they await the outcome of the exercise.
The candidates or political parties involved need to bear the national interest in mind as they variously receive the results of each of the elections. Thus, if the results aren’t in their favour, they must be willing and ready to accept them in good faith.
They shouldn’t see victory after the elections as a “do or die affair” or an anticipated outcome that must come to past. It’s imperative to comprehend that, among the numerous contenders, only one of them is meant to emerge victoriously at the polls.
It’s pertinent to acknowledge that not being successful at a certain poll doesn’t signify you can’t succeed subsequently, or no more room for you to excel. We must always take into cognizance that election is a continuum, hence remains endless. In other others, if the outcome of today’s election isn’t in your favour, tomorrow’s might make you grin again.
It’s undoubtedly our collective civic responsibility to at all cost defend the sanctity of this country and the human life at large. To adhere to this mandate, we must at all times be fully prepared to accept our individual fates in good faith.
If it’s ideal that a certain election outcome ought to be disputed, let the aggrieved party endeavour to head to the election tribunal. Mind you; if you incite your followers against your rival, you’re equally doing so against Nigeria. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, is National Coordinator,
Right Thinkers Movement
The last time I checked, democracy seemingly remained the best system of government. And till this very moment, this generally accepted assertion hasn’t changed.
Many in various quarters have overtime opined that the worst democracy can never be compared to the best autocracy anywhere in the world, meaning literally that the former is far better than the latter.
In view of the above, several persons all over the global community have invariably and rigorously been canvassing for apt sustenance of democratic system and processes in their respective societies. According to them, the said system has convincingly proven to run an all-inclusive pattern of government compared to others.
It’s noteworthy that democracy is conspicuously characterized by two prime recipes namely: elections and freedom of speech. These key factors spice up the regular functionality of any democratic terrain wherever it is found.
An election or electoral process heralds the swearing-in era of the aforesaid government, whereby a set of leaders is constitutionally empowered to be at the helm of affairs of the given nation or province, as might be the case.
The above clause implies that it is through elections the leadership class of any democracy emerges. It suffices to say that it’s only by the conduct of an election the people would meet their leaders. When the leaders are eventually produced via the polls, the people or the electorate can be classified as followers.
The bone of contention is that an election is not unlike a pivot on which a democratic state firmly stands. It is, therefore, the progenitor of the system of leadership in question. It is the foundation or basis of this lovable platform currently enjoyed by the majority of countries across the globe.
Elections are simply the rudiments of democratic values; they are invariably one of the paramount reasons people all over clamour for democracies; they are the origin of good governance, which equally is one of the main features of any existing democracy. An election is summarily the engine room of all democratic processes and values.
It’s on this premise people are urged to safeguard elections with all their might. The obvious beauty of an electoral process is why discerning mindsets in every nook and cranny have at all times preached the reason it must be treated with all manners of seriousness.
It’s of note that the peaceful and credible conduct of any election, either national, state or association, does not depend on the electoral umpire alone. That is to say; for any election to be peaceful or for its outcome to be appreciated and acceptable by all and sundry, all hands – such as the umpire, voters, candidates, security outfits, the media, and observers – are required to meaningfully contribute their quota.
Each of the stakeholders mentioned above has a very vital and inevitable role to play towards guaranteeing a well transparent and commendable election, particularly a societal electoral process. Their respective roles are well defined in the Electoral Act guiding the election in question in such a way that they aren’t meant to derail in the long run till the exercise is holistically concluded.
The most basic attitude that’s expected of all participants in any election is to see the overall interest of the benefitting entity as more crucial than the various interests of the individuals that make up the union or group.
Considering the interest of the province, nation or association, or collective interest of the members, as sacrosanct would enable all participating parties to render contributions that are devoid of pranks or what have you. Placing the people’s general interest ahead of their personal gains remains the best way indisputable credible polls could be witnessed in any clime that upholds or understands the language of democracy.
Taking Nigeria as a case study, it’s needless to assert that the acclaimed giant of Africa is presently undergoing a serious trial period as regards elections and their possible outcomes. As well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians are at the moment apparently perturbed, there are key facts they are required to embrace with a view to ensuring that the country isn’t in any way marred by any form of crisis, irregularity, or mayhem.
If any right thinking Nigerian truly looks forward to seeing a more peaceful and greater country called Nigeria, then he/she shouldn’t be told or reminded that the citizenry are expected to remain calm, rational and law abiding throughout the conduct of the entire scheduled polls and as they await the outcome of the exercise.
The candidates or political parties involved need to bear the national interest in mind as they variously receive the results of each of the elections. Thus, if the results aren’t in their favour, they must be willing and ready to accept them in good faith.
They shouldn’t see victory after the elections as a “do or die affair” or an anticipated outcome that must come to past. It’s imperative to comprehend that, among the numerous contenders, only one of them is meant to emerge victoriously at the polls.
It’s pertinent to acknowledge that not being successful at a certain poll doesn’t signify you can’t succeed subsequently, or no more room for you to excel. We must always take into cognizance that election is a continuum, hence remains endless. In other others, if the outcome of today’s election isn’t in your favour, tomorrow’s might make you grin again.
It’s undoubtedly our collective civic responsibility to at all cost defend the sanctity of this country and the human life at large. To adhere to this mandate, we must at all times be fully prepared to accept our individual fates in good faith.
If it’s ideal that a certain election outcome ought to be disputed, let the aggrieved party endeavour to head to the election tribunal. Mind you; if you incite your followers against your rival, you’re equally doing so against Nigeria. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, is National Coordinator,
Right Thinkers Movement
Monday, 25 February 2019
#PresidentialPoll: APC Wins PDP With 170,800 Margin @Kwara
The statistics as collated and announced by the Vice-Chancellor of FUTMinna are as follows:
APC - 308,984
PDP - 138184
Cast votes - 486,254
Rejected votes - 36578
Valid votes - 449,676
#PresidentialPoll: PDP Wins APC With 107,773 Margin @FCT
Statistics of the results as were collated and announced by the Vice -Chancellor of the University of Lafia, are as follows:
APC - 152, 224
PDP - 259,997
Votes rejected - 67,457
Votes cast - 451,408
Votes valid - 383951
#PresidentialPoll APC Wins PDP With 10,257 Margin @Osun
At Osun State the statistics of the results as was collated by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UniLag) are as follows:
APC - 347,634
PDP - 337,377
Total votes cast - 731,882
Total votes rejected - 17,200
Total valid votes - 714682
However, the INEC boss Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has instructed stakeholders to reconvene at 2:30pm on Monday, 25th February 2019.
Stay tuned to Rostrum365 for the bit to bit reportage.
#PresidentialPoll: APC Wins PDP with 68,199 Margin at Ekiti
In the ongoing results collation at the national Result Collation Centre, Abuja, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has won the People's Democratic Party (PDP) at Ekiti State by polling a total votes of 219,231. Find the statistics below:
APC - 219,231
PDP - 151,032
Total Votes cast - 393,709
Total rejected votes - 12,577
Total valid votes - 381,132
Opinon I As The Elections Are Rescheduled, What Next?
By Fred Doc Nwaozor
The last time I checked, Nigerians – Imolites in particular – were apparently unhappy. The said countenance was not unconnected with the bad omen that befell the country over the weekend.
Just exactly as one, who had impatiently waited to participate in a certain ancient cultural festival but later learnt that the scheduled event has been abruptly shifted to another date, would feel, that’s how the teeming Nigerians felt in the early hours of Saturday, 16th February 2019, precisely at about 2:30am.
On the wake of the aforesaid date, the citizenry were unfortunately informed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the scheduled national ritual – otherwise known as elections – had been postponed by one week after the long wait.
It’s no longer news that the Nigeria’s long awaited general elections were initially billed for 16th February and 2nd March, 2019 for the Presidential cum National Assembly (NASS) and Governorship cum States’ Houses of Assembly, respectively. It’s equally not anymore news that the polls were eventually postponed to 23rd February and 9th March, 2019, accordingly.
In his words, the INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who on the aforementioned time briefly addressed the Nigerian State as regards the postponement, cited problems surrounding “logistics and operational plan” as the reason behind the commission’s abrupt decision.
In his further clarification at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, the INEC boss who disclosed before the election stakeholders, and of course the general public, that the unforeseen postponement was devoid of external influence contrary to the people’s speculations, lamented that the commission was lately faced with tremendous challenges pertaining to logistics.
He revealed the plights to include burning of 13 INEC offices across the federation, numerous ongoing litigation filed by various political parties against the commission, coupled with other related issues. He, however, promised that the authority would address the anomalies prior to the rescheduled dates.
We can’t forget in haste that this latest development, which had been described as unfortunate and bad omen, came barely a few days after the electoral umpire notified Nigerians in strong terms that they were fully ready and prepared to conduct the general elections, hence assured of free, fair and outstanding polls as expected.
I blame the INEC for mentioning litigation as part of the reasons for the so-called postponement. We are not unaware that only names of political parties, not candidates, are inscribed on the ballot papers. So, even if any court judgement regarding substitution eventually comes up after the elections, it won’t stop the commission from adhering to the order.
At such an ugly time like this, what do you expect from those who are eligible to participate in such an awaited national ritual? Being human, Nigerians in various quarters have expressed their disappointment over the unannounced occurrence. In their number, they have variously trooped to the streets to register their displeasure.
According to some of the citizens, the INEC could not come up with any tangible and convincing reason that resulted in such unspeakable circumstance. They opined that, by so doing, the commission had made the electorate to express some doubts over its readiness cum willingness to conduct credible and peaceful elections.
It’s also worth noting that most of the opposition parties who had ‘scolded’ the INEC for not meeting up with the requirement as earlier pledged, had blamed the development on the Federal Government (FG) led by President Muhammadu Buhari who they accused of seeking for avenue to win the presidential election by all means.
The truth of the matter remains that the citizens are at the moment filled with mixed feelings over the unexpected experience. In view of this, one might assume that most of the people have been compelled, by this action, to lose interest in the impending events having ostensibly lost confidence in the INEC.
As a concerned and patriotic Nigerian, I can’t agree less with the above presumption, considering the fact that the INEC’s notice regarding the postponement wasn’t timely. Even if the move was apt and needed, I personally fault the idea of issuing the information on the very day the election was made to take place.
Taking a critical look at what transpired, one might, without equivocations, opine that the polls in question were aborted, not postponed, because the purported postponement occurred at the time of commencement.
It’s unarguable that this isn’t the first time elections would be shifted to fresh dates in the Nigerian society, but it is very unequivocally disgusting and disheartening that this very one took Nigerians unawares. There wasn’t previously any sign of unpreparedness from the INEC, only for the electorate to wake on the day of the election to be rudely greeted with the news of ‘postponement’.
We shouldn’t be told that many had already travelled for the exercise whilst some of them respectively covered tremendous distances, before the news of the postponement filtered in. It’s even more saddening that most of these voters borrowed money to enable them embark on the journey. This is needless to assert that these affected patriotic Nigerians are currently stranded in their various localities or political wards.
If I must not shy away from the truth, I would say the INEC had no good reason to postpone an election of this kind, having in mind that the commission has a whole four years to prepare towards the national consignment.
Be it security, logistics, contingencies, or whatever, four years are enough for any person or entity to have a sound preparation toward any scheduled event let alone a national election that’s usually observed by not just members of the concerned country but the global community. In other words, a development of this kind triggers an international embarrassment.
Notwithstanding, I want Nigerians to acknowledge that it’s better to abort, cancel, or postpone the elections severally than to end up conducting one characterized by several irregularities. We ought to therefore, be well informed that any form or loophole can create room for all forms of malpractice, which will never augur well for the polity.
It’s on this premise I urge the electorate to conduct themselves in such a manner that wouldn’t bring any kind of shame to the country’s name. if the interest of Nigeria truly maters more than our individual interests, then I expect us to variously preach to the people around us the need to remain calm, law abiding, patriotic, resilient, and discerning.
And, on the part of the participating political parties, they needn’t be reminded that the voters are seemingly marred by apathy by this development, hence the need not to involve themselves in any act, inaction or reaction that would further cause more harm to the entire system. It’s our collective responsibility to safeguard the integrity and sanctity of this country, thus we must do so with all our might and exuberance.
Inciting the voters against the government or any constituted authority isn’t the way forward. This is a test Nigerians cannot afford to fail. Mind you, this might be a blessing in disguise. Think about it!
The last time I checked, Nigerians – Imolites in particular – were apparently unhappy. The said countenance was not unconnected with the bad omen that befell the country over the weekend.
Just exactly as one, who had impatiently waited to participate in a certain ancient cultural festival but later learnt that the scheduled event has been abruptly shifted to another date, would feel, that’s how the teeming Nigerians felt in the early hours of Saturday, 16th February 2019, precisely at about 2:30am.
On the wake of the aforesaid date, the citizenry were unfortunately informed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the scheduled national ritual – otherwise known as elections – had been postponed by one week after the long wait.
It’s no longer news that the Nigeria’s long awaited general elections were initially billed for 16th February and 2nd March, 2019 for the Presidential cum National Assembly (NASS) and Governorship cum States’ Houses of Assembly, respectively. It’s equally not anymore news that the polls were eventually postponed to 23rd February and 9th March, 2019, accordingly.
In his words, the INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who on the aforementioned time briefly addressed the Nigerian State as regards the postponement, cited problems surrounding “logistics and operational plan” as the reason behind the commission’s abrupt decision.
In his further clarification at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, the INEC boss who disclosed before the election stakeholders, and of course the general public, that the unforeseen postponement was devoid of external influence contrary to the people’s speculations, lamented that the commission was lately faced with tremendous challenges pertaining to logistics.
He revealed the plights to include burning of 13 INEC offices across the federation, numerous ongoing litigation filed by various political parties against the commission, coupled with other related issues. He, however, promised that the authority would address the anomalies prior to the rescheduled dates.
We can’t forget in haste that this latest development, which had been described as unfortunate and bad omen, came barely a few days after the electoral umpire notified Nigerians in strong terms that they were fully ready and prepared to conduct the general elections, hence assured of free, fair and outstanding polls as expected.
I blame the INEC for mentioning litigation as part of the reasons for the so-called postponement. We are not unaware that only names of political parties, not candidates, are inscribed on the ballot papers. So, even if any court judgement regarding substitution eventually comes up after the elections, it won’t stop the commission from adhering to the order.
At such an ugly time like this, what do you expect from those who are eligible to participate in such an awaited national ritual? Being human, Nigerians in various quarters have expressed their disappointment over the unannounced occurrence. In their number, they have variously trooped to the streets to register their displeasure.
According to some of the citizens, the INEC could not come up with any tangible and convincing reason that resulted in such unspeakable circumstance. They opined that, by so doing, the commission had made the electorate to express some doubts over its readiness cum willingness to conduct credible and peaceful elections.
It’s also worth noting that most of the opposition parties who had ‘scolded’ the INEC for not meeting up with the requirement as earlier pledged, had blamed the development on the Federal Government (FG) led by President Muhammadu Buhari who they accused of seeking for avenue to win the presidential election by all means.
The truth of the matter remains that the citizens are at the moment filled with mixed feelings over the unexpected experience. In view of this, one might assume that most of the people have been compelled, by this action, to lose interest in the impending events having ostensibly lost confidence in the INEC.
As a concerned and patriotic Nigerian, I can’t agree less with the above presumption, considering the fact that the INEC’s notice regarding the postponement wasn’t timely. Even if the move was apt and needed, I personally fault the idea of issuing the information on the very day the election was made to take place.
Taking a critical look at what transpired, one might, without equivocations, opine that the polls in question were aborted, not postponed, because the purported postponement occurred at the time of commencement.
It’s unarguable that this isn’t the first time elections would be shifted to fresh dates in the Nigerian society, but it is very unequivocally disgusting and disheartening that this very one took Nigerians unawares. There wasn’t previously any sign of unpreparedness from the INEC, only for the electorate to wake on the day of the election to be rudely greeted with the news of ‘postponement’.
We shouldn’t be told that many had already travelled for the exercise whilst some of them respectively covered tremendous distances, before the news of the postponement filtered in. It’s even more saddening that most of these voters borrowed money to enable them embark on the journey. This is needless to assert that these affected patriotic Nigerians are currently stranded in their various localities or political wards.
If I must not shy away from the truth, I would say the INEC had no good reason to postpone an election of this kind, having in mind that the commission has a whole four years to prepare towards the national consignment.
Be it security, logistics, contingencies, or whatever, four years are enough for any person or entity to have a sound preparation toward any scheduled event let alone a national election that’s usually observed by not just members of the concerned country but the global community. In other words, a development of this kind triggers an international embarrassment.
Notwithstanding, I want Nigerians to acknowledge that it’s better to abort, cancel, or postpone the elections severally than to end up conducting one characterized by several irregularities. We ought to therefore, be well informed that any form or loophole can create room for all forms of malpractice, which will never augur well for the polity.
It’s on this premise I urge the electorate to conduct themselves in such a manner that wouldn’t bring any kind of shame to the country’s name. if the interest of Nigeria truly maters more than our individual interests, then I expect us to variously preach to the people around us the need to remain calm, law abiding, patriotic, resilient, and discerning.
And, on the part of the participating political parties, they needn’t be reminded that the voters are seemingly marred by apathy by this development, hence the need not to involve themselves in any act, inaction or reaction that would further cause more harm to the entire system. It’s our collective responsibility to safeguard the integrity and sanctity of this country, thus we must do so with all our might and exuberance.
Inciting the voters against the government or any constituted authority isn’t the way forward. This is a test Nigerians cannot afford to fail. Mind you, this might be a blessing in disguise. Think about it!
Analysis I As INEC Postpones The Polls
By Fred Nwaozor
Just exactly as one, who had doggedly been preparing to participate in a certain ancient cultural festival but later learnt that the scheduled event has been abruptly shifted to another date, would feel, that’s how the teeming Nigerians felt in the early hours of Saturday, 16th February 2019, precisely at about 2:30am.
On the wake of the aforesaid date, the citizenry were unfortunately informed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the scheduled national ritual had been postponed by one week after the long wait.
It’s no longer news that the Nigeria’s long awaited general elections were initially billed for 16th February and 2nd March, 2019 for the Presidential cum National Assembly (NASS) and Governorship cum States’ Houses of Assembly, respectively. It’s equally not anymore news that the polls were eventually postponed to 23rd February and 9th March, 2019, accordingly.
In his words, the INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who on the aforementioned time briefly addressed the Nigerian State as regards the postponement, cited problems surrounding “logistics and operational plan” as the reason behind the commission’s abrupt decision.
In his further clarification at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, the INEC boss who disclosed before the election stakeholders and of course the general public that the unforeseen postponement was devoid of external influence contrary to the people’s speculations, lamented that the commission was lately faced with tremendous challenges pertaining to logistics.
He revealed the plights to include burning of thirteen INEC offices across the federation, numerous ongoing litigation filed by various political parties against the commission, coupled with other related issues. He, however, promised that the authority would address the anomalies prior to the rescheduled dates.
We can’t forget in haste that this latest development came barely a few days after the electoral umpire notified Nigerians in strong terms that they were fully ready and prepared to conduct the general elections, hence assured of free, fair and outstanding polls as expected.
First, I blame and ‘scold’ the INEC for mentioning litigation as part of the reasons for the so-called postponement. We are aware that only names of political parties, not candidates, are inscribed on the ballot papers. So, even if any court judgement regarding substitution eventually comes up after the elections, it won’t stop the commission from adhering to the order.
It’s noteworthy that most of the opposition parties – particularly the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) – had blamed the development on the Federal Government (FG) led by President Muhammadu Buhari who they accused of seeking for avenue to win the presidential election by all means.
The citizens are presently filled with mixed feelings over the unexpected experience. One might presume that most of the people have been compelled, by this action, to lose interest in the impending events having ostensibly lost confidence in the INEC.
I can’t agree less with the above presumption, considering the fact that the INEC’s notice regarding the postponement wasn’t timely. Even if the move was apt and needed, I personally fault the idea of issuing the information on the very day the election was made to take place.
Taking a critical look at what transpired, someone may, without equivocations, opine that the polls in question were aborted, not postponed, because the purported postponement occurred at the time of commencement.
It’s unarguable that this isn’t the first time elections would be shifted to fresh dates in the Nigerian society, but it’s very unequivocally disgusting and disheartening that this very one took Nigerians unawares. There wasn’t previously any sign of unpreparedness from the INEC, only for the electorate to wake on the day of the election to be rudely greeted with the news of ‘postponement’.
We shouldn’t be told that many had already travelled for the exercise whilst some of them respectively covered tremendous distances, before the news of the postponement filtered in. It’s even more saddening that most of these voters borrowed money to enable them embark on the journey. This is needless to assert that these affected patriotic Nigerians are currently stranded in their various political wards.
The INEC surely had no good reason to postpone an election of this kind, having in mind that the commission has a whole four years to prepare towards the consignment. Be it security, logistics, contingencies, or whatever, four years are enough for any person or entity to have a sound preparation toward any scheduled event let alone a national election that’s usually observed by not just members of the concerned country but the global community. In other words, a development of this kind triggers an international embarrassment.
Notwithstanding, I want Nigerians to acknowledge that it’s better to abort, cancel, or postpone elections severally than to end up conducting one characterized by several irregularities. We ought to, therefore, be well informed that any form of loophole can create room for all forms of malpractice, which will never augur well for the polity.
It’s on this premise I urge the electorate to conduct themselves in such a manner that wouldn’t bring any kind of shame to the country. If the interest of Nigeria truly matters more than our individual interests, then I expect us to variously preach to the people around us the need to remain calm, law abiding, patriotic, resilient, and discerning.
And, on the part of the participating political parties, they needn’t be reminded that the voters are seemingly marred by apathy by this development, hence the need not to involve themselves in any act, inaction or reaction that would further cause more harm to the entire system. It’s our collective responsibility to safeguard the integrity and sanctity of this country, thus we must do so with all our might and exuberance.
So, inciting the voters against the government or any constituted authority has never been the way forward in such a situation like this. Nigeria as a country has once again been put to test, and Nigerians cannot afford to fail this one. Think about it!
Just exactly as one, who had doggedly been preparing to participate in a certain ancient cultural festival but later learnt that the scheduled event has been abruptly shifted to another date, would feel, that’s how the teeming Nigerians felt in the early hours of Saturday, 16th February 2019, precisely at about 2:30am.
On the wake of the aforesaid date, the citizenry were unfortunately informed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the scheduled national ritual had been postponed by one week after the long wait.
It’s no longer news that the Nigeria’s long awaited general elections were initially billed for 16th February and 2nd March, 2019 for the Presidential cum National Assembly (NASS) and Governorship cum States’ Houses of Assembly, respectively. It’s equally not anymore news that the polls were eventually postponed to 23rd February and 9th March, 2019, accordingly.
In his words, the INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who on the aforementioned time briefly addressed the Nigerian State as regards the postponement, cited problems surrounding “logistics and operational plan” as the reason behind the commission’s abrupt decision.
In his further clarification at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, the INEC boss who disclosed before the election stakeholders and of course the general public that the unforeseen postponement was devoid of external influence contrary to the people’s speculations, lamented that the commission was lately faced with tremendous challenges pertaining to logistics.
He revealed the plights to include burning of thirteen INEC offices across the federation, numerous ongoing litigation filed by various political parties against the commission, coupled with other related issues. He, however, promised that the authority would address the anomalies prior to the rescheduled dates.
We can’t forget in haste that this latest development came barely a few days after the electoral umpire notified Nigerians in strong terms that they were fully ready and prepared to conduct the general elections, hence assured of free, fair and outstanding polls as expected.
First, I blame and ‘scold’ the INEC for mentioning litigation as part of the reasons for the so-called postponement. We are aware that only names of political parties, not candidates, are inscribed on the ballot papers. So, even if any court judgement regarding substitution eventually comes up after the elections, it won’t stop the commission from adhering to the order.
It’s noteworthy that most of the opposition parties – particularly the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) – had blamed the development on the Federal Government (FG) led by President Muhammadu Buhari who they accused of seeking for avenue to win the presidential election by all means.
The citizens are presently filled with mixed feelings over the unexpected experience. One might presume that most of the people have been compelled, by this action, to lose interest in the impending events having ostensibly lost confidence in the INEC.
I can’t agree less with the above presumption, considering the fact that the INEC’s notice regarding the postponement wasn’t timely. Even if the move was apt and needed, I personally fault the idea of issuing the information on the very day the election was made to take place.
Taking a critical look at what transpired, someone may, without equivocations, opine that the polls in question were aborted, not postponed, because the purported postponement occurred at the time of commencement.
It’s unarguable that this isn’t the first time elections would be shifted to fresh dates in the Nigerian society, but it’s very unequivocally disgusting and disheartening that this very one took Nigerians unawares. There wasn’t previously any sign of unpreparedness from the INEC, only for the electorate to wake on the day of the election to be rudely greeted with the news of ‘postponement’.
We shouldn’t be told that many had already travelled for the exercise whilst some of them respectively covered tremendous distances, before the news of the postponement filtered in. It’s even more saddening that most of these voters borrowed money to enable them embark on the journey. This is needless to assert that these affected patriotic Nigerians are currently stranded in their various political wards.
The INEC surely had no good reason to postpone an election of this kind, having in mind that the commission has a whole four years to prepare towards the consignment. Be it security, logistics, contingencies, or whatever, four years are enough for any person or entity to have a sound preparation toward any scheduled event let alone a national election that’s usually observed by not just members of the concerned country but the global community. In other words, a development of this kind triggers an international embarrassment.
Notwithstanding, I want Nigerians to acknowledge that it’s better to abort, cancel, or postpone elections severally than to end up conducting one characterized by several irregularities. We ought to, therefore, be well informed that any form of loophole can create room for all forms of malpractice, which will never augur well for the polity.
It’s on this premise I urge the electorate to conduct themselves in such a manner that wouldn’t bring any kind of shame to the country. If the interest of Nigeria truly matters more than our individual interests, then I expect us to variously preach to the people around us the need to remain calm, law abiding, patriotic, resilient, and discerning.
And, on the part of the participating political parties, they needn’t be reminded that the voters are seemingly marred by apathy by this development, hence the need not to involve themselves in any act, inaction or reaction that would further cause more harm to the entire system. It’s our collective responsibility to safeguard the integrity and sanctity of this country, thus we must do so with all our might and exuberance.
So, inciting the voters against the government or any constituted authority has never been the way forward in such a situation like this. Nigeria as a country has once again been put to test, and Nigerians cannot afford to fail this one. Think about it!
Opinion I How Safe Are The Card Readers?
By Fred Nwaozor
Nigerians woke up in the early hours of Saturday, 16th February 2019 to shockingly learn that conducting the Presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections billed for that very day was no longer feasible, hence was outrightly postponed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to a fresh day, precisely on 23rd February 2019.
We are not unaware that prior to the unannounced decision taken by the INEC led by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, virtually every sensitive material cum gadget had already been distributed to the various localities across the federation where they are meant to be used for the scheduled polls.
At the moment, concerned, discerning and patriotic Nigerians are baffled over the safety of these sensitive materials to be used for the national ritual, knowing full well that they deserve tremendous technical and physical security watch at this trial period.
The INEC can currently boast of the use of Electronic Card Reader otherwise known as ‘Smart card reader’ during elections in Nigeria. Since the inception of the INEC in the Nigeria’s political terrain, the leadership of the institution had been working assiduously toward ensuring that the country could boast of free, fair and credible elections. This may be the reason the former Chairman of the commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega thought it wise to initiate the said device prior to the last general elections, which has been in use till date.
Though Prof. Jega may have succeeded in coming up with a novel idea by introducing the aforementioned gadget, it’s worth noting that the current boss of the body, Prof. Yakubu has an enormous task ahead of him towards ensuring that the laudable invention wouldn’t end up being a curse in disguise.
It’s not anymore news that the ongoing use of the device in question has been bedeviled by several shortcomings to include malfunctioning, inadequate power supply and what have you. The INEC, inaugurated in 1998, has since inception encountered too many controversies and predicaments in the run up to elections in the country, most notably the April 2007 and 2015 general elections respectively. The ongoing challenges faced by the use of card readers seem to have added to the numerous plights of the commission.
A Smart card reader is an electronic device that reads smart cards such as the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card and Voter’s card, as the case may be. There are so many forms of smart card readers used for different purposes. In the banking industry, we have smart card readers that read the ATM cards. But here, we’re concerned about the electoral smart card reader. The electoral smart card reader is a portable electronic voter authentication gadget, configured to read only the Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) issued by the INEC.
The device, which displays the authentic information of the prospective voter via the use of fingerprint, was designed specifically for the accreditation process or authentication of eligible voters before voting. The machine is usually configured or programmed to only read the PVCs of a particular polling unit as well as work only on election day(s). The card reader has obviously helped in confirming the eligibility of the prospective voters. It has equally assisted in checking excesses as regards double/multiple registration.
Among all, it enables the electoral exercise to be carried out faster since it can accredit as many intending voters as possible within a shortest interval; suffice it to say that it saves time. In addition, it enables the officials of the INEC to conduct the election easily or at ease unlike the manual system whereby the personnel would be required to put in or exhaust all their energies, thereby creating room for effectiveness and efficiency.
This implies that, if properly utilized, it warrants the electoral umpire to engage fewer individuals or ad-hoc staff for any impending election thereby saving reasonable funds. Hence, the card reader isn’t just labour effective, but equally cost effective.
Although the benefits inherent in the use of the smart card reader cannot be overemphasized, it’s worthy to acknowledge that the challenges that accompany it cannot be overlooked if truly we are concerned about embracing a society that can wholly boast of credible polls.
It’s not anymore news that, while in use, the card reader has reportedly malfunctioned in various quarters across the Nigerian State ever since it came into existence in the country, thereby making the INEC officials in charge of the concerned polling units to resort to manual voting.
To this end, there’s need for creation of a special technically-inclined unit within the INEC quarters. Such unit/department to be manned by an expert must contain all it takes as regards servicing or sustenance of the said gadget. The unit would go a long way to eradicate ‘fire brigade’ approach, which isn’t unusual in the Nigerian society.
It would as well help to create a mobile technical committee that would monitor the functionality of the card readers throughout any election as well as ensure that the various polling units involved are well equipped with the needed materials including electricity supply gadgets prior to the election.
There would also be need for the unit to be more concerned about providing special electronic chargers or charging devices at the various voting centres so that the card readers wouldn’t need to depend on power supply as long as the voting lasts.
Above all, there is need for the device to be manufactured in the country henceforth. There are capable hands that can actualize it; all the government needs to do is to empower them via the proposed technical unit.
We can’t continue to import what we can produce, especially at this moment we are concerned about diversification. I therefore call on INEC to embrace the fullness of technology so that the awaited society would be embraced soonest.
Most importantly, as these card readers are already sent to various locations across Nigeria, there’s compelling need for the management of the electoral umpire to ensure their adequate safety before they would eventually be used on the rescheduled date being February 23, 2019.
It’s on this premise I urge the INEC to ensure that each of the sensitive materials such the ballot papers and card readers are sent to the branches of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the respective states where they are currently domiciled.
Similarly, since the gadgets have equally been configured against the original date for the Presidential cum NASS election, apt and well experienced hands ought to be involved in re-configuring them towards ensuring that lapses aren’t created in the process. Nigerians need nothing less than safe card readers for credible and peaceful polls as expected come February 23 and March 9, 2019, respectively.
So, as we ‘scold’ the INEC for coming up with this untimely but apt postponement, it shouldn’t be reminded that it’s expected to do everything humanly possible to guarantee this required safety. Think about it!
Nigerians woke up in the early hours of Saturday, 16th February 2019 to shockingly learn that conducting the Presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections billed for that very day was no longer feasible, hence was outrightly postponed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to a fresh day, precisely on 23rd February 2019.
We are not unaware that prior to the unannounced decision taken by the INEC led by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, virtually every sensitive material cum gadget had already been distributed to the various localities across the federation where they are meant to be used for the scheduled polls.
At the moment, concerned, discerning and patriotic Nigerians are baffled over the safety of these sensitive materials to be used for the national ritual, knowing full well that they deserve tremendous technical and physical security watch at this trial period.
The INEC can currently boast of the use of Electronic Card Reader otherwise known as ‘Smart card reader’ during elections in Nigeria. Since the inception of the INEC in the Nigeria’s political terrain, the leadership of the institution had been working assiduously toward ensuring that the country could boast of free, fair and credible elections. This may be the reason the former Chairman of the commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega thought it wise to initiate the said device prior to the last general elections, which has been in use till date.
Though Prof. Jega may have succeeded in coming up with a novel idea by introducing the aforementioned gadget, it’s worth noting that the current boss of the body, Prof. Yakubu has an enormous task ahead of him towards ensuring that the laudable invention wouldn’t end up being a curse in disguise.
It’s not anymore news that the ongoing use of the device in question has been bedeviled by several shortcomings to include malfunctioning, inadequate power supply and what have you. The INEC, inaugurated in 1998, has since inception encountered too many controversies and predicaments in the run up to elections in the country, most notably the April 2007 and 2015 general elections respectively. The ongoing challenges faced by the use of card readers seem to have added to the numerous plights of the commission.
A Smart card reader is an electronic device that reads smart cards such as the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card and Voter’s card, as the case may be. There are so many forms of smart card readers used for different purposes. In the banking industry, we have smart card readers that read the ATM cards. But here, we’re concerned about the electoral smart card reader. The electoral smart card reader is a portable electronic voter authentication gadget, configured to read only the Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) issued by the INEC.
The device, which displays the authentic information of the prospective voter via the use of fingerprint, was designed specifically for the accreditation process or authentication of eligible voters before voting. The machine is usually configured or programmed to only read the PVCs of a particular polling unit as well as work only on election day(s). The card reader has obviously helped in confirming the eligibility of the prospective voters. It has equally assisted in checking excesses as regards double/multiple registration.
Among all, it enables the electoral exercise to be carried out faster since it can accredit as many intending voters as possible within a shortest interval; suffice it to say that it saves time. In addition, it enables the officials of the INEC to conduct the election easily or at ease unlike the manual system whereby the personnel would be required to put in or exhaust all their energies, thereby creating room for effectiveness and efficiency.
This implies that, if properly utilized, it warrants the electoral umpire to engage fewer individuals or ad-hoc staff for any impending election thereby saving reasonable funds. Hence, the card reader isn’t just labour effective, but equally cost effective.
Although the benefits inherent in the use of the smart card reader cannot be overemphasized, it’s worthy to acknowledge that the challenges that accompany it cannot be overlooked if truly we are concerned about embracing a society that can wholly boast of credible polls.
It’s not anymore news that, while in use, the card reader has reportedly malfunctioned in various quarters across the Nigerian State ever since it came into existence in the country, thereby making the INEC officials in charge of the concerned polling units to resort to manual voting.
To this end, there’s need for creation of a special technically-inclined unit within the INEC quarters. Such unit/department to be manned by an expert must contain all it takes as regards servicing or sustenance of the said gadget. The unit would go a long way to eradicate ‘fire brigade’ approach, which isn’t unusual in the Nigerian society.
It would as well help to create a mobile technical committee that would monitor the functionality of the card readers throughout any election as well as ensure that the various polling units involved are well equipped with the needed materials including electricity supply gadgets prior to the election.
There would also be need for the unit to be more concerned about providing special electronic chargers or charging devices at the various voting centres so that the card readers wouldn’t need to depend on power supply as long as the voting lasts.
Above all, there is need for the device to be manufactured in the country henceforth. There are capable hands that can actualize it; all the government needs to do is to empower them via the proposed technical unit.
We can’t continue to import what we can produce, especially at this moment we are concerned about diversification. I therefore call on INEC to embrace the fullness of technology so that the awaited society would be embraced soonest.
Most importantly, as these card readers are already sent to various locations across Nigeria, there’s compelling need for the management of the electoral umpire to ensure their adequate safety before they would eventually be used on the rescheduled date being February 23, 2019.
It’s on this premise I urge the INEC to ensure that each of the sensitive materials such the ballot papers and card readers are sent to the branches of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the respective states where they are currently domiciled.
Similarly, since the gadgets have equally been configured against the original date for the Presidential cum NASS election, apt and well experienced hands ought to be involved in re-configuring them towards ensuring that lapses aren’t created in the process. Nigerians need nothing less than safe card readers for credible and peaceful polls as expected come February 23 and March 9, 2019, respectively.
So, as we ‘scold’ the INEC for coming up with this untimely but apt postponement, it shouldn’t be reminded that it’s expected to do everything humanly possible to guarantee this required safety. Think about it!
Saturday, 23 February 2019
Analysis I Averting Technical Hitches At The Polls
By Fred Doc Nwaozor
Before now, we used to say “the elections are by the corner”. But at the moment, I can boldly assert that the polls in question are already here.
The elections are truly here with us, because in just less than seventy-two hours time, Nigerians in their number would be trooping into their various polling booths to cast their votes for whosoever they would like to see as the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come May 29, 2019 as well as who to represent their respective constituencies in the both chambers of the National Assembly (NASS).
Every sane and discerning Nigerian, domiciled either at home and abroad, wouldn’t hesitate to publicly say that he/she desires for something not less than free, fair, credible and peaceful polls come February 16 and March 2, 2019, respectively.
As we variously clamour or canvass for well transparent and worthwhile polls that would stand the test of time, the electoral umpire –otherwise known as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – is expected to take into cognizance some key inevitable factors as regards the anticipated credibility of the elections.
As today’s world has become conspicuously tech-driven and acknowledging that the current Nigeria’s political processes and activities are powered by various technologies, the INEC must ensure that the needful are done towards averting both usual and unusual technical hitches at the polls during the two separately scheduled national rituals.
It’s now obvious that the Card Reader is relatively the engine room of the voting process in the Nigeria’s electoral terrain. Against this backdrop, the INEC presently led by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu is required to do everything humanly possible with a view to ensuring that the said electronic device functioned effectively and efficiently as expected by all concerned.
Survey indicates that the use of the card reader has in recent times proven to be one of the main avenues to witness an election free from all forms of pranks and malpractices. This is the reason every right thinking person who means well for the country he belongs dispassionately advocates for its unending use in the country’s electoral activity.
Since inception in the electoral process of the acclaimed giant of Africa, the card reader has hitherto been faced by myriad of technical challenges that ordinarily ought to have been avoided if some pertinent factors were keenly considered by the concerned authorities.
It’s on this premise I deeply urge the INEC to implement various outstanding measures that would guarantee hitch-free elections as regards the expected deployment of a few tech-driven gadgets at the long awaited polls.
As I have earlier strongly advocated for a separate special unit for the continual usage and maintenance of the electronic equipment and allied sensitive materials, I still maintain my stance. Such a unit would ensure that apt and timely attention is granted to the use of the devices.
It would equally ensure that only qualified and experienced personnel are in charge of the regular deployment of the instruments. Believe it or not, the truth remains that it would only take well tested tech experts to ensure a reliable and credible use of the ‘almighty’ card reader.
Then, at the various polling units across the federation where the machines would be duly deployed for the electorate to get in touch with them, acknowledging that nowhere in Nigeria could currently boast of uninterruptible power supply, there’s a compelling need for the unit or department in charge of the functionality of the equipment to make adequate provisions for alternative electricity source as long as each of the exercises lasts.
The only known alternative means of electrification in this part of the world, particularly Nigeria, is the power generating set. Hence, the aforementioned gadget must be made available at each of the polling booths where votes would be cast by the teeming voters domiciled in the recognized political wards nationwide.
Similarly, sufficient Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, must equally be made available. Insufficient provision of this very material or substance would go a long way in jeopardizing the overall anticipation of the electorate and the accredited observers.
Even though the card readers may have been fully charged prior to the D-day, there’s a tendency that in the long run the boosted cells would discharge, thereby making the batteries in need of further charging or boost at the polls. This is the sole reason we cannot avoid providing electricity at the booths.
It would be ideal to also inform us that the INEC cannot handle this part of the national consignment without involving some other relevant stakeholders. In view of this assertion, the various community leaders cum traditional rulers need to be duly engaged or contracted to assist the electoral umpire. It would be the duty of these stakeholders to ensure that the needed power generators are provided at their respective jurisdictions.
I want to warn decisively that such a task shouldn’t be carried out by any political party or contestant, or even a party ally, to avert any sort of partisanship by the INEC ad-hoc officials posted to the polling units. Allowing any vote seeker, either individual or group, to assist the conduct of the elections in any way would definitely create room for derailment or loophole among the electoral personnel. So, the INEC must be extra careful and extremely guided in respect of this.
Inter alia, the card readers need to be thoroughly tested and retested to really guarantee adequacy when they are eventually being used at the polls. Same measure ought to be employed in the case of the vehicular tracking devices to be used by the electoral umpire.
Since the INEC, having earlier declared to deploy electronic collation pattern, has reportedly made a u-turn in order not to violate the extant Electoral Act, it’s then conspicuous that the major tech-driven approach to be utilized in the process is the use of the electronic card reader and tracking devices.
The INEC, therefore, needn’t be reminded that the anticipated credibility of the awaited polls lies mainly on the adequacy of the two tech security instruments, hence the urgent need to ensure their accuracy before the D-day. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, tech expert, policy analyst & rights activist,
is the National Coordinator of Right Thinkers Movement
___________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador
Before now, we used to say “the elections are by the corner”. But at the moment, I can boldly assert that the polls in question are already here.
The elections are truly here with us, because in just less than seventy-two hours time, Nigerians in their number would be trooping into their various polling booths to cast their votes for whosoever they would like to see as the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come May 29, 2019 as well as who to represent their respective constituencies in the both chambers of the National Assembly (NASS).
Every sane and discerning Nigerian, domiciled either at home and abroad, wouldn’t hesitate to publicly say that he/she desires for something not less than free, fair, credible and peaceful polls come February 16 and March 2, 2019, respectively.
As we variously clamour or canvass for well transparent and worthwhile polls that would stand the test of time, the electoral umpire –otherwise known as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – is expected to take into cognizance some key inevitable factors as regards the anticipated credibility of the elections.
As today’s world has become conspicuously tech-driven and acknowledging that the current Nigeria’s political processes and activities are powered by various technologies, the INEC must ensure that the needful are done towards averting both usual and unusual technical hitches at the polls during the two separately scheduled national rituals.
It’s now obvious that the Card Reader is relatively the engine room of the voting process in the Nigeria’s electoral terrain. Against this backdrop, the INEC presently led by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu is required to do everything humanly possible with a view to ensuring that the said electronic device functioned effectively and efficiently as expected by all concerned.
Survey indicates that the use of the card reader has in recent times proven to be one of the main avenues to witness an election free from all forms of pranks and malpractices. This is the reason every right thinking person who means well for the country he belongs dispassionately advocates for its unending use in the country’s electoral activity.
Since inception in the electoral process of the acclaimed giant of Africa, the card reader has hitherto been faced by myriad of technical challenges that ordinarily ought to have been avoided if some pertinent factors were keenly considered by the concerned authorities.
It’s on this premise I deeply urge the INEC to implement various outstanding measures that would guarantee hitch-free elections as regards the expected deployment of a few tech-driven gadgets at the long awaited polls.
As I have earlier strongly advocated for a separate special unit for the continual usage and maintenance of the electronic equipment and allied sensitive materials, I still maintain my stance. Such a unit would ensure that apt and timely attention is granted to the use of the devices.
It would equally ensure that only qualified and experienced personnel are in charge of the regular deployment of the instruments. Believe it or not, the truth remains that it would only take well tested tech experts to ensure a reliable and credible use of the ‘almighty’ card reader.
Then, at the various polling units across the federation where the machines would be duly deployed for the electorate to get in touch with them, acknowledging that nowhere in Nigeria could currently boast of uninterruptible power supply, there’s a compelling need for the unit or department in charge of the functionality of the equipment to make adequate provisions for alternative electricity source as long as each of the exercises lasts.
The only known alternative means of electrification in this part of the world, particularly Nigeria, is the power generating set. Hence, the aforementioned gadget must be made available at each of the polling booths where votes would be cast by the teeming voters domiciled in the recognized political wards nationwide.
Similarly, sufficient Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, must equally be made available. Insufficient provision of this very material or substance would go a long way in jeopardizing the overall anticipation of the electorate and the accredited observers.
Even though the card readers may have been fully charged prior to the D-day, there’s a tendency that in the long run the boosted cells would discharge, thereby making the batteries in need of further charging or boost at the polls. This is the sole reason we cannot avoid providing electricity at the booths.
It would be ideal to also inform us that the INEC cannot handle this part of the national consignment without involving some other relevant stakeholders. In view of this assertion, the various community leaders cum traditional rulers need to be duly engaged or contracted to assist the electoral umpire. It would be the duty of these stakeholders to ensure that the needed power generators are provided at their respective jurisdictions.
I want to warn decisively that such a task shouldn’t be carried out by any political party or contestant, or even a party ally, to avert any sort of partisanship by the INEC ad-hoc officials posted to the polling units. Allowing any vote seeker, either individual or group, to assist the conduct of the elections in any way would definitely create room for derailment or loophole among the electoral personnel. So, the INEC must be extra careful and extremely guided in respect of this.
Inter alia, the card readers need to be thoroughly tested and retested to really guarantee adequacy when they are eventually being used at the polls. Same measure ought to be employed in the case of the vehicular tracking devices to be used by the electoral umpire.
Since the INEC, having earlier declared to deploy electronic collation pattern, has reportedly made a u-turn in order not to violate the extant Electoral Act, it’s then conspicuous that the major tech-driven approach to be utilized in the process is the use of the electronic card reader and tracking devices.
The INEC, therefore, needn’t be reminded that the anticipated credibility of the awaited polls lies mainly on the adequacy of the two tech security instruments, hence the urgent need to ensure their accuracy before the D-day. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, tech expert, policy analyst & rights activist,
is the National Coordinator of Right Thinkers Movement
___________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador
Tuesday, 12 February 2019
Analysis I It's Time To Make Another Choice
By Fred Nwaozor
The last time I checked, May 29 annually remained a very remarkable and memorable day in the political history of the acclaimed giant of Africa.
The aforementioned day remains a moment every sane and rational individual or entity domiciled in the country wouldn’t like to miss, because it refreshes the mindset of the good memories of the past.
It’s, however, noteworthy that the interregnum in question can never come to past if elections aren’t aptly conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It’s only through such national ritual, the overall people can duly elect who to be sworn in by the country’s Chief Judge, particularly in the case of the Presidency.
It’s equally worth noting that the elections that would herald yet another transition or interregnum in the Nigeria’s leadership sphere are to be held in just ninety-six hours from now, precisely on Saturday, 16th February 2019, as scheduled by the INEC who has the sole statutory right to conduct the awaited polls as enshrined in the country’s Constitution.
As Nigerians in their number swiftly and impatiently ride to the D-day towards making another choice, it’s understandable that a choice can only be made when options are readily available.
Hence, the electorate are meant to choose among many who they believe could effectively and efficiently govern the Nigerian State for the next dispensation. It ought to be extremely noted that this can only be done when they are aware of how best to differentiate the chaff from the grain.
This phenomenon is synonymous with those days while in the school when we usually find ourselves in the examination hall and were presented with an ‘Objective’ question paper where each of us was separately expected to make a choice among the given options for the entire numbers ranging from one to fifty or thereabouts.
Aside institutional exams, virtually on a daily basis, we are all faced with life examination whereby we would be required to decisively make a choice among the available options nature often brings in our day-to-day activity in a particular field of endeavour.
It suffices to assert that making a choice is invariably expected of us from time-to-time wherever we may individually find ourselves. In other words, it’s not solely in the political sphere or during electioneering era we are meant to choose between two or more things or persons, as might be the case.
Since we are already well experienced concerning choice making and what it entirely entails, no sane individual ought to be referred to as a novice whenever such a term is mentioned or being debated. This is the reason we are all seen as experts in any event that concerns elections.
In view of the above facts, as we are all variously prepared to make another choice at the polls in a matter of few hours, we do not need anyone to tutor us on the severe consequences that await any person or group that makes a wrong choice in life irrespective of his/its status.
One pertinent and key factor to consider when making any choice is the essence of doing so. We must fully take into cognizance the core reason we are making the choice. So, in summary, you can’t make a choice without telling yourself what you stand to gain from the choice to make among the provided options.
The truth of the matter is that, it pays to make a good and sound choice. One who made an apt choice will surely live to enjoy its dividend. Just like someone who intends to settle down, if he/she ends up making a wrong choice in choosing a life partner, they would definitely live to regret it the rest of their lives. This is why proper thinking is needed when it calls for choice making.
The teeming Nigerians – both home and abroad – are conspicuously here and ready once again to make another choice with a view to choosing who would be in charge of the country’s helm of affairs for the coming four years.
It’s boldly enshrined in the Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended, that only those who have attained the age of eighteen are eligible to vote or be voted for. This implies that only Nigerians from 18 and above are constitutionally allowed to make this long awaited choice. This is so, to enable only those who are mature in mind and otherwise to participate in such a national ritual.
Hence, since only adults are permitted to be involved in this choice making, it’s presumed that they already know what they really want. These recognized participants or choice makers, therefore, are required to conduct themselves in such a manner that the outcome of the exercise would be unanimously applauded by all and sundry. They mustn’t display any habit or attitude that’s detrimental to the country’s wellbeing.
Most importantly, as this choice is being made, we are urged to have the interest of the country at heart. Thus, the country’s desire ought to be allowed to override our individual wishes. This would enable us to make a choice that could stand the test of time.
So, as it’s obviously time to collectively make another choice, Nigerians are enjoined to do so with a true sense of maturity, so that, they won’t live to regret it. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of
Right Thinkers Movement, writes via
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
The last time I checked, May 29 annually remained a very remarkable and memorable day in the political history of the acclaimed giant of Africa.
The aforementioned day remains a moment every sane and rational individual or entity domiciled in the country wouldn’t like to miss, because it refreshes the mindset of the good memories of the past.
It’s, however, noteworthy that the interregnum in question can never come to past if elections aren’t aptly conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It’s only through such national ritual, the overall people can duly elect who to be sworn in by the country’s Chief Judge, particularly in the case of the Presidency.
It’s equally worth noting that the elections that would herald yet another transition or interregnum in the Nigeria’s leadership sphere are to be held in just ninety-six hours from now, precisely on Saturday, 16th February 2019, as scheduled by the INEC who has the sole statutory right to conduct the awaited polls as enshrined in the country’s Constitution.
As Nigerians in their number swiftly and impatiently ride to the D-day towards making another choice, it’s understandable that a choice can only be made when options are readily available.
Hence, the electorate are meant to choose among many who they believe could effectively and efficiently govern the Nigerian State for the next dispensation. It ought to be extremely noted that this can only be done when they are aware of how best to differentiate the chaff from the grain.
This phenomenon is synonymous with those days while in the school when we usually find ourselves in the examination hall and were presented with an ‘Objective’ question paper where each of us was separately expected to make a choice among the given options for the entire numbers ranging from one to fifty or thereabouts.
Aside institutional exams, virtually on a daily basis, we are all faced with life examination whereby we would be required to decisively make a choice among the available options nature often brings in our day-to-day activity in a particular field of endeavour.
It suffices to assert that making a choice is invariably expected of us from time-to-time wherever we may individually find ourselves. In other words, it’s not solely in the political sphere or during electioneering era we are meant to choose between two or more things or persons, as might be the case.
Since we are already well experienced concerning choice making and what it entirely entails, no sane individual ought to be referred to as a novice whenever such a term is mentioned or being debated. This is the reason we are all seen as experts in any event that concerns elections.
In view of the above facts, as we are all variously prepared to make another choice at the polls in a matter of few hours, we do not need anyone to tutor us on the severe consequences that await any person or group that makes a wrong choice in life irrespective of his/its status.
One pertinent and key factor to consider when making any choice is the essence of doing so. We must fully take into cognizance the core reason we are making the choice. So, in summary, you can’t make a choice without telling yourself what you stand to gain from the choice to make among the provided options.
The truth of the matter is that, it pays to make a good and sound choice. One who made an apt choice will surely live to enjoy its dividend. Just like someone who intends to settle down, if he/she ends up making a wrong choice in choosing a life partner, they would definitely live to regret it the rest of their lives. This is why proper thinking is needed when it calls for choice making.
The teeming Nigerians – both home and abroad – are conspicuously here and ready once again to make another choice with a view to choosing who would be in charge of the country’s helm of affairs for the coming four years.
It’s boldly enshrined in the Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended, that only those who have attained the age of eighteen are eligible to vote or be voted for. This implies that only Nigerians from 18 and above are constitutionally allowed to make this long awaited choice. This is so, to enable only those who are mature in mind and otherwise to participate in such a national ritual.
Hence, since only adults are permitted to be involved in this choice making, it’s presumed that they already know what they really want. These recognized participants or choice makers, therefore, are required to conduct themselves in such a manner that the outcome of the exercise would be unanimously applauded by all and sundry. They mustn’t display any habit or attitude that’s detrimental to the country’s wellbeing.
Most importantly, as this choice is being made, we are urged to have the interest of the country at heart. Thus, the country’s desire ought to be allowed to override our individual wishes. This would enable us to make a choice that could stand the test of time.
So, as it’s obviously time to collectively make another choice, Nigerians are enjoined to do so with a true sense of maturity, so that, they won’t live to regret it. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of
Right Thinkers Movement, writes via
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Feature I Allegations On Gratification For Issuance Of PVC
By Comrade Fred Nwaozor
The last time I checked, some uncalled intrigues were allegedly transpiring under the nose of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), still the leadership of the said authority was seemingly yet to take note of the ugly trending.
It is only a dead person that could claim ignorance of the conspicuous fact that the long awaited general elections are already here with us, hence the compelling need to strengthen any weak wall required to be deployed at the polls.
In view of the above assertion, any loophole as regards the impending elections that’s discovered by any individual or entity shouldn’t be swept under the carpet by anybody that truly means well for Nigeria, Imo in particular. Thus, everyone is expected to be deeply concerned over the fast approaching political outings.
It has come to my notice that in the INEC offices situated in various Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the State, the officials of the commission have resorted to taking gratifications from people who came to collect their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC). Such complaints have been trooping into the headquarters of the Right Thinkers Movement, a pro-democracy and good governance initiative whose head office is domiciled in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
In my capacity as the National Coordinator of the aforementioned NGO, I was shocked to my bone marrow the first time the information filtered into my senses. I couldn’t believe it at the time. But subsequently, the report kept coming intensely from different affected individuals and groups, thereby making me lose my sense of scepticism.
In one of the LGAs, it was reported that the persons in charge asked the complainant to give them what they would use to purchase sachet water, “pure water” as it’s popularly called, stating it was the only thing that could grant him access to his PVC. Initially, as a true patriotic Nigerian, he refused to comply not until he observed the seriousness boldly written on the faces of the so-called personnel.
Other complainants explained that they were kept in the queue without anybody responding to them when they told the INEC officials that they had no money on them. They thought they would be pitied but ironically, no one gave them a listening ear. They were marvelled when they noticed that those who came after their arrival received their PVCs having openly “bribed” the desk officers. It was at this point they understood they were in “big shit”, or apparently standing alone.
We were informed that these officials usually mention the particular or exact amount to be given to them by the visitor(s). In some LGAs, it was learnt they were boldly collecting N400 whilst some were busy asking for N500. It’s noteworthy that these monies were demanded from the visitors as if they were statutory fees or levies to be paid before anyone could be entitled to receive his/her PVC.
I’m of the notion that such an absurd practice would equally be occurring in other states across the federation, but the INEC leadership in these climes are yet to acknowledge the situation. Or perhaps in some cases, the authority may have heard about the nauseous act but refused to take decisive actions in respect of it. If the latter is the case, then I’m afraid, this smacks of danger.
I’m baffled why the supposed respected INEC staff would be acting as mere beggars or tax collectors, as the case might be, while carrying out their statutory obligations. Does it imply that they are hungry or were lawfully mandated to receive the gratification? This is a question that needs to urgently be attended to by any well meaning individual or entity.
As one who does not throw facts to the waste bin, coupled with the title of this column, I want to believe that these reports are still allegations, hence the compelling need for the INEC to painstakingly swing into action with a view to unravelling the real truth behind the accusations.
As it is widely stated and believed that “there is no smoke without fire”, the authority must not take this as a mere joke if they are genuinely determined to conduct all-inclusive and credible elections come February 16 and March 2, 2019, respectively.
I, therefore, challenge the INEC in Imo to henceforth endeavour to do the needful by sending out spies or monitoring team on its staff serving in various quarters in the state. Such an alarm ought to also be sent to its counterparts in other states across the country. The bad eggs must be duly fished out without much ado.
If an INEC personnel could have the zeal to forcefully collect gratification over issuance of PVC, I wonder what such persons would do during the elections proper. Without mincing words, such staff are the ones that would easily be bought over by the desperate political parties or aspirants.
It’s so appalling, and a paradox too, that while the INEC is deeply involved in the ongoing crusade targeted to conscientize the electorate to go and collect their PVCs, some bad eggs in their midst on other side are reportedly asking for gratifications before giving out the said device. This indeed unequivocally smacks of sabotage, thus such saboteurs need to be shown the way out or outrightly suspended indefinitely.
Similarly, in the spirit of collection of PVCs, the INEC in the respective states should ensure that the devices in question are made available to people in their various polling units or political wards to enable them assess the items with ease. This measure is unavoidably needed, particularly for the sake of the less-privileged such as the sick, physically challenged and the downtrodden.
As Nigerians, Imolites in particular, earnestly await the general elections, we are appealing to the INEC to do everything humanly possible to ensure that the polls eventually become thoroughly successful and credible as anticipated.
Against this backdrop, the INEC should see itself as the Moses expected to lead us to the Promised Land. Think about it!
The last time I checked, some uncalled intrigues were allegedly transpiring under the nose of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), still the leadership of the said authority was seemingly yet to take note of the ugly trending.
It is only a dead person that could claim ignorance of the conspicuous fact that the long awaited general elections are already here with us, hence the compelling need to strengthen any weak wall required to be deployed at the polls.
In view of the above assertion, any loophole as regards the impending elections that’s discovered by any individual or entity shouldn’t be swept under the carpet by anybody that truly means well for Nigeria, Imo in particular. Thus, everyone is expected to be deeply concerned over the fast approaching political outings.
It has come to my notice that in the INEC offices situated in various Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the State, the officials of the commission have resorted to taking gratifications from people who came to collect their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC). Such complaints have been trooping into the headquarters of the Right Thinkers Movement, a pro-democracy and good governance initiative whose head office is domiciled in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
In my capacity as the National Coordinator of the aforementioned NGO, I was shocked to my bone marrow the first time the information filtered into my senses. I couldn’t believe it at the time. But subsequently, the report kept coming intensely from different affected individuals and groups, thereby making me lose my sense of scepticism.
In one of the LGAs, it was reported that the persons in charge asked the complainant to give them what they would use to purchase sachet water, “pure water” as it’s popularly called, stating it was the only thing that could grant him access to his PVC. Initially, as a true patriotic Nigerian, he refused to comply not until he observed the seriousness boldly written on the faces of the so-called personnel.
Other complainants explained that they were kept in the queue without anybody responding to them when they told the INEC officials that they had no money on them. They thought they would be pitied but ironically, no one gave them a listening ear. They were marvelled when they noticed that those who came after their arrival received their PVCs having openly “bribed” the desk officers. It was at this point they understood they were in “big shit”, or apparently standing alone.
We were informed that these officials usually mention the particular or exact amount to be given to them by the visitor(s). In some LGAs, it was learnt they were boldly collecting N400 whilst some were busy asking for N500. It’s noteworthy that these monies were demanded from the visitors as if they were statutory fees or levies to be paid before anyone could be entitled to receive his/her PVC.
I’m of the notion that such an absurd practice would equally be occurring in other states across the federation, but the INEC leadership in these climes are yet to acknowledge the situation. Or perhaps in some cases, the authority may have heard about the nauseous act but refused to take decisive actions in respect of it. If the latter is the case, then I’m afraid, this smacks of danger.
I’m baffled why the supposed respected INEC staff would be acting as mere beggars or tax collectors, as the case might be, while carrying out their statutory obligations. Does it imply that they are hungry or were lawfully mandated to receive the gratification? This is a question that needs to urgently be attended to by any well meaning individual or entity.
As one who does not throw facts to the waste bin, coupled with the title of this column, I want to believe that these reports are still allegations, hence the compelling need for the INEC to painstakingly swing into action with a view to unravelling the real truth behind the accusations.
As it is widely stated and believed that “there is no smoke without fire”, the authority must not take this as a mere joke if they are genuinely determined to conduct all-inclusive and credible elections come February 16 and March 2, 2019, respectively.
I, therefore, challenge the INEC in Imo to henceforth endeavour to do the needful by sending out spies or monitoring team on its staff serving in various quarters in the state. Such an alarm ought to also be sent to its counterparts in other states across the country. The bad eggs must be duly fished out without much ado.
If an INEC personnel could have the zeal to forcefully collect gratification over issuance of PVC, I wonder what such persons would do during the elections proper. Without mincing words, such staff are the ones that would easily be bought over by the desperate political parties or aspirants.
It’s so appalling, and a paradox too, that while the INEC is deeply involved in the ongoing crusade targeted to conscientize the electorate to go and collect their PVCs, some bad eggs in their midst on other side are reportedly asking for gratifications before giving out the said device. This indeed unequivocally smacks of sabotage, thus such saboteurs need to be shown the way out or outrightly suspended indefinitely.
Similarly, in the spirit of collection of PVCs, the INEC in the respective states should ensure that the devices in question are made available to people in their various polling units or political wards to enable them assess the items with ease. This measure is unavoidably needed, particularly for the sake of the less-privileged such as the sick, physically challenged and the downtrodden.
As Nigerians, Imolites in particular, earnestly await the general elections, we are appealing to the INEC to do everything humanly possible to ensure that the polls eventually become thoroughly successful and credible as anticipated.
Against this backdrop, the INEC should see itself as the Moses expected to lead us to the Promised Land. Think about it!
Opinion I As Election Approaches, Before We Go To The Polls
By Comrade Fred Nwaozor
The last time I checked, even a dummy across Nigeria – Imo in particular – could attest to the conspicuous fact that the long awaited general elections are already by the corner.
The aforementioned situation is obvious that any living creature can easily take note of the circumstance as well as the intrigues and intricacies surrounding it. It could arguably be noticed by not just a dummy but an epileptic patient.
It suffices to assert that every right thinking Nigerian – particularly Imolite – is at the moment filled with mixed feelings as regards what the outcome or endpoint of the impending exercise would entail.
Since prediction is not unconnected with mankind, in various quarters, many have already predicted who becomes the next Executive Governor of the Eastern Heartland or the President of the country as the case may be. The predictions have continued unabated that it has in some cases resulted in arguments.
Whatever the case might be, what matters most is the need for Imolites and Nigerians in general to fully prepare their mindsets for the fast approaching events; the need for the electorate to acknowledge that the anticipated output of the elections can only come into reality if the expected input is duly tendered.
The ‘input’ as stated above is the voting aspect expected to be carried out by the prospective voters. It is only through voting the country or state can boast of an election results. In other words, results cannot be manufactured by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Results, which would determine the output or outcome of the civic exercise, can only be gotten and counted if the electorate do the needful.
The needful as stated in the last paragraph is to ensure that they cast their votes aptly and equally ensure that the votes are duly counted by the electoral officers or collation officials assigned to the various polling booths.
As the elections are fast approaching, I want to in my capacity as an analyst and activist deeply advise the three key actors of the political outing namely: the political parties alongside the aspirants, the electoral umpire and the electorate.
The various political parties and their respective flag bearers must endeavour to stick to the rules at all times as they undergo the ongoing campaign process as well as at the polls come February 16 and March 2, 2019, respectively.
The parties need to genuinely conscientize their teeming followers to eschew violence at all cost as they collectively throw their support for them. They need to be meant to note that they are not expected to go about posing muscles and fists to their perceived opponents. They are rather required to comport themselves in any occasion they find each other in regard to the ongoing political era.
The parties cum aspirants in their own accord are equally expected to remain civil and disciplined. They shouldn’t see the incoming contest as a ‘do or die affair’. A good and decent politician who truly means well for the people is ready to contest for a particular position as many times as possible provided the election is free and fair. But one who doesn’t mean well for the people would want to acquire the post by all means; this practice is unequivocally an aberration.
The aspirants, therefore, must distance their mindsets from any thought concerning rigging or allied matters. They ought to solely concentrate on how to gain the people’s votes at the polls, and nothing more. Hence, they shouldn’t indulge themselves in any form of thought or action targeted to go contrary to the accepted norms or electoral rules.
The electoral umpire, INEC, on their part, must be willing to carry out their statutory obligations without violating the extant laws or Acts. Thus, its officials shouldn’t intend involving themselves in anything that has undertones of pranks or misdeed. They must take into cognizance that the people at large coupled with various concerned entities are keenly looking up to them, hence wouldn’t welcome any excuses from them.
The INEC is required to be neutral, patriotic and unbiased no matter whose ox is gored. ‘Neutral’, in the sense that, they are required to be at the centre stage. One who is at the centre stage is the person who ensures that the activity in question is carried out peacefully and successfully. Among all, he mediates between competing or disagreeing parties, hence is expected to ensure that the contest doesn’t result in any form of crisis.
‘Patriotic’, in the sense that, they must have the interest of the country or state at heart. A patriotic citizen is one who loves his or her country/state and strongly supports the progress of such society. If you really love a certain locality, you must do everything humanly possible to encourage or promote its activities and dreams. So, the INEC is required to be patriotic at all cost.
‘Unbiased’, in the sense that, they are meant to remain fair and truthful at all times, thus mustn’t show any act of prejudice or favouritism. The INEC is expected to be objective in its judgement over the polls. Its officials are, therefore, required to free themselves from all emotions and one-sided calculations irrespective of the circumstance.
Inter alia, the electorate must be sure of what they actually want. It is only by acknowledging what they want, they can ascertain the candidate that has what it takes to do the needful. They shouldn’t allow uncalled issues to becloud their sense of reasoning. They are the only ones that can determine the outcome of the polls.
If any aspirant informed them that he is damn determine to fix the economy of the state or nation, as might be the case, they should ask the person to show them the processes through which he/she intends fixing the economy or system. They shouldn’t depend on mere pledges; rather, they ought to rely on the practical-oriented avowal that accompanies the promises.
Above all, those who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), should do so without further ado. Like I stated earlier, only the electorate are expected to tender the input that would determine the output of the awaited elections. So, they must note that without their PVCs, no input would be recorded at the polls, and this smacks of danger for the entire system. It’s appalling to acknowledge that over 650,000 PVCs are reportedly yet to be collected in Imo alone.
All in all, every party involved, either institution or individual, shouldn’t allow frivolities to override priorities. Think about it!
The last time I checked, even a dummy across Nigeria – Imo in particular – could attest to the conspicuous fact that the long awaited general elections are already by the corner.
The aforementioned situation is obvious that any living creature can easily take note of the circumstance as well as the intrigues and intricacies surrounding it. It could arguably be noticed by not just a dummy but an epileptic patient.
It suffices to assert that every right thinking Nigerian – particularly Imolite – is at the moment filled with mixed feelings as regards what the outcome or endpoint of the impending exercise would entail.
Since prediction is not unconnected with mankind, in various quarters, many have already predicted who becomes the next Executive Governor of the Eastern Heartland or the President of the country as the case may be. The predictions have continued unabated that it has in some cases resulted in arguments.
Whatever the case might be, what matters most is the need for Imolites and Nigerians in general to fully prepare their mindsets for the fast approaching events; the need for the electorate to acknowledge that the anticipated output of the elections can only come into reality if the expected input is duly tendered.
The ‘input’ as stated above is the voting aspect expected to be carried out by the prospective voters. It is only through voting the country or state can boast of an election results. In other words, results cannot be manufactured by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Results, which would determine the output or outcome of the civic exercise, can only be gotten and counted if the electorate do the needful.
The needful as stated in the last paragraph is to ensure that they cast their votes aptly and equally ensure that the votes are duly counted by the electoral officers or collation officials assigned to the various polling booths.
As the elections are fast approaching, I want to in my capacity as an analyst and activist deeply advise the three key actors of the political outing namely: the political parties alongside the aspirants, the electoral umpire and the electorate.
The various political parties and their respective flag bearers must endeavour to stick to the rules at all times as they undergo the ongoing campaign process as well as at the polls come February 16 and March 2, 2019, respectively.
The parties need to genuinely conscientize their teeming followers to eschew violence at all cost as they collectively throw their support for them. They need to be meant to note that they are not expected to go about posing muscles and fists to their perceived opponents. They are rather required to comport themselves in any occasion they find each other in regard to the ongoing political era.
The parties cum aspirants in their own accord are equally expected to remain civil and disciplined. They shouldn’t see the incoming contest as a ‘do or die affair’. A good and decent politician who truly means well for the people is ready to contest for a particular position as many times as possible provided the election is free and fair. But one who doesn’t mean well for the people would want to acquire the post by all means; this practice is unequivocally an aberration.
The aspirants, therefore, must distance their mindsets from any thought concerning rigging or allied matters. They ought to solely concentrate on how to gain the people’s votes at the polls, and nothing more. Hence, they shouldn’t indulge themselves in any form of thought or action targeted to go contrary to the accepted norms or electoral rules.
The electoral umpire, INEC, on their part, must be willing to carry out their statutory obligations without violating the extant laws or Acts. Thus, its officials shouldn’t intend involving themselves in anything that has undertones of pranks or misdeed. They must take into cognizance that the people at large coupled with various concerned entities are keenly looking up to them, hence wouldn’t welcome any excuses from them.
The INEC is required to be neutral, patriotic and unbiased no matter whose ox is gored. ‘Neutral’, in the sense that, they are required to be at the centre stage. One who is at the centre stage is the person who ensures that the activity in question is carried out peacefully and successfully. Among all, he mediates between competing or disagreeing parties, hence is expected to ensure that the contest doesn’t result in any form of crisis.
‘Patriotic’, in the sense that, they must have the interest of the country or state at heart. A patriotic citizen is one who loves his or her country/state and strongly supports the progress of such society. If you really love a certain locality, you must do everything humanly possible to encourage or promote its activities and dreams. So, the INEC is required to be patriotic at all cost.
‘Unbiased’, in the sense that, they are meant to remain fair and truthful at all times, thus mustn’t show any act of prejudice or favouritism. The INEC is expected to be objective in its judgement over the polls. Its officials are, therefore, required to free themselves from all emotions and one-sided calculations irrespective of the circumstance.
Inter alia, the electorate must be sure of what they actually want. It is only by acknowledging what they want, they can ascertain the candidate that has what it takes to do the needful. They shouldn’t allow uncalled issues to becloud their sense of reasoning. They are the only ones that can determine the outcome of the polls.
If any aspirant informed them that he is damn determine to fix the economy of the state or nation, as might be the case, they should ask the person to show them the processes through which he/she intends fixing the economy or system. They shouldn’t depend on mere pledges; rather, they ought to rely on the practical-oriented avowal that accompanies the promises.
Above all, those who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), should do so without further ado. Like I stated earlier, only the electorate are expected to tender the input that would determine the output of the awaited elections. So, they must note that without their PVCs, no input would be recorded at the polls, and this smacks of danger for the entire system. It’s appalling to acknowledge that over 650,000 PVCs are reportedly yet to be collected in Imo alone.
All in all, every party involved, either institution or individual, shouldn’t allow frivolities to override priorities. Think about it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Featured post
APC Appoints Dalori as Acting National Chairman
RostrumNews The All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Alhaji Ali Bukar Dalori as its new Acting National Chairman. This ...
-
The Mauritania's former Economy minister, Sidi Ould Tah on Thursday,29th May 2025 clinched victory with 76.18 percent of votes in the... -
Rostrum Minnesota Senator, John Hoffman and State Representative, Melissa Hortman, alongside their spouses, have been reported... -
The Nigeria's President, Bola Tinubu, has sought the approval of the Senate for the 2025-2026 external borrowing plan of $21.5 billio... -
Veteran Highlife musician and cultural icon, Mike Ejeagha, who gained wide recognition over his iconic hit “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo,... -
RostrumNews The All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Alhaji Ali Bukar Dalori as its new Acting National Chairman. This ... -
CELEBRATING 2016 WORLD TELECOMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SOCIETY DAY, TODAY TUESDAY MAY 17 Today Tuesday May 17, the g...
-
The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has sacked the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Cyprian Akaolisa. This was c... -
#OsunDecide: INEC Declares Election Inconclusive ...... Fixes Supplementary For Thursday -------------------------------------------------... -
You may have observed that some cardinals are not wearing red garments, as the members of the College of Cardinals arrived in Rome ahead ... -
The United States' (US) immigration authority has reportedly removed over 270,000 people in last financial year. The figures were rele...