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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



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!


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!


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