INEC To Test-Run Its Improved Processes With Kogi, Bayelsa Governorship Elections – Amina Zakari
Acting Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Hajiya Amina Bala Zakari, has assured that INEC will use the opportunity presented by forthcoming Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections to continue to display its improved processes and rigour.
The Acting Chairperson gave the assurance yesterday while delivering a keynote address at the public presentation of the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room report on 2015 general elections, with support from British Department for International Development (DFID). It was held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.
Amina Zakari explained that the Commission will apply lessons learnt from previous elections in raising the bar during the Kogi and Bayelsa outings.
“In conducting elections in both states, the Commission will apply lessons learnt from the previous elections beginning with the stand alone governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states, and the General Elections.”
She explained that the Commission will continue to encourage participation in the electoral process, pointing out that INEC will carry out Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in both states, and “those registered will have their cards printed in timely fashion and voters’ transfers will also be supported for those two states.”
She called for continued support from Development Partners and Civil Society Organisations towards improving the electoral process, even as she assured Nigerians that INEC, in partnership with the key stakeholders in the political parties, security and civic organizations will strive to ensure that both elections in Kogi and Bayelsa are transparent and well run.
The Acting Chairperson warned that electoral malpractice will not be tolerated, as the Commission will continue to drive transparency and effectiveness.
“Any INEC official found wanting in the tribunals will be punished to the full extent of the law,” she said.
She disclosed that the Commission’s transitional plans needed to lay the foundation for the future.
The key areas she mentioned include:
· A continued drive for improvement of our internal processes
· Staff re-orientation and Training
· Push for recommendations to the National Assembly (NASS) on electoral reforms such as ballot access restrictions to reduce voter confusion and diaspora voting
· Increased use of technology building on the card reader and e-Track processes introduced in 2015
· Improved internal and external communications to drive improved awareness with the public and staff
· And most importantly, a continued inclusive process with all stakeholders (political parties, civic organizations, security personnel, the NYSC, etc.)
The high point of the event was the presentation of an achievement award to the immediate past chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, by the Situation Room of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC).
Professor Jega was full of appreciation for the recognition and called for continued support for the leadership of the Commission to consolidate on its previous success. [myad]
When Governor Wada Turned Marginalisation Concept On Its Head, By Dr. Tom Adaba
A recent interview allegedly granted by Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada quoted him as saying that there is no marginalization of any group in his state. We would not want to believe that he said so. But if for any reason he did, we wish to serve this as a freshener.
Perhaps, it is necessary to define marginalization and cite a few, among the innumerable and outrageous instances of abuse of power and office in the name of marginalization by Governor Wada and his predecessors in a series of nepotic Igala governance.
By way of definition and education of all who cannot see happenings in Kogi State as marginalization, the Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary describes it as “the relegation to an unimportant position within a society or group.”
In stating the entrenchment of a series of unforgivable marginalization in the state, we may have to make a comparative analysis of Wada’s government vis-a-vis that of the founding Governor Abubakar Audu (1991 – 1993 and 1999 – 2003) who we thought was himself not only despotic but a tribal warlord.
In Kogi State, there are three senatorial districts – the East comprising Igala and minorities like Bassa-Komu; Bassange Egbira Mozum; the West with the Okuns, Nupes, Oworos, Egbira-Kotos, Bassa-Komu,Gukeri, Ganagana and Hausa; and the .Central – comprising Ebira-Okene, Ogori Magongo and Ajaokuta.
The State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) stands at 7% East, 12% West; and 72% Central, yet the East has produced the governor of the state for 18-years, the life-span of democratic governance since the creation of Kogi State in1991.
Audu’s six-year governance of two terms (1991 – 93 and 1999 – 2003) produced the following: 17 Commissioners out of which nine were from the East, while four each come from the West and Central respectively; 33 Permanent Secretaries with 18-from Kogi East, 10 from the West and 5 from Central.
In the State’s Civil Service, of 33,000 workforce, the East had a lion share of 23,100, while 5,940 were from the West and 3,960 were from the Central. Here, one wonders whether it is the brilliance or competence of the Igalas in Benue State that had given them this advantage on arrival in Kogi. For those of us who were there at the inception of the state and knew the calibre of products that were moved from Benue State Civil Service to the new state of Kogi, we have our huge doubts. We denounced the fictitious figures and have been proved right by the recent audit that revealed the huge deposit of ghost workers.
If Audu’s government was iniquitous, Ibrahim Idris’ and Wada’s are a glaring display of impunity. The figures below attest: Wada’s government has 18 Commissioners out of which nine are from the East, five West and four Central; 60 Special Advisers with a whopping 30 from his home area, the East while the West and Central have 20 and 10 respectively.
Wada’s government has 83 Senior Special Assistants out of which 41 (50%) are from the East, 26 (31.1%) from the West and 16 (19.1%)from the Central.
Of Gov. Wada’s 242 Special Assistants, 139 are from the East, 66 from the West and 37 from Central.
Could this be somebody’s idea of justice, fairness and equitable distribution? Could this be the opposite of marginalization?
Of the 32 Permanent Secretaries, 24 (75%) are from the East while the West and Central share 4 or 12.5% each. Again, one wonders if the civil service knowledge, skills and even experience are the exclusive preserve of the East. Here again, we reiterate in the negative.
Indeed, the reverse should be the case because the reservoir of highly talented, experienced and skilled staff from the West and Central have been edged out by the nepotic system and replaced by the Igalas.
The state has 25 Board Chairmen comprising 14 (56%) from the East, 8 (32%) from the West and 3 (12%) from Central.
The present government of Kogi State headed by Capt Idris Wada has a Civil Service of 18,650 which breaks down as follows:10,393 (approx 56%) from the East; 4,977 (27%) from the West; and 3,280 (17%) from Central.
On the distribution of road projects, the East has N39.3 billion for about 476.6 kilomretres, the West N21.9 billion for 209-kilometres, while Central has a paltry N3.3 billion for 62 kilometres. It is however an irony that despite these figures, one cannot see a translation of them in action.
The litany of primitive imbalances is legion.
If all these are not heartless instances of marginalization, we are not sure what else to call it. Perhaps, it may make better sense labeling it iniquitous voodoo governance.
This must change. Kogi has all the potentials for a first class state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, considering its history, strategic location and boundless endowment. The time has come to flush out ineptitude and jungle inequity. It is time to redeem Kogi State by installing a civilized, just, fair and equitable government.
Dr. Adaba, OON, former DG NBC, writes from Abuja. [myad]