Yakubu Busari
The Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has advocated for total independence of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) umpire to scrap pre-election and post- election matter going on throughout the tenure of elected Governors, Members and chairmen in office.
Lalong made this disclosure during the, North-Central zonal public hearing held at Eliel Center Gold and base ,Rayfield ,Jos .
The Governor appealed that INEC should be given more autonomy to disqualify any candidate or the party that is responsible for uprising during the voting exercise, he said.
He lamented that what causes crises during election period is the result of imposition and impunity in the conduct if primaries where unpopular candidates are imposed.
According to him, if properly tackle at primaries stage issues rigging of election result would be nip on board and adequate punishment should be meted on the defaulted.
He raised concern that the chances of the survival of our democracy solidly depend on fee and fair election, if not the Democratic system will soon be death by considering an appropriate measure to sanction those who cause crisis.
Lalong explained ,the issues of appointment in Nigeria has to recommended total to independent of the electoral body and also recommended very tactical way for government to allow sovereignty.
He added when you appointed them and there is no total control that can regulate the appointees, they will now be given opportunity to independent.
The Chairman of the Electoral Reform Committee, Sen. Ken Nnamani solicited the cooperation of the government and people of north central zone as matter urgency bring out ideas and policies that will help federal, states government to fine turn various ways of resolving pre, post-election problem in the country.
He stressed the federal government is moving to all the six geopolitical zones of the States to ensure effective electoral system and to prevent election violence.
Nnamani cautioned that people contribution will be greatly recognized as part of constitutional backing because the review of Electoral Reform will be highly commendable.
The representative of Benue and Nasarawa states all in their separate expression urged them to come out with positive contributions so as to add value to the reform which timely.
Governor Yahaya Bello rejected the issue of appointment of management committee chairmen at the local government but rather appointed none card carrying member.
Bello cautioned that in the past election is been conducted in a disorganized manner by the electoral officer who do not conduct the exercise well.
He warned that if there is sanction by the constituted authority you will discover that the election will be orderly which the process can help to check election violence and other misconduct to maintain Sanity’s.
The Governor was represented by Bar. Haruna Yusuf who also recommended that elections should be conducted on the same day to avoid malpractices, ballot snatching during voting exercise.
Governor Tanko Al-makura said, the government is ready to go with any decision reach at the public hearing which will address grey area of deficiency in electoral process in the country.
He noted that Nasarawa government had concluded arrangement to follow the federal government policy transforming Nigeria to a full Democratic governance to improve the well-being of its citizenry.
Almakura said for Nigeria to enjoy the dividend of democracy the government need the cooperation of all a sundry to build the electoral process.
He appealed that government should be focus of rebuilding commendable structure of creating conducive atmosphere for Nigeria democracy to strive with purposeful leadership.
