.as American based Technocrat challenges Nigerians, INEC on credible polls
.APGA presidential aspirant vows to reposition Nigeria In 4 Years if elected
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain upright and maintain its image as an incorruptible electoral umpire.
The Ogun State PDP Chairman, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele gave the charge on Tuesday while receiving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Election and Party Monitoring department at the party secretariat in Abeokuta.
Ogundele said it is generally opined that the electoral body works to the dictate of the government in power, urging INEC to remain upright and allow the will of Nigerian voters to count.
He commended INEC for the visit and monitoring of political parties in the state.
“The political parties cannot exist without the electoral umpire. INEC Ogun State has remained an incorruptible umpire. As a political party, we want INEC that is a reliable organization.
“Let me use this opportunity to send a message to all INEC Commissioners in the 36 States of the federation to urge them to allow the will of Nigerian voters to count. It is generally opined that he who pays a piper, dictates the tune, I know you work for the party in power, but work on your image. I want to use this opportunity to charge you to be upright for the sake of Nigerians. The joy of election is for people to vote people in and out.”
Speaking earlier, the leader of the INEC delegation to the PDP, the Deputy Director and Head of Department, Election and Party Monitoring, Mr. Abidakun Gabriel said the purpose of the visit was to assess the structures, procedures, documents, and list of officers of 17 registered political parties in the state.
“Our assignment is very important. It is to help us to be on the same page. Political parties are principal stakeholders, and one does not take your position for granted.
“Our visit here today is to further verify on the information you gave us on the facilities and logistics if they are still intact.
“The basic reason is to know where the party office is located. We have had instances where the party gave us an office address but on getting there, we meet different structures entirely.
“We also need to know, the list of officers ratified by the congress of the party. It is for us to confirm if the officers of the party are still the same or there have been changes. This will allow us to be on the same page.”
Meanwhile, an American based technocrat, Chief Ray Nwachukwu has challenged Nigerian Electorates at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to try as much as possible to vote out bad governance in the country during the 2023 general election.
Briefing journalists in Owerri Imo State capital, Monday ahead of 2023 general elections, the American based technocrat/business mogul-Chief Ray Nwachukwu advised the electorates to avoid ethnic, political and religious sentiments and vote for credible candidates with the capacity to alleviate the extant excruciating poverty in the land.
The technocrat further decried the rising state of insecurity in the country and enjoined the electoral umpire INEC to ensure that the people’s vote count through free, fair and creditable elections. This he said would deepen the root of democracy in the country.
Nwachukwu-an Old Boy of Government Secondary School Owerri spoke when the Old Boys Association of the school paid a sympathy visit to one of their colleagues – Prince Bath Obi-a former member of the Imo State House of Assembly at his country home Ezedibia, Emekuku in the Owerri north council area.
He further said “I will advise Nigerians to be prepared for the next elections despite what is happening in the country but the question is this “will the people’s vote count? Will the next president be able to tackle poverty and insecurity in the land?”
Relying on his experience in America, the technocrat explained that the system there is such that the identity and credentials of candidates seeking elective positions are thoroughly ascertained before the elections and this he said enables the electorate to separate the grain from the wheat.
Chidi Elezianya-chairman of the Owerri branch of the Association, national secretary of the body-Augustine Uzoho and a former member of the House of Representatives-Uche Onyeagocha who spoke one after the other described Prince Bath Obi as a formidable member of the Association who has contributed much to their Association.
They therefore called for collective efforts by members of the association to move it forward.
In another development, a Presidential aspirant under the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in the coming 2023 general election, and former Anambra State Chief Judge, Prof. Peter Umeadi, has hinted that he would reposition Nigeria in four years if voted to succeed president Mohammadu Buhari.
Fielding questions from newsmen at Isiagu, Awka South Local Government Area, he said that, “it is not about speaking long grammar, but the attitude of the man at the helm of affairs that is important”.
“The composite leadership I Will give is to remove my personal interest from issues patterning to governance.”
Umeadi made this disclosure at the maiden Ofala festival of Igwe Augustine Nwankwo, of Isiagu community, where he was honoured with a chieftaincy title, “Onapuru Agu iheokpunonu Isiagu”.
“What i will give is to remove my personal issues pertaining to governance and when i do that, if you come back to Nigeria after four years, you wonder if you are in the same place.”
“Of course, the reason, I can go ahead, if you remove your interest from the picture, then you can ask questions and if you ask questions and didn’t get good answer you will not go ahead.”
“But when they know you are committed,You can pass down, down the line, you can know the packing and putting in your house, that is if you leave by example, then you can change the place in four years”
On the just concluded gubernatorial election held in the state the former state Chief Judge confirmed that, “Prof. Charles Soludo, the Governor-elect, will add value to what Governor Obiano has done in the last eight years, he should surpass what has happened there, we hope for the best.”
Also on the honor done him by the Isiagu monarch he stated that, “today, Igwe marked his maiden Ofala, today is a big day in Isiagu Community, the people are happy and it will become part of their calendar”
“I think it will become a reference point in future that at least i was lucky to be conferred with his honour.
Talking about what specially I will do for the Community is not in sight personally except being a reference point to the people of this Community, I think it will have a multiplier effect”
“I wish the Igwe to continue this way because the journey of thousand miles begin with a step and what he is doing is galvanizing his Community.
That makes him better and people will find what they need from him as a Leader, being the Igwe is also a Leader representing them”
“So if i am the Chief of Isiagu, also the Ambassador of Isiagu,what i’am talking is the fact that they will get , may be not directly from me but wherever I am now, you dare not speak ill of Isiagu”,he explained further.
