...INEC fixes Nov 18 for guber poll
By Emma Njoku
All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State, Barth Nwibe said the state holds the ace to the revival of Nigeria’s ailing economy.
He also said a visionary leadership in Anambra would effectively address the ‘leadership failure’ among the Igbo, in particular and the country as a whole.
The oil and gas expert told Daily Sun that his vision is to make the state, the destination point for investors by providing enabling environment for industrialists and manufacturers, thereby, creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
“Nigeria is suffering from leadership failure. Even in the eastern region, the governors have not provided us with the right leadership. Ndigbo have suffered due to leadership failure which has given rise to youth restiveness,” he said.
Nwibe regretted that since former governor Peter Obi, who he said tried to unite the eastern governors for the progress of Ndigbo, left office, the present governors could not sustain his vision.
“We need a stable leadership in Igboland for Nigeria to be at peace. Professionals like us cannot sit back and allow ‘unprofessional politicians’ continue to lead us because we have reached nowhere under their leadership. We need to bring the Igbo economy up.”
How come we have abandoned Igboland to develop other areas, yet, we keep shouting marginalisation?
“Anambra is the hub of commerce and industry in the eastern part of Nigeria. What our people need is a stable source of energy to do their businesses.
“Only Igbo can develop Igboland. We’ll re-plan Anambra State. Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi will have uninterrupted power supply. If we bring back 30 per cent of our businesses to Anambra, we we’ll stop Nigerians from going to India for medical treatment. Once we fix our energy supply, we would have transformed Igboland and bring home our professionals abroad to come and develop Nigeria.”
Nwibe, who is confident of his chance in the governorship rate, advised his rivals, particularly, those who decamped from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Party (APC) “to first study the APC’s ideologies before vying for any elective positions on the platform of the party.”
“It’s not going to be business as usual; the ‘professional politicians’ wont have INEC, police and DSS to rig the election for them this time round because of the current politics of change.
“Besides, I’m not afraid of the power of incumbency. I believe in God. Anambra people will decide who governs them. We need to reconnect with Nigeria. PDP was a mistake; APGA, a lie and deceit. Politics of exclusion has not favored Ndigbo,” Nwibe said.
…INEC fixes Nov 18 for guber poll
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the Anambra governorship election for November 18.
This was just as it has recommended no fewer than 28 of its staff for prosecution over involvement in the Rivers State legislative rerun election.
INEC Commissioner for Voter Education, Prince Solomon Soyebi, who addressed the media after several hours of meeting at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, yesterday, said without prejudice to the prosecution, the indicted staff would face its internal disciplinary process.
“We gathered that the Police have concluded their investigations and 25 INEC officials who were indicted will be prosecuted. The commission has resolved to fully co-operate with the Police in this process. In addition and without prejudice to their prosecution, the indicted INEC staff will also face the commission’s internal disciplinary process.
“The commission wishes to reiterate that it will not shield any of its members of staff who engages in any conduct that will undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
The commission also considered the report of its Administrative Inquiry into the December 10, 2016 Rivers State rerun election and accepted its recommendations that all the 28 indicted workers should face internal disciplinary action for gross misconduct, dereliction of duty and negligence.
“The Commission also accepted the recommendation to commend a number of ad-hoc and permanent staff, as well as security officials who performed exceptionally well under very difficult circumstances of the elections, in particular, Prof Ralph Echebiri and Prof. Oji O. Ekemankama both of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike who served in Rivers West and East Senatorial Districts respectively; Aguna Isaac and Ademola Oluwatoba of the National Youth Service Corps, who served as Presiding Officers; and the Divisional Police Officer of Phalga at the time of the election, for his exemplary conduct and professionalism.
“The Commission will offer the two youth corps members automatic employment at the Commission on completion of their service. The Commission further accepted for immediate implementation, several recommendations that will improve the electoral process. Arising from the lessons learnt, the Commission will carry out a major overhaul of the entire Rivers State INEC office,” he noted.
Commenting on the Anambra governorship election, he said: “The Commission has also approved the time-able and schedule of activities for the Anambra State governorship election, scheduled for Saturday November 18, 2017.”