Anambra 2013 Polls and 2015
For the past one month now, the media has been awash with reports about the November 16, 2013 Governorship election in Anambra state.
Being one of the elections to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the marging of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Peoples Party (APP), Congress of Political Change (CPC) and perhaps a fraction of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), expectations indeed became very high.
On the part of both the political class and the Independent National Electoral Commission, observers watched with keen interest what and how the entire thing will play out.
However, because the election is taking place in only one out of the thirty six states of the Federation and Abuja, the Federal capital Territory, Nigerians expected that it will be a smooth sail for INEC so as to rekindle hope and confidence in the commission.
But from the news making its round, it appears that things are no longer at ease hence things have started falling apart in Anambra state. From the revision of voters register days to even the election day proper, all indications point to INEC’s inability and incapacity to handle the election.
The resident Electoral Commissioner Professor Attahiru Jega has even admitted in one of his statements that his commission was faced with logistic problems during the election.
Even an INEC official in that election is currently cooling his hells at the police net for complexity and sabotage in the smooth conduct of the elections.
What a shame. If INEC under professor Jega could show total inability to conduct an election in a state with twelve local governments, come to think and imagine how he is going to go about the 2015 general election in the country which will involve thirty five local government and Abuja.
For the singular fact that even one of the Governorship candidates in the Anambra election was disenfranchised by INEC is enough evidence to the incapacity of professor Jega led INEC.
A lot of reasons have been adduced all aimed at alienating INEC from the woes of Anambra elections. But in all and all, there is no way INEC can exonerate itself from the calamity which has befallen Anambra electorates.
As elections were conducted on Saturday November 16, one would have expected INEC o go ahead within the next few days and not weeks to conclude elections in those areas it declared inconclusive.
But announcing without any specific date the day it will conduct a “supplementary” election to conclude those area where election were declared inconclusive is unacceptable.
This decision and statement by INEC of a supplementary election in Anambra is only but calling to mind the Imo episode of 2011. it is instructive to draw the attention of INEC to the 2011 elections in Imo state which up till today has not been resolved if it has forgotten.
Therefore, professor Jega and his commission should rather be on the lane of solving problems rather than problem shooters. The Anambra 2013 election is a test for INEC and we do not want to believe or even say that the commission has failed.
Indian Government Owes Imo Youths, Students Explanations:
The gruesome murder of Comrade Simeon Obodo a vibrant, dogged, and progressive Imo youth from Umunwaku in Ohaji Egbema L.G.A Imo state has not only thrown the entire Imo youths and students into mourning and outright lost of appetite for food and drink but have also shattered in no small measure the lofty dreams and aspirations of the Obodo’s families who have been very optimistic and earnestly waiting for a joyous day of welcoming comrade Simeon back from the airport on any day he decides to leave India to Imo state his beloved home state.
But to the chagrin and ulter astonishment of the entire Obodo’s families, Imo youths and students recently a hearth-breaking report came from India of how comrade Simeon Obodo has been butchered and forcefully sent to the land of the dead in one of the towns in India. This crime against Imo Youths and students demands comprehensive and detailed explanations form India Government on how one of us who has been contributing positively to the growth and development of Indian economy should be slaughtered like a mere animal for Christmas meal.
While we have countless India youths and expatriates making millions here and walking freely in the various streets and towns of Imo state especially in Ohaji Egbema the oil kingdom which unfortunately is the home town of the brutally slain Comrade. This is the time the Benjamin Uwajimogu lead Imo house of Assembly should rise up to the challenge and pass a bill stopping all activities in the Indian embassy office in Abuja until they Indian Government comes up with a clear, comprehensive and detailed explanations to this high level of crime against humanity and the entire Imo youths and students but it still seems they are keeping mute and concentrating on motions and bills that have no meaning and positive impacts in the live of Imolites.
Above all, it is very disheartening and embarrassing if not surprising that our Foreign Affairs minister Prof. Viola Onwuliri who incidentally is from Imo state and Hon. Luke Chukwu the honourable member representing Ohaji Egbema state constituency have not done any tangible and meaningful for the past few weeks this deadly incident happened towards ensuring bringing the culprits to face the full weight of the law.
Rather, our committed youths and students who protested in streets of India against this evil melted on our dear brother Simeon where all thrown into the prison for condemning evil and crying out openly. Or have the lives of Imo Youths and students no longer safe abroad? … ALUTA CONTINUA, VICTORIA ACERTA.
By Comr. Bright Ahamefule (NAISS NAT’L President)
08133906998
