By Inalegwu Shaibu

ABUJA — THE Senate  has confirmed the nominations of Dr. Abdulkadri Oniyangi and Mrs. Amina Zakari as National Electoral Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The Senate also, before the confirmation of the two nominees, expressed worries over the high rate of kidnapping and the general insecurity in the country.

Senate President, Senator David Mark, while confirming the nominations, yesterday, charged Dr. Oniyangi from Kwara State and Mrs. Zakari from Jigawa State to conduct free and fair elections in 2011.

Mark said: “Just like we told others before them, they must ensure that we have a free and credible election in 2011, once they resumed duties.”

Oniyangi during questioning kicked against the introduction of electronic voting, arguing that it will disenfranchise the electorate during voting. He told the Senators that he would not be swayed by bribe if confirmed as national commissioner because he was not a hungry man.

He said: “The essence of voting is for people to exercise their right. I don’t think electronic voting will give room for the people to exercise their right.

“On the issue of bribe, I am not hungry, so I will not be swayed and I think national issue is more important than taking bribe.”

Also responding to questions from Senators, Mrs. Zakari canvassed massive voter education and prompt delivery of election materials as panacea to electoral problems.

She said: “We need enough education and without that, it will be difficult for the people to understand. We need to educate our people. I don’t believe we should adopt the America system of voting, but adopt the local method.”   

On kidnapping

On the increasing incidence of kidnapping in the country, Senator Anthony Manzo, PDP, Taraba coming through order 42 of the Senate standing rule observed that the country was sliding into a state of lawless with free hand kidnappers are having.
The Senate President who also expressed the same fears agreed that kidnapping had become a national crisis requiring an urgent attention.