By Gabriel Enogholase
BENIN – ELDER states-man and pioneer Governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to put measures in place that would assist him to compile a new voters’ register for future elections in the country, instead of depending on ad hoc staff.

He noted that only a relatively improved new voters’ register with biometric details of voters would enable him conduct free, fair and credible elections that would become a reference for future generations.

Against this backdrop, Odigie-Oyegun urged Jega to make use of people from the civil society and non-governmental organisations to supervise INEC’s ad hoc staff in the field to carry out the voters’ registration exercise. He also called on him to make himself available to receive complaints from Nigerians.

The former governor, who spoke with Vanguard, yesterday, in an interview in Benin, said, “Jega should put measures in place that would ensure that what he has said is really what is  going to happen, especially at the grassroots.

“This means that the personnel to be used in the compilation of a new voters’ register should be empowered and  are available.  He should do whatever it takes, at whatever cost to write his name in the golden books as one of those who built modern democracy by conducting these  elections in a way they will become a standard for future generations.”

Commenting on the controversy as to whether President Goodluck Jonathan should assent to the amended constitution, the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP Board of Trustees member said: “I would  have thought it is one of those situations,  where his signature is mandatory, meaning that he cannot refuse to sign it.”

It is a law and at the end of the day, it is only proper that his signature will be there. Who is going to sign it, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives or a combination of both?”

“It is a law and at the end of the day, it is only proper that his signature will be there. Who is going to sign it: the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives or a combination of both?”

“There must be a signature to it and from my layman’s point of view,the proper person who should sign it is the President”, he added.”