When will Nigerian elections be believable? By Tonnie Iredia
From history, it is easy to find reports on early Nigerian elections which reflected some high degree of crudity which were enough to convince everyone that even those declared as winners were themselves not persuaded that they went through what looked like an election. In those days, politicians won elections by pouring acid into the ballot […]
Traditional rulers as election campaign managers
On December 14 1991, governorship elections were held in all the states of the federation. The conduct was generally hitch-free, but the result of the election in one state-Edo- was nullified by the relevant election tribunal. The tribunal took the decision having convinced itself that the election was adversely affected by undue influence occasioned by a political broadcast by a Benin Chief alleging that the Oba of Benin had directed his people to vote for the eventual winner. Although the Court of Appeal later reversed the nullification, it became a moot point in Nigeria’s electoral history that partisanship by otherwise neutral royal fathers could serve as undue influence in an election.
ASUU crisis: Let’s bring in Governor Okorocha
As if some other unions buy this principle of the power of democracy, the idea of solidarity action is gaining ground by the day on the ASUU issue. Already, 2 other powerful unions are warming up to join the strike. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) was the first to show concern.
Fighting for allowances in Nigeria
The nation-wide strike action embarked upon since last Tuesday by the National Association of Resident Doctors has expectedly made its painful impact on Nigerians. The doctors are angered among other things by the failure of government to observe the implementation of the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS) agreement reached between government and the doctors. Briefing the media during the week, the President of the Association Dr. Jibril Abdullahi explained that his Association had given government uptil September 30, 2013, to resolve the issues involved but that it failed to do so. He added that the Enugu State Government also failed to implement the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for his members in the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital.
Government 419 Biometrics
The need to identify every Nigerian citizen does not call for lengthy explanations. It is therefore in order for the Nigerian Identity Management Commission whose mandate it is to do so to take steps which it considers necessary to meet the mandate. In this age of technology, the commission would probably have the right to acquire the biometrics of all citizens.
Nigeria beyond Politics
About a month ago, the Nigerian Guild of Editors held its Annual Convention in Asaba with the theme ‘Nigeria beyond Oil’. It is noteworthy that the conference took the form of a crusade to get the nation to diversify its economy and stop its over reliance on oil. For this reason, this column commended the move especially the pivotal role of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State. Considering that the crusade will evolve a plan B for even development of the nation, the need to evolve such initiatives in all sectors cannot be overemphasized.
