If the amendments so far effected by the Senate are enshrined in the proposed Constitution, the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) is likely to emerge from the exercise as a far more autonomous body than the commission which conducted the three polls which had been held since the fourth republic was born.

IN a move aimed at examining performance and meeting future challenges in 2010, the National Orientation Agency, NOA, has concluded plans, to improve attitudinal change among citizens in the building of a better Nigeria.

Comrade Peter Akpatason relinquished power last December as president of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, after eight years of exemplary leadership.

ONE person who is not fascinated by all the talks about impeaching ailing President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and making Acting President Goodluck Jonathan as a substantive president of Nigeria is the presidential candidate of Fresh Democratic Party, FDP, in the 2007 presidential poll, Rev. Chris Okotie.

Chief Olu Falae, ex-Minister of Finance, former Secretary to the Federal Government and the former Presidential candidate of the AD/ANPP Alliance, in this encounter advises Goodluck Jonathan to disregard all manner of lobbies and threats and concentrate on his duties of running the country and ensuring a credible general elections in 2011. Excerpts:

Before now there was only one opposition political party in Rivers State and that was Accord Party. The governorship candidate of the party in the 2007 elections Chief Bekinbo Soberekon has been begging the courts since 2008 to remove Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi from the Brick House in Port Harcourt. Soberekon wants to be the tenant of that sprawling premises.

MR Glory Abrefera is the President, Niger Delta Peace and Development Forum (NDPDF). In this interview with Vanguard, he spoke about challenges before Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, steps to be taken to give the economy fresh impetus. He also commented on how best to sustain the amnesty initiative to keep peace in the Niger Delta region, among other issues. Excerpts:

Mr Tony Oyatedor is the President of Newstime Foundation-a Non Governmental Organisation, NGO, that preaches peace world wide. In this interview with Vanguard, he declared that fasting and prayers as directed by Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang can not solve the recurring crisis in Jos, saying that what is needed is for the diverse people in that city to appreciate the existence of one God. Oyatedor also spoke on other issues . Excerpts:

SENATOR ONYEABO Obi is a lawyer and politician. In the Second Republic he represented Anambra West Senatorial district . Obi, who is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in this interview with Vanguard, argued that the North should not allow itself to lose out in the current power game owing to the inability of ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua to take up the reins of power.

t a time when the Nigeria polity is in a state of flux, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced a provisional time table for next year’s elections. Expectedly, there are hoops and hays. But this report will show why all may not be well with the key actors for whom the time table has been announced just as it also defines the limits and limitations as well as the challenges of any electoral body that would conduct the elections next year.