Use Clerics As Returning Officers, Do Away With University Professors, Group Tells INEC

Network For Advocacy And Good Leadership Initiative-Abia Political Movement (NAGLI-APM) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to stop using university professors as returning officers beginning with the 2023 general elections but use Christian and Muslim clerics instead.

Mazi Dr. Agodi Kanu is the director general of NAGLI-APM

The group in a communiqué issued at the end of its Town hall meeting in Aba, Abia State at the weekend said the ongoing strike and the non-payment of lecturers by the federal government will make them prone to compromise by political actors if used by INEC as returning officers.

The group which has Elder Engr. Nnamdi Udoh as the chairman of the occasion, also encouraged traditional rulers and town unions to remain bi-partisan and not stop anyone coming to campaign in their various domains since their subjects belong to most of the political parties.

“That since most University Dons (Professors) have lately failed to be fair and decisive as Returning Officers, that the electoral umpire (INEC) should try deploying selected Clergy (Christians/Muslim) as Returning Officers in 2022 general election. This is occasioned by the lingering strike which has further impoverished them and therefore will make them prone to abuse and subversion of the process.

“Traditional Rulers and Town Union Leaders should remain nonpartisan as their subjects belong to various political parties and must never stop any party recognized by INEC and cleared by INEC from campaigning in their domains. They were enjoined to maintain peace and improve security.

“That INEC must ensure and use every plausible means to deliver registered voters PVC cards.

“That all Security Agencies must be neutral and refuse being used by political parties and candidates in power and corrupt politicians to subvert the will of the people in our democratic journey,” the communique read in part.

The group while enjoining the youths to take an active part in politics for the sake of their future also appealed to the electorate to stop selling their rights for peanuts.

It called on the people of Abia State to have confidence in INEC, stating that with the introduction of Bimodial Voters Accreditation System (BIVAS), their votes will count.

“That the electorate should stop collecting peanuts in the form of gratification to vote in corrupt leaders as their value is worth much more than N5,000 to N50,000 for the next four years.

“That Abians should have full confidence on INEC, especially the introduction of Bimodial Voters Accreditation System (BIVAS). It congratulated INEC on the successful conduct of governorship elections especially in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun.

“That the current brouhaha rocking political parties both in leadership and their candidates is glaring lack of Internal Democracy in political parties Congresses and Primary election. It urged credible men and women of integrity to step out and takeover headship of parties as corrupt political system produces corrupt candidates and by extension corrupt leaders. It further identified increased political litigation to nontransparent parties electoral process.

“That political leaders at all levels must provide good governance to her people as a panacea to unemployment, insecurity, poverty and underdevelopment that the people may rejoice towards a New Nigeria.

“That NAGLI-APM and her over 92,000 PVC carrying members will only support candidates that will pass her test of sanity, credibility, intelligence and non-godfatherism in Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly elections.’