Group Grumbles As Gov. Bello Nominates Self As Member Of SIEC

The Initiative for Grassroot Advancement, INGRA has criticized the nominees of Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello as a member of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC).

The Governor through his Chief Press Secretary in a statement on Wednesday night forwarded eight names to the State House of Assembly, for Screening and Clearance which is anticipated to take place today at the hallowed chamber.

The SIEC nominees as submitted by the Governor to the House include; Lawal Shiru, Chairman Lokoja/Koto Federal Constituency.

Ozovehe John Enesi , Secretary Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency, Adaji Ainoko, Member Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency.

Others are Musa Adama (Babakeke), Member Idah Federal Constituency, Hon. Funsho Olorunfemi, Member Kabba/Bunu Federal Constituency, Chogudo Yakubu Musa, Member Okene/Ogori Magongo Federal Constituency, Hon. Labaran Yahaya Oyigebe, Member Ankpa Federal Constituency, and Abdulkarim Jamiu, Member Ajaokuta Federal Constituency.

The Governor’s recommendation is established in section 197, sub-section 1(b) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

It was gathered that the responsibility of the SIEC is to conduct free, fair and credible Local Government and Council polls in the state.

Responding to the composition of SIEC, the Executive Director of INGRA, Hamza Aliyu in a statement on Thursday lamented that, the Kogi State Government wants to appoint card-carrying members of a political party that will have vested interest in the outcome of the elections, as members of the Commission and most importantly as the Chairperson of the commission.

Aliyu identified that this will certainly be providing undue benefit to the political party and will necessarily not provide the needed perception of fairness and level playing field needed for a possible election.

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