INEC Uncovers 93,526 Ghost Voters, Screens Voters Register INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega • Community threatens to vote against APGA By Ojo M. Maduekwe As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) began a nationwide clean-up of voter’s register and data collation, about 93,526 ghost voters, involved in multiple registrations have been uncovered in Anambra State ahead of the November 16 governorship election. The National Commissioner, Election Monitoring in INEC, Dr. Ishmael Igbani, who made this known in Abuja, said the detection and elimination of multiple registrations was made possible by the new technology deployed by the commission. This is, however, coming at a time the people of the ancient town of Isiagu in Awka South Local Government Area of the state have protested the delay in the issuance of certificate of recognition to their traditional ruler, Igwe Austine Nwankwo, by Governor Peter Obi. Consequently, they have, therefore, threatened to vote against the ruling party and its candidate, Chief Willie Obiano, in the election. Speaking on the clean-up exercise, Igbani said it was part of the activities lined up by INEC to ensure a hitch-free 2015 general election, adding that the exercise would eliminate duplication or multiple registrations. He explained that to ensure election in the country, chip-based permanent voter cards would soon be issued to everyone. But from Isiagu community whose ruler is yet to be issued with a certificate one year after his selection, presentation and installation by the community, the people said they would not cast their votes for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), if the situation remains same till the election. Messrs Chike Akabueze and Danpaul Okonkwo, had stalled the recognition process when they initiated a court action against his choice, claiming that the process through which Nwankwo emerged as the royal father of the town ran foul of the communitys laid down procedures. But some indigenes and residents of the town, who spoke with journalists recently, said they were tired of a situation where their town was the odd one out among the communities that constitute the state, pointing out that if something was not done on time, they would have no other choice than to march to the Government House in protest. They said they were not opposed to using legal procedures to resolve a crisis, but argued that the logical thing was for the government to recognise the duly selected and installed royal father, while those that were not favourably disposed to his emergence continue to pursue their case in court. They, however, frowned on a situation where a few individuals hold the entire town hostage due to some personal reasons. Meanwhile, an Awka High Court presided over by Justice Hope Ozoh, had set aside its earlier order against the presentation and installation of Nwankwo as the new traditional ruler of Isiagu, saying the court had no jurisdiction to make such orders at the time it did. In its ruling yesterday, following the motion for joinder in the suit ref A/289M/2013 brought by the monarch, (HRM Nwankwo), the court set aside its earlier ruling of March 14, 2013 for lack of jurisdiction, noting that it ought not to have made the order/s, especially as they were made without the monarch being joined as a party in the suit. Whereas, he (monarch)s interest is directly and materially affected, and without whom the issues cannot be effectually and completely determined.
Posted on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 04:22:33 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015