No going back on deregistration of 28 parties says Jega

Jega

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, yesterday foreclosed another chance for the deregistered 28 political parties.
Besides, he said the commission did not act in subjudice of a pending case before a Lagos High Court.
Jega insisted that the parties were deregistered in compliance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).
He, however, said there is no plan to limit the nation to any fixed number of parties because new political parties would be registered as more cease to exist.
Jega, who spoke during an interview in Abuja, promised that the 2015 elections will be “remarkably” better than the 2011 poll.
He is optimistic that Nigeria would have overcome Boko Haram and other security challenges before the 2015 elections.
He said the delimitation of constituencies, which was last conducted in 1996, will hold in 2013, but the final say on the number of senatorial districts and federal constituencies suitable for the nation will be determined by the National Assembly.
Jega said: “As you are no doubt aware, we made a commitment to Nigerians to continue to improve upon the electoral process to continue to sanitise the electoral process and to continue to ensure that as we move from 2011 elections to the 2015 elections, there are remarkable improvements which can be measured.
“The current deregistration of political parties should be viewed in this context of bringing sanity to the electoral process.
The constitution also defines in Section 221-228 what the requirements of registration are.
“Then the provision that grants INEC the powers to register political parties also gives the National Assembly the powers to enact laws to govern the electoral process. So, the National Assembly, in compliance with that constitutional provision, enacted the Electoral Act as amended in 2010. And that is the Electoral Act that has guided our action.
“Section 78, sub-section 7 of that Electoral Act gives INEC the power to deregister political parties which are not in compliance with constitutional provisions for the registration of the parties in the first place.
“And if you are aware, we also have the powers to monitor the activities of political parties. And from the information available to us, we have incontrovertible evidence that the parties that we deregistered have not complied with those provisions of the constitution, which defined, what is required for registration.
“In particular, if you look at Sections 222 and 223, political parties are supposed to register with INEC and to have an office in Abuja ; they are supposed to hold periodic elections; they are supposed to have executives that represent in their composition the Federal Character in particular two-thirds of the state of the Federation. And also the Electoral Act, in particular, says that those who did not win any seat in any of the elections can be deregistered.
“The first exercise we did when seven parties were deregistered, we deregistered them solely on the basis of the fact that they did not even field candidates for the elections.
“But this particular deregistration of 28 political parties is not based solely on that reason alone; there are other reasons. And for each political party that INEC deregistered, we wrote a letter to them indicating the grounds upon which they were deregistered.
“Many of them received the letters. About 17 out of the 28 parties received their letters before we went public, before we announced the deregistration.
“The remaining ones, some of them we could not get them…They were supposed to have offices in Abuja but they did not.
“I will give you one example. Our officer who took the letter went to a particular address of a political party. They went there, the sign board was there but there are new tenants in the building. It is a business centre.
“So, because we also have the telephone numbers of the official, the official was telephoned and he was told that we are at your office to give you a letter and we found that there is a business centre there. He said, ‘please, take back the letter; I will come to your office and collect it’. The same parties are now saying that we did not inform them before they were deregistered. If you gave us an address and we did our best and went to that address and we cannot find you and we even called you and you said you were going to come to collect your letter, how can you accuse us of not informing you.”
Asked why INEC deregistered parties in subjudice to the ongoing court process, Jega said the commission did not spite a Lagos High Court.
He added: “We are aware of the case and we did not deregister the party that was in court. If you look at the list of the parties that were deregistered, since we know they took us to court, we did not deregister that party. We will await the outcome of that case.
“In fact, we did our best and to the best of my knowledge, we did not deregister any party that has any case in court that can be misconstrued as a violation of the court process. Any party we know that there is a court case between us and it on this issue, we did not deregister it.’
Responding to a question on whether INEC has penciled down 25 more parties for deregistration, Jega said: “It is not true that there is a figure to the parties that we are going to deregister, but as you are aware, registration and deregistration of parties are continuous processes.
“As more applicants meet the requirements of registration, we will register them. As more parties violate the requirements of the constitution and the Electoral Act, if it warrants deregistration, we will deregister them. So, it is a continuous process.”
Pressed to comment if INEC has predetermined number of parties which Nigeria should have, the INEC chairman said: “I do not have a benchmark and INEC does not have a benchmark . The legal regime that guides our action says any group that meets the requirements for registration as a party, we should register them. The same legal regime says that under some conditions, you can deregister. All we are doing is those who meet the registration we register, those who do not meet the registration, we deregister.
“Our hope is that if we are consistently doing this, then with time, people will know that if you are registered as a political party, then you must be in full compliance with the requirements for the registration.”
Regarding the delimitation of constituencies, Jega said: “We are determined to conclude it before the 2015 elections.
“We will commence the delimitation by the first quarter of 2013 and we should be able to complete it by the end of 2013 or the first quarter of 2014. As you rightly pointed out. The last time the constituency delimitation was done was in 1996. And it is a constitutional requirement that it should be done every 10 years.”
Culled from THE NATION

OHAKIM'S KINSMEN BACK ROCHAS’ MOVE TO RECOVER STOLEN FUNDS

Ohakim

A group of political leaders from Isiala Mbano Local Government Area (former governor Ohakim’s LGA) led by Sen.B C Agunanne has declared its support for the efforts being made by Rochas Okorocha – led government to recover funds looted by the past administration in Imo State.

The group took this decision less than 48hrs after Governor Okorocha addressed a group known as Joint Action Group (JAG), comprising of tricycle operators, motor mechanics, transporters and artisans who had earlier issued a 21-day ultimatum for Ohakim's probe at the House of Assembly Complex, Owerri.

During his address to the Joint Action Group, Governor Okorocha said that government has decided to make public the activities of the former governor within 14 days.

Said he; "Let me inform you the decision of the present administration to bring justice to bear following your protest over the activities of the past administration. Nobody has negotiated to cover the activities of ex-governor Ohakim within the four years he governed the State, rather it may interest you to know that the panel set up to look into the activities of the former governor has just presented its report. Within the remaining 14 days of your ultimatum, we shall make Ohakim's activities in Government House known to the public".

Governor Okorocha who expressed dismay that ex-governor Ikedi Ohakim did only 3 uncompleted projects and a total of 87 kilometer of roads, also uncompleted, in four years said that government will ensure that the funds stashed away by the former governor are recovered for the development of the State.
In his words, "I want to thank you for your patience so far. Honestly, I agree with you that it is worrisome that Ohakim did only 3 uncompleted projects in four years and 87 kilometer of uncompleted roads project. So, the money must be somewhere and if that money is recovered, it will help to make health-care services free in addition to the free education programme".

He urged them to be law-abiding as the security agencies and other relevant authorities are set to ensure that the former governor faces the full wrath of the law.

Earlier, the leader of the group, Rev. (Mrs) Ngozi Amadi, said they are disappointed that the State government is yet to take position on the former governor after it issued a 21-day ultimatum last week.
She said "Your Excellency, instead of arresting and trying Ohakim, we have his men still gallivanting and threatening fire and brimstone. Our leadership has been receiving threatening calls but never will that derail our call for justice. If this is democracy, then we have every right to call our leaders and ask for what is reasonably attainable. It is true that we commend your revolutionary feat in transforming our State; we surely will not rest on our oars until those who looted our treasury are brought to book".

Rev Amadi maintained that ex-governor Ikedi Ohakim's squandered public funds on non-existent Oak Refinery, Midwest Airline, Dredging of Nwaorie River, Oguta Lake Resort as well as diverted substantial sum of the N18.5 Billion Bond.
She, however, lamented that it has become worrisome and insulting to hear Ohakim claiming that he invested N25.7 Billion on President Goodluck Jonathan during his election as such would not be arrested by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

HOW ROCHAS SAVED N5.7 BILLION FROM INFLATED CONTRACTS

Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha said that his administration has saved N5.7 billion from re-negotiation of over-valued contracts awarded by Chief Ikedi Ohakim’s administration.

Speaking during budget presentation for the 2013 fiscal year at the Imo House of Assembly on Monday, Governor Okorocha said that Ohakim’s administration awarded N3.2 billion contract for the construction of the Ahajioku Convention Centre, Owerri and paid N2 billion to the contractors whereas the said project which according to him, can be built with not more than 800 million naira is yet to be completed.

He said his administration was taking steps to recover the N6.4 billion that his predecessor, Ikedi Ohakim, allegedly borrowed from the banks few days before he left office, adding that his administration was determined to ensure accountability and would not conceal any fraud committed by the past administration.

The governor, who said he was “under pressure to probe his predecessor”, however, did not say if he would succumb to the pressure.

Speaking further at the occasion, Okorocha also announced that his administration had awarded contracts worth N45 billion for the construction of over 1,000 km roads across the State, adding that N19 billion had already been paid to the contractor handling the project.

He said that every contractor in the State had received at least 30 per cent of the contract sum for each project under construction.

Okorocha’s clarification on the payment of contractors was sequel to speculations in some quarters in the State that he had not been paying contractors.

POPE BENEDICT the 16th EXTOLS GOV OKOROCHA FOR GOOD LEADERSHIP

Gov rochas okorocha with archbishop fernado cardinal filano of vatican during a courtesy visit to govt. House, owerri recently.

The Catholic Pontiff, Pope Benedict the 16th, has commended Governor Okorocha for his developmental strides in Imo State.

Speaking through the Prefect General of the Congregation of Evangelism, His Eminence Fernando Cardinal Filoni during his visit to Government House, Owerri yesterday, the Pope described Imo State as the heart of Catholic evangelism in Nigeria.

Cardinal Filoni who represented the Pope at the centenary celebration of the Arch Diocese of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province expressed satisfaction over the tremendous transformation that has taken place
in the State, especially in the area of evangelism and human development.

He assured that the church must continue to support and pray for his government and the nation for justice and peaceful co-existence even as he thanked him for his hospitality and provisions of security.

Responding, the State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha expressed joy for hosting His Eminence Fernando Filoni which he described as a blessing to the State and appealed to the Pope’s representative to call for a conference of political and religious leaders for effective development of the people and to address global leadership challenges.

He pointed out that such step would go a long way towards achieving the desired leadership that will help the society to grow. He envisaged a scenario where people’s culture should be a synergy with religion, pointing out his observation that people like worshipping God in their own tradition, culture, norms and values.
Also present at the occasion is the Bishop of Abuja Catholic diocese, Cardinal John Onaikan.

ROCHAS OKOROCHA LAUNCHES MAGAZINE ON LEADERSHIP AND ECONOMICS

A theory of economics called ‘Rochanomics’ which is propounded by Rochas Okorocha and enshrined in a magazine was launched in Imo State at the weekend.

Speaking during the occasion, the Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha said that ‘Generation Rochas’ is designed to foster qualitative leadership ideals in the society and to leave a legacy for future generations.
He said the idea that was first launched in Houston, Texas USA and has since metamorphosed into a movement, adding that he was happy to see youths from various parts of the world coming together to celebrate and propagate his ideals of leadership.
He said that Africa needs leaders that can put men and materials together as God has blessed Africa with abundant resources that can transform the continent from poor economy to rich and progressive societies.

Speaking further at the occasion, Governor Okorocha said that the theory of ‘Rochanomics’ is based on a bottom-to-top approach in governance which is aimed at empowering people at the grassroots for increased production of food and raw materials and eradication of illiteracy and poverty.

Earlier in an address, the Executive Assistant to the governor on Special Duties, Mr. Tochukwu Udeze said ‘Generation Rochas’ is partnering with Bill Clinton Initiative to develop a comprehensive leadership programme for African youths.
Over 13 million naira was raised at the launching with 10 million naira coming from the Chairman of the occasion, Engr Godson Onukwugha. 

HUNDREDS ARRESTED BY POLICE AFTER GROUP DECLARED 'BIAFRA' IN ENUGU

At least 100 people have been charged with treason in south-eastern Nigeria after a march supporting independence for Biafra, their lawyer says.

Members of the Biafran Zionist Movement declared independence, raised the Biafran flag and then marched through the region's main town, Enugu.
More than one million people died during the 1967-70 Biafran conflict - mostly from hunger and disease.
Most of those arrested were young men but some were veterans of the war.
They were all remanded in custody.
The BZM first gathered on Sunday to mark the birthday of former Biafran leader Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, who died in November 2011 and was buried in March.
The BBC's Will Ross in Lagos says that 45 years after the Biafran flag was first raised - an action which sparked Nigeria's civil war - a small number of separatists still keep their dream alive, despite the threat of being charged with treason.
Our correspondent says the war has been put back in the spotlight as the renowned Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe has just released his memoirs of the conflict.
He also notes that as the novel Half of a Yellow Sun by the author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is being made into a film, this traumatic period of Nigeria's history is set to reach a wider audience.
The Biafran leaders were mostly from the Igbo ethnic group, whose members were targeted by rioters in northern areas following a 1966 coup seen as being led by Igbo officers.
Culled from BBC

IBB, Zimbabwe PM, others celebrate Rochas' 50th birthday in Owerri

All roads in Imo State led to the Heroes square in Owerri, Imo State today, 8^th October 2012, as over fifty thousand people convened there to celebrate the 50^th birthday anniversary of His Excellency, the governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

In a speech at the occasion, the former Military President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, General Ibrahim Babangida described Owelle Rochas Okorocha as a man of many parts who has excelled in all parts of life.

He said that that by erasing differences in ethnicity and religion, Rochas Foundation has succeeded where politics have failed in Nigeria, adding that Foundation has not only sustained capital and human development, but has graduated over 500 students from the University.

The ex-military Head of State commended the Imo State governor for the massive infrastructural development witnessed in Imo State in the last 17 months and urged him to close ranks and continue in the good works.

Adding his voice, the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Rt Hon. Morgan Tsvangirai commended Owelle Rochas Okorocha for investing in young people through his free education programmes, adding that it is a great responsibility to take care of over six thousand children.

Morgan Tsvangirai expressed joy at the wonderful reception given him on his first visit to Imo State which has exposed him to the Nigerian community more than ever before.

Responding, the celebrant, Owelle Rochas Okorocha thanked General Babangida, Rt Hon Tsvangirai,and all persons present at the occasion for attending his 50^th birthday celebration. He disclosed that very soon, he will resign as the President of Rochas Foundation and his wife Nneoma Nkechi-Rochas Okorocha will resign as the Vice-President so as to allow the Foundation to run on its own.

Speaking further, Owelle Rochas Okorocha said he has extended scholarships in to Rochas Foundation to a total of twenty indigent students, from Zimbabwe.

The high point of the occasion is the match pass by some students and graduates of Rochas Foundation College, Kano State, Plateau State, Oyo State and Imo State.

 To add more colour to the occasion, the celebrant, Owelle Rochas Okorocha formerly presented a brand new car to Miss Chituru Nwaozuzu to congratulate her for winning a gold medal for Nigeria at the just concluded London 2012 Paralympic games.

Also present at the occasion are the governors of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Rivers State, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Ameachi, Katsina State, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema, Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, Ebonyi State, Chief Martin Elechi, Bauchi State Mallam Isa Yuguda, Kano State, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola as well as some Senators of the Federal republic of Nigeria and representatives of some governors who were unable to attend in person.

Anambra floods: Obi offers Govt House to displaced persons

Anambra floods remained on the front burner yesterday as Governor Peter Obi offered accommodation to the displaced persons inside the Government Lodge in Onitsha.
Senator Andy Uba was moved to tears when he visited the site of the floods and called on President Goodluck Jonathan to declare emergency in the area.
Dr. Uba, representing Anambra South, visited the affected coastal areas in Anambra East, Anambra West and Ogbaru local government areas.
“The situation in these Anambra communities is worse than those in Kogi, Benue and other states since this flood began its dangerous incursion into Nigeria.”
He urged federal government to address this “strange and evil development in Anambra State, where the River Niger is now discharging water into residential areas, instead of the other way round. The discharge channels are now making upward discharge of water, instead of downward discharge, wreaking unprecedented havoc in its trail. Churches and farmlands have been destroyed”, he said. He promised to facilitate the inclusion of relief for the communities in the next budgetary allocation. Although the affected communities are not within his senatorial constituency, Senator Uba gave financial assistance to them.
Governor Obi yesterday directed the Secretary to the Anambra State Government , Mr Oseloka Obaze, to immediately consider sending some people evacuated from the flooded communities to the Governor’s Lodge in Onitsha should there be shortage of accommodation.
Obi spoke while touring some of the public buildings sheltering the people at Omunwa Egboka primary school, behind the Basillica of the Most Holy Trinity.
The Governor, who cancelled a trip to Mexico and his participation in the Independence anniversary ceremonies because of the emergency, said the State Government would continue to feed and provide for them since they are suffering from natural disaster that was not their own making. “A few weeks ago, governors of the Southeast sent money to Haiti to help them rebuild after the Earthquake of 2010. If we could do it to them, we must do more for our people, that elected us to serve them”, Obi said.
The Governor visited other camps, Otuocha Local Governement Headquarters, Umueri General Hospital, Father Joseph Secondary School, among others.
Culled from THE NATION

GOVERNOR OKOROCHA HONOURS IMO STATE CONTINGENT TO THE LONDON 2012 PARALYMPICS

The Imo State governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has directed the Imo State Commissioner for Lands to provide two plots of land to the 2 disabled ladies, Miss Loveline Obiji and Miss Chituru Nwaozuzu that represented Nigeria in the just concluded Paralympics games held in London. 

In addition, the governor promised to give Miss Loveline Obiji a brand new car on Monday 8^th October 2012 to congratulate her for winning a gold medal for Nigeria.

This was made known to the press during a reception organized for the contingent by the Imo State Government at the Sam Mbakwe Expanded Exco Chambers today.

Speaking during the occasion, the Governor called on the Federal Government to discard the idea of ‘Federal Character’ in the management of sports, adding that if the system of meritocracy is applied in sports in Nigeria, the nation, especially participants from Imo State will win many gold medals for the country.

He recalled that Nigeria went for the 2012 Olympics and came back without a medal not because the country does not have qualified sports men and women, but because the authorities preferred to use of the ‘Federal Character’ system whereby every State is represented irrespective of their competence in sports.

He congratulated the members of the contingent for making Imo State and Nigeria proud and promised to continue to support them to rise to greater heights.

Earlier in a remark, the gold medalist, Miss Obiji expressed joy at her victory and dedicated her trophy(the gold medal) to Governor Rochas Okorocha whose outstanding leadership skills, according to her, motivated her to victory.

Over 50 members of the disabled club were there to witness the reception.

Also present at the occasion is the Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Chinedu Offor among other Government Officials. 

Flood sacks 200 Communities in Anambra

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State (fourth right) with others at the flooded area of Osamalla, Anambra State ... on Monday.

More than 76,000 victims of the devastating floods that hit about 200 communities in five local government areas of Anambra State are being evacuated from their homes to relief camps in Onitsha and Nteje.

The evacuation came as reports said  two persons, a woman and a boy, died at Ogbaru following the flooding that submerged their homes on Sunday night.

Governor Peter Obi led the evacuation exercise on Monday as he abandoned the Independence anniversary parade review in Awka and headed for Ogbaru Local Government Area whose communities are the hardest hit in the flooding.

Personnel of the Navy, Army, Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, the Red Cross Society of Nigeria, the Peace Corps and other voluntary agencies were involved  in the exercise.

According to a worker of the state Emergency Management Agency, no community in Ogbaru local government, which lies along the River Niger, is spared in the disaster.

He said the flooding  paralysed communication and economic activities in the communities.

Meanwhile, many of the victims are being evacuated to the 302 Artillery Regimernt, Onitsha, where the army and other emergency agencies are on hand to resettle them.

Other   victims   particularly from Ayamelum, Anambra East and Anambra West local government areas are being moved to Nteje, headquarters of Oyi Local Government Area.

But according to the Executive Director of SEMA, Dr. Austin Ijezie, more camps were being opened at the Onitsha South Stadium and other areas to accommodate more victims.

He said, “Twelve buses and trucks have just brought in people to Onitsha and many more loads of them are coming. The situation is getting beyond what the state government alone and SEMA can handle. It is an evolving catastrophe.”

Ijezie, however, said many of the victims were reluctant to move from their ancestral homes.

He said, “Such people are so attached to their homes that they do not want to move.”

Senator Andy Uba, representing Anambra South in the National Assembly, visited the victims at their Onitsha and Ogbaru camps.

Culled from PUNCH