INEC, ICCES Holds Consultative Forum with Stakeholders in Jos

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, today, Saturday held a consultative forum with various stakeholders at the Officers Mess in Jos, Plateau state capital.

The Chairman of the Committee, the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Isaac Olutayo Akinmoyede did that the Committee and INEC met in the morning and decided to meet with various stakeholders in the state. He appreciated the maturity displayed so far by the stakeholders.

He noted that since his arrival at the Command, “there’s been relative peace in the state.” He said that the reason for the consultative forum is to see how to guide both sensitive and insensitive materials.

The CP said that the meeting was shifted to 8pm in order to see the outcome of the 2pm INEC meeting with stakeholders held in Abuja.

He stated that all materials would be moved to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Jose branch. “We don’t want it to stay with the police, INEC or anyone. We have decided that we will not allow the breakdown of law and order in the state.”

The co-chairman of the Committee, the Resident Electoral Commission, Plateau state, Husaini Aliru Pai welcomed everyone. He said, “I emphatically on behalf of INEC apologised to all for the unfortunate event that the election that supposed to hold today 16th is being postponed to 23rd. The Chairman has clearly stated that it was due to logistics problem and he has explained the logistics problem.”

He said that it is better postponed than to open the polls late. “We have been distributing materials with the stakeholders since Thursday about 5pm but we couldn’t finish until Friday afternoon. As at Saturday, I was at Heipang Airport expecting other materials. This is not peculiar to Plateau state but throughout the nation.

“There must be a way forward and that’s why we borrowed a leaf from what transpired in Abuja today.

“It has happened and we regret it. In compliance with the directive given to us and for the integrity of the sensitive materials, we have been directed to return them to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

He said that the Local Government Electoral Officers under tight security are on their way back to Jos. He said that before the next distribution, there will be verification of the materials stating that the materials that were distributed are intact. “If there’s any doubt, you can take the records of the material to cross-check,” he said.

“The CBN has assured us that the materials will be under the watch of the security agencies and kept intact for us.

“When we are ready with the distribution, the parties and other stakeholders will be there. This is not intentional. It is something that is above the INEC control. We apologise and seek your support to continue to pray for us so as to conduct a free, fair and credible election. That’s why we are here with the security chiefs that we in INEC has nothing to hide.

In his reaction, the Branch Controller of CBN, Jose stated that his role was to give the stakeholders the assurance that every material that has been returned to the CBN and those that will be returned later will be kept in the vault. “We have been known for our neutrality. We see it as a national assignment. The way we treat money as sacred so, we will keep the materials sacred. We will take absolute control. With security men around the CBN, we will keep it safe.” he said.

During comments by stakeholders, the
Fresh Democratic Party governorship candidate, Haruna Dabin said, “apologies made are well received. We have no other country than Nigeria. I hope a lot of effort will be done to maintain the assurances.”

He said that “recruitment, training, and deployment of ad-hoc staff have left much to be desired. If you have been conversant with opinion in the state, there’s been serious complaints that ad-hoc staff trained were replaced during deployment.”

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Plateau state Chairman, Latep Daban commended the security agencies and INEC for their interventions.

The State Chairman of Fresh party complained about funds expended. “In the past, parties were given stipends which they use to sort some of their problems. The issues of stipends are suspended in this era. I hope, the election will hold as scheduled or else, there will be a problem. We will go back to meet our candidates to inform them of the development.”

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chairman in the state reminded INEC of the shortage of party agent tags.

Election observers present raised concerns on how INEC intends to solve the logistics challenges, getting the apology to the grassroots, commercial vehicles used to distribute the materials and welfare of the ad-hoc staff.

While responding, the REC said that the forum is expected to help in taking the apology to the grassroots in addition to what INEC will be doing with the media.

He said that the welfare of the ad-hoc staff is being taken care of. He noted that buckets, mats etc. are provided at RACs.

He said that complaints on the shortage of party agent tags and recruitment and trying of ad-hoc staff have been noted.

On the vehicles used for distribution of materials, the REC said that INEC has MOU with NURTW/NARTO/FRSC.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Plateau state said that all vehicles involved are inspected and ensures that they are roadworthy and also, the driver must have a valid driving license and the owners must sign an undertaking. She stated further that special stickers are produced for the vehicles and the drivers were sensitised on the importance of their assignment.

The REC again said that All smart card readers have been withdrawn for reconfiguration.

The National Orientation Agency, NOA, Plateau state, Bulus Dabin said that the agency will intensify its campaign for confidence building.

Participants at the meeting included heads of all security agencies in the state, political parties, and civil society organisations, and selected members of the public.