Elder statesmen from the Southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt have
alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was
registering foreigners and under-aged voters in Northern Nigeria.
Consequently, the elders rejected the current voters’ register, asking the INEC to discard it.
It also called for the immediate sack of service chiefs who they said were long over due for retirement.
Operating under the aiges of the Southern Elders and Middle Belt
Forum, the elders made the demands during a courtesy call to the Speaker
of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Forum was made up of Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Pan-Niger
Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) and Middle Belt Forum. Members of the
delegation included Professor Chigozie Ogbu, Air Commodore Idongesit
Nkanga, retd, Air Commodore Dan Suleiman, former Governor Olusegun
Mimiko, Cornelius Adebayo and Chief Olu Falae.
Led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo of Afenifere, the elders also demanded the
support of the lawmakers in the realization of the restructuring of the
country under a federal system of government.
Adebanjo said only restructuring of the country in a federal system of government would guarantee the unity of the country.
He said: “The current voters registration exercise has been
compromised and marred by irregularities by the registration of
under-aged and foreigners being recorded in some parts of the north.
“Accordingly, we call for the total cancellation of the INEC voters
register, support and insist on restructuring and true federalism and
call on the National Assembly to immediately commence a legislative
agenda in that regard.
“Anything beyond restructuring, we are not for it and we believe in championing this cause, we need the support of the House.
“By conveying the idea of restructuring to you does not mean to break
up Nigeria. It is the only thing that can keep Nigeria together in
peace.
“We do not think that after being together for so long we should
break up but we don’t want to be in a Nigeria that is dominated by one
section of the country, that is anti a section of the country and
extremely pro another section of the country.
“Anyone one who is opposed to the restructuring of the country is the
enemy number one. We want a constitution that is agreeable to all of
us.”
No comments:
Post a Comment
Disclaimer: Comment expressed do not reflect the opinion of African Parliamentary News