The National Chairman, New Nigeria peoples’ Party (NNPP), Mr Gilbert Agbo, on Wednesday advocated first line charge for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enable the electoral body function effectively.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!He made the call in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja.
“We have overtime agitated for first line charge. First line charge will enable the electoral commission draw its funds directly from the federal allocation without waiting to get the funds from the presidency”.
Agbo also urged that the National Assembly to make it possible so “that the first line charge being agitated for INEC becomes a reality.
“The funding of INEC has become a recurring issue. Without proper funding you cannot guarantee the independence of INEC,” he said.
Agbo said that the electoral body was supposed to be an unbiased umpire and it should not rely on any department to do its best.
“Too much dependence on the government is a problem which has affected the credibility of election that successive leadership of INEC had conducted overtime.
“As we make progress toward the 2015 general elections, the need for more funding will continue to arise.
“It is expected that INEC’s funds should be increased as we approach the general elections.’’
The National Secretary stressed the need for the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega to tackle, head-long, corruption bedeviling the Commission.
“Corruption is there, but we can reduce it: It is a hydra headed thing, as you fight it fights you back, so for you to fight corruption you have to be prepared.
“We know Prof. Jega is doing his best in reshuffling his management staff through transfers and dismissals. However, we urge him to do more so as to have credible general elections,” he said.
He called for staggered election saying that Nigeria, being a very large country, would be difficult to handle all the elections in one day.
“If you want to conduct elections in one day, it means you will have to get ad hoc staff.
“There is great danger in recruiting ad hoc staff because they are the people that compromise in most cases.’’
He said that for those advocating that elections be held on the same day “ are only being selfish”.
“They don’t see anything good about this country, so they say all sorts of things even the impracticable ones.
“Conducting elections in one day is not practicable, it cannot just work in this country.’’
