INEC conducted better elections in 2023, says Wike
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has urged the people to praise the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting elections with reduced violence and deaths in 2023.
Wike recalled how previous elections under INEC were marred by violence and avoidable deaths, following the desperation of politicians to have their ways.
A statement by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, said the governor spoke when he inaugurated members of the Rivers State Healthcare Management Board, and Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), at the Government House in Port Harcourt yesterday.
The governor noted that even if the Bimodal Voter Accreditation Machine System (BVAS) used by INEC in the 2023 election did not perform optimally, many successes were achieved because ‘its use alone frustrated the possibility of violence’.
The RSIEC is chaired by Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), with members including Prof. Emenike Weli; Adolphus. A. Brown; Dr. Lasbury Nnah; Pastor Tamunotonye Tobins; Mrs. Chinwe Ihua-Maduenyi and Mrs. Nuka Kponi.
Prof. Blessing Jaja chairs the Rivers State Healthcare Management Board, Dr Kinikanwo Green (Executive Director) and memebrs are Dr Clarabell Abam, Mrs. Gladys Horsefall-Okafor, Madam Gladys Ihunda and Dr Famba O. Famba.
Governor Wike noted that no election was perfect, but it was always better that subsequent ones be seen to be an improvement, to make people believe in the process.
He said: “That is why I tell people that if for nothing, Nigerians should commend INEC for reducing the level of violence and death through the BVAS. Before now we were fighting with security agencies, there was snatching of electoral materials and kidnap of electoral officials, but now it is different…”
The governor hoped the Federal Government would increase the capacity of INEC to do better in the next election.
Wike also admonished the RSIEC members to use their experience to ensure a successful transition in subsequent local government elections. He urged them to work as a team to achieve their given mandate in the elections scheduled for next year.
He urged the Healthcare Management Board to build on success of the previous board which performed well.
