INEC Falsification and Lopsided Delimitation of Electoral Constituencies and Wards in Bayelsa

INEC FALSIFICATION AND LOPSIDED DELIMITATION OF ELECTORAL CONSTITUENCIES AND WARDS IN BAYELSA STATE is written By: Solomon Olali-lgabo, a public affairs commentator.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was established by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria primarily to conduct free, fair and credible elections for sustainable democracy in Nigeria.

There were many criticisms or reports levelled against (INEC) during the 2003 elections and also subsequent exercises, where voters register was seriously flawed with toxic vote and other electoral malpractices.

Here in Nigeria, most leaders used government apparatus to influence their action or decision against perceived opponents. The electoral body which supposed to be an impartial umpire often times compromised their office in order to favour a particular candidates or aspirants. Politics and elections are for the survival of the strongest thereby, the essence of meaningful development and good governance are being defeated.

Here in Bayelsa State, a cursory look revealed that Nembe, Brass, Yenagoa, Ogbia and Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Areas where some constituencies and wards are lopsided and falsified through political gerrymander. Whereas others were shortchanged.

It is also on record that some wards or poling units were deleted or reduced while other were Fraudulently increased to favour vested political group or interest in order to have more (superior) voting strength over others.

Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) revealed that Bayelsa State has the highest number of invalid Voters card through multiple registration is unbelievable and less important as compared to the discrepancies and fraud perpetrated by the electoral umpires both past and present.

It is instructive that {INEC} should first remove the pores in its eyes before removing that of others. Has {INEC} re-examine itself before pointing fingers at others? Why some smaller constituencies have more wards or units than others that have bigger constituencies in Bayelsa State? What are the criteria for delimitating wards and constituencies?

For instance, Nembe Constituency I, which is the largest in the state has just six (6) wards while other lesser or smaller constituencies have more wards?

Sadly, Okoroma clan which had five (5) wards previously was reduced to just two wards with over forty-eight towns and settlements is not only unjust but a calculated plan to subjugate the people politically and economically by the electoral vampires and their sponsors.

Regrettably, since the creation of Nembe LGA in Bayelsa State on the 1^st October 1996, by the Late General Sani Abacha’s Regime, there has been chaos and bloodshed allegedly traced to illegal infusion of some communities into the Local Government Area and fraudulent falsification of electoral wards.

The geographical definition of the LGA with its constituent towns, and satellites {settlements} was released by the Bayelsa State Government on circular NO. GO/S/9/54 of 27^th December, 1996 and circular NO. GO/S/9/62 of March 14, 1997 respectively with contradicting composition of Nembe LGA.

The imbalanced or falsified delimitation of state constituencies and Local Government Electoral wards in Bayelsa State was allegedly master minded by the National Electoral Commission (NECON) officials and those in corridors of power that released another instrument on the composition of Nembe LGA on the 10^th of February, 1997. All of these documents were regarded as questionable and suspicious in its entirety. This was the crux of the matter that necessitated the bloody crises between the two big sisters’ communities of Nembe in 1996 and 1997 which has become history. This ugly scenario should not repeat itself anymore.

Following this ugly development, some concerned indigenes of Nembe community however called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the official successor of the defunct National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON) to honestly review the situation fully and make its official statement on the true definition of Nembe LGA.

Corrupt INEC officials and electoral offenders should be punished for their crime. The use of residential parlors and veranda as polling units during elections and importation of strangers during voter’s registration exercises should be discouraged.

It is high time the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should live above board and be upright in it responsibility as unbiased body as well as addressing the glaring imbalances or lopsided delimitation of constituencies and wards in Bayelsa State.

Hoping, the Professor Mahmood Yakubu led INEC will do the needful to ensure a peaceful, fair and credible elections in 2023 and beyond devoid of suspicion and illegality.

By: Solomon Olali-lgabo, a public affairs commentator writes from Yenagoa this piece titled INEC FALSIFICATION AND LOPSIDED DELIMITATION OF ELECTORAL CONSTITUENCIES AND WARDS IN BAYELSA STATE.