Tony Okocha, the caretaker chairman of the Rivers APC, has raised serious accusations about the fairness of the state’s local government elections. He asserted that election results were predetermined and prepared in his office while he served as former Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s chief of staff, and the State Independent Electoral Commission’s only responsibility was to make the results publicly known.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
In an interview with Channels TV, Okocha highlighted systemic flaws in the electoral process, emphasizing that state governments exert considerable influence over election outcomes. He explained that not only are the results manipulated, but the tribunals formed by the state governments also follow pre-written judgments, undermining the entire electoral process.
Okocha called for urgent reforms to address these issues, suggesting that the responsibility for conducting local government elections should be transferred from state electoral commissions to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He argued that the current system is skewed in favor of governors, who use it to regain control they feel they have lost.
Drawing from his personal experience, Okocha recounted how, as Chief of Staff to Amaechi, local government election results were fabricated in his office. He criticized the state electoral commissions for merely serving as a mouthpiece to announce these pre-determined results. Furthermore, he noted that any grievances directed to the tribunal were futile, as these tribunals were also under the influence of the state government.
Okocha pointed out the predictable outcome of local government elections, where all positions are invariably won by the governor’s party, due to the manipulated system. This pattern, he asserted, is prevalent across all states where local elections are conducted by state electoral commissions.
To rectify this, Okocha appealed to the National Assembly to transfer the election of local government leaders to INEC, ensuring a more transparent and fair electoral process. He believes that placing the responsibility in the hands of INEC, which oversees national elections, would enhance the credibility and integrity of local government elections across Nigeria.
According to him, ”The issue of election into office should no longer be the responsibility of the State Independent electoral commission because the system is already skewed. The governors will use it as another means of getting back what they feel they have lost. They formed the state Independent electoral Commission and gave them handout. I was Chief of Staff to Amaechi and Local Government election results were written in my office. The business of the State electoral commission is just to go and announce the result. And of course after announcing the result; if you feel aggrieved you head to the tribunal.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
