Ogor: Why INEC Must Rethink Use Of Only PVCs

•APC Made The Biggest Mistake By Fielding Buhari

Leo Okuweh Ogor, Deputy Majority Leader, Federal House of Representatives, in this interview with ANOTE AJELUOROU, expressed worry over PVC collection and the controversial card reader. 

There are complaints nationwide about the inability of the electorate to get their permanent voter cards (PVC). What is the situation in your Isoko constituency?

My worry is that most people in my constituency will be disenfranchised. I’m worried. It’s wrong for somebody who is eligible to vote to be disenfranchised on account of PVC. It’s wrong for us to be going into something we have not tested. Why card reader in this election that is not tried before? It’s like a newly graduated doctor starting his career with heart surgery! If Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had tried the card reader thing, say in a by-election and been assured of its efficiency, then no problem. But this is a crucial election. What if it fails in this crucial election? It’s not only totally alien, but it has not been tested at all. Like I said, it should have been used for a by-election first.

  As a result of these obvious challenges, I’m going into this election very apprehensive, knowing that anything could go wrong. It’s worrisome that many Nigerians cannot get their PVCs, and so stand the risk of being disenfranchised. What is worse, we’re going to use an untested and untried balloting system in the name of card reader!

  It must be understood that the PVC is not meant only for the presidential election, but also for the House of Federal Representatives, Senate, governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections. So, disenfranchising those Nigerians who have registered will be the worse electoral disaster; it’s not good at all. A lot of Nigerians can’t find their names on INEC register even though they duly registered. Now, since we have the temporary voter’s card that indicates that those who have it are citizens of this country they should be allowed to use it to vote. For anybody to be disenfranchised, it will tell badly on INEC and the credibility of the elections.

  The issue is not about Prof. Atahiru Jega, but INEC because I believe in institutions, which should be strengthened to effectively serve Nigerians. My sincere advice is that INEC should look at the temporary voter’s card since it is INEC’s instrument of election, which we can still be used for now. Insisting that only PVC should be used in the coming elections will be a disservice to Nigeria and Nigerians.

You kicked off your campaign on last Friday. How did your Isoko people receive you?

  What I found most important was the level of appreciation and acceptability I got everywhere I went. I’m so surprised by the show of affection by my people. It made me realise that for you to be a good representative you have to be in touch with your people and share their concerns and do your best to assuage them. Today, they can attest to the level of infrastructural development in Isoko in my tenure, how vocal I’m on issues of importance on the floor of the House of Representatives. As their representative, I’m overwhelmed by their acceptability. I can tell you we have not seen such a crowd before in election campaigns in Isoko.

  My campaign was like a presidential campaign. I want to make sure that we have a safe and secure election. We must all get involved in the election, and it must be violence-free. I’m canvassing that we have elections without violence. Let’s vote the right party, PDP; let’s vote in Jonathan and let’s vote in Senator Ifeanyi Okowa in Delta State.

Your opponents say you have not attracted any federal presence to Isoko; is that correct?

  In terms of federal presence, there are so many in Isoko. There’s the Enwe bridge, fine networks of roads to develop Isoko and the Isoko Ring Road being developed, which was approved by Federal Executive Council. And when they talk about federal presence, what exactly do they mean? Is it in terms of institutions? So, people must be clear what they mean. But I must tell you that we are attracting federal presence to Isoko. It might not have been so rapid, but it’s there, and it will continue to come.

Another issue is the absence of an Isoko man or woman in any federal position of appointment like that of a minister, director-general of a federal parastatal or ambassador. How do you respond to that charge?

  I want to say that we have our challenges in that area. We must understand that we are a minority within a minority. In this government, I’m one of the most senior in the House. We will continue to build consensus and a new way of doing things. These appointments depend on the level of contribution. Like most people argue, if we use oil resource to measure number of appointments of which Isoko is a major producer, no northerner will be appointed. But in respect of appointment it’s matter of constitution. I also accept the fact that we haven’t been able to get an Isoko man or woman appointed a minister or such position. But we will continue to engage government and ensure that the right thing is done. The Isoko can be assured of that.

How much would say your experience in the House has in deepening legislative work in our democracy?

  Experience is a great thing in legislative work. As you work in the House, it gives you great opportunity like occupying a higher position and it helps you to navigate the contours of the House. The House rules favour you the longer you stay; I remain the Deputy Leader of the House. As they say, the higher you go the cooler it becomes. We should look at this aspect and send experienced people to the House and retain those already there. As we all know, the rate of return in the House is not very encouraging. It takes new legislators a long time to learn the rules, and before consolidating their positions, they are replaced. New ones begin to relearn the rules all over again. This is not good. It has a negative impact in terms of quality legislation. It’s better to encourage the electorate that to return their representatives helps to enrich legislation and therefore our growing democracy.

Considering the strident voices of the opposition, do you still think Jonathan is the right man for the job?

  President Goodluck Jonathan has done very well. Look, he’s a democrat to the letter, who respects the rule of law. Our rights are respected. He has also ensured the welfare and security of lives and property of every citizen. Look at the level of road networks in the country and how much work he has done to rehabilitate and rebuild old ones. Look at the level of infrastructural development in the country, even in terms of power rehabilitation; look at agriculture and the amount of work Jonathan has done. It’s sad that people should be calling for the replacement of such a man, who has out-performed those who had been there. He should be given opportunity to consolidate on these things and truly develop Nigeria.

  Again, this is the time of young generation of leaders across the world. The likes of Mohammadu Buhari should retire to the role of elder statesmen content on giving advice to young leaders. At 72 what time does he have to work when he should be resting? We should all support Jonathan. Age is not the side of Buhari, and surely the law of diminishing returns soon sets in at his age, and Nigeria will be worse for it. Let’s vote the right party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Nigerians should vote in Jonathan, who is capable of continuing the infrastructural development. They should vote in a dynamic leader and not one who will fall asleep in office. Buhari should go and rest in a farm.

  I’ve seen President Jonathan at work; that job is not a tea party. Jonathan works up to 20 hours a day. He has what it takes. All Progressives Congress (APC) made the biggest mistake by fielding Buhari.