Politicians, not Iwu rig elections, OYOFID, Wifa explain
By Alloy Khenom
A popular socio-cultural organization in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria called Ogoni Youths for Professor Iwu and Democracy (OYOFID) has said that it remains a great mistake on the part of those who thought that the INEC national chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu had any role directly or indirectly in whatever electoral fraud recorded in the country.
The group which held its 10th quarterly meeting at Bori, head quarters of Khana local government council in the state on June 13, this year, made the assertion, in a communiqué at the end of it deliberations (OYOFID) said the clarification became imperative in view of the high level of ignorance among Nigerians on issues referring to politics, election and related issues in the Nigerian polity.
The group maintained that its primary aims and objectives remain to sensitize the public on issues that border on their education, development and general well-being through raw information than partisanship.
OYOFID Acting President, Mr. Alloy Khenom told attendants at the meeting that politicians and their parties have abandoned their responsibility to the public, as there are no services such as political education and information necessary for the Nigerian electorate to understand the truth about politicking and how to appreciate good actors.
Mr. Alloy Khenom who is also a senior Journalist in Port Harcourt noted that the action by politicians has led to many negative developments in the land, prominent among which is misconception, misinformation and wrong perception about certain persons and situations.
“You would agree with me that Nigerians know very little about politicians and election in this country, except the falsehood usually spread by those who failed at the polls that Maurice Iwu rigged the election against them”.
This, he went on, confirms the level of ignorance and, some times, hatred in our society against some persons particularly on matters of business and politics, Alloy said.
I am sure the enlightened ones in Nigeria would understand the reality that, Prof. Maurice Iwu, by existing laws, did not contest election against any person or group to warrant any baseless accusation that he rigged an election.
Such insinuations amount to hatred, ignorance and misconception occasioned by negligence of duty or function on the part of the Nigerian political actors”, the journalist said.
He advised members of the organization to remain law abiding, hardworking and committed to the ideals of democracy as presently exercised by INEC under Prof. Iwu.
OYOFID called on Nigerians to appreciate the contributions and sacrifice of the learned scientist to democracy and general progress in the Nigerian society rather than looking for a way to pull him down for their selfish interest.
The Niger Delta group appealed to President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to extend the tenure of Prof. Maurice Iwu in view of his credible performance as INEC boss.
