By Desmond Ukandu (Group Politics Editor)
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has reviewed the state of the nation at Nigeria's 60th Independent anniversary and advised the APC-led federal government to buckle up on revamping the nation's economy in the interest of the suffering citizens.
IPAC felicitates with the government and all Nigerians on this historic occasion, while urging the government to use the anniversary as an opportunity to ensure good governance in the country; tackle the controversial issues of price hike in the electricity and fuel sector, manage the fall-out of the school feeding scandal, ensure adequate national security and a credible, free and fair poll by putting measures in place for a good electoral reform.
A statement by IPAC's Chairman, Dr Leonard Nzenwa, on Thursday, the Independent anniversary day on the State of Nation, reads thus:
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, Happy Independence Anniversary!
"The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC rejoices with Nigerians on this auspicious occasion. We are indeed, happy that we are among millions of Nigerians, at home and abroad, that is celebrating 60th Independence Anniversary of our great nation. What a privilege! Our fathers and forefathers who fought to get us to this point will not be thrilled that on the eve marking this great day, we opted to taint the Diamond Jubilee with Sweet-Bitter disharmonious industrial action.
"Thank God that this was averted, and to Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC and other Labour bodies in Nigeria we owe huge gratitude for putting Nigerians FIRST and shelving the national protest. However, we advise that final outcome arrived pre-suspension which include understanding reached, with agreement procured to the effect that parties de-scale bellicose posturing be adhered strictly with till negotiations recommences forth night as fixed.
"Fuel Increase and Electricity Hike
Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, sees regular Fuel Increase and Electricity Hike during this period when Nigerians are still struggling to cope with debilitating impact from COVID 19 and its aftermath as DOUBLE BLOW OF DEATH delivered on Nigerians and call on Mr. President to come to the aid of Nigerians. This, notwithstanding, as body housing all registered Political Parties in Nigeria, we remain committed to the high mission of consolidating and deepening our democracy, political stability, overall political wellbeing of Nigerians, partaking in elections organized by INEC, and ensure that we have an environment conducive for successful elections in the country.
"Based on this greater obligatory requirement, and urgency of the now, to not only build on pre-election, election and post-election successes being recorded, overall political well being of Nigerians imposes a responsibility on party leaders to to be alerted to actions and inactions that might have wider ramifications to the polity as well as to how it impacts on the electorates. We took this very bold step on August 11, 2020 when we not only backed INEC not to postpone the polls at the behest of calls to postpone it but also mobilized the electorates to participate and cast their votes.
"Edo Gubernatorial Elections
"Specifically, we are overjoyed that the just concluded Edo Gubernatorial Polls was hugely successful, and its outcome has rekindled our hope and restored confidence that elections can truly be free, fair and credible in Nigeria, and that representative democracy is possible in the country.
"INEC, no doubt, reinvented itself and stood with the people by ensuring that the electorate votes counted. We commend the Commission and salute the people of Edo for standing and protecting their votes and ensuring that no politician stole ballot boxes under any guise or manipulated the system. The Edo election success should lead Nigerian electorates to adopt the mentality of VOTE, PROTECT YOUR VOTE, ENSURE YOUR VOTE COUNTS going forward.
"Upcoming Ondo Gubernatorial Elections For Ondo people, history beacons on them to prove that they are with Nigerians in the collective resolve to ensure that their votes counts. Ondo people should troop out enmasse to vote on October 10, 2020. They must do everything PEACEFULLY to ensure that their votes count and their preferred candidate is announced. It is only in so doing that we can truly say that forces that have promoted election rigging, ballot snatching and result manipulation are being finally disgraced and buried.
"Electoral Reform
"The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC supports all democratic enhancing contributions made by myriads of stakeholders in the past and recently towards reforming our electoral system and processes. The use of the Zip with Z-File, a tablet with a camera, which at the end of voting and sorting out of ballots would take picture and transmit same to a dedicated portal for every one to view the polling unit result live and direct helped a great deal in promoting transparency and credibility in the Edo polls. We urge INEC to further deepen use of technology to improve on the card reader and its authentication and work with stakeholder to ensure that e-voting is made a reality in Nigeria.
"We urge Nigerians to use opportunity provided by ongoing constitutional review and amendment exercise to make contribution on electoral reform that will aid in deepening further use of technology, enhance independence of INEC, strengthen political parties and improve voting process.
"IPAC is finalizing to transmit its own memorandum to address broad areas relating to electoral system, electoral process, party management, voter education and general political development of the country.
"Security
"The security situation in the country is like that of a country at full fledged war. Even safety of citizens in some countries at war are guaranteed more than what obtains in the country. The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC rue the kids-blow-approach adopted to address insecurity in the country. A situation where security operatives overseeing private interest of so-called VIPs are higher in number than those protecting average citizens is worrisome.
"If Boko Haram can on two occasions over the last one week narrowly missed killing a sitting governor in the North East where they continue to kill, maim and destroy homes, and also inflict fear on farmers not to go to their farms then we have real catastrophe in our hands. This is no more Emergency. We are a nation at war in the North East, banditry in North West with ritual killings, kidnapping, armed robbery and fraternal cultism tearing down the South.
"We call on Mr. President to urgently eschew this hand-waving approach to deal with insecurity in the country, and decisively decapitate these troublers of our Lives. If heads MUST roll for the nation to have peace, Mr. President should take this hard decision NOW and save Nigeria. Nigeria is ranked 124 out of 128 countries listed unsafe countries to live in. Sad that many war-torn countries are ahead of Nigeria in this ranking.
"Covid-19 and School Feeding Program Fallout
"On May 7, 2020 we called for transparency in management of COVID 19 Funds and Donations. We warned that if not properly supervised and managed we may have another scandal on our hands! Another monumental corruption! We questioned the wisdom behind the food feeding program, noting that it was another means to defraud Nigerians. Four months down the line, we seem to be correct as we are alarmed with the alleged recent discovery of N2.67bn in a private bank account by ICPC.
"We hope that this is not another media trial for which the ICPC and EFCC is now famed for. If not, we demand that ICPC should commence immediate prosecution of the culprits and follow it up so that if found guilty the maximum jail term should be imposed. No attempt should be made to sweep this alleged fraud under the carpet.
"ECONOMY
"The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC is deeply concerned with State of the Nigerian Economy. Combined fiscal and monetary policies alongside other micro and macroeconomic reform effort seem not to be cutting the ice as key economic indicators clearly show that we are still in the woods. Non-oil sector shrank with negative growth in accommodation and food services, construction, transportation, education, real estate and trade among others. We seem headed back to recession after struggling to climb out of it after the last one that almost grounded the country. Our inclement economy has resulted in massive government borrowing which we fear may not be directed squarely on capital projects, even though it states so in papers
"The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC calls on the government to apply the break in external borrowing and originate viable economic policies and programs that will stimulate the economy, create wealth and employment for millions of unemployed Nigerian youths.
"ASUU STRIKE AND CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS
"The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC calls on the Federal Government to reopen all schools in the country to commence academic activities even as observance of COVID-19 protocols be strictly enforced.
"Council also urges Government and ASUU to resume negotiation with a view to iron out their differences. Closure of Schools and ASUU elongated strike have had damaging impact in our educational sector.
"IPAC Oneness
"IPAC is a unified and indivisible body of registered political parties in Nigeria that will continue to play its role of identifying credible Nigerians to contest for elections, support INEC in its constitutional mandate, work with other stake holders that are involved in political development of the country and promote rational citizens political activism.
Thank you,
Dr. Leonard Nzenwa Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC. NNL.
