‘Power of incumbency may not ensure victory’

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat on Monday said that power of incumbency would not ensure electoral victory for any serving governor in the forthcoming April election. The Director-General of the secretariat, Mr. Asishana Okauru, stated this. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Okauru said this was so because the electorate had become politically conscious enough not to vote for a governor that had not performed in his first tenure. He, however, urged the electorate to know that their voter card was a very important document that should not be sold for anything. He urged them to ensure that they come out on election days to vote into offices, only those they know could change their situation. He said, “It is easy to vote for anybody because of instant money, but you should realise that after that vote, you will be handing over your asset and liability to that person and your future for the next four years. “You really have to be careful because this is about you, your future and your community development,’’ Okauru said. He urged the electorate to note that schools, water and electricity that are not be working now, could only be fixed by the right person, adding that it was their votes that could enthrone such a person. Meanwhile, the NGF has concluded arrangements for a one-day interactive session as part of efforts towards ensuring free, fair and credible general elections in April. According to Okauru, the interactive session scheduled for March 28 is in consonance with a pledge made by the 36 state governors in February. In February, the governors produced a nine-clause pledge to commit themselves to a free, fair, credible and transparent electoral process. “As a follow-up to that, they equally resolved that there was the need to put up a one-day interactive session together and that has been scheduled for March 28. “The President is committed to be there, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, will deliver a keynote address.” By Agency Reporter