NEW VOTERS CARD

Buhari, Soyinka Demand New Voters’ Register
•To hold rally next week

Apparently worried by the short time left for the preparation of the 2011 election, former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola would lead a mass rally in Lagos next week Wednesday to protest the current voters’ register.

The protesters are demanding for a new voters’ register well ahead of next year’s election, which is seen as critical to Nigeria’s survival as a democracy.

The rally is being put together by pro-democracy organization Save Nigeria Group (SNG), in collaboration with the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER). It will commence at Onikan Stadium in Lagos Island.

A statement by Yinka Odumakin and Salihu Lukman on behalf of the SNG, said the demand for a new voters’ register would serve as a prelude for the pursuit of the one-man-one-vote cause.

The group also said the rally is a continuation of its national mobilization for free, fair and credible polls in 2011, which it said started in Abuja on May 31, 2010.

Other speakers expected at the rally are conveners of SNG, Pastor Tunde Bakare, former Governor of Lagos State Bola Tinubu, National Co-ordinator of CODER Mr. Ayo Opadokun.

Other speakers are former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Alani Akinrinade, former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and former presidential candidate, Prof. Pat Utomi.

Former Governor of Anambra State Dr. Chris Ngige, former National Chairman of the Action Congress (AC) Chief Bisi Akande, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and Mr. Femi Falana, are also expected.

Former president of Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO) Mrs. Ayo Obe, presidential aspirant Bashorun Dele Momodu, President of Campaign for Democracy (CD) Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, AC National Secretary Dr. Usman Bugaje, governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Hon. Olawale Oshun and Leader of Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF) Mujahid Asari Dokubo would also be there.

A new Chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the person of Prof. Attahiru Jega has been appointed. He would be screened by the Senate next Tuesday. But many are worried that the body appears not to have a plan to review the voters’ register or made such public as yet.

INEC’s poor preparations and administrative lapses led to the disenfranchisement of some voters during the Anambra governorship election held in February. There were complaints ranging from omission of names from the register and others being listed in areas outside their immediate locality.

Although, the election was generally regarded as free and fair, many have warned that a repeat at the national level would cause severe chaos. Therefore, expectations are that INEC should begin a review of the voters’ register in order to have smooth elections next year.