13th December, 2010
Human rights activist, Chief Gabriel Giwa-Amu has described the theft of Direct Data Capture machines, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, as a welcome development.
He gave the verdict against the backdrop of INEC allegedly turning deaf ears to his suggestions that it adopts the open ballot system (Option A4).
“I was greatly elated to read on the pages of national newspapers on the ‘bereavement’ of INEC over the stolen DDC machines. With what has just been reported, INEC qualifies easily for a man who is deaf, blind, dumb and paralysed and who needs to be told of his mother’s death. Time and time again, we have quarrelled with spending N87 billion naira for an election of a people whose population is in the perimeter of 140-150 million.â€
He said “we quarreled with the failure to adopt the open ballot system then we suggested that as a panacea for a free and fair election in this country with such further amendments as video recording of proceedings in each polling booth, unfortunately, the response from INEC was a deafening silence to our genuine and well-meant suggestions.â€
“You are tall in integrity, your patriotism is unquestionable, your intellectual prowess is unparalled, so my dear Professior it will be disastrous and I know you will not forgive yourself if you allow these hawks in government and their political scavengers and allies destroy your hard-earned reputation built over the years.
“Just choose the path of honour by conducting a free and fair election based on open ballot system (Option A4) while I wish you the best of luck in your search for those who stole your DDC machines,†the lawyer urged Prof. Jega
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