7th July, 2022
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, politicians and staff of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have been warned to either play by the rules of the Commission during elections or suffer the consequences.
The warning was given by Mr Obo Effanga on Wednesday by the outgoing Rivers Resident Electoral Commissioner,REC while giving a valedictory speech during a send-forth organized for him by the the Commission.
“We made the point that one cannot benefit from wrong doing. So, if you bring violence into a process, we will stop it because the most important thing that matters to us is human life.You cannot endanger lives and think that the process will run its course.
“I think that people have learn that the only way to win election is to talk to voters to vote for you and let your vote be counted,”he said.
The outgoing Resident who has completed five years tour-of-duty at the Commission said that the way INEC in now focused, staff, politicians and voters must play by the rules because votes must count during the next general elections.
He urged the staff to inculcate humility, sense of purpose, and focus on the course of their duties to enable them succeed in their jobs.
Effanga urged them not to be distracted from every action or words that comes their way while serving.
Furthermore, he said that his tenure was successful because he learnt from everyone in the state while doing his job.
The Commissioner expressed gratitude to INEC for giving him the opportunity to serve the country.
He said that he was satisfied that he was given a chance to serve the nation, though there were very challenging times, but he pulled through because he decided to serve with dedications.
Mr Richter Alabraba,the Administrative Secretary of the Commission said that the staff of the Commission would remain focus in their jobs.
Effanga resumed as Rivers REC on the 24th of April 2018 when he took over from Gesila Khan.
Some staff of INEC also hailed the leadership qualities of the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in their goodwill messages.
He, however, expressed hope that the incoming REC will chart a new course by doing better Effanga.
Our Correspondent reports that award of outstanding service was presented to the outgoing Commissioner.