By: Felix Ikpotor
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has reacted to reports that it has accredited some private properties as Registration Area Centres (RAC) ahead of the forthcoming elections in Rivers State.
Port Harcourt Spectator reports that there had been agitations by some opposition parties in the state over an online publication on INECs website which indicated that some hotels and facilities owned by prominent members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were to be used as RAC in the state.
Reacting to the report, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem said the report was false as only public facilities have been secured by the commission to serve as RACs in the state.
Sinikiem While speaking at the 2023 Correspondents’ Week of the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel in Port Harcourt said the incident which appeared on the INEC site was an error and appealed to the media to discountenance it.
Represented by the Head, Voter Education and Publicity, Mark Usulor, the REC urged the media to always verify from the commission before publishing any report in order not to cause danger to the electioneering process.
“There was a time we got information that INEC is using private buildings as RACs (Registration Area Centres) where we store our materials and I’m here to urge you to discountenance that in it’s entirety as it has never existed.
“It was a mistake online while we were updating about storage facilities we have in the state. That was pure mistake and a fallacy,” he said.
He urged the media to always carryout proper investigation when it comes to reporting INEC.
“I want to appeal to the media to ensure accurate reportage of INEC activities and I commend the resilience of the media in Rivers State,” he said.
The REC said it has been working with all critical stakeholders including the media, parties and the electorates in achieving peaceful elections in the state.
He also called on the media to give equal publicity to all parties and persons during this campaign period.
“I urged the media to balance the reportage of the activities of the political parties so that they will be at equilibrium.
“The media should not be the mouthpiece of anybody or any government or candidate. As the campaigns are on in the state, I advice that the media time should be allocated equally amongst political parties”.
On the issue of vote buying, Sinikiem said the commission is collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, to curb the menace.
Speaking on the theme “Media Vigilance Ahead of Peaceful 2023 Election In Rivers State”, Sinikiem said that with the new Electoral Act, anyone found with a permanent voter card (PVC) that does not belong to him or her, risks a jail term.
He said the security agencies, especially the Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) have been briefed to watch for people in possession of PVCs that are not theirs.
Speaking at the event, Head, Corporate Communications, Indorama Petrochemicals & Fertilizer Group, Dr Jossy Nkwocha, called on journalists to be patriotic in the reportage of the forthcoming general election in the country.
Nkwocha, who was the chairman of the occasion called on journalists to be careful about spreading fake news from various interest groups stressing that there is a need to check sources of information before publishing.
Nkwocha said: “Be careful of fake news from various interest groups. Fake news is the biggest threat to journalism and even the electoral process.
“Let us ensure that we check the sources of information before using such stories. Let’s maintain neutrality and try to give all political parties equal opportunities at all times.
“Let’s beware of materials that cause character assassination of political opponents. Let’s be careful with information that may trigger violence in the electoral process.
“Let’s be careful of the ethnic group or religious profiling or political profiling. Journalists should not make themselves cheap before politicians.
“Let’s remember to be patriotic and know that Nigeria is our only country. Let’s not set Nigeria and Rivers State ablaze with our reports. Let us also remember that the pen is mighty; it can build or destroy.”
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Rivers State, Amaechi Okonkwo, expressed worry over the rising spate of political violence ahead of the 2023 general election in the state.
Okonkwo said: “This period usually make a high demand on our peaceful disposition and usually, we are found grossly wanton. The reports are already tumbling of election related violence.”
“In the past few weeks, we all know what has been happening around politics and campaigns in Rivers State. Even before now, we are not unaware of information about violence or pockets of violence here and there relating to election and electioneering in Rivers State.
“Rewind to 2019 when we last held general elections here and you will understand, the economic and social disruptions, the loss of lives and property and the nightmares of the militarization of the state, which are still very fresh in our hearts.
“This is the reason we insisted on joining the discussion to reinforce not just the discussion on but demand for peaceful general elections in Rivers State.”
