By Ene Asuquo
The House of Representatives member representing Abi/Yakurr federal constituency of Cross River State, Dr. Alex Egbonna has said that Nigeria electoral system has returned powers to the people with the introduction of the BVAS machines which has helped to curtail electoral excesses usually witnessed during previous general elections in the country
In a chat with the press shortly after casting his vote in Ekureku, Abi local government area, the lawmaker noted that the new technology is an innovation worth modifying so as to completely eradicate rigging and other vices which politicians thrived on for selfish purposes.
He said, “Though there were cases where the BVAS did not work or were slow due to network signals”, Egbonna commended INEC for making Nigerians have that sense of participation in the electoral process in the country.
He said the presidential and National Assembly elections were very successful with some insignificant drawbacks.
“Some BEVAS machines were slow or malfunctioned at some polling units in Cross River State. That notwithstanding, the new technology should be sustained and improved upon in subsequent elections because it is far better”, he maintained.
“In the overall, I can confirm that the election was very peaceful in most parts of my constituency and in the state generally”.
Speaking about returning officers, he called on INEC to afford them some logistics comforts instead of subjecting them to stress and susceptible.
“INEC should provide good logistics, including vehicles for the returning officers instead of allowing them to queue commercial vehicles to convey them to electoral venues.
“Let me also remark about the poor quality of the INEC tags. They are of Inferior quality. Party should be allowed to print the tags themselves.”
The former chief of staff to former Governor Liyel Imoke commenting on the federal government Currency swap which has affected cash circulation said the policy is good but the implementation is bad, while calling on the federal government to look into the implementation because Nigerians are suffering to much
“NigerIa’s problem is policy formulation. This cash squeeze policy won’t work”, he stressed.
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