… As Group hails NASS for approving e-transmission of election results***
Rep. Johnson Oghuma (APC- Edo) has urged the Federal Government to introduce a price control mechanism in the country to curtail excesses of traders who increase prices on a daily basis.
Oghuma who represented Etsako Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, said this when he received an award of honour from the Edo chapter of the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) on Friday in Benin.
Represented by Mr James Okoro, the lawmaker said the need to regulate price was to put an end to the sharp practice by traders who increase prices of commodities especially foodstuffs on daily basis for selfish gain.
“It is no longer funny how Nigerians wake up every day to see changes in prices of commodities and this has left many frustrated and distraught.
“I feel there is need for the government to come in now by way of setting up a system where these prices can be controlled because things cannot be allowed to continue this way.
“We can no longer continue with this arbitrary increase in prices of commodities, people are dying of hardship and this needs to be checked,” he stated.
Dr Samson Isibor, the Edo CRPP Chairman, said that the award was to spur the lawmaker to do more for the betterment of the people and the society.
He advised politicians irrespective of the political divide, to eschew politics of bitterness and see the development of the society as their priority.
“We should eschew politics of bitterness.
As political parties, what is uppermost in our agenda is the development of our dear state, through the dividend of democracy to our people both in urban and rural areas,” he said.
In the meantime, Progressive Alliance Group (PAG), a socio-political organisation has hailed the conference committee of the National Assembly for putting to rest the controversy over e-transmission of election results.
The commendation is contained in a statement jointly signed by the chairman and secretary of the group, Mr Ocheni Achile and Akin Abayomi, respectively.
It said that the decision of the NASS committee left INEC with the option of choosing either an electronic or manual mode of transmitting election results.
The group commended the NASS committee for aligning with public opinion, hence putting to rest the controversy over the mode of transmitting the election result to be used.
The group stated that its position had always been geared to real reforms in the country’s electoral system, saying that the only way for the country to get the right leaders was to first fix the electoral system.
“Therefore, the amended clause of Section 52 that gives INEC the lead way to use electronic mode of transmitting election results will further boost the citizens’ participation in elections.
“Consequently, this will also reduce voter apathy, thuggery and minimise electoral fraud.
As a body, we give INEC Chairman Prof Mahmud the thumbs up for his leadership roles and giant strides.
“We pass a vote of confidence on INEC.
This group supports INEC’s innovative drive. Our position is that INEC should build on its previous achievements and give the country credible elections in the future
“We urge NASS to fast track the harmonisation of the bill and transmit same to Mr President for his assent before the end of 2021”, the group said.
