….Receives NUJ Award For Conduct Of Credible Elections
MAKURDI – Barrister Richard Terlumum Tombowua, the Chairman, Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) has stated that no one at any point in time interfered with the work of the Commission, including the just concluded local government elections held in the state.
He, however, attributed the success of the election to the grace of God, coupled with the support of the State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, as well as that of the Benue State House of Assembly.
The BSIEC chairman disclosed this while clearing the air on allegations that the local government elections was shrouded with malpractices during the presentation of an award on him, tagged “The Defender Of Democracy in Our Generation” by the Radio Benue Chapel, of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council in his office in Makurdi on Tuesday.
He also alleged that he refused to bow to pressure from politicians to shift the election to a later date, adding that the process was transparent such that the media was involved in all the activities of the Commission.
Tombowua, who narrated the processes that led to the election, explained that “When His Excellency, Governor Hyacinth Alia gave me this appointment, little did we know that some people were watching us. And the most dedicated and vibrant people that can assess our conduct is the NUJ because they are critical.
“In the two months I was appointed I was able to conduct elections, which was made possible by the enormous grace of the Almighty God, coupled with the unwavering support of His Excellency, the Governor of Benue state, alongside the Benue State House of Assembly.
“When we came on board, all the processes were made open. We started with the stakeholders meeting, that comprised all the State Chairmen of political parties and other critical stakeholders in the electoral process. We also engaged critical stakeholders at the local government areas
“Thereafter, we released the timetable and guidelines and we jealousy followed the timelines by engaging the political parties, even though many of them wanted us to shift the date. At a point in time I told them that the election can only be postponed by the Almighty God and I thank God that it came to pass.
“And in all the processes, journalists were actively involved and I told you that we will do what is free, fair and credible and many people can attest to that” he said.
Furthermore, Tombowua stressed that “Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, as the name implies is independent.
“And since I assumed office here, I can tell you before man and God that nobody has interfered in our processes. But for the successes, the Governor has a hand in it because he gave us the enabling support but if there are any faults (arising from the election) we should be held responsible.
“The journalists who are on ground in Benue state, who have been monitoring, who have been watching and interviewing us have given us a good verdict that we have indeed done a wonderful job.
Advertisement
“So I am surprised to hear other people who are not on ground, before, during and after the election making some comments that elections were not held in Benue state. Elections were held in Benue state and as you are aware.
“So I thank the Radio Benue Chapel of the NUJ, for this honour. Before now we did not know that some people were monitoring us but now we have seen some people have come forward to appreciate and thank us and also give us an award for doing an excellent job.
“I receive this award with the utmost gratitude. I thank the NUJ, Radio Benue Chapel for finding me and the Commission, worthy of this meritorious award.
“We are promising the Benue people, the journalists and indeed Nigerians that we will continue to do our best. Anytime we set our eyes on this award, it will serve as a motivator and spur us to the do our best”, he assured.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the BSIEC Secretary, Dr Vincent Gesaor, said, “We want to assure you that we will continue to support our chairman; we will continue to work as a team. We have done it practically, we have done it administratively.
“We have also identified some challenges. This award is a motivation for us to overcome our challenges so that come three years, we will do a more credible election”, Gesaor said.
Earlier, the chairman, Radio Benue Chapel, of the NUJ, Comrade Paul Mandeun “It is a remarkable celebration of outstanding performance by the umpire body (BSIEC), under the superintendence of a legal luminary who has justified and proven his worth to the outside world.
“Let us remind you and your team that this recognition and honour for this uncommon performance would not be complete if you have not received this prestigious award from NUJ Radio Benue Chapel.
“The reasons are simple! We have been watching the Commission before you came on board, when this exercise could not hold after a long preparation.
“We are here to inform you that we have watched keenly all your electoral processes beginning with your stakeholders engagement, release of timetable and guidelines, regulation of political parties, recruitment and training of ad-hoc staff used in the election, distribution of sensitive and nonsensitive materials
“It was under our watch that materials were deployed; we were at the Polling Units not just Local Government Areas with a critical eye looking out for compliance to Standard of conducting election in an idea democratic setting.
“The Union is here today to affirm and pass its verdict after monitoring all the processes before, during and after the Local Government Council Elections that you were not found wanting and also not short ‘of best practices anywhere in the world.
“It is on the same note that we confer the highest award of The Defender Of Democracy in Our Generation on you the Chairman Benue State Independent Electoral Commission on this day of 15th October, 2024”, he said.
