Politics
THE Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Radio Benue Chapel, has given an award to Chairman, Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), Mr Richard Tombowua, for conducting credible local government elections.
The chapel conferred the prestigious award of the ‘Defender of Democracy in Our Generation’ on Tombuwua on Tuesday in Makurdi.
The Chapel Chairman, Mr Paul Mandeun, commended the chairman for conducting a free, fair, and credible election on October 5.
Mandeun stated that people should always try to celebrate an outstanding performance by the umpire and not just be quick to condemn when they feel the body has done wrong.
The chairman acknowledged the spiritual eyes of Gov. Hyacinth Alia for appointing Tombuwua to head the commission.
“We deem it expedient to acknowledge the spiritual eyes of Alia who figured out this achiever among many citizens for the onerous task that has shaped the history of democracy in Benue State,” Mandeun said.
“We are here to inform you that we have watched keenly all the electoral processes.
“It was under our watch that materials were deployed; we were at the polling units, not just at local government areas, with a critical eye looking out for compliance with the standard of conducting elections in an ideal democratic setting.
“We are here today to affirm and pass its verdict after monitoring all the processes before, during, and after the polls.
“You were not found wanting and also not short of best practices anywhere in the world.
“On these bases, we authoritatively pass a vote of confidence on you for living far above board in conducting an election that is a model for other emerging democracies to emulate,” he said.
Tombowua thanked the leadership of NUJ, Radio Benue Chapel, for recognising his worth and work during the election.
He said he never knew that certain persons, like the media, which were critical stakeholders in society, were watching the conduct of the election.
The chairman disclosed that they insistently followed the timeline amidst calls for postponement, saying that BSIEC remains independent at all times and nobody could interfere in the conduct of the election.
He therefore wondered why people who were not home during and after the election were the ones alleging that there was no election in the local government areas.
“We followed due diligence in the conduct of the election, ensuring that all results were collated before the declaration of the final result,” the chairman affirmed.
He promised that the umpire body would continue to do its best, saying that the award was a source of encouragement and would spur them to do more.(NAN)
A.I
Oct. 15, 2024
Tags: Mr Paul Mandeun Mr Richard Tombowua
