Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has said the decision by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors to reject the use of card readers for the next elections was antithetic to democracy, Thisday reports.
The governor added that the fear of losing the next elections was the main reason the PDP governors decided against the card readers, which he said, contravened its conception by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prevent rigging and multiple voting.
He frowned on the decision at a rally he addressed in Eti-Osa Local Government Area alongside the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and other party chieftains in the state.
He explained that the stance of the PDP governors against the use of the card “has placed a moral burden on the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan since the proposal to use the card readers was funded by the federal government.
“The PDP government is afraid of defeat. That is why they are kicking against the use of card readers. The Jonathan administration funded and promoted the idea of PVCs when INEC proposed it.
“Now that they realise that it will be difficult for them to rig the election if the card readers are used, they want to change the rules at the middle of the game. It is not possible. Card readers will help prevent rigging.”
The governor also expressed concerns over the delay in the passage and signing the 2015 appropriation bill into law at the tail end of first quarters, noting that it was not good for the country’s domestic economy.
According to him, we are in the third month of the year and the 2015 budget is yet to be passed or signed by the president. With this, when will the government implement budgets that will bring development to the country?
He also condemned the devaluation of the naira, which he said, would have negative impact on every sector including religious activities in the year, noting that those going on pilgrimage this year would have to pay more than expected.
Also speaking at the rally, Ambode assured that he would lit up the state, saying the state government “will strengthen the security officers in the state. The level of security in the state has increased migration into the state.
“Lagos is safe now and that was why the President Jonathan and the PDP governors abandoned their states to hold meetings here.”
Ambode promised to consolidate on Fashola’s achievements; even as he promised to make job creation through tourism and empowerment programmes his cardinal focus.
