…Backs INEC’s plans to increase polling units
By Abdullahi Muhammed, Abuja
The National Economic Council (NEC) Thursday asked state governments to pay compensation to victims of clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
Addressing State House correspondents at the end of the monthly NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state, said suffered loses in the targeted attacks must be made to have a sense of compensation.The governor said members of the council have re-committed themselves to the protection of all residents without discrimination.He said the council resolved that there must be public condemnation of hatred against minority groups, stressing that non-indigenous groups should be incorporated into local security groups.
He said the council also mandated governors to ensure that criminals are arrested and prosecuted, adding that the council deliberated on ways to better manage forests to deter criminals from inhabiting them for nefarious activities. The governor also told journalists that the council encouraged state governments to promote the modernisation of livestock farming. Also speaking, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi state said the council supported plans by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to convert existing voting points and settlements into Polling Units to enhance voter access during elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who briefed the council, stressed the need to expand voters’ access to polling units in Nigeria.He said there are only 120,000 polling units to serve a projected population of over 50 million voters.The INEC chairman explained that the commission has commenced early consultations with relevant stakeholders to mitigate resistance to expanding voters’ access to polling units, which was widely misunderstood and politicised in 2007, 2014 and before the 2019 general elections.