By Chuks Ehirim,Sule Lazarus, Bassey Inyang, and Rafiu Ajakaye
8th October

But in Adamawa State, offficials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were attacked during the training of registration staff for the registration exercise.

The developments came just as indications that some parties are angry over alleged plot to sack Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu.

This followed the revelation by the electoral body that the N20 billion cheque in its honour could not be cashed at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

But the registration exercise may have offered a ray of hope to the displaced people from Bakassi to the effect that they will soon be resettled and rehabilitated economically.

Since Bakassi was handed over to Cameroon July 14 this year at a ceremony performed in Archibong Island, now part of Cameroon, the people of Bakassi have continued to gaze endlessly to the yet to be fulfilled promise of resettlement promised by the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

However, the displaced people kept the trauma of the loss of their ancestral homeland at bay and trooped to the Town Hall, Ikang Central in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State to register as voters for the 2007 elections.

Government Primary School, Ikang is another spot where the voter registration will last for ten days beginning from yesterday.

Only four electronic voting machines were used for the exercise which commenced at about 11.00am in the area.

Some of those registered expressed ignorance over the reason for their participation in the exercise which was near hitch free.

They told Sunday Independent that they trooped in from different locations, especially from homes of friends and relatives residing outside Bakassi to participate in the exercise.

Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of Akwa Ibom State , Mr. Soyebi Adedeji who facilitated the exercise said it was a proof that the people of Bakassi had been given a sense of belonging.

Adedeji said the registration exercise was hitch-free and that the initial gains will be sustained.

Clan head of the area, Etinyin Antigha Cobham who commented on the exercise said it was a step in the right direction.

The traditional ruler, however called for speedy resettlement of the displaced people of Bakassi to enable them have homes they could call their own.

At press time, council chairman, Ani Eric Esin and some of his councillors as well as paramount ruler of Bakassi Etinyin Etim Okon Edet, had not registered.

In Adamawa , INEC officials were attacked by youths in Mayo-Belwa local government area.

The youths who went berserk during the training of the registration staff also destroyed INEC equipment.

Confirming this to Sunday Independent in Yola, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa, Mr. Moses Ogbe, said it was unfortunate that the exercise was successful in all the areas except for Mayo-Belwa town where it was least expected.

He said it took the timely intervention of the security agents and some elders in the area for his men to escape, adding that he had met with the council chairman and other prominent persons in the area over the matter.

Ogbe however warned that the commission would not condone any further attack on its men and property as the security men have been briefed to take action if such a thing happened again.

He appealed to the people of the state, particularly the youths to desist from any act capable of derailing the peace the government had worked hard to sustain.

The INEC boss assured that there was nothing to fear about the registration exercise.

He added that it would still continue at the local government levels for those who missed out earlier.

"We are determined to make the exercise work and we will treat everybody equally, hence people must give peace a chance to make sure that we have peaceful state".

The Presidency’s alleged plot to sack Iwu and his team has ingnited reaction from some of the parties.

Speaking with journalists over the issue, the chairman of the All Peoples Liberation Party (APLP), Chief Emma Osita Okereke, confirmed that there were moves to sack Iwu and some INEC commissioners.

" We have heard rumours that the INEC Chairman and some commissioners may be removed", he said and added, "My party is saying that no such thing should be contemplated at this point in time".

Okereke noted that such a move should not be contemplated now that the parties were beginning to enjoy good relationship with INEC.

"There should be no reshuffle because we believe that this INEC leadership wants to conduct a free and fair election in 2007. If Iwu is removed, it means that there will be no election in 2007", he said.

He called on the Presidency to give INEC free hands to run its affairs. " There should be no due process interference in INEC. If INEC is independent, there should be no interference from government, not to talk of due process", he added.

According to the party chairman, many of the registered political parties would protest any attempt to sack Iwu or any of the INEC commissioners.

Meanwhile a faction of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) led by Dr. Olapade Agoro, has threatened to drag the CBN and the Budget Monitoring Price and Intelligence Unit ( BMPIU), and Due Process office to court if they refuse to clear the air on the INEC N20 billion cheque that bounced.

In a press release by a member of the group and National Chairman of Citizens Popular Party, the body said, " It is a shame and a criminal offence for INEC’s cheque to bounce in the Central Bank of Nigeria".

The statement added that , " we are urging them to resolve their differences and come out with a clean bill of health."