Gov. Aliyu raises concern about card readers

Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has said the concerns being raised about the viability of the card readers appear genuine and should therefore not be waived aside.
Fielding questions from State House correspondents after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Aliyu said the issue of card readers is still being discussed.
The Independent National Electoral Commission is, however, insisting on the use of the card reader machines for the rescheduled general elections holding on March 28 and April 11.
According to Aliyu, some political parties were worried that there may be difficulties in the use of the card reader, especially in the rural areas.
Aliyu said: “I think we are still discussing that matter.
“The concern of many people is that the card reader may have difficulties, particularly in the rural areas, but we have been told that if they are charged, they will be okay.
“The stand of many of the political parties is that where you have difficulties, what happens?
“I remember when they were registering me for the National Identity card.
“For me alone, it took about one hour.
“Suppose there are difficulties in the polling units where you have 500 people and it takes the card reader a long time to do?
“I understand INEC is going to conduct elementary ways of finding out whether that is possible.
“The moment the parties are convinced, I think it will be okay.”
On the governorship election in Niger State, Governor Aliyu insisted the Peoples Democratic Party would win in the state.
He said: “I have a grip on the politics of Niger State.
“The PDP will win Niger State.
“The thing is that when people are good in propaganda, sometimes the people themselves will believe the propaganda.
“The noise makers don’t even vote.
“Some people who can’t even win their village, they are called Abuja politicians, they will rush to Abuja and start castigating those who are in the ground.
“We have no problem in Niger State as far as PDP is concerned.”
On the disagreement between him and his deputy, Ahmed Musa Ibeto, he had his to say: “We were elected on the same ticket and morally if you decide to cut away from that ticket, it will mean you should resign, but our political culture has not gone to that level,
“I hope we will reach a situation that the society will demand that we voted you under this party, no matter the difficulties, three months to election, you decide to decamp.
“We are competing now.
“At least in competition and you sit down and listen to everything and you carry to the other side.
“I didn’t walk him out of the meeting.
“We said how does he resolve this morality matter and he said to me, ‘excuse me while the council will decide on the matter’.
“Secondly, on the 18th of February, I was already planning on the 19th of February to leave for Saudi Arabia when I saw his letter on my table saying he was going to leave on the same day and he was in Abuja attending All Progressives Congress meeting,
“I assumed he was going and there is nothing legally or technically that prevents me from giving the Speaker.
“Nothing has been abused.”