What an audacious recklessness from extremely respectable ethnic group. If we’re trying ahead to constructing a rustic the place the system works, we should condemn the actions of these preaching divisiveness, intolerance and spreading falsehood. Identical applies to spiritual extremists.
Democracy is in regards to the contest of concepts and was by no means meant to provide violent outcomes. Sadly, in Africa’s most populous nation Nigeria, the echoes, reactions and the sound-bite of battle has taken over the political panorama earlier than and after the 2023 basic elections. Though the wrestle for political change by some reform activists in Nigeria has revolutionized the democratic sphere from numerous views, regardless of the misgivings in some quarters – notably the restive youths and a few disgruntled components pushing for change of presidency by unorthodox methods.
However, numerous variety of these modifications had been achieved. Nevertheless, some folks abhors the notion that enough modifications that may assure a free and honest election had been made and equally claimed that the establishments in command of elections in Nigeria haven’t proven enough transparency and remained largely un-independent. Regardless, this contribution seeks to discover the extent to which numerous reforms adopted within the post-2007 period have democratised the house.
Moreover, it goals to additional examines the contestation of concepts that characterised the political reform processes in Nigeria. Moreover, guided by the democracy principle, it questions the extent to which the Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, committee reform in Nigeria has democratised the political house, as constituted by President Umaru Musa Yar’adua led authorities. The reform was anticipated to signpost the start of a brand new daybreak.
Moreover, the opposite members of the Uwais committee composed of a extremely mental and erudite class together with the most effective brains from the tutorial, Civil Society Organizations, skilled teams and Civil service. With such composition of completed character; why then, can we nonetheless have points that create animosity and unhealthy blood generated by causes of perceived marginalization, complains about rigging of election and dissatisfactions amongst our residents? This can be a million {dollars} query. I’ve been pondering in regards to the latest outcries on the constancy and independence of our electoral umpire and its establishment. The issues are mutual, it appears to be a difficulty bordering on belief deficits which must be correctly and holistically addressed.
I need to place on report: sections 154 (1 and three and 156 (3) that confers on the President the powers to nominate a md and nationwide commissioners of INEC, in session with the Council of States which have to be correctly scrutinized and synchronized with the Justice Mohammed Uwais committee’s suggestions. As well as, the Sheikh Ahmed Lemu Committee in addition to the Senator Ken Nnamani Committee on Constitutional and Electoral Reform in 2017 beneficial the necessity for an electoral offenses fee. Going ahead, it’s pertinent to deal with such points that reduces the extent of distrust given the importance of independence standing of the umpire.
Flowing from the above, given the humongous amount of cash invested within the course of and the deployment of high-tech in our system. It’s assumed that the times of elections manipulations and disputing outcomes ought to have been over. It’s subsequently, essential to begin the entire implementation of the committee’s report. For my part, the one manner of addressing any noticeable lapses is to totally implement the salient suggestions of the Nationwide Electoral Reform Committee (NERC).
Because of the foregoing, I’m perturbed, not solely by the cacophony of voices within the opposition events and the road restlessness however the unwarranted deaths in numerous a part of the nation, notably the South, echoing the ethnic and non secular intolerance of the folks! Due to this fact, the necessity for retrospection, placing in test problems with tribal and non secular animosities intertwined and masqueraded as idealism, which can simply be an undercurrent results of a hidden agenda.
It’s subsequently, unreasonable to carry the chairman of the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, solely liable for the assumed lapses as posited by some disgruntled components. Those that are behind the misadventures of a number of assaults that resulted in malfunctioning of the high-tech, violence, divisive politicking ought to share in blames. As a result of Nigeria is a multi tribal, ethnic and non secular entity and this isn’t removed from what’s obtainable in most tribal various nations.
The instance that readily involves thoughts is the disagreeable scenario taking part in out in Lagos, the industrial capital metropolis of Nigeria. It’s a dwelling for a lot of of our compatriots notably the Igbo. Sadly, not like the northerners, our brothers and sisters from the east are pushing a really harmful narratives coded as “Lagos is a no-man’s-land” whereas taking part in the sufferer mentality. Sadly for them, this has finally been put to relaxation by the true house owners of Lagos – though in considerably crude manners in some areas of the State!
What an audacious recklessness from extremely respectable ethnic group. If we’re trying ahead to constructing a rustic the place the system works, we should condemn the actions of these preaching divisiveness, intolerance and spreading falsehood. Identical applies to spiritual extremists.
It’s in opposition to this backdrop that I’m admonishing our vibrant residents with the phrases of belief: belief is the “glue” or cement for governing societies, conferring upon authorities its primary supply of energy. In distinction, dissatisfaction, disenchantment, and mistrust can undermine that legitimacy. A scarcity of belief, subsequently, is the prerequisite to undermining the power of governments to carry out.
In conclusion, let it’s famous that: those that are expert in fight don’t get angered, these expert at successful don’t develop into afraid. Thus, the smart win earlier than they struggle whereas the ignorant struggle to win. Nigeria will rise once more!
Richard Odusanya,
[email protected]