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June 12: How Democratic is Nigeria’s Democracy?
By Frankwhite Nzeh
The sacrifice of tears and blood of our heros (past and present) would have been in vain if our democracy remains undemocratic.
The people can not expect any form of loyalty from their political leaders until their votes begin to count.
The national assembly should as a matter of urgency, commence the process of rejigging our electoral laws to guarantee the integrity of future elections in the country. A situation where our extant laws leave loopholes through which election results could still be manipulated there by having leaders impose themselves on the system, cannot help our democracy, rather, it leaves us with an undemocratic system that promotes unaccountable leadership where impunity reigns. If this 10th national assembly can deliver on this, I think that would be their greatest gift to Nigerians and the average Nigerian would be most grateful.
Another most worrisome issue remains the level at which corruption has thrived in our democracy. One of the expectations from our hard earned democracy was the elimination of the hydra headed monster mitigating against the growth and progress of our society, is corruption (official and unofficial corruption).
The fact that after 25 years of our recent democratic experience, we this have major issues of corruption in high places is an indictment on the kind of democracy we have been running, a situation where political leaders and civil servants misappropriate funds with impunity leaves a lot to be desired. The sad part is the fact that there seems to be no sign that this situation is abating. No light at the end of the tunnel.
Again, I call on the national assembly to rise up to a national responsibility, irrespective of the fact that they might also be guilty of the same sin, but posterity will count it for or against them if they fail to rise to the occasion to rescue their nation against what has become a cancer eating up the fabrics of this nation
Finally, we should begin a process that must de-emphasize tribe and religion in our national existence, these twin monsters are among the major elements strangulating our national growth and progress as a people. We should beging a process that must give every citizen of this country a sense of belonging in every and any part of this country. If a Nigerian can aspire to and eventually attain a leadership position in America, why not in his country.
As we mark another June 12th in celebration of our hard earned democracy which is symbolized by the electoral victory of Late MKO Abiola, may we begin to ponder on some of the above realities that has held us from reaping the full benefits of our democracy
May Nigeria succeed!
Nzeh Frankwhite is an Abuja based journalist and filmmaker
News
Breaking: Court of Appeal rules in favour of Turaki -led PDP candidate for Osun governorship election
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in Osun State was validly nominated by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.
The court also ordered INEC to list the PDP logo on the ballot ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
The Court held that access code is neither a creation of the Constitution nor the Electoral Act; rather, a creation of INEC’s guidelines and cannot, in any way, override the provisions of the Constitution.
Section 288 of the Constitution does not specify the method for nominating candidates; it only states that the names of candidates should be forwarded to the Commission.
The court further held that the defendant (INEC) should take steps to include the name of the appellant on the ballot paper.
Additionally, the court ruled that the primary election conducted by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP was a valid primary election in law.
The three-man panel of justices—Justice Mahmud, Justice Jaro, and Justice Ankawere, was unanimous in its judgment.
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Breaking: NHRC sets up situation room to monitor and document hate speech, intimidation, threat to life ahead 2027
The national Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has set up a situation room to monitor and document all incidences of hate speech, intimidation and threat to life by politicians and other actors ahead of the 2027 general election.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference.
He said the situation room would enable the Commission harvest data, analysis and document persons, agencies and others involved in the negative statements in order to ensure they are properly tracked and brought to book by relevant agencies.
Ojukwu also took journalists on a tour of the newly set up situation room.
Details later…..
News
Breaking: NHRC expresses concern over rising incidences of hate speech, threat to life ahead 2027 elections
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
At a press conference in Abuja Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, recalled statements credited to Senator Francis Fadahunsi and Sheikh Yahya Jingir and described the das dangerous with capacity to set the nation ablaze.
He called on politicians, religious and traditional rulers, among other stakeholders to call their supporters and faithful to orders.
He urged government to act before rhetorics turn to violence, saying the forthcoming election in Osun State should serve as example of Nigeria’s capacity to conduct political contest in compliance with international best practices.
Details later…..
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