Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has appealed to the Presidential Committee on Constitution and Electoral Reforms to ensure that there is a clear provision in the Electoral Act on how to resolve the impasse created by the death of a principal candidate vis-à-vis succession, as it’s carrying out its mandate.
Lalong made the appeal while declaring open a public hearing on Constitution and Electoral Reforms, organized for North-Central States in Jos.
“The history of election in this country has not been pleasant. At each stage of our elections, there are established and reported cases of violence associated with it. In fact, a general perception is that elections in Nigeria are characterized by a lot of malpractices, which results do not reflect the wishes of the electorate nor give them the leadership they desire.
“Historically, from 1959 to date, at the end of each election, government does put up Political Reforms Committee to look into the noticeable loopholes, with the view of recommending appropriate solutions.
“Sadly enough, most of the Reports of the these Committees are not often implemented, creating rooms for more malpractices, which commonly create violence leading to the destruction of lives and property, and in some cases to military intervention”, he lamented.
According to the Governor, from 1999 to date, this is the fourth National Political Reform Committee that the nation is witnessing
after those of Justice Niki Tobi (2005), Justice Mohammed Uwais (2007), and Justice Legbo Kutigi/Prof. Bolaji Akiyemi 2014. Hide quoted text He maintained that, prior to the aforementioned reform committees; the nation has had the Dr. Samuel Cookey Political Bureau 1986 and the Abacha vision 2020 documents.
“Each of these reports proffered laudable options for sustainable growth and development of democracy in Nigeria, yet they remained unseen”, he further lamented.
“In this light, I employ you to look at these reports especially that of Justice Uwais, with the view to getting some of their laudable recommendations, marry them with the current views and realities on ground and bring out a document that will sustain our democracy.
Lalong further explained that, political reforms in any country are expected to right the noticeable wrongs in order to build public confidence in elections.
He urged the Committee to use the nation’s past experience as a guide to fashion out a practically feasible and implementable document that will guaranty the safety of the electorate to vote and that such votes are counted as well as protection of electoral officers.
“Another worrisome issue is the matter of time frame for the determination of election at tribunals. This has created room for people who crooked themselves as winners to illegally get paid only to be sacked at the tribunal.
“May I also propose, very strongly that there should be clear provision in the Electoral Act on how to resolve the impasse created by the death of a principal candidate vis-à-vis succession”, he advised.
“This is necessary to avoid undue contestations when a situation of this nature occurs.
“This lacuna needs to be filled as a proactive measure against past occurrences and tensions there-in”, he stressed.
“We support the call that election matters should be concluded before an elected officer takes his/her oath of office.
“Consequently your committee could explore incorporation into the National Constitution and Electoral Acts, dates for elections, hearing of cases and appeals, to make it in such a way that whoever assumes office and responsibility should not be bedeviled by elections issues”, the Governor stressed.
Governor Lalong further called on the Committee to ensure that its recommendations should incorporate the constitutional enactment of the laws recommending stringent punishments for persons found to have compromised their sacred positions on electoral matters, and any other person found to have contravened electoral laws.
In his earlier remarks, the former Senate President and Chairman of the Committee, Dr Ken Nnamani, lamented that once primaries of political parties are rigged, so also would the general elections would be rigged to ensure the victory for the unpopular candidate.
He appealed to stakeholders to make meaningful contributions that will help strengthen the electoral system in the country.
The hearing had in attendance representatives of governors of Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, who assured of their support to the committee to achieve it desired goal.
Other stakeholders present were civil society organizations, politicians, among others.
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