By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Lobby Group, in Cross River State, Oden Ewa, has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for assenting to the Electoral Amendment Bill.
Ewa gave the commendation while speaking with ComoassNG correspondent in a telephone discussion, describing
Mr. President’s gesture as one the giant strides recorded of his administration.
Stressing that the new Act would add value to Nigeria’s electoral system, which hitherto suffered backlashes from election monitors and international community, Ewa said, “This singular action of Mr. President has proven that he is very serious about sanitizing the electoral system through enduring reforms.
“We are also aware of his sweeping reforms in the oil and gas sector as well as agriculture sector among others.
“By assenting to the Electoral Amendment Bill, President Buhari has returned power to the people. He has restored our voices, validating that indeed power belongs to the people. Now, we can truly say that Nigeria is inching closer to practicing true democracy, a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
“Nigerians now have the power to determine who will govern or represent them, as their votes will now count, with the coming to effect of the electoral Act.”
The APC Lobby Group chair added that with the bill, the nation stands the chance of witnessing free and fair elections.
He further stated that with this development, the era of electoral brigandage and unwholesome manipulation of poll results would cease to exist.
He added, “It will no longer be business as usual. The ‘carry go’ syndrome will naturally fade away.”
The Lobby Group chairman averred that hijacking of ballot boxes and ballot stuffing during election would be flushed down to the dustbin of history as the country would begin to witness more credible polls in the future.
He therefore urged Nigerian youths to exploit the opportunities provided by the new law by massively participating in politics, saying it was time for the youths to take their place of pride in the leadership and governance of the country.
