Reasons have been adduced why President Muhammadu Buhari Must Sign the amended Electoral Bill as passed both chambers of the National Assembly, especially the sections dealing with party primary and electronic transmission of election result.
Former military governor of old Ondo State, Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George, explained the rationale behind why the President must append his signature to amendment while speaking at an event to intimate members of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of the arrival of of the Convener of Lagos4Lagos,a political movement, Abdulazeez Olajide Adediran and his group in the Lagos PDP.
George said, “At this juncture, as we will be entering a new season of campaign in the next few months, I will be remissed if I fail to mention the very pivotal new bill presently on the President’s table. The direct primary bill, which was overwhelmingly passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, will not only deepen our democratic process, it will basically remove power from the back-room leaders and hand true power to the people. It is a great opportunity for President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure a great place for himself in the pantheon of our democratic heroes. He should sign this bill and the electronic transfer of result bill.”
According to the former Deputy National Chairman, South, of the PDP, signing the bill into na Act of parliament would not only etched the name of the President on national history, it would also take power away from the few who had been riding roughshod over the people.
He added that “the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has already assured Nigerians that they are willing and capable to adopt these innovations. Mr President must never lose this opportunity to reclaim the moral high ground in the history of our nation.”
He averred that democracy is about the people’s will, the people’s voice, and the collective participation in the guidance of the state.
He added, “It is never about a privileged few determining the fate of the nation in some secret conclave. No. It is always about open, equitable involvement in governance.
“Since the days of the Athenian leader, Cleisthenes, who invented DEMOKRATIA, ‘the rule of the people’ in 507 BC, democracy has become the greatest symbol of freedom and popular rule throughout the enlightened world.
“It is always about freedom to choose our leaders and hold them accountable for their actions.
“From Athens to Rome, from England to Stati Uniti – United States – true democracy remains the best hope of man against the ravages of tyranny.”
Opined that Nigeria will be on the right path of redemption and genuine harmony, when power truly resides in the people, adding that that is now “our national challenge to a better, more peaceful and progressive nation.”
He added, “It is our road to liberation from the scourge of bandits, the rampage of terrorists, the savagery of sundry criminals and the recklessness of bullion van pseudo-democrats.”
The former chairman of the board of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, averred, “This may be our last opportunity to rebuild a genuine, fair and just nation that generations yet unborn will be proud of. Let Mr President begin that process now. Let him lead this cause. History will be kind to him if he stands with the people. May the good Lord bless our nation and set us on the right path. And may the new year brighten our national horizon with more prosperity and peace. Amen.”
