Politics
Faseun, Balarabe Differ On Two-Party System
Dr Frederick Faseun, the leader of the O’odua Peoples
Congress (OPC), on Wednesday expressed support for the re-introduction of a two-party system, to
discourage regional political parties in the country.
Faseun told The Tide’s source in Lagos that the two-party
arrangement would tackle some of the challenges confronting the country at the
moment.
The response of the OPC founder was sequel to the call for a
two-party political system by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
Atiku made the remark at the 2012 Leadership Newspapers
Annual Conference on September 18 in Abuja.
“I do agree with Atiku and I support the call for a
two-party system.
“It makes politics more interesting, focused, and functional
as it was in the botched third republic, with the Social Democratic Party (SDP)
and the National Republican Convention (NRC)’’.
Faseun said corruption was not as pronounced then, as the
government was doing its best to make life more meaningful to the citizens.
“The corruption that has become an order of the day now, was
less at that time.’’
However, the National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption
Party (PRP), Alhaji Balarabe Musa, condemned the call for a two-party
arrangement..
According to him, the campaign for a two-party had been
ongoing since in the 1990s.
“Some conservative political leaders in Nigeria were
campaigning for a one-party system up to 1986.
“But when they saw that Nigeria will not accept it, they
came up with a two-party system, and Nigeria will not still accept it,’’ he
said.
Musa said the idea behind the call for a two-party system
was to alternate governance among the two parties in the country.
The PRP chief said America and Britain formed and recognised
political parties freely.
He said the electorate in those countries decided the two
prominent parties, without the extinction of the other parties.
Musa described the call for only two political parties in Nigeria
as “selfish’’.
“If Nigeria really wants democracy and wants to move with
time, there should be free formation and recognition of political parties.
“Ultimately, it is the voters that will decide the state not
only a political party or a candidate. This is what will work in a developing
country like Nigeria,’’ Musa said.
Also, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, the National Secretary
of the Labour Party (LP), condemned the call for a two-party democratic system.
According to him, restricting people to two-party system is
depriving them of their fundamental human rights.
“The call is out of tune with democratic activities in the
world. There should be freedom of respect in every angle of democratic
dispensation of the world,’’ the LP scribe said.
Abdulsalam said more than two parties exist in America and
Britain, adding that only two were pronounced as it was in Nigeria.
Mr Toyin Raheem, the Secretary General of Campaign for
Constitutionalism and Human Rights (CCHR), also condemned the call for a
two-party state.
He said the constitution supported the freedom of
association.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
guarantees freedom of Association.
“So, if we want to go by the law, a two-party arrangement
will mean an infringement on the rights of the citizens,’’ he said.
Former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Matters and Social Events, Dr Waripamowei Dudafa, has praised the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri on his formal defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dr Dudafa, who is also a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and one time commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Development, described the governor’s decision as a wise and well-considered move that aligns the State with the centre for accelerated development and greater political inclusion.
“Governor Diri’s decision reflects his pragmatic leadership style which has always been guided by consultation, inclusiveness, and the pursuit of the common good.
“Your Excellency, your decision to work in harmony with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which is in synergy with your ‘Assured Prosperity’ vision will undoubtedly bring about the needed transformation and development for the people of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta at large.
“Since assuming office, your guiding principle has been clear and consistent — to consult widely, act in the public interest, and deliver measurable development outcomes. That same principle has informed your latest political alignment, and it will continue to serve as a compass for your Assured Prosperity Administration”, he said.
He further praised the governor’s performance in office, stating that Gov. Diri’s administration has been characterized by purposeful governance and tangible results, reaffirming his continued loyalty and support for the governor, while also assuring that he and his associates will keep identifying with the Gov Diri’s administration in the collective effort to sustain peace, unity, and progress in the state.
While restating his continued solidarity with the governor’s leadership in the state, Dr Dudafa promised to lend his support to ensure that he finishes strong.
“Governor Diri’s political maturity and developmental focus have repositioned Bayelsa for a brighter future”, he added.
The Tide further learnt that Dr Dudafa once served as Special Adviser to a former governor of the State on Youth Mobilization and Empowerment.
“I want to again commend the governor for his courage and vision. His alignment of the State with the federal government under the Renewed Hope Agenda is a step toward ensuring inclusive governance and attracting more federal presence to the state”, he said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
A publication circulating online had quoted Alhaji Sheriff as saying, “It’s not me; it’s Shettima who created Boko Haram.”
But in a statement issued on Saturday, Alhaji Sheriff dismissed the report as a “complete fabrication” aimed at misleading the public and stirring political discord.
“The said story is a complete fabrication, devoid of truth, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, malign the person of Senator Sheriff, and sow discord within the nation’s political landscape,” the statement read.
Alhaji Sheriff said he never granted any interview or spoke to any journalist on the matter, adding that the falsehood was designed to undermine his long-standing commitment to peace and national unity.
“This false report is not only mischievous but also a dangerous piece of fake news aimed at undermining years of Senator Sheriff’s contributions to peace, national unity, and development, both in Borno State and across Nigeria,” the statement added.
The former governor urged members of the public and the media to disregard the publication, noting that he had directed his legal team to identify and pursue those behind the story.
“Senator Sheriff has instructed his legal team to take immediate steps to identify all individuals, bloggers, or media outlets responsible for the dissemination of this defamatory material.
“Should the false publication not be retracted and taken down forthwith, the Senator will not hesitate to seek full legal redress under the law”, his media office said.
Alhaji Sheriff reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s security, stability, and democratic values and vowed to ensure that the spread of misinformation does not go unpunished.
Politics
Anambra Guber: I’m Not Impressed, LP Candidate Says …As Observers Lament Vote-buying, Low Voters Turnout
Mr Moghalu spoke to journalists on Saturday shortly after casting his vote at Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rise to its responsibility of making the process credible.
He also alleged voter apathy, attributing it to people’s lack of confidence in the electoral process.
Mr Moghalu said that even though it was too early to say whether the process was free, fair, and credible, he was not impressed.
“I am not impressed; there were no issues of glitches, at least for now. As we go along to monitor the process, we’ll confirm. In terms of voting, there’s an improvement over previous elections.
“I can’t say it’s free and fair because if you monetise a process, you weaponise poverty. What’s free about it? There’s no doubt there’s low voter turnout, and that has been the trend,” he stated.
The LP’s flag bearer stated that it was incumbent on INEC to continually improve the process, as voter apathy is a manifestation of a loss of confidence in the people.
Reports from Yiaga Africa, European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) II, and other partner organisations indicated that voter turnout was low in most polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Speaking to journalists in Awka, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Mr Samson Itodo, identified vote-buying and low turnout as recurring issues observed in the thematic areas of the election.
Also, Asabe Ndahi of the Kukah Centre decried logistical challenges, including the late arrival of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security officials in high-risk areas, such as Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Ihiala, Ogbaru, and Nnewi South.
She added that incidents of vote-buying and voter intimidation were recorded in several local government areas.
that votes were being traded for between N15,000 and N30,000.
“It is sad that bad governance is fuelling vote buying and selling.
“For an unemployed youth who sells his vote for ?30,000, what will he be paid next month when there is no election?
“By selling your vote, you are saying no school, no hospital, no jobs and selling away your future. This is worrisome”, he said.
He called on journalists to play an active role in exposing and curbing the menace.
The former presidential candidate also described all the hopefuls in the governorship race as his friends.
“Whoever wins, let him serve the people. Nigeria needs service now. We need to pull our people out of poverty,” he said,
Earlier, Mr George Moghalu, LP governorship candidate, said despite the heavy deployment of security personnel for the election, he had received reports of widespread vote-buying.
He also described the trend as “most unfortunate”, and warned that the crime undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
Mr Moghalu added that he remained optimistic on the outcome of the election, as he had campaigned extensively and presented his manifesto to the electorate.