Politics
Beyond Nnamani’s Electoral Reform Committee
In a bid to streamline the
electoral process of Nigeria, the federal government recently set up a 24-man committee headed by former President of the Senate, Chief Ken Nnamani to handle the task of articulating how to reform the electoral process. The committee is to review existing electoral laws and past reports.
A statement by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami said “Chief Nnamani is expected to bring his wealth of experience to bear on the reform process”, while the committee is expected to review electoral environment, laws and experiences from recent elections conducted in Nigeria and make recommendations to strengthen and achieve the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.
Among other things, the committee’s assignment which is expected to last for 16 weeks will review conflicting court judgments on legal disputes on past elections. The scope of the committee’s work reads in part, “Review the laws impacting elections in Nigeria, in relevant provisions of the 1999 constitution as (amended) and the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) to assess their impact and adequacy for the administration of elections in Nigeria.
“Review of recent judicial decisions on election petitions as they relate to conflicting judgments, absence of consequential orders, delay in issuing certified true copies of judgments, harmonization of the Electoral Act in view of the judgements with a view to enhancing the electoral process. “Review of the lessons learnt from the 2015 general elections and make recommendations for the improvement as they relate to the judicial decisions and experience from field operations.
“Identify and assess international best practices on electoral system relevant to Nigeria’s experience and identify best practices that would impact positively on the quality and credibility of the nation’s electoral process. Review the extent of the implementation of the recommendations of the 2008 Election Reform Commission headed by the Justice Muhammed Uwais and advise on outstanding issues for implementation”.
The decision by the Muhamadu Buhari-led administration to reform the country’s electoral system, to some Nigerians, may be a welcome development but to others, a misplaced priority considering the current economic quagmire in which we find ourselves. Electoral reform in Nigeria has always been seen as a wasteful exercise.
We all know that a similar committee headed by the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), few years ago did the same job. The work done by the committee headed by Uwais in 2008 was hailed by many Nigerians but the reports has not seen the light of the day till date.
The Uwais reports focused on key issues about the nation’s electoral system including the recurring debate about how best the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) can be truly independent. The argument has always centered around whether or not the President should be allowed to appoint the Chairman of the electoral empire as entrenched in the constitution. This is because since the President is given the constitutional powers to appoint the chairman, the INEC can be partial when the President wants elections to be manipulated.
A university don and right crusader, Dr Ibrahim Dauda, in an interview explains why it is difficult for INEC to deliver free and fair election. “The truth is that since 2003, the body language of INEC has always showed that it can hardly go against the wish of the ruling party. That the 2015 presidential election was in favour of the opposition was because the incumbent President wanted it that way and not because the commission resisted manipulation by the Presidency. President Jonathan chose to do the right thing. Those who praised Jega’s INEC as being wonderful or performing well did that out of ignorance”.
In democracies, the choice of political leaders at all levels is made by competitive elections and in doing that, there must be some rules for translating peoples’ votes into a particular selection of the leaders. In any democratic state like Nigeria, rules are designed to determine which people win office, these rules are called the electoral system of the state. The rules are written with differences, spelling out all that is required to achieve free and fair election.
A nation’s electoral system can be reformed if it cannot guarantee credible elections at any given time. In the case of Nigeria, it is clear that the inability of INEC to conduct free and fair election is not a matter of wrong electoral process. It is a systemic failure that has undermined democracy in the country. The electoral umpire has denigrated its value and the people are fast losing confidence and interest in it.
This is why a one-time Deputy Speaker of the Rivers Sate House of Assembly, Hon. Iyk Oji, during an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt said that INEC’s poor performance makes it difficult for Nigerians to trust the commission. This is more so as they have not been able to efficiently conclude elections in any one state since its present leadership assumed office.
“It started from inconclusive to postponement, to no election. It’s a gradual degeneration as it were, Oji said, adding that “INEC is not ready to run an election as it is”.
He advised INEC to organize themselves and act in the interest of Nigeria and stop pandering to sectional and partisan considerations. “A situation where appointed officials of INEC function as apologist to those who appointed them instead of carrying out their constitutional duties professionally is worrisome.
The Nnamani committee should be able to consider and make strong recommendation on inconclusive, postponement and cancellation of elections. It is also important that the committee includes in the reform a recommendation that will make it mandatory for those seeking elective positions to participate in pre-election debates. The Senate, according to reports, is already working on a bill to that effect. The bill presented by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari has been read for second time and referred to the committee on Establishment and Public Service as well as committee on INEC.
During the 2015 presidential election, many irregularities were observed by Nigerians, especially in the Northern parts of the country where under-aged children who were not eligible to vote were glaringly noticed casting their votes in favour of the opposition APC, which is now the ruling party at the centre. The powers to appoint the chairman of INEC and chairman of state Electoral Commission as well as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) should be removed from the President and Governors.
Now that a new committee has been set up to reform the nation’s electoral process, it is worthwhile to invite all former chairmen of INEC like Humphrey Nwosu who was acclaimed the best in the conduct of 1993 general elections, to make their inputs, to say what happened during their days and the constraints they had. Nwosu has been known to have conducted the most credible elections in Nigeria.
The reform should take care of refusal by lawmakers or any other body to swear-in opposition candidates who win elections. Issues concerning independent candidature and electronic voting as well as snatching of ballot box and destruction of voting materials must be seriously looked into while our electoral system must be tailored towards the needs of our society.
The question on the lips of Nigerians is: If the reports of the Uwais-led committee were implemented, would the nation have had any need for electoral reforms now? The answer may be yes, may be no. for Uwais, the answer is the latter. This is why he accused the authorities of lacking the political will to implement his committee’s reports. He regretted that his committee’s report died on the altar of politics.
Uwais, while speaking at a dialogue on the review of the Electoral Law and process organized by the Policy and legal Advocacy Center (PLAC) in Abuja, noted that instead of implementing the recommendations of his committee holistically, the Federal Government decided to “pick and choose”. As he puts it, “As we know, the bill that was produced by the National Assembly, though reflected on some of the recommendations of the Electoral Reform Committee, but not all of these recommendations were adopted. As far as the Electoral Reform Committee was concerned, the recommendations were intended to be in tandem with one another”.
Now that the Nnamani committee has swung into action, it is expected that a thorough job would be done while the Federal Government must bear in mind that it is not just enough to set up such a body in motion, but the basic thing is the political will and interest to implement its reports and recommendations for the good of the nation’s democracy.
Shedie Okpara
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has approved the release of N15.6 billion for the payment of outstanding severance gratuities, accommodation, and leave allowances owed to over N3,000 former councillors across the State’s 44 local government areas.
The approved payment covers councillors who served during the periods of 2014–2017, 2018–2020, and 2021–2024 under the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. The entitlements, which remained unpaid for years, will now be disbursed in three installments between April and June 2025.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Information to the Governor, Ibrahim Adam, the administration described the move as a corrective measure to address the neglect of past leadership and fulfil a promise to ensure fairness to public office holders.
“The approval of N15.6 billion is in fulfilment of Governor Abba K. Yusuf’s commitment to ensuring that all outstanding entitlements owed to our dedicated public servants are fully paid. It is a matter of principle and justice to uphold the dignity of those who have served in elected positions”, Mr Adam said.
He noted that the financial intervention reflects the governor’s broader vision of governance rooted in fairness, accountability, and public trust.
“His Excellency recognises the sacrifices and dedication of these former councillors. This action is part of a larger effort to right the wrongs of the past and restore faith in public administration,” he added.
Local government officials and affected former councillors have welcomed the decision, describing it as long overdue and a step toward healing the financial frustrations of many grassroots leaders.
Governor Yusuf’s administration, elected on a different political platform than his predecessor, continues to draw commendation for its proactive efforts to resolve inherited liabilities and improve the welfare of public servants.
As the payment schedule begins, it is expected that this intervention will offer financial relief to thousands and stimulate local economic activity across the state.
Politics
Gunmen Disrupt Political Rally In Bayelsa ….As Turnah, Others Emerge New Associates’Leaders
Scores of spectators and political faithful were hospitalised after a yet to be identified gunmen invaded a rally organised by a group loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike and President Bola Tinubu in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Part of the activities scheduled to hold at the occasion was the inauguration ceremony of the Bayelsa State chapter of the ‘New Associates’, a pro-Wike political forum.
The Tide which monitored the event reports that trouble started just at the preparatory stages of the event, when the unidentified gunmen launched sporadic gunshots from a farm close to the venue of the event, injuring unsuspecting spectators and party faithful across party lines.
However, calm was restored after a swift intervention by men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force and other security formations which enabled the event to go on as planned.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after restoration of calm, factional South-South zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the State’s chapter of the party, Barrister George Turnah, commended security operatives for their timely response.
He noted that the plan of detractors had been defeated as forces loyal to certain individuals in the State never wanted the rally to hold as scheduled.
Turnah, who doubles as Convener of the ‘New Associates’ in the State, commended President Tinubu and Chief Wike for the appointment and facilitating the same for Ijaws across the Niger Delta region.
He said, but for the love of the duo for the Ijaw people of various extractions, the Presidency would not have given preferential political portfolios in the Federal Government’s Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to Ijaws even though the ethnic nationality produces bulk of the natural resources for the economic mainstay of the nation.
The PDP chieftain reiterated that the reason for the event which was attended across party lines was to say ‘thank you’ to the two political leaders, stressing that to ‘whom much is given, much was expected’.
“For me, I’m of the larger opposition party, PDP. But I’ve decided to support and work for President Tinubu for what he is doing for the Ijaw nation, Niger Delta region in particular and Nigeria in general.
“President Tinubu has given Bayelsans and other Ijaws across the Niger Delta region several juicy political appointments. He appointed our brother and son, Heineken Lokpobiri as Minister of Petroleum even though former President Muhammadu Buhari had previously appointed a Bayelsan as Petroleum Minister in his government.
“Apart from the Petroleum Minister, Tinubu has also appointed Ijaw sons, Chief Boma Iyaye as Executive- Director, Finance, and Dr Samuel Ogbuku as Managing-Director and CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
“Though former President Buhari had appointed Ogbuku initially in Acting capacity, when President Tinubu came, even after sacking all board members of the Commission, he still kept our brother, the MD and upon the completion of his tenure in Acting capacity, the President again reappointed him as substantive MD/CEO.
“But there’s one man who has made all these appointments for Ijaws possible. He is the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Ijaw people, Bayelsans are we not enjoying these appointments?
“Has the NDDC not lit up the entire Niger Delta region? Are you not feeling the impact of the Ogbuku-led NDDC? So for me and all the members of the New Associates we’ve decided to support President Tinubu for a second tenure so that our state and region can benefit more from his government”, he said.
“We want Governor Douye Diri to tell us his stand on the forthcoming 2027 general election. He should tell us whether he is supporting the President or not. If he’s supporting the President, we’ll work with him. After all, Diri was the first Governor from the South-South zone that benefitted from the President’s magnanimity during the 2023 elections and even in terms of infrastructure projects and appointments of Bayelsans at the Federal level”, Barr Turnah added.
In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion, and leader, Rivers Ijaw Peoples Congress (RIPCO), Senator George Sekibo, lauded President Tinubu and the FCT Minister for their love and friendship with the Ijaw people.
Represented by former Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, Dr Roland Sekibo, Senator Sekibo said the ‘New Associates’ political forum was to galvanize support for the President for his 2027 election.
He said while President Tinubu had performed well as Nigeria’s leader, the FCT Minister had continued to show leadership from the federal level after showing the same in Rivers State while serving as governor.
“I like to thank the convener of the ‘New Associates’ political forum in Bayelsa State, Barr. George Turnah (MON) and the Coordinators for standing firm in spite of threats from highly placed political leaders not to hold this event.
“Love is not theoretically, but must be expressed, which explains why they have gathered to celebrate their Excellencies, President Tinubu and Barr. Ezewon Nyesom Wike for the various roles they have played and have continued to play to ensure the appointment of Ijaw sons and daughters to positions of trust and authority at the federal level.
“The ‘New Associates’ is in synergy with President Tinubu and will continue to follow directives from the FCT Minister who has openly declared support for Mr. President”, he said.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State, Mr Titus Odo, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Mr Odo defected to the PDP on Wednesday alongside the former Commissioner for Chieftancy Affairs in the State, Emeka Mamah, who was the state Coordinator of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign in the 2023 presidential election.
The duo dumped the PDP during the 2023 general elections for the Labour Party.
Receiving the defectors at the party’s state secretariat, the state PDP Chairman, Martin Chukwunwike, expressed happiness over their decision to return to their former party.
He explained that Governor Peter Mbah gave them the directive to do everything possible to bring back aggrieved party members who left the party.
“We are happy to have them in our midst, and God has set this party on a good footing, as 2027 is already assured,” he said.
The PDP chairman, however, called for unity within the party to package themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during their presentation to the party state chairman, Mr Odo expressed joy for returning to his former party, revealing that Mr Mbah’s massive development in the State informed his decision.
“I am happy to tell you that I am back to my home. I came back because of the giant development strides of Governor Mbah and I say kudos to him.
“The second reason is the defection of my immediate boss, the LP governorship candidate for the 2023 election in Enugu State, Dr Chijioke Edeoga.
“Another reason is that the council chairman in Igboeze North, Mr Uchenna Ogara, is turning the council area into a township,” he said.
Mr Mamah also thanked the PDP leadership in Igboeze North, Enugu North Senatorial zone and the state chapter of the party for receiving him back to the party.
He extolled Mr Mbah for extending hands of fellowship to those who had left the party, saying, “Personally, I am pleased with the performances of our governor.”