Politics
Allow Nigerians To Elect Your Successor, Lawmaker Tells Buhari
Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Joseph Bassey, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to allow Nigerians to elect his successor in 2023 for the growth and development of the country.
Bassey, who made the call during an interaction with newsmen in Calabar, said the masses should be allowed to elect leaders that will be accountable to them and not to a certain cabal or group of individuals.
He said that what was needed from the president ahead of 2023 in order to allow the country to move forward was to allow the masses to have their say through the ballot.
“At this point, what President Buhari can do to allow Nigeria to move forward is to allow a successor that Nigerians will chose. The President should allow for a free and fair election where the system will run smoothly.
“But when you want to do it politically in a way where a cabal will bring up somebody, a square peg in a round hole; then you are not going to help Nigerians.
“Nigerians need that confidence of electing their own leaders that will be accountable to them. But when a cabal produces a President, that person will first be accountable to the cabal and millions of Nigerians will suffer the consequences.
“If Buhari can allow Nigerians to elect their President in 2023, and also allow the electoral system and the police to operate without interference, he would have had the best of time.
“Buhari is a man of honour and integrity, we expect him to allow the masses to come out en mass and elect their President in 2023”, he said.
The lawmaker said that former President Goodluck Jonathan is enjoying the goodwill of Nigerians and international community for allowing a free and fair presidential polls in 2015.
“People were not expecting an opposition to take over power in 2015, but Jonathan solidified democracy and allowed the will of the masses to prevail”, he said.
Bassey further said that it was unnecessary for Buhari to even comment on not contesting for a third term, adding that he has no constitutional right to do so.
“The constitution gives room for two terms for executive positions. For him to make that statement it means he had the intent to run.
“The mandate given to the president is too fresh; I urge the President to be focused on governance by revamping the economic sector and tackling the security challenges across the country.
“Naturally, Buhari has got it all, being a military and civilian president; it’s a privilege. What is paramount now is the welfare and security of Nigerians”, he said.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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