Nation
CSOs Push For Quick Passage Of Electoral Bill Before Annual Recess
A group of nine civil society organisations (CSOs) has called on the National Assembly to quickly pass the Electoral Act (Amendment) 2021 Bill before it embarks on its long annual recess.
The CSO made the appeal, yesterday, while addressing newsmen outside the gate of the National Assembly complex in Abuja, after submitting a letter to the leadership of the National Assembly.
The Co-Convener of the Centre For Liberty, Mr Ariyo-Dare Atoye, who spoke on behalf of the nine organisations, said Nigerians were eager for an inclusive electoral reform.
”We are waiting for new electoral act that will improve the country’s electoral system, and tested in off-cycle elections ahead of the 2023 general election,” he said.
Atoye said the undersigned CSOs were highly concerned that the 9th National Assembly has failed to pass the Electoral Act (Amendment) 2021 Bill in spite of various appeals, rallies and protests from the Nigerian people in support of the piece of legislation.
“The National Assembly must agree that elections remain the most critical aspect of democracy the world over.
“It has become inevitable that we must address the deficits in the electoral system to entrench enduring electoral reforms and strengthen the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free, fair, credible and transparent elections, and guarantee electoral integrity.
“Electoral reforms now represent a major Citizens Charter of Demand to the National Assembly for good governance and charismatic leadership.
“Eleven years after the Electoral Act 2010 was passed with subsequent amendments, Nigerians are eager to have Electoral Act 2021 (Repeal and Re-enactment) that will be tested and perfected in off-cycle elections before 2023.”
Atoye said that citizens’ participation in the electoral process was necessary for democratic sustenance.
“While INEC succeeded in increasing the number of registered voters to 84million in 2019, only about 29million voted, signifying a mere 35 per cent of the registered voters voted in the past election!
“Thus, this statistics should be a source of concern to representatives of the people and direct beneficiaries of the electoral system like your humble self.
“More importantly, at this time, the unity of the Nigerian state is seriously challenged by separatists and secessionists’ drive due to injustice, poor governance, and made worse by bad leadership. Nigeria cannot afford another flawed general election.
“That is why the countdown to 2023 and other off-cycle polls, has required a greater certainty about the electoral legal framework for achieving a more credible and improved electoral process.”
Atoye said that there was no better legacy for the 9th NASS than to give Nigerians a new Act before it embarks on its annual long recess.
“With the modest effort already made by the 8th Assembly on Electoral Reforms, in which the current principal officers were major actors, the people believe that Electoral Act 2021 ought to be a ‘walk in the park’ for the 9th National Assembly.
“In this vein, it is our hope that the 9th National Assembly, under your joint-watch, will write its name in gold by passing the Electoral Act (Amendment) 2021 Bill and transmitting same to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent as the president while receiving the leadership of INEC recently, expressed his willingness to sign the bill when it is passed by the National Assembly.”
Atoye said that an early passage of the bill by the National Assembly would prevent any excuse from the Executive, and also ensure that INEC prepares adequately before future elections, especially the 2023 polls.
“In conclusion, the passage of the said bill will further reawaken the hope of Nigerians who have already given up on the system and put Nigeria on the map of countries committed to a transparent electoral system.”
The CSOs includes, the Electoral Hub, Speak Out Africa Initiative, To Build a Nation; and Centre for Development Alternatives Research and Studies.
Others are Raising New Voices, Ready To Lead Africa, Centre for Impact Advocacy, Aspilos Foundation.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to embark on the water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers state
The Group called on the Rivers state government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously as the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the council to assist in making the project a reality and attracts more developmental projects to the city
This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn alongside Mark Ojuka,Chairman of Buguma and Hon Sandra Owunari JP Chairman Obuama and monitored by our correspondent
Comrade Ojuka also called on the Management of Liquidifed Natural Gas NLG to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kala bari communities to improve their health status
He appealed to LNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting the company is doing same in Bonny, abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medical, scholarships and employment including skill acquisition programs for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions ”
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Ama Ma soldiers the city is more peaceful and investors friendly as the youths of area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
He called on the Rivers state to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
“The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment”
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence”
Also Speaking, Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn called for more improve in infrastructures in Kalabari community, especially in electricity
There is little improvement in terms of electricity in Buguma city
He decried the deplorable condition
of Buguma Health Centre, saying that the hospital is near functional
“Our sisters that are pregnant and our sick parents can not access the health centre for a better treatment ”
Describing the Health Centre as an eye saw, he called on Rivers state government and Buguma Local Government chairman Hon William to improve on facilities in the centre and make it more medically accessible to the sick persons in the area
Buguma, Tammy Bruce said is the spiritual headquarter of Kalabari people as such deserve more modern facilities from the government to improve lives
The Coordinator called on government, stakeholders and oil companies to assist and improve the poor infrastructural facilities in area
“We need first class hospitals, qualified medical doctors and nurses in the health centres and hospitals”
On the oil spilled in Obuoma Chairman MOSIEND Obuoma, Hon Sandra Owunari said the spill destroyed their crops and Rivers even polluted their only source of drinking water
She expressed displeasure that Rivers state government did not send any relief materials to the people in the affected community
On Chieftaincy title to women in Obuama, Hon Sandra Owunari said the community do not install Chieftaincy title to women, saying that Chieftaincy title is only reserved for men only in the community
CHINEDU WOSU
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