Politics
Democracy Taking Stronger Roots In Nigeria – Dekor
Twenty – nine years after the June 12, 1993 General Elections, adjudged the freest and fairest in Nigeria, was anulled by the military junta of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, stakeholders believe that enough lessons had been learnt from that sordid political experience which has evidently shaped the very spirit and character of political transition in the country.
Without any pretence, Nigerians acknowledge the effects of that singular political decision on democratic transition in the country, and are more cautious against such political tendencies.
Key stakeholders and political players are of the view that lessons from the June 12 debacle had forestalled such instances of abridgement of the civic rights of Nigerians, as the populace is more adaptable to the rules of popular democracy and more vigilant over their civic responsibilities, while the ruling class is also awakening to how to use power without abusing it.
In the candid postulation and opinion of Rt Hon Dumnamene Dekor, member representing Khana/ Gokana Federal Constituency in the National Assembly on the chequered political development of Nigeria, Democracy is getting more consolidated and rooted in the country and should be protected.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt recently, Hon Dekor, a former Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, said the June 12 experience has become a focal point of sober reasoning in terms of democratic transition and political governance in Nigeria.
According to Dekor, Nigerians learnt great lessons from June 12 and came out of the experience with a resolute stance on populist participation in the process of governance as the sustainable foundation of the nation’s political growth.
”Democracy has come to stay in Nigeria, there is no better option for the development of the country than democracy. What we need to do is to tailor our democracy towards our needs. There is the need to strengthen our democratic institutions. Every society passes through challenging moments to get more strengthened. Nigeria has come of age to tackle its inherent socio-economic and political challenges. I’m happy over the reforms that are going on in the country. Today-we have an INEC that is prepared. There is hope for a brighter prospect of democratic experience where the people will play active roles; where the people will be able to exercise their statutory mandate and trust the outcome of the process”, he said.
Commenting further on citizenship awareness and participation in the democratic process, Hon Dekor said there was need for massive voter education of the populace by relevant agencies such as the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Media, Civil Society Organisations, among others to rouse the people from their apathy and mobilise them against accepting seasonal political tokens from politicians in exchange of their liberty.
He observed that the visibility of the key mobilisation agency, the NOA, has been dismal and urged the agency to be proactive in the discharge of its statutory function.
“The bulk of the country’s population reside in the rural areas and there’s need for effective mobilisation for them to key into the stream of political activities. The NOA, the major agency vested with this responsibility is not doing enough in this regard. The impact of the agency has not been felt in recent times. Particularly, now we are in a political transition, they need to wake up to their responsibilities by embarking on massive campaigns and orientation of the people to participate in the process of political governance”, he pointed out.
Speaking on the just concluded party primaries across the country, Hon Dekor who is a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the process so far has been interesting but there was need for more improvement to address some clearly identified lapses.
Using PDP primaries as a case study, he said at the state level, particularly in Rivers State, the party has remained focused and united in building concensus because of its formidable leadership.
However, at the national level, he noted a deviation from the letters of the constitution of the party which centres on zoning as a yardstick of balancing power equations.
Hon Dekor was also deeply concerned about the minority question in Nigeria. He said Nigeria as a federation of component units should respond to the imperatives of justice by devolving powers to the component units and not operate on a behemoth called federal government which is highly centralised.
“One of the greatest challenges of nation building is the minority question. The minorities in Nigeria have not been treated fairly despite their enormous contributions to the economic development of the country. Issues concerning the development of the minorities are treated with negligible attention.
“For example, the issue of soot emission in Rivers State which has caused grave environmental and health challenges has not unnerved the Federal Ministry of Environment, despite all the overtures of the Rivers State Government to get their attention to the malaise. This is unfair.
“There’s need for fiscal federalism and devolution of powers to the federating units. The centralised federal structure in operation is inimical to national development and growth as the minorities are always slighted in the distribution of the common wealth of the nation to which they are the major contributors”, the seasoned legislator said.
The federal lawmaker applauded Governor Nyesom Wike over his bold stride to challenge institutional flaws in the Nigerian federation as exemplified in the issue of Value Added Tax, (VAT) and other imbalances and usurpation of the fundamental rights of the states.
He said Rivers State should not only be seen as a political bride to be used to achieve vested political interests but should as well be given commensurate honour in terms of the state’s contributions to the economic development of the country.
In his assessment of the potency of the Legislative arm of government in Nigeria within the past years of the country’s democratic evolution, Hon Dekor said that Nigeria’s legislature has made remarkable improvement so far.
He explained that the Legislative arm of government had been the major victim of military dictatorship in Nigeria as they were always suspended and decreed out of existence while the Judiciary always existed as the defense forces assumed executive leadership.
According him such disbandment of the Legislature amounted to the total callapse of democracy, as the Legislature was the true repository of representative democracy.
He, however, expressed hope that years of uninterrupted democratic rule in the country have reinvigorated the legislative arm of government to play it’s statutory lawmaking role, noting that good governance thrives on effective and efficient legislative practices.
Hon Dekor identified external and extraneous influences as a major hindrance to the evolution of an independent parliament and recommended that leadership of the legislative arm of government be allowed to evolve internally without undue interference.
Asked his assessment of the Ogoni Clean Up Project by the Federal Government, the federal lawmaker who is the Chairman, House Committee on Host Communities in the House of Representatives said he would be able to make a formal comment on the state of the Ogoni clean- up venture after the exercise of the oversight function of the committee which would commence soon.
Commenting on the role of the Local Government as the closest tier of government to the people, he noted that the local councils owed the people a duty to ensure security and development of the local communities.
He commended the Chairmen of Khana and Gokana LGAs for their developmental strides within one year in office, particularly in the areas of security, youth empowerment and infrastructural development.
Hon. Dekor urged Local Government chairmen across the state not to rest on their oars but be proactive in dispensing governance to the rural areas and stimulating robust rural economies.
Hon. Dekor, who is seen as a man of intense grassroots involvement is the candidate of the PDP for a second term to represent the Khana /Gokana Federal Constituency in next year’s general elections.
He believes that his achievements and endearing attributes would earn him the mandate of the people for another legislative tenure.
By: Taneh Beemene
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday in Abuja, swore in the sixth substantive chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN).
At the ceremony held at the State House Council Chamber, President Tinubu urged the new INEC Chairman to serve with integrity and beyond reproach.
“Your nomination and the subsequent confirmation by the Senate are a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and the legislative arms of government.
“This significant achievement marks the beginning of a challenging, yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibility with the highest level of integrity, dedication and patriotism,” the President said.
President Tinubu noted that the country had been on a path of democratic governance and learning since 1999, with notable achievements in the strengthening of various institutions.
“Our democracy has come a long way in 25 years. We have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions, particularly in electoral systems, through innovations and reforms.
“We have learned a great deal along the way and have improved significantly from where we were many years ago. We must now remain committed to the principles that underpin democracy in a complex and multifaceted society.
“The electoral process is a vital part of a democracy that grants the people the exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future. To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral process must be beyond reproach,” he added.
President Tinubu stated that the governorship election on November 8, 2025, in Anambra State will serve as a litmus test for the new leadership of the electoral commission.
“It is important that our elections are free, fair and credible. We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow.
“To maintain public trust in the election, electoral integrity must be protected. All aspects of the process – from registration to campaigning, the media access, voting and counting should be transparent, non–violent and credible.
“No electoral system is flawless, but since elections are vital to a nation’s future, it is essential to continually strengthen electoral institutions, ensuring that they are robust, resilient and safeguarded against artificial setback.
“I therefore charge you, Prof Amupitan, as you take on this important assignment to protect the integrity of our electoral process and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.
The swearing-in ceremony follows the Senate’s confirmation of the INEC Chairman’s nomination on October 16.
Amupitan succeeds Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as INEC Chairman ran from 2015 to 2025.
The 58-year-old academic outlined his plans to reform Nigeria’s electoral system, strengthen institutional independence, and rebuild public trust in the commission at the screening.
The new INEC Chairman will assume office immediately.
The House of Representatives yesterday urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, to take urgent and decisive measures to curb the growing trend of arbitrary rent increases across the country.
The House, which described incessant rent increment as exploitative and detrimental to citizens’ welfare, took the resolution following the adoption of a motion on notice at Thursday’s plenary, sponsored by the member representing Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency, Cross River State, Bassey Akiba.
Recall that in May 2024, the House passed a similar resolution sponsored by Emmanuel Udo (PDP, Akwa Ibom), calling for rent control and landlords’ regulation within the Federal Capital Territory.
Udo’s motion advocated monthly rent payments and directed the House Committee on the FCT to propose measures to address excessive, reckless increments in rent by landlords.
Across the country, there are reports of a hike in rents, particularly in areas witnessing new government infrastructural projects such as roads and markets.
In the FCT, rents in some neighbourhoods have jumped from ?800,000 to ?2.5 million annually, for a two-bedroom flat; a development that has plunged many Nigerians into economic distress.
Akiba, while drumming support for the bill, argued that “The rise in the cost of living has made it increasingly difficult for families and businesses to meet rental obligations,” warning that “Unregulated rent increments threaten stability in the housing sector.”
While acknowledging landlords’ rights, he noted that tenants’ welfare must be equally protected to ensure fairness and economic balance.
Referencing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the lawmaker reminded his colleagues that the welfare and security of citizens constitute the primary responsibility of government.
He also cited the United Nations Habitat Agenda, which emphasises access to adequate and affordable housing as a basic human right.
Lawmakers present at the plenary voted in support of the motion when it was put to a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session.
Consequently, the House urged the Federal Government to “Intensify efforts toward providing affordable housing schemes to ease pressure on the rental market and expand access to low-cost homes.”
It also directed the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to “Collaborate with state governments in implementing effective rent control policies, ensuring that public infrastructure development does not trigger unjustified rent escalations.”
The House also recommended that any rent review should not exceed 20 per cent of the existing rate, regardless of improvements in facilities.
Furthermore, the House mandated its Committee on Housing and Habitat to ensure compliance and submit a report within four weeks for further legislative action.
The newly sworn-in Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has vowed to restore credibility and public confidence in the country’s electoral system, declaring his appointment as a “divine” call to serve the nation.
Speaking shortly after his inauguration by the President at the State House yesterday, Amupitan declared that his mission was clear — to deliver free, fair, and credible elections while deepening democratic values across the nation.
During his first official meeting with the commission’s directors, he stressed that achieving INEC’s mandate would hinge on teamwork, discipline, and integrity within the institution.
“Our mandate is clear, and what is it? To deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people. To achieve this, we must work together as a team,” he stated.
Addressing INEC staff and directors, the don pledged to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
“As we mark the beginning of the new chapter, I want to assure you of my commitment to upholding the highest standard of integrity, transparency, and discipline in all our operations,” he said.
Turning his attention to the upcoming Anambra State governorship election, the INEC chairman described it as a defining moment for the commission.
“The upcoming Anambra state governorship election is not just another electoral exercise. It represents a pivot opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to free, fair, and credible elections,” he declared.
“The eyes of the nation are upon us, and it is our duty to rise to that occasion.
“Credibility in our election is paramount, and we must ensure that every voter feels confident that their vote will count. Because that is a constitutional task. And let’s restore back the confidence of every voter that whenever there is an election, their vote will count,” Amupitan added.
The don also made staff welfare a central part of his agenda, acknowledging that the commission’s workforce plays a vital role in ensuring credible elections.
“For me, staff welfare is going to be my priority. We are going to be expecting so much from you, so your welfare is going to be a priority.
“We’ll work assiduously and tirelessly to ensure that our working conditions are conducive and that our staff are equipped with the necessary resources to excel,” the INEC chairman assured.
The chairman, accompanied by his wife, children, and senior officials from the University of Jos, expressed gratitude to his academic colleagues who celebrated his appointment.
“I was told that the whole university got shut down out of excitement. One of theirs is now given this very heckling and important responsibility of heading this commission at this time,” he said.
Despite the weight of his new responsibilities, he said he was ready for the challenge.
“The places I’ve gone to, including some national commissioners, they were saying, I don’t envy you. But let me say that I am excited about the journey ahead.
“Together, let us uphold the values of democracy and work tirelessly for the credibility of our elections,” the don said.
He concluded his remarks on a reflective note, describing his appointment as part of a divine plan.
“Maybe if I had a choice, I would say I would not come here. But from all the indications, I could see that God is moving in this country, and my coming is divine.
“If God says go, who are you to say I’m not going? I’m here because I have a role to play to ensure that a new Nigeria is born. And of course, you know, INEC has a very, very important role to play in this quest.
“God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he concluded.