Politics
2023 : Choose Credible Candidates, Group Urges Electorate
A non-governmental organisation, Willz Trust Foundation, has urged the Nigerian electorate to choose credible candidates in next year’s general elections in the country.
The Executive Director of the Foundation, Ide Aaron Anyanwu, who gave the charge at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, particularly urged the Rivers electorate to ensure that only credible candidates that will fulfill their campaign promises are voted into office.
According to him, the aim of his organisation is to entrench civil and democratic values in Nigeria by encouraging increased participation of citizens in the electoral process across the geopolitical regions through advocacy, public sensitisation and enlightenment programmes.
“We are making progress in our commitment especially in voter education, sensitisation and mobilisation, capacity building, voters conferences, media advocacy and election observation exercises”, he said, adding that his group had worked in the South- South and South- East since 2019 with focus on increasing the scope of operations in the future.
“Whillztrust foundation has, independently and through strategic partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) initiated programmes that promote voter education, provide critical voter informations to local communities in our bid to encourage citizens participation at all levels,” he added.
While recalling that the foundation played active role during the just concluded Continuous Voter registration (CVR) exercise and was able to assist over 20,000 new registrants to acquire their new Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs), the organisation, in partnership with INEC, would soon commence door to door voter education exercise for which its representatives have been formally trained by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in conjunction with INEC.
“A critical look at Nigeria shows indicators that all is not well at the moment. Unfortunately, we are compounded by continued decadence, corruption and lack of transparency in government and public sectors, at every election cycle incoming government will make promises to rectify the difficulties we face as a nation. However, they have always failed.
“This experience has created huge vacuum of hopelessness and loss of confidence in business of government and governance. Our experience in the field as voter education providers shows that greater percentage of Nigerians are hardly interested in voting and Election”, he lamented.
Anyanwu charged citizens never to be discouraged, but be rather determined to hold those in positions of power accountable, adding that their power to change the negative narrative is through voting in credible leaders.
“How can we hold our government accountable for promises they made on their campaign if we do not participate in elections ? Participation in election is the constitutional right and civic responsibility of every Nigerian, provided you have met the electoral requirements.
“It was because of these challenges that the existence of Whillztrust foundation became a necessity to help redefine advocacy in social sector and encourage public interest. We focus on grassroots to reach the hard to reach in society”, he said.
He disclosed that a South- South voters’ conference is slated to hold in Port Harcourt from 1st to 3rd December, 2022, adding that the event is aimed at achieving improved voter population growth, providing voter information and education that will equip the Nigerian voters to the extent that they are able to make informed decisions and quality choices of who their preferred parties and candidates are.
Earlier, a former Commissioner for Information in Rivers State, Prof. Bene Abbey, in her opening remarks stated that voters’ education was key to having a developed country.
Abbey noted that the rapid growth of Singapore was as a result of education, remarking that there is a great difference between the literates and the illiterates as well as developed and developing countries.
She reiterated the commitment and the work the foundation was doing to ensure peaceful elections, while enjoining INEC, security agencies, the press as well as other relevant stakeholders to play by the rule to ensure credible, free, fair elections come 2023.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The state chairman of the party, Dr Babandi Gumel, disclosed this in a statement signed and made available to journalists on Saturday.
According to the statement, the Jigawa PDP received news of Alhaji Lamido’s suspension with “profound shock and disappointment”.
The statement added that the suspension, which was reportedly based on allegations that Alhaji Lamido attended meetings capable of undermining party unity, amounts to an affront to justice, internal democracy and the reconciliation efforts recently championed by the PDP leadership.
The party stressed that the exercise of legal and constitutional rights within the party should not be interpreted as an act of disunity. It recalled that Alhaji Lamido approached the court after he was allegedly denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest the position of National Chairman of the PDP.
The statement further noted that the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, ruled in Alhaji Lamido’s favour by restraining the PDP from proceeding with its national convention until his right to contest was determined.
The Jigawa PDP argued that the suspension appeared to be a punitive action against Alhaji Lamido for seeking judicial redress over an issue on which the court had already found merit.
The party also faulted the decision of the BoT for contradicting recent public statements by its chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, who had emphasised reconciliation within the party, admitted past mistakes and appealed to aggrieved members to return fully to the PDP fold.
However, it maintained that suspending a founding member who sought justice through legal means runs contrary to the spirit of reconciliation and healing publicly advocated by the party leadership.
The chairman said the suspension was premature and prejudicial, as the matter remains before the courts. He also described Alhaji Lamido as one of the few founding fathers of the PDP who has remained loyal to the party without defecting, warning that punishing such loyalty sends a negative signal to other committed members.
The party further argued that the action undermines party unity at a time when the PDP requires cohesion to effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It also insisted that there is no provision in the PDP constitution that allows for the suspension of a “life member”.
The party called on the BoT to immediately and unconditionally withdraw the suspension of Alhaji Lamido.
It also demanded that the BoT publicly affirm the right of all party members to aspire to leadership positions in line with the party’s constitution and the laws of the country, without fear of victimisation.
It further urged the BoT to retrace its steps, align its actions with its reconciliation agenda, and tender an apology to Alhaji Lamido.
The Jigawa PDP reaffirmed its commitment to a united, democratic and law-abiding Party.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC warned that if proven, such actions would amount to a serious breach of constitutional order, legislative integrity, and public trust.
The organisation noted that Nigeria’s law-making process is clearly defined by the Constitution, stressing that any alteration of a bill after parliamentary passage undermines democratic governance and the principle of separation of powers.
CISLAC further emphasised that taxation has direct implications for citizens, businesses, sub-national governments, and the overall economy. It stated that uncertainty or a lack of transparency in tax legislation could erode investor confidence and raise concerns about accountability and the possible abuse of executive power.
The organisation described the situation as particularly troubling given the rare inclusive, and thorough public consultation that shaped the law’s final provisions prior to its passage.
“This process brought together taxpayers, civil society groups, professional organisations, the private sector, labour unions, local governments, and technical experts, ensuring that diverse viewpoints were considered and carefully balanced.
“Any unilateral changes to these agreed-upon provisions, made outside the established legislative process and without renewed public engagement, not only breach public trust but also violate the fundamental tax principle of representation, which holds that citizens must have a meaningful voice in shaping the laws that govern how they are taxed. Such actions undermine democratic accountability, weaken the legitimacy of the tax system, and risk eroding public confidence”, it noted.
CISLAC expressed particular concern that uncertainty surrounding the authenticity of the tax law, coming at a time when a new tax regime is expected to take effect, could exacerbate the economic hardship already faced by many Nigerians.
It observed that citizens are contending with rising living costs, inflationary pressures, declining purchasing power, and reduced access to basic services, warning that implementing a disputed tax framework under such conditions, risks deepening inequality, discouraging compliance, and fuelling public resentment.
The organisation stressed that tax reforms must be anchored in clarity, legality, fairness, and social sensitivity, cautioning that any tax system introduced without full transparency, adequate public communication, and legislative certainty undermines voluntary compliance and weakens the social contract between the state and its citizens.
As part of its recommendations, CISLAC called on the Presidency to urgently publish the exact version of the tax law assented to, alongside the authenticated copy passed by the National Assembly, to allow for public and institutional verification.
It also urged the leadership of the National Assembly to promptly exercise its oversight powers to determine whether the assented law reflects the will of the legislature, including a review of the enrolled bill process.
The organisation maintained that any discrepancy discovered should be treated as unconstitutional and addressed through lawful means, such as the re-transmission of the correct bill or judicial interpretation where necessary. It further called for an independent review of the process by relevant institutions, including the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and, where required, the judiciary, to establish the facts and assign responsibility.
CISLAC noted that the controversy highlights the urgent need to strengthen safeguards at the legislative and executive interface. It recommended measures such as digital tracking of bills, public access to enrolled legislation, and more transparent assent procedures.
CISLAC emphasised that the issue is not about partisan politics but about safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. It warned that allowing any arm of government to unilaterally alter laws passed by another sets a dangerous precedent and weakens constitutional democracy.
The organisation urged all parties involved to act with restraint, openness, and fidelity to the Constitution, noting that Nigerians deserve laws that reflect due process, the public interest, and the collective decisions of their elected representatives.
CISLAC added that it will continue to monitor developments and engage relevant stakeholders to promote accountability, transparency, and the rule of law in Nigeria’s governance processes.
