Politics
2023: Make Statement With Your Votes, Lawyer Urges Nigerians
As the build up to the 2023 general elections gathers momentum, a Port Harcourt based legal practitioner and Public Affairs analyst, Barr Precious Dike, has urged Nigerians to consider making a definite statement of how to run going forward with their votes.
Barr Dike, who stated this in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt advised the electorate to jettison the practice of allowing sentiments to dictate their choice of leaders.
On the contrary, he urged Nigerians to be purposeful, clear minded and focused in deciding who gets their mandate to run the affairs of the country in next year’s general elections, adding that their choice should reflect their yearnings and aspirations.
“As much as we do have the right to vote whoever we like to vote, there should be necessary indices that should inform our decision”, he said, noting that “Number one, we should look at the antecedents of those who are vying for various offices”.
Barr Dike, who is also the Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, urged the electorate to be guided by information already in the public domain about the candidates in making up their minds.
“In fact, we know them; we know that it’s been a recycling thing, so I expect that the voters should look at the content of character; look at their position on issues prior to their requesting for this office; and look at their position currently on trending or contemporary issues”, he emphasised.
“These are the kind of things we should look at. We should not look at any body who has stolen enough to waste millions of naira in purchase of presidential form. That is not the qualification. The qualification should be what have you done prior to this time? How have you been able to serve this country when you did not have political power? When you were saddled with power, what positive change did you bring into the system?”, he said.
“So, I caution Nigerians, this particular election should be such that our vote should reflect our true yearnings in the corners of our streets; we should use our vote to make a statement in the coming elections. I want to recommend that Nigerians should be well guided in voting; let it not be business as usual”, he reiterated.
The legal practitioner, while congratulating the nation on the occasion of this year’s Democracy Day celebration, called on leaders at all levels to strictly adhere to the rule of law and the strengthening of institutions to deliver democratic dividends to the people.
“As the country is celebrating yet another day of democracy, let us allow the people to indeed feel the impact of democracy; let the dividends of democracy trickle down the lane.
“ We have reports of persons embezzling huge amounts of money. Let them be prosecuted. There shouldn’t be political prisoners. There shouldn’t be clamping down on judges and the judiciary. Those are not tenets of democracy we’re yearning for. Democracy is about the rule of law. Let them allow the law to rule over us and not by the whims and caprices of individual leaders”, he submitted.
On the unprecedented number of persons that indicated interest and also bought forms as presidential aspirants in the various political parties, the legal practitioner blamed the development on the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari in office.
This is a manifest pointer to the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari has failed woefully; he has brought governance and administration to it’s lowest ebb. Never have we witnessed it this low in the history of this country. That is why every Tom, Dick and Harry are jostling to come and correct the anomaly.
“I mean, if the president had taken administration to a standard, it would have been difficult for anyone to say I want to succeed him, I want to improve because it would be a very Haculean task; he would have been leaving a bogus shoe for anyone to succeed him. But as it stands now, everything is in disarray; anybody can come and start making amends”, he pointed out.
By: Opaka Dokubo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed a fire incident at its office in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a post on its official X handle, yesterday, the Commission stated that about 706 ballot boxes, 50 election bags, 322 apron vests, and other items were destroyed by the inferno.
According to the post, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Delta State, Mr. Etekamba Udo Umoren, confirmed the incident in a report.
The report explained that the incident occurred on Monday afternoon due to a sudden power surge following the restoration of the public power supply.
“The store’s section where petrol generators and other items were kept was completely razed.
“Items destroyed in the inferno include 706 ballot boxes, 50 election bags, 322 apron vests, three electric power generators, 140 stamps, 50 ballot box seals and assorted items such as envelopes, posters, forms and booklets.
“Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities. The incident has been reported to the security agencies and emergency services for a thorough investigation.
“The Commission appreciates the cooperation of the Nigeria Police Force and the Delta State Fire Service for their response,” INEC stated.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has impeached Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker.
Rt Hon. Obasa, who is serving his third term as Speaker, was removed from his position over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The 52-year-old lawmaker, who represents Agege State Constituency I, became Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015.
Rt Hon. Mojisola Meranda, the Deputy Speaker, was subsequently elected to lead the House.
Rt Hon. Meranda, who took her oath of office immediately, would serve as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State legislature.
Speaking to journalists after Rt Hon. Obasa’s impeachment last Monday, a member of the House said the decision was unanimous.
The legislator also confirmed that all principal positions and standing committees in the Assembly have been dissolved
“It is just a change of baton. It is only death that is constant. Change is inevitable,” the member said.
“The members of the parliament, today, have decided to change the leadership of the House. And the constitution makes it clear that the House has the power to regulate its proceedings.
“So, members of the House felt we have had enough of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; and today, we have unanimously agreed that Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda becomes the Speaker.
“It was a resolution concurred to by all members of the parliament and so be it. Honourable Fatai Adebola is Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly.
“And as we speak, all the principal positions have been dissolved. All standing committees stand dissolved”, he added.
In 2023, the Assembly faced public backlash after rejecting 17 out of 39 commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
At the time, Rt Hon. Obasa denied any rift with the governor, although the issue prompted a meeting with the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
More recently, the Rt Hon. Obasa-led Assembly proposed a bill to restructure local governance in the state.
The bill sought to replace the existing 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) created in 2003 by Bola Tinubu, former governor of the state, with democratically elected local governments, recognising only 20 LGAs as outlined in the 1999 Constitution.
However, in a statement seen as a counter, Cornelius Ojelabi, the APC chairman in Lagos State, insisted that elections would still hold in the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in 2025.
Rt Hon. Obasa was impeached following a motion moved under the Matter of Urgent Public Importance by Femi Saheed.
Hon. Saheed, in line with provision of section 92(2) (C) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, accused Rt Hon. Obasa of gross misconduct and poor leadership, which included perpetual lateness to legislative sessions and meetings; high handedness and lack of regard for members; gross abuse of office and privileges; intimidation and oppression of members by inciting them against one another, amongst others.
He mentioned that Rt Hon. Obasa also practised an authoritarian and undemocratic leadership style in discharging his duties.
He, therefore, moved the motion for impeachment.
Following the adoption of the motion, the impeachment was made by the 32 members through a voice vote.
Subsequently, Rt Hon. Meranda emerged as the new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, while Fatai Mojeed emerged as the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.
In a related development, the House also suspended the Clerk of the Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko. He was replaced with Mr. Abubakar Ottun as Acting Clerk of the House.
Later, Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, while speaking with newsmen on behalf of the lawmakers, explained why the members changed the leadership of the House.
According to him, “The Lagos State House of Assembly has declared its decision to impeach Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. The impeachment was a unanimous decision by the lawmakers.
“The lawmakers agreed to take this step to safeguard our image and Lagos State. Change is inevitable, and we felt it was time for a new direction.
“All standing committees and principal officer positions have been dissolved. We are determined to work together to elevate the Assembly and deliver on our responsibilities to Lagosians.”
He explained that the Constitution empowers the Assembly to regulate its proceedings, and members reached a consensus to end Obasa’s tenure.
The lawmakers assured the public of their commitment to the progress and stability of Lagos State under the new leadership.
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