By Goodluck Ikiebe.
The South West East North of Nigeria ( SOWENON) Initiative, a Pressure Group, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the long awaited electoral bill into law.
Speaking to Journalists in Abuja, over the weekend, the Deputy National Chairman of the group, Dr Sunday Onuche,JP, said that the law would usher in new innovation and creativity to the nation’s electoral process.
According to him, President Buhari has not only written his name in gold in the nation’s political history by assenting to the bill, but has also succeeded in deepening our nascent democracy .
” l believe that
history would never forget him in a hurry”
“Buhari is just like a man, who came, saw and conquered”
“If this is the only legacy he can bestow on his country for posterity, so be it”, he added.
Dr Onuche, who is an advocate of multi party democracy, said that the significant section of the bill is Clause 94, which allowed early commencement of the political campaign, stressing that this will give enough time for the INEC to commence registration of new political parties.
He argued that with more than 50 political associations which had already filled their papers with INEC for registration as political parties Nigerians would now be given more choices to select the best to meet their yearnings and aspirations.
Dr. Onuche expressed his group’s optimism that their application to register a political party – Transformation Party of Nigeria ( TPN) to participate in the next general election, will be registered based on its ideology and credible Nigerians behind it.
The Deputy National Chairman therefore appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mamood to consolidate on the gains of the new law by registering more parties for the next general election in 2023.
He added that if (TPN) is registered, it will join other progressive political parties in the country to turn the fortunes of the nation around for the benefit of all Nigerians irrespective of tribes, religious beliefs and socio-cultural background.
” Our party will engage more of Nigerian youths and Nigerians in diaspora to chart a new cause of rebuilding the country of ” our choice” .
He, however, called for the amendment of Clause 84 of the law which he described as ” a dangerous loophole capable of derailing our hard-earned democracy.”
According to him, the section stipulates that anyone holding a political office must relinquish the position before being eligible to participate in the electoral process.
Dr Onuche pointed out that the section failed to indicate the time frame to vacate office.
The Deputy Chairman stated that the section is opened to abuse by some desperate political office holders.
” A governor or a minister can decide to resign his appointment a week before election thereby proving undue advantage over opponents.
He however, emphasised the need to implement Clause 54(2) which makes provision for people with disabilities and special needs. He appealed that adequate security measures be provided for them during and after the elections.
President Muhammadu Buhari signed the electoral act amendment act into law last week Friday, paving way for INEC to release the electoral timetable for the 2023 general election.
