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As Nigeria holds the next general elections come 2011, Nigerians have been told to demand for the full implementation of the Justice Muhammad Uwais Panel Report of Electoral Reforms as the only way to guarantee free, fair and credible polls.
A politician, Mr. Taiwo Akerele from Edo State, South-south Nigeria also noted that only the qualified personnel and head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), appointed by the National Judicial Council (NJC) with input from the people can guarantee a free, fair and credible election next year.
Akerele added that since the role of security agencies cannot be over emphasized, Nigerians must campaign for police reforms before electoral reforms, adding “if the police are corrupt or compromised, we cannot guarantee a credible poll.
“For elections to be free and fair, the Nigerian Police must show leadership and non-partisan posture. If this is achieved, we would have recorded a milestone towards a credible electoral process in the country.”
Akerele also called on Nigerians to be security conscious during and after elections in their voting domains, just as he called on the electorate to report strange, unauthorized movement of persons, suspected thugs, and illegal movement of arms among others to the police, traditional rulers and other security agencies.
Saying that economic empowerment was the key to genuine elections, Mr Akerele called on government at all levels to put in place strong macro and micro-economic framework for the empowerment of its citizens.
“It is near impossible for Nigeria to achieve a corrupt free electoral process if our people do not have economic freedom. The tendency for people to collect token from politicians in Nigeria is high due to prevailing economic conditions.
We must create employment for our young people; we must pay pension, gratuity and salaries as at when due among others,” he said.
As Nigeria holds the next general elections come 2011, Nigerians have been told to demand for the full implementation of the Justice Muhammad Uwais Panel Report of Electoral Reforms as the only way to guarantee free, fair and credible polls.
A politician, Mr. Taiwo Akerele from Edo State, South-south Nigeria also noted that only the qualified personnel and head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), appointed by the National Judicial Council (NJC) with input from the people can guarantee a free, fair and credible election next year.
Akerele added that since the role of security agencies cannot be over emphasized, Nigerians must campaign for police reforms before electoral reforms, adding “if the police are corrupt or compromised, we cannot guarantee a credible poll.
“For elections to be free and fair, the Nigerian Police must show leadership and non-partisan posture. If this is achieved, we would have recorded a milestone towards a credible electoral process in the country.”
Akerele also called on Nigerians to be security conscious during and after elections in their voting domains, just as he called on the electorate to report strange, unauthorized movement of persons, suspected thugs, and illegal movement of arms among others to the police, traditional rulers and other security agencies.
Saying that economic empowerment was the key to genuine elections, Mr Akerele called on government at all levels to put in place strong macro and micro-economic framework for the empowerment of its citizens.
“It is near impossible for Nigeria to achieve a corrupt free electoral process if our people do not have economic freedom. The tendency for people to collect token from politicians in Nigeria is high due to prevailing economic conditions.
We must create employment for our young people; we must pay pension, gratuity and salaries as at when due among others,” he said.
