Osita Okechukwu Pushes for Uwais Report Implementation to Boost Voting in Nigeria
Compulsory Voting Won't Rectify Electoral Issues, Asserted APC Notable Figure Okechukwu to Legislators
In a recent statement, APC member Osita Okechukwu urged the House of Representatives to adopt recommendations from the Uwais Report to foster general voting participation in Nigeria. Speaking in Abuja on Sunday, Okechukwu applauded the legislature for acknowledging the public's concerns about abysmally low voter turnout, which impacts electoral legitimacy, judicial credibility, and the overall health of democratic institutions.
However, Okechukwu voiced staunch opposition to laws that disproportionately target citizens already disadvantaged by electoral inconsistencies. He emphasized that the majority of Nigerians have experienced manipulated elections, biased judicial rulings, and the deplorable governance that ensues as a result. Penalizing these same people for disengaging from the electoral process, according to Okechukwu, would spell double injustice.
His comments came following the introduction of a bill in the House titled, "A Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to Make It Mandatory for all Nigerians of Majority Age to Vote in All National and State Elections and for Related Matters." The legislation was sponsored by Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, with Hon. Daniel Asama, representing Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, among the co-sponsors.
Asama argued that mandatory voting is essential for civic duty and political participation, drawing parallels with democratic models like Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, which have witnessed positive outcomes with mandatory voting. He stated that mandatory voting can significantly reduce the sway of vote-buying, with more citizens voting.
In response, Okechukwu advocated for prioritizing the recommendations in the Uwais Report, including public nomination of National and State Electoral Commissioners, to create an environment conducive for mass voting participation. He argued that implementing these reforms would be the politically correct approach to eradicate electoral malpractices, ensure a transparent judiciary, and restore electoral legitimacy and strong democratic institutions.
Okechukwu underscored a warning from physicist Albert Einstein, stating that expecting better results from the same actions is a sign of insanity. He suggested that the terms of the electoral system should not be in the hands of those who might manipulate it for their own advantage.
Praising the House's efforts to confront democratic challenges head-on, Okechukwu requested that the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, adopt the principle of public nomination of National and State Electoral Commissioners as outlined in the Uwais Report. Furthermore, recognizing the current political climate, Okechukwu called upon the APC to seize the moment and consolidate the legitimacy of Nigeria's democracy, placing the nation among the world's greatest.
Concluding his statement, Okechukwu reiterated the late president Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's sentiment that the flawed electoral process which facilitated his presidency was unacceptable. With the APC now in charge, Okechukwu believes this presents an opportunity to rectify these issues and carry out the Uwais Report's recommendations to restore the legitimacy of Nigeria's democracy.
Relevant Insights
- Uwais Report: A comprehensive set of recommendations for electoral reform in Nigeria to enhance electoral integrity, public confidence, and support for democratic institutions. The report covers public nomination of Electoral Commissioners, unbundling INEC, establishing a National Electoral Offences Commission, and electoral reforms to guarantee electoral legitimacy, among other recommendations[1][2].
- Public Nomination of Electoral Commissioners: A major recommendation of the Uwais Report, designed to ensure independent and unbiased management of Nigeria's electoral system by nominating National and State Electoral Commissioners based on their merit rather than political affiliations[1][2].
- INEC Unbundling: Another key recommendation in the Uwais Report, suggesting the separation of different functions within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve its efficiency and effectiveness in managing elections[5].
- National Electoral Offences Commission: Proposed by the Uwais Report to address electoral malpractices effectively and ensure a fairer and more transparent electoral process in Nigeria[5].
- Osita Okechukwu, an APC member, has advocated for the House of Representatives to adopt the recommendations from the Uwais Report to boost voting in Nigeria.
- Okechukwu has cautioned against laws that disproportionately target citizens already disadvantaged by electoral inconsistencies, citing concerns over double injustice.
- The House of Representatives recently introduced a bill, titled "A Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to Make It Mandatory for all Nigerians of Majority Age to Vote in All National and State Elections and for Related Matters," which Okechukwu has not fully endorsed.
- Asama, a co-sponsor of the bill, argued that mandatory voting is essential for civic duty and political participation, drawing parallels with democratic models like Australia, Belgium, and Brazil.
- In response, Okechukwu has emphasized the importance of prioritizing the recommendations in the Uwais Report, such as public nomination of National and State Electoral Commissioners, to create an environment conducive for mass voting participation.
