From Owen Akenzua
Renowned political columnist and scholar, Dr Chris Okobah has underscored the urgent need for holistic electoral reforms to restore Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic growth and greatness.
Okobah, who made the remark while reflecting on the outgone year and prospects for 2025, posited that until the country gets its electoral reforms right , Nigeria would not attain the envisaged greatness as a nation.
He noted that sectoral reforms were necessary for the growth and development of any society adding, however, that such reforms would become politically expedient and hinged on the success of electoral reforms which, according to him, is key, as it is strategically linked to leadership selection process.
According to him, it is only when elections are free, fair, transparent and credible that the people would have trust on those with the wherewithal to effect the necessary changes in all areas of governance.
Okobah queried the electoral process that brought the incumbent president into power, saying by all international standards, the process was faulty.
He added that about 38 million out of a total population of 250 million voted in the presidential election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
He also frowned at the lopsided appointments by President Bola Tinubu which he said was skewed in favour of the South-West, saying the federal character principle ought to have applied on appointments.
The lawyer also contended that institutional and systematic corruption which had permeated all sectors including the judiciary could only be curbed when credible individuals with impeccable attributes are elected into political positions.
On the way forward for Nigeria in the new year, Dr Okobah challenged the authorities to immediately initiate electoral reforms to restore the confidence of Nigerians in their leaders, just as he urged them to stop choosing political leaders on the basis of financial inducement.
While assessing the performance of the National Assembly, Dr Okobah scored Senator Ned Nwoko representing Delta North Senatorial District high in view of the quality of bills and motions he had brought before the Senate.
He listed such bills to include the bill on the use of the naira for the purchase of goods and services around the world and the bill for the creation of Anioma State out of the present Delta State among others.
