Utomi launches movement for electoral reforms- This is a commendable move on the part of Pat Utomi. I wrote here that we need a skilful politician to start an organisation, a movement that should harness the creative energy and internet savvy of our youths for political change.
Utomi said:
This disciplined vanguard of youth may number in the tens of thousands and be present in every ward. It will be non-partisan and focused on how the ballot box can be a legitimating instrument for elected officials.
The committee on voter education: This group will be dedicated to massive campaigns to educate voters, to focus on issues, the character and competence of candidates and their antecedents.
Recruiters of middles class participants into politics: This initiative is designed to inspire more educated middle class people and professional to actively play citizenship roles of voting, persuading other to vote for preferred candidates and running for office.
This is driven by the understanding that unless politics is dominated by middle class values and concerns, and the systems is committed to a majority of citizens being in this middle bulge, social stability will continue to be a challenge.
He concluded that for those "who fail to perform their roles, there is the query waiting for you in history and at heaven gates".
A lot of Nigerian young men and women are on Facebook, Yahoo groups, various Internet forums and have mobile phone; which Nigerian politician is making any effort to harness this dormant force.
Only in Nigeria do those that label themselves as democrats tend to wait until the general election comes before they start campaigning to see if they will win the electorates vote without a formidable structure or campaigns manifestos.
Rome was not built in a day, the effort might even take decades, but patience and hard work never disappoints; ask Moshood Abiola.
Our aspiring politicians should look at other western countries to see how the opposition prepare themselves for the next election even when they failed in a general election.
They still fight to the last to see that their party emerged in the next election by organizing political meeting, adverts, rallies etc for the people to see the different between their views by providing a formidable opposition.
How can you convince the electorate without making your views and aspiration known to them, when you don't organise talks, seminars conferences. When you don't mobilise grassroots support without waiting until the election is around the corner?
Barack Obama's success should have taught any aspiring politician that those that want change can bring change only if they plan well for it. The energy of our internet warriors are waiting to be harnessed. The aim might not even be simply winning an election, why not start from effecting legislative change; electoral reform for example.
The way things are, it simply a Herculean task to dislodge the ruling party from power.In view of this as a member of the Electoral Reform Committee (ERC), Barrister Festus Okoye suggested:
"Groups and other stakeholders can forward and sponsor the three Bills in the Report of the Electoral Reform Committee to the National Assembly as private members Bill and rescue the electoral process from the Bills already submitted and programmed to fail. Civil society groups and organizations can design a robust engagement policy and work with members of the National and State Assemblies especially during the public hearing of some of the Bills to impute into provisions of some of the Bills that can strengthen the electoral process and clean up the environment for elections."
Here is the Vanguard Report:
Utomi launches movement for electoral reforms
IT was not the usual gathering to wine and dine, not withstanding that it was a special dinner for Pat Utomi, school teacher, entrepreneur and politician.The gathering was almost like a conference of the opposition: except professional who want a better republic.
You could call them the truly concerned professionals.Opposition politicians like Peter Okocha, Action Congress governorship candidate in Delta State and Atiku Abubakar, alter ego, was there. So also was AC governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi.
Also in the gathering were advertising guru, Udeme Ufot, Ray Ekpu of Newswatch, and president, Guild of Editors, Gbenga Adefaye, notwithstanding the intimidating presence of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Alhaji Sikiru Shitta-bey and others.It was a night to remember, weekend, at Chinese Restaurants especially Prof. Utomi's clarion call to the middle class whom he accused of negligence and betrayal by allowing rascals to seize the political space.
Former attorney-general of Lagos State, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, kick-started the night by calling for credible people to man the nations electoral process pointing out that successive elections in the country have not translated into democracy.
Prof. Osibajo who lamented what he called wholesale subversion of the electoral process stated that "things seemed to have steadily worsened; 20003 poll is the worst, election riggers stay on and may even get re-elected: Rigging continues because there is no sanction."
He made reference to the petition filed by All Nigerians People Party ANPP presidential candidate in 2007 where the names and ranks of the election offenders were listed and nothing was done, saying that "more will take a cue and act with impunity "In future elections.
Another problem he identified in electoral system was the burden of proof which he said "is a major problem in Nigeria" adding that it takes eternity to prove cases of rigging."Prof. Osibajo who is also a pastor maintained that "rigging pays because there is no consequence for electoral infraction" stressing that "there must be sanction for rigging such as disqualification of riggers".
However, he stated that " whatever it is that we do, if we don't appoint men and women of integrity by a process to head our electoral commission, we are still going to have the same kind of election we have been having since 1964".
In his own remarks Dr. Feyemi emphasised the importance of forensic analysis that threw out former senator Femi Kila saying that the analysis showed that Kila had 19,000 votes with the same serial number.
He described the political class as "repulsive, cynical, calculative, opportunistic and people of low moral value" but pointed out that, politics, if properly conducted is driven by a high form of intellectualism" adding that "it is about ideas, life and values.
Dr. Fayemi urged those who take part in politics to ensure "citizens participation in our democracy and how to make fundamental differences in the life of ordinary people."Speaking further, he said "that is why I am saying as we talk about electoral reforms now, we really need to be talking about our own involvement and participation in making a difference in our own society.
Without direct citizen participation, the legitimacy of our political institutions would continue to decline.We should all be worried about the doubting of the public space by many of us particularly the professionals".
He explained that the involvement of his type in politics was borne out of a "desire to live in a society that actually responds to the needs that we have for ourselves"Stressing the importance of civil society in democracy, he stated that "if you do not have a civil society in your neighbourhood association, in your community development meeting, in your town union, then the political society is not going to exist.
So in our communities and constituencies, we must continue to organise. You either continue to stand on the sideline and complain about how they are mis ruling and misgoverning us in this country or we decide to stop agonise and start organise.
He said the Ekiti re-run election was a test for democratic change where people protected their votes saying "Ekiti actually provided a template for the resistance movement that must be put in place against electoral fraud in 2011".
Also speaking, a third republic Senator Patrick Ani, endorsed Justice Mohammud Uwais panel.Recommendation that the president should be divested of the power to appoint INEC chairman saying that the recommendation should be implemented fully.
He also called on President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to reject the Attoney - General of the Federation AGF panel recommendation of staying in office beyond 2011 to enable him complete the unbundling of INEC.
Prof. Utomi, who was the guest of honour began his speech on a note of lamentation over what Nigeria has become and the lack of participation of the middle class in the nation's political process describing them as "the enemy in the mirror".
He however expressed hope that "together we can save this country" quoting American President Barrack Obama. "We can together pull this country through"."I have found Nigeria's enemy, the enemy is in the mirror, it is you and me because you protect your comfort zone, you are the enemy, the middle class speak of lack, yet we do nothing.
He said "Today we introduce a new Concept. To do nothing is wrong because we have a duty; we must forge an alliance between the rich and the poor, the professional, and the civil society. He said adding that "we must build institutions".
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Candidate in the 2007 election identified four basic initiatives that must be put in place.These include lawyer interested in free and fair Elections is designed to be an army of lawyers volunteering some of their time to follow up on all issues of the electoral process.
The goal is to have at least two lawyers committed to every ward in the country. Three former NBA Presidents and the incumbent have volunteered to serve on the honorary council of LIFE.Senior lawyers including General IBM Haruna, Ahmadu Abubakar and others are likely to join the drive for volunteer lawyers.
The next vehicle for electoral process integrity is: citizens united to prevent ballot box rigging (CUPBBR) it is a programme for mobilizing volunteer young people trained to passionately defend the integrity of the cast ballot.
This disciplined vanguard of youth may number in the tens of thousands and be present in every ward. It will be non-partisan and focused on how the ballot box can be a legitimating instrument for elected officials.
The committee on voter education: This group will be dedicated to massive campaigns to educate voters, to focus on issues, the character and competence of candidates and their antecedentsRecruiters of middles class participants into politics: This initiative is designed to inspire more educated middle class people and professional to actively play citizenship roles of voting, persuading other to vote for preferred candidates and running for office.
This is driven by the understanding that unless politics is dominated by middle class values and concerns, and the systems is committed to a majority of citizens being in this middle bulge, social stability will continue to be a challenge.He concluded that for those "who fail to perform their roles, there is the query waiting for you in history and at heaven gates".
