Okechukwu canvasses adoption of Uwais report to boost voter participation
A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, has called for the implementation of the recommendations of the Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais Electoral Reform Committee as a more effective way to boost voter participation.
Speaking with journalists on Sunday in Abuja, Okechukwu responded to the proposed mandatory voting bill sponsored by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and Hon. Daniel Asama, who represents Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency.
He argued that while low voter turnout undermines the legitimacy of elections, the judiciary, and democratic institutions, forcing citizens to vote is not the solution.
While commending the concern shown by the bill’s sponsors over declining voter turnout, Okechukwu warned against enacting laws that could punish victims of electoral malpractice.
He argued that the majority of Nigerians are already disillusioned due to flawed electoral processes, compromised judiciary outcomes, and poor governance.
The former Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), maintained that the only politically correct antidote to halt electoral malpractices, opaque judiciary and restore electoral legitimacy and strong democratic institutions is to adopt good laws therein Uwais Report.
He argued that to attract seamless mass voting, public nomination of both National and State Electoral Commissioners should be adopted as recommended by the Uwais Committee.
Okechuckwu cited Albert Einstein’s admonition which says, “If you continue to do one thing all over and expect better results it is nothing but insanity. Therefore, it is arrant fallacy to assume that BIVAS and other digital technologies will guarantee free, fair and transparent elections when Mr Osita Okechukwu or whosoever is allowed to nominate his cronies, family and party members to manage our electoral system.
“May I commend Honourable Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas and Honourable Members for sharing our concern over poor turnout of voters, opaque judiciary and recession of democracy in our clime and appeal to him to adopt the fine tenet of Uwais Report that mandates Nigerians to nominate National and State Electoral Commissioners. Permit me as well to state that there is no time more auspicious for our great party, the APC to consolidate the legitimacy of our democracy and put Nigeria top in the map of the world than now; when we have a true democrat as president, control more than 20 States, the Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly of our dear country”, said Okechuckwu.
