It is not surprising that patriotic Nigerians from far and wide have been applauding the imposed visa restriction by the United States government on election riggers in Kogi and Bayelsa states. The visa ban on some individuals for their actions during the November 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa state elections is a welcome development.
Without doubt, the Visa ban has sent a strong signal to those who are always available to be used by politicians to rig elections, manipulate results and perpetuate violence during elections that actions have consequences. The Visa ban will in no small measures help deepen our democracy and ensure transparency in our electoral process.
However, federal government protested the decision of the United States Government and United Kingdom to impose visa restriction on anyone that undermine the democratic process in the country. Federal government said the action is disrespectful to the sovereignty of Nigeria and went further to state that there are ample provisions in the country’s laws to sanction violators and perpetrators of electoral violence and fraud.
In view of this re-assurance from federal government of Nigeria that it is prepared to protect the nation’s sovereignty and sanction election fraudsters, we are calling on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to show US and UK that it can walk its talk by rolling out sanctions for would-be offenders during the forthcoming December 12, 2020 local government elections in Kogi state.
Local government elections are the most crucial in Nigeria as elected officials from this exercise will superintend over the tier of government that is closest to the citizens.
Local government administration in Kogi state has been on a nose dive since 1999 and the time has come to arrest the situation. If Kogi will ever develop and know real peace, local government administration must be re-invented. Local government workers in Kogi state have endured torrid times due to the mismanagement of this very important tier of government. Rural roads are in shambolic state, rural markets are fading away gradually, areas in need of common culverts have endured years of neglect. The list goes on and on.
The December 12 local government elections gives us another opportunity to hold our destinies in our hands and make best use of today to create a better tomorrow. However, the fear across the state is the notion that the election will be a ruse without level playing ground. This is why we are calling on federal government to spell out sanctions for anyone who indulge in rigging during the all important elections.
If the federal government fail to heed our cries, we will have no choice but call on US and UK to come to our rescue.
We are calling on federal government to roll out sanctions for electoral offenders immediately. Politicians who will likely engage in undemocratic practices during the December 12 local government elections in Kogi state have assets in Abuja, Lagos, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano and other parts of the country.
Federal government should emulate UK and seize assets of anyone who rigs during the council polls by seizing their assets across the country.
Kogi state is a laughing stock within the country and this is an opportunity to redeem the image of the state and her wonderful citizens. We the people of Kogi state are exceptionally wonderful people but a few bad eggs among us have been suppressing the brilliant majority and they achieve their nefarious aims through compromised elections. These individuals have so far operated with impunity at the expense of the people and have undermined democratic principles.
Federal government must show commitment to end corruption and strengthen democracy, accountability, and respect for human rights
We are also calling on Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, (KOSIEC) to go the extra mile to conduct a hitch free election in the 239 wards which is expected to produce 21 local council Chairmen and 239 councillors across the three senatorial districts of the state.
KOSIEC must, among other things, comply with electoral guideline which stipulates that Voters register should be displayed before election and mark voting points as stipulated in the electoral law.
Result sheets meant for the election must be shown to the various party agents and all votes counted and announced at the various polling units in accordance with the electoral act 2010 as amended.
– Abidemi Olalekan writes from Lokoja, Kogi state.
