We Need Constitution Amendments Capable Of Strengthening Democracy, Uniting Nigeria – Gov  Makinde

By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan 

Governor Seyi Makinde has advocated constitutional amendments that will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and unite the country.

The governor gave the charge, while playing host to National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, 

He stressed that there is the need for members of the National Assembly to recommend amendments that will strengthen democracy and unite the country.

The governor maintained that Nigerians must be made to have confidence in the nation’s democracy and participate in it, adding that the committee should be open-minded about their task,

“I have seen people who were given the opportunity to change the trajectory of the nation but because of selfishness and personal interest they missed the road”, he said. 

Gov Makinde added, ” Who knows who is going to be here tomorrow? Whatever you do, do it in the wider interest of the country; the unity of Nigeria is sacrosanct. A united Nigeria is the route to go.”

Governor Makinde maintained that the committee’s task is big and foundational because participatory democracy means that the laws have to be reviewed regularly to meet the needs of the times, adding that the nation has to ensure that the outcome of an election reflects substantially the wishes of the people so as to stop the tradition of litigation after every election cycle.

“Why do people go to court after an election? It is because they feel cheated. If you open up the space and you have transparency, nobody will go to court. Now that our democracy seems to be holding, because since independence this is our longest democratic experience, it is our responsibility as leaders to deepen the democracy.”

Lauding the committee for taking time out to seek the views of young people and women, the governor said the youths must be encouraged to play pivotal roles in shaping the country’s future.

The governor assured the committee of the support of his administration to ensure its success, adding that the committee’s success would have an effect on the nation’s democratic experience. 

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Honourable Adebayo Balogun while speaking lauded the governor for being a supporter of youths, adding that given the governor’s stance on youths, there was no better place to kick-start the committee’s consultation than Oyo State because of the committee’s interest in inclusion.

Honourable Balogun stressed that the Joint Committee is looking at coming up with a legislation that would ensure that all litigations are laid to rest before an elected person is sworn into office. 

Leader of the delegation and the 

Chairman, Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Sharafadeen Alli disclosed that the Joint Committee would be in all the zones of the country to ensure that the views of Nigerians are captured in the amendments. 

Senator Alli reiterated the plan of the committee to come up with legislation that would ensure the conclusion of all electoral disputes before the inauguration of elected officials.

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