Tinubu’s L/G Reformation: Sign Independent Candidacy bill into law.

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On May 16th 2023, the Senate ordered the clerk of the National Assembly to submit the Constitutional Amendment Bill No 58 to the Presidency for the former President, Mohammed Buhari’s consideration and Authentication.

The key point of the Bill sponsored by the then Chief Whip; Senator Mohammed Monguno, is to altar parts of the constitution in order to allow the participation of Independent Candidates in all Nigerian elections.

Meanwhile the bill was sponsored in 2020 seeking to affirm such principles as freedom of association, equal protection under the law and the right of all eligible citizens to participate in the electoral system. That is; freedom to vote and to be voted for.

The bill features basic requirements similar to other democracies where independent candidates are permitted. In the Bill, the basic requirement for persons running for the office of president states that the candidate must be a Nigerian. He or she must obtain verifiable signatures of 20% or more of the states’ registered voters and that the registered voters have not signed for another candidate running for the same office.

In the case of persons running for governorship election, the bill states that a minimum of 20% of the states registered voters from each of the Local Government areas in the state must provide verifiable signatures backing him or her. The same requirement goes for the Senate, House of Representative and Local Government elections.

Unfortunately, the end of President Buhari’s tenure was less than a week away when the Bill got to his table. It is safe to assume that he didn’t sign it into law. I am reliably informed that the Bill may have to be presented afresh before the current National Assembly again for consideration.

Instead of protests and agitations, here is a piece of legislation that if ascented to by the President becomes a lynch pin for good governance. Why and how you may ask. In the first instance, the presidential system we run in Nigeria excludes consequences for politicians in that, the political parties reserve the sole right in choosing and presenting candidates for election. Often good people are side-tracked. On the other hand, independent candidates who are morally upright but lack financial muscle to run on a party platform and are essentially non-conformists could be sponsored by his or her community especially at the Councilor and local government Chairmanship levels.

Obviously there are several advantages in the system and the idea is appealing to voters who are fed up with the leading political parties.
My research is conclusive that a lot of people outside party politics believes that independent candidates are free from party constraints. They are not bound by party ideologies and this freedom allows them to be pragmatic in decision making without undue pressure from party big wigs.

In terms of policies, elected independent candidates have the flexibility to adopt policies they believe best represent the interest of their constituents without needing to conform to party platforms that may not fully align with local and regional issues.

Furthermore, independent candidates can operate outside party silos bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the political space. They are free to collaborate and form coalition across party lines on issues that touches the heart of the electorate. In other democracies, Independent candidates elected into the legislative arms are known to have helped break grid locks that hinders legislative progress in multi-party systems like ours .

More important for Nigerians is the wide spread lack of accountability and transparency of all the political parties and at all levels in Nigeria. For example, large numbers of the legislature in many states have been arrested for cultism and even recently kidnapping. Many corrupt politicians escape incarceration because they belong to the ruling party and “buttons are pressed” to sweep their corruption under the carpet.

If, for example, the communities from which candidates emanates are involved in selecting them as it would be for an independent candidate, there would be less rascalities amongst the politicians as it is today. Indeed most of the candidates put forward by the leadership of political parties in Nigeria are not well known in the communities they represent.

Readers of this articles should ask themselves if they know the name of the Councilors in their various wards. In my research, l have asked CDA leaders in many wards this question and over 90% don’t know the names nor have ever seen Councilors or House of Assembly representing them.

In most cases and after wining elections, the elected Governors, Senators, House of Representative members do not go to their constituencies to hold meetings with the electorate at all. However, if they know that their communities could sponsor an independent candidate against them, they would probably sit up

I watched the Former Governor of Ekiti Mr.Ayodele Fayose on the television recently talking about the recent judgement of the Supreme Court. He made it clear to viewers that the judgement in favor of local government financial freedom is a pyrrhic victory. His main point was that “the owner of the land is the owner of the structure on it”. Meaning that the local government will still be controlled by the governor because he is the
Installer of the Councilor and the Chairman. Whoever amongst them that is not ready to dance to his tune, will be impeached promptly. Was he right? Yes.

Therefore, for the had won financial autonomy for local government authorities to meaningful, President Tinubu should do his best to process and sign the bill into law. That way he would have placed the ball in the court of the masses.

Every one I have spoken to about this Bill; from market women, drivers, youths, intellectuals, and various CDA executives are looking forward to President Tinubu to do the needful on it. It will certainly complement his effort to entrench good government in Nigeria.  This is one of the best ways to achieve good governance. Countries like France, US, UK, India, Brazil and South Africa to mention a few has provisions for Independent Candidates in their electoral system. President Tinubu should advance and deepen our democracy along this line. It is the way to go.

 

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