NAN-H-25
Democracy
By Muntari Tukur
Kano, June 12, 2017 (NAN) Prof. Richard Joseph, John Evans Profession of International History and Politics at the Northwestern University, Illinois, USA, has stressed the need for Nigerian politicians to avoid acts capable of truncating the nation’s democracy.
He made the remark while presenting a paper at a public lecture organised by the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training and the Department of Political Science, Bayero University, Kano on Monday.
He said the call became necessary in order to enable Nigerians to continue to enjoy the democratic system of governance for the development of the country.
“People have to be mobilised to claim their democracy and people themselves must be willing to understand the importance of democratic governance.
He, however, cautioned Nigerians particularly the political class against reckless utterances which is not only detrimental to the peace and unity of the country but could also endanger the current democratic system in the country.
“Hate language that has not been experienced in Nigeria for decades, is coming forward now,” he said.
Prof. Joseph expressed hope that the Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria (INEC) would replicate the achievements it recorded during the 2015 general elections in the country.
He said what the country needed most at this critical time was how to sustain the achievements it recorded during the 2015 general election in the upcoming 2019 general elections and beyond.
Joseph also charged politicians not take elections as a do-or-die affair, as according to him, there must be a winner and a loser in any election.
“Elections should not be a do-or-die affair. All elections should never be a do-or-die affair because there must be a winner or a loser.’’ he said.
In his remarks, the former INEC chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, who was also the chairman of the occasion, urged the authority concerned and other stakeholders to take the necessary steps toward addressing the numerous challenges facing the electoral process in the country.
“Even though it is a difficult process but challenges cannot be addressed with siddon-look,’’ he added.
NAN reports that the lecture which had as its theme: Electoral Democracy and Integrity in Nigeria: Reflections on INEC Transformation, 2011-2015,’’ was attended by various stakeholders from within and outside the state. (NAN)
MTM/PIO/PIO
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(Edited by Idonije Obakhedo)