Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
The need for a total revamping, over hauling and a proper reorientation of our societal values and priorities, with regards to decisions of electorate in choosing who govern or represent them across boards, have been reemphasized.
Special Adviser to the Governor of Bayelsa State on Political Matters, High Chief Collins Cocodia, made the emphasis during a live citizen participatory program on the state-owned radio station, Glory FM 97.1, in Yenagoa, on Monday.
The topic discussed was: who is to be blamed for election of wrong leaders – the political parties or the electorate.
High Chief Cocodia stressed that until the electorate begin to take issues of politics, and the importance of good governance seriously, leaders who do not have the interest of the people will continue to govern them, or represent them at the various legislative chambers.
He opined that while political parties, and not the National Assembly, have the reserved right to select candidates for election, the onus lies with the electorate to vote whoever is their preferred candidate, without being coerced or induced financially.
The S.A Political described the incessant election of leaders who do not mean well for people as a societal problem, which can only be addressed by a robust sensitization campaign.
“For me there is need to have a positive reorientation in order to safeguard our future, and if not, we will keep blaming one another for the failure of society. We must change our mindset, so that society can come back alive and do the needful.”
“When you talk about the issue of candidate, it’s a societal problem and not a political party problem to a large extent. Am sure that if it’s not a societal problem what happens in PDP shouldn’t happen in the APC. I am of the view that parties should be allowed to regulate their means of selection.”
The pioneer Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, said initially, the electoral process did not empower the electorate, hence, the fear of their votes not being counted, which often times had led to voter apathy, however, the narrative was changing following recent reforms by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on the electoral laws.
“The electorate may not have so much power before this time because of the way our electoral process have been, that’s why you hear things like ‘wether we vote or we no vote, results will be announced’. But now I think with the reform INEC is carrying out, we are eventually getting there where leaders will be more responsible, leaders will be more accountable to the electorate, and the electorate will now have that maximum power either to return an elected official, or not to.”
The S.A Political also called for the relevant available laws that have been set aside to punish perpetrators of electoral offenders to be implemented by the agencies in charge, so as to further strengthen the electoral process.
High Chief Cocodia was a guest alongside House of Assembly member representing Kolokuma-Opokuma constituency 1, Rt. Hon. Tonye Isenah.
