Stakeholders in Nigeria Intensify Calls For The Amendment Of The Country’s Electoral Laws

Stakeholders in Nigeria Intensify Calls For The Amendment Of The Country’s Electoral Laws

By Joseph Campbell

In an apparent attempt to stave off the constitutional crisis arising from post-election litigations, stakeholders in Nigeria have intensified calls for the amendment of the country’s electoral laws to ensure that all court cases are resolved before winners are sworn in.

Senator Shehu Sani who represented Kaduna Central at the National Assembly (NASS) between 2015 and 2019, and the executive director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Prof. Sam Amadi, insisted that the electoral process in Nigeria is a reflection of the moral decadence in the country.

The duo spoke at the 2023 House of Justice conversation on “Electoral Accountability and Democratic Stability in Nigeria” on Friday.

Insisting that court cases must be resolved before swearing in, Shehu Sani said election in Nigeria is a reflection of what is happening in the society.

He noted: “Our elections are the reflection of our moral decadence in the society. 90 million people registered. You are supposed to have 30 or 40 percent that should collect their PVC to vote. But is it not like that?

“The machines disappointed us at a point it was supposed to be put in use. We must ensure the results of the election are counted even if people are not winning to vote.

“Two years before the election, you will see serious preparations; you see progress made but if the election is conducted, we drift back. This is a situation where you can’t contest elections without money to pay delegates and electorates.

“We want all cases to be addressed before swearing in. In Kaduna, a house of Rep contestants pay delegates to get party tickets. You still have to pay the electorate.

“How do we have a near perfect banking system but we can’t do that in an election? The election is getting worse. I believe one day, we will praise Mahmoud Yakubu,”