LG Poll: Adeyemi Ikuforiji Sends Message To Politicians, Stakeholders

Ahead of the Lagos State local government elections, former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Sabit Ikuforiji has advised politicians and other stakeholders to embrace positive attitudinal change for the emergence of a new electoral mindset.

Ikuforiji made the call at the conference organised by the Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) and held at the Right House Ikeja, Lagos at the weekend.

While emphasizing the importance of the people in a democracy, he said, the people are the beauty of democracy.

Ikuforiji said, “When the people’s element of the democratic system of government is ignored, the entire system fails and such a nation will not progress.

“I am therefore urging the electoral bodies, political parties, security agencies, and citizens to see themselves as stakeholders in the democratic process. They must actively participate in every election to bring about peace, progress and stability at the grassroots and in the country.

“For us to have true democracy at the grassroots, the State Independent Electoral Commission and Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) must not be seen to be independent in theory. They must be seen to practice independence in reality. The electoral bodies must recognize the sanctity of its role as the results of its conduct will determine the future for many years to come.

LG Poll: Adeyemi Ikuforiji Sends Message To Politicians, Stakeholders-Crystal News

“There has to be an attitudinal change among political stakeholders. A new electoral mindset has to emerge. It is time we embrace issue-based electoral campaigns. As the local government elections approach, candidates must not see winning as a do or die affair. They must strategise and productively engage the electorates to gain their votes and supports. Votes must be earned and not stolen or rigged.

“Society is afflicted today because many citizens have a debased perception of the electoral process, thereby placing individual priorities above national interest. It is therefore expedient to keep in mind that leaders don’t drop from the sky like snow during winter, they are products of societal value.

“It is noteworthy to state that our democracy is bedevilled with numerous challenges, ranging from corruption, nepotism, tribalism, inefficient public systems and citizens’ political apathy all of which have made grassroots democracy a mirage till date.

“We, therefore, need to take a drastic step to stall the dwindling state of our democratic experience by urging Stakeholders and political parties to perceive politics and statesmanship as a tool to correcting these ills.”

Police Caution Youths, Hoodlums, Others

In his speech, the State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ahmed M.Kontagora (Operations) cautioned those that have premeditated motive to wreak havoc during and after the election to have a rethink as the command is combat ready to curb any act of electoral malpractices and other illegalities.

“Permit me at this juncture to issue a warning to those who have the intention to disrupt the local government election to desist from doing so forthwith.

“The experiences the police have had in past elections have now formed a watershed that will factor effective and efficient police participation in the forthcoming local government election.

“For us to have a genuine grassroots democracy, it implies that the governments, political parties, regulatory bodies/umpires and other stakeholders must formulate policies that will enhance equal participation of all and sundry in political processes and decision making.

“As a roadmap for a successful outing in the forthcoming local government election, I enjoin the politician to shed the toga of intrigues, subterfuge, self-conceit and brinkmanship, so as to make way for the right culture of decency, responsibility and responsiveness to emerge in the political space.”

Earlier in his speech, President, CHSR Alex Omotehinse, appraised the precarious situation of the country’s national life in relation to the pocket of skirmishes recorded in the wake of the electoral process.

He said, “Youths should shun violence, take an active part in partisan politics and eschew being used as thugs to snatch ballot boxes.

“The recent clampdown of every Nigerian that speaks against injustice in this country with fictitious, frivolous obnoxious charges is a serious threat to peace as it poses security challenge to our hard-earned and most cherished democracy, rule of law, civility and corporate existence as villages, communities which makes the local government as the third tier of government stands vulnerable.

“This must be resisted not only by freedom fighters and activists alone but by the Nigerian masses irrespective of their tribes, ethnic nationality, religion or political affiliations.”