Politics
A Political Scientist, Dr Charles Eghweree, says Gov. Godwin Obaseki’s victory in the just-concluded Edo governorship poll has rekindled the hope of many Nigerians in the democratic process.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday, Eghweree noted that the outcome of the election has reinforced the vital place of the people in the democratic process.
Eghweree, a lecturer in Department of Political Science, University of Benin, said that the expressed wish of the people was reflected in the outcome of the Edo election.
Eghweree added that the outcome would help galvanise docile politicians to action since any docility would mean being sacked during the next election.
“Run up to the election, a lot of boasting by political gladiators, made many doubt that the process would be free and fair.
“The outcome proved many wrong and to that extent, it shows we can get it right if the so-called ‘federal might’ will allow the process to be free from any form of interference.
“Edo election has wiped off god-father politics in Nigeria’s political culture and has shown us that power belongs to the people,” he said
The political scientist then urged INEC to fully embrace electronic voting and deepen deployment of technology in order to avoid dissappointment in the forthcoming elections.
Eghweree, who expressed dissappointment at failure of card readers in many polling units, advised the Commission to fully embrace electronic voting.
“This is unacceptable, considering the huge sum invested in that technology.
“It is high time the commission embraced electronic voting. It’s not rocket science, we can achieve it if we are committed to it.
“For Ondo elections, there is need to test run the card reader days before the election to avoid disappointment,” he said.
Eghweree advised Obaseki to keep politics aside and embrace the onerous business of governance.
“The governor-elect should commit to uniting the political class and the people to get needed support to govern effectively in the interest of all.
“Obaseki has a role of uniting Edo to achieve his ‘Make Edo Great Again’ agenda,” he said. (NAN)
– Sept. 22, 2020 @ 18:49 GMT |
Tags: Obaseki’s victory rekindles people’s hope place in democratic process — Don
