John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, has advocated for the introduction of independent candidates in future Nigerian elections. He believes this development would help curb the tyranny of political parties and godfatherism in the country's political space. Onaiyekan made this call during his keynote speech at the All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu. He emphasized the need for a change in the appointment of key electoral officers to prevent undue influence from the executive.
Onaiyekan suggested that allowing independent candidates, especially at the local government level, would enable communities to choose candidates they respect, without being affiliated with a particular political party. He cited an example where a local community could decide on a person to be their local government chairman, without needing to belong to a political party. This, he believes, would help reduce the influence of party godfathers.
The Cardinal also called for a review of the appointment process for electoral officers, including the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission and state electoral commissioners. He argued that their appointment should not depend on the President or governors, who are themselves contestants in elections. Onaiyekan suggested that the legislature's approval, which is supposed to provide checks and balance, has become a mere routine.
Onaiyekan further suggested that Nigeria could borrow a leaf from other nations that have designed formulae to ensure an independent electoral commission that does not depend on the government in power. He also resurrected the age-long call for election matters in court to be dispensed before swearing in elected officials. This, he believes, would prevent a situation where a candidate has been declared a president but still has to go to the tribunal to defend their position.
The Cardinal emphasized that it is surely possible to dispose of all cases before swearing in, as is happening in many countries. He suggested that a special election tribunal should be able to give itself a time limit during which all cases are disposed of, to prevent clever lawyers from playing technical delay tactics.
Meanwhile, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, tasked editors to safeguard and promote democracy in Nigeria. He said that in the midst of politicking and partisanship, there was a need for editors to stand upright for democracy and the nation. Achebe charged them to be among the faithful keepers of democracy.
Achebe described democracy as a fire that must be tended and emphasized the need for editors to be the last men standing in the face of challenges and partisanship. His remarks were made during the opening speech of the All Nigeria Editors Conference.
Key points
- Onaiyekan calls for independent candidates in Nigerian elections to curb party tyranny and godfatherism.
- The Cardinal advocates for a review of the appointment process for electoral officers to prevent undue influence.
- Onaiyekan suggests disposing of all election cases before swearing in elected officials to ensure natural justice.
