The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State, Mr. Obo Effanga, yesterday called on Nigerians that it was time to deepen the nation’s democracy.
He reiterated that the February 25 and March 18 this year’s general elections were culmination of a series of activities in the last few years, to engender citizen’s participation in determining who their leaders were, while insisting that to a large extent, INEC delivered on it, the commission’s human imperfections and limitations notwithstanding.
Effanga spoke in Benin at the presentation of certificates of return to the 21 of 24 members-elect of Edo House of Assembly.
INEC on March 21 declared as inconclusive, the March 18 Edo House of Assembly election in Egor, Oredo East and Ovia Southwest constituencies.
The commission’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Edo, Mr. Timidi Wariowei, then disclosed that the governing People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state won twelve of the 24 seats, while the main opposition All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) candidates emerged victorious in eight constituencies, with Labour Party (LP) winning one seat.
In the House of Representatives’ election, APC won five of nine seats, LP had two seats, while PDP won one seat, with APC winning two senatorial seats, while LP had one senatorial seat.
INEC fixed April 15 for the outstanding election in Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde federal constituency of Edo, and the House of Assembly poll in Egor, Oredo East and Ovia Southwest constituencies, which were declared inconclusive by the electoral commission.
There was no governorship election in Edo state on March 18, until September 2024, as the second term of Governor Godwin Obaseki of PDP would expire on November 12 next year.
The REC of INEC in Edo said: “Much has been said about Nigeria’s continued stride down the democracy alley these past 24 years. No doubt it has sometimes been turbulent, if not topsy turvy, rather than a smooth walk or ride. But there have been some good times and experiences along this journey, especially the uninterrupted nature of this very trip of nearly 24 years.
“The implication is that in the last two election cycles (2019 and 2023), the country has recorded a large number of voters, whose life experiences are happily limited only to a government by elected representatives, which is what democracy represents. Thus, democracy has become a norm in our country. That in itself is something to celebrate and build upon.
“How do we build upon this democracy? The easiest way is to expand the number of democrats within our democracy, and that includes the number of democrats within the political parties. Sadly, there are too few democrats within the political class today. The building block for democracy is not only in the large number of participants, but ensuring that these participants fully understand and imbibe the principles of democracy. Some of these principles are citizen participation, equality, transparency, accountability, political tolerance and checks and balances.”
Effanga also stated that participation of citizens in democracy would go beyond participation in the electoral process to their involvement in the process of governance, stressing that they must be consulted regularly by those in government, and their interests paramount when policies and laws were made.
He said: “Even in their (citizens’) participation in the electoral process, their security and safety must be guaranteed. That is why it is reprehensible when political actors deploy violence and intimidation during elections, in order to achieve their ambitions.
“It is important to charge the members-elect into the state’s House of Assembly to understand that when they sit at the table of governance, they are there, not in their personal capacities, but as representatives of their entire constituencies, with all the diversities such as gender, age, ethnicity, religion and political leanings therein. This is how to recognise and practise the principle of equality of all.
