AN OPENING REMARK BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, HIS EXCELLENCY (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, AT THE RETREAT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON INEC, TODAY 6 TH OF JUNE 2016.
Protocol:
It is my pleasure to be here with you at this very important event and to declare open, this retreat by the Senate Committee on INEC. Let me particularly appreciate everyone here that has taken out time to attend this retreat for your patriotism, dedication and belief in our ability to use deliberation, consensus building and consultation to solve our national issues. Thank you so much for coming.
2. Our electoral successes in the last general election has created the impression that we have achieved electoral universality and integrity, but recent events and emerging issues have served as a reminder to us that there is still a lot of work to be done. This is why this retreat has become indeed both timely and critical.
3. We must remain keenly aware that more than ever before the Nigerian people demand a responsible government whose fate, they alone can determine. It all starts with having a virile electoral system with impeccable integrity, and universal application must be the minimum standards. We must fashion out an electoral scheme that does not disenfranchise any Nigerian, one that does not have room for ballot tampering and manipulation.
4. Electoral process must become routine and inviolable. This is attainable. The current National Assembly is poised to provide the missing gaps through its legislative interventions but we will be best served with the advice coming from your recommendations through the committee.
5. As you deliberate, it may be important to revisit some of the following issues:
For so long now, our citizens in the diaspora have demanded inclusion in the democratic process; a right afforded in many other countries to citizens irrespective of location; and this current government agrees with them.
This is similar to the now germane issue of the voting opportunity of IDPs and people living in severely challenged hard to reach areas either due to security or other unforeseen challenges.
It will be important to take another look at the role of our security personnel from the Police, to the Department of State Security and the Military. This is especially so in the light of certain revelations to the effect that the previous government had signed into law an amendment to the Electoral Act empowering the military to be used during elections for a variety of reasons.
It should be borne in mind that the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2015 had in fact made far reaching amendments on the role of the Police before and during election s especially the issue of holding of rallies and meetings by political parties (S.94) and the role and operational deployment of the Armed Forces during elections (S.29). These provisions were designed as an attempt to ensure the democratic character of free and fair elections.
A corollary to this is the issue of the viability or otherwise of setting up electoral offences tribunal charged with dealing with electoral offences. This is especially important as there is an overwhelming national consensus to end election related violence and enthrone a new election culture built on integrity, safety and neutrality.
Other important issues this retreat will be expected to deliberate on and come up with a clear direction for the Senate would include, the issue of the card reader and the desirability or otherwise of using the card reader exclusively for accreditation and voting in our electoral process; and the necessary framework for Independent candidature – how best to operationalise and ensure that no candidate is placed in a vulnerable or compromised position by a party or external factors but rather ensure that our electoral system provides to all equal access and a chance to aspire as they deem fit.
The other is the growing anxiety over inconclusive elections. What is crucial here is not the principle that ensures that our electoral process’ integrity is guaranteed but the important question of accountability, neutrality, and transparency.
How do we ensure that the decisions which the electoral umpire makes are made within the bounds of impartiality, empirical accuracy and determined by verifiable facts?
6. The expectation of the people of Nigeria is that this retreat will produce an outcome that will strengthen the electoral environment and law, as well as further deepen our democracy. In this regard, I wish to assure all Nigerians of the commitment of the Senate and, indeed, the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act in line with peoples’ expectations and with a view to strengthening the electoral process.
7. It is gratifying to note that the British Department for International Development (DFID) in conjunction with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) have proved to be a great support to the Senate as we seek to deliver on our legislative responsibilities as outlined in our Legislative Agenda and we are proud to report here that today’s retreat is another manifestation of their unrelenting support. We look forward to even more support and collaboration.
8. On this note, I wish the Committee and, indeed, all participants, fruitful deliberations and do hereby formally declare the retreat open.
9. God bless you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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