Politicians have been called upon to imbibe “a positive political culture that enables democracy to thrive” as the country prepares for general elections in 2011.
The former Attorney General of Nigeria and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN made the call while delivering the 2009 University of Jos Distinguished Annual Guest Lecture at the Multi-purpose Auditorium of the institution.
In a lecture titled “Electoral Reforms for Sustainable Democracy: Issues and Challenges for Nigeria”, Chief Aondoakaa acknowledged that previous elections in the country have not been “free of charges of irregularities, electoral malpractice, violence and various degrees of disruptions”.
He identified Nigerian elections problems to include “poor political culture, ineffective election management, and weak or inadequate electoral laws”, which he blamed on the long period of military rule and weak democratic institutions.
He explained that government’s decision to correct these abnormalities led to the setting up of the Uwais Committee, whose report he said necessitated three bills sent to the National Assembly to accommodate the proposed changes.
The former Justice Minister asserted that “free and fair elections are the cornerstone of every democracy and the primary mechanism for exercising the principle of sovereignty of the people”, adding that “free, fair and credible elections are therefore a critical requirement for good governance in any democracy”.
He expressed the hope that the national assembly will rise to the occasion and effect necessary changes in the constitution and the 2006 Electoral Act before the next general elections to ensure that it is free and fair.
Also speaking on the occasion, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Angela Miri, described the lecture as timely and called on the Federal Government to do everything possible to sanitize the system to enable credible people participate in politics.
Earlier in his welcome address, Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Sonni Tyoden explained that the aim of the lecture was to get people from the corridors of power to discuss the question of electoral reforms in Nigeria and expressed the hope that the lessons learnt will be put into profitable use by all concerned
The lecture was attended by the first civilian governor of Plateau State, Chief Solomon Lar and many dignitaries.
By Livinus Ayih
