The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed for second
reading, a bill to allow independent candidate in the nation’s
electoral system.
The bill sponsored by Rep. Tahir Mongunu seeks to amend the
Nigerian Constitution to allow Nigerians participate in elections
without necessarily belonging to any political party.
Leading the debate on the bill, Mongunu said allowing
Independent candidates will deepen the nation’s democratic space by
giving opportunity to Nigerians who want to participate in the
governance of the country but are often shut out by godfathers.
He said political parties have often been hijacked by a few
individuals, who dictate who should contest election on the party
platform therefore denying Nigerians the opportunity to actively
participate in governance.
He said political parties are supposed to have manifestos, which
spelt out their programmes for the people, adding that people with
contrary views are often not allowed to contest, stressing that in
view of the need to contribute to national development Independent
candidates should be allowed.
In his contribution, Sergius Oguns, said experience in other
countries suggest independent candidates have often contributed to
the democratic process.
Mohammed Umar Jega said allowing Independent candidates
participate in the electoral process was the best approach to
deepening the nation’s democracy.
He said in most parts of the country, aspirants are subjected to
the whims abs caprices of godfathers as many of the political
parties are not ideologically based, but controlled by a dew
individuals who decide those to contest elections at a particular
time.
He said as a result of this imposition, candidates elected by
political parties are often removed by the courts and others
imposed on the people because of the absence of transparency in the
conduct of party affairs.
However, Rep. Abiodun Faleke, said it was not feasible at this
point in time to allow independent candidate in the electoral
system as it will increase the cost of elections and litigations,
adding that INEC lacks the capacity to handle the issue of
independent candidate.
Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said since it was an issue of
constitutional amendment, the Nigerian people will be allowed to
decide through a public hearing and referred the bill to the
Constitution amendment committee.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed for second
reading, a bill to allow independent candidate in the nation’s
electoral system.
The bill sponsored by Rep. Tahir Mongunu seeks to amend the
Nigerian Constitution to allow Nigerians participate in elections
without necessarily belonging to any political party.
Leading the debate on the bill, Mongunu said allowing
Independent candidates will deepen the nation’s democratic space by
giving opportunity to Nigerians who want to participate in the
governance of the country but are often shut out by godfathers.
He said political parties have often been hijacked by a few
individuals, who dictate who should contest election on the party
platform therefore denying Nigerians the opportunity to actively
participate in governance.
He said political parties are supposed to have manifestos, which
spelt out their programmes for the people, adding that people with
contrary views are often not allowed to contest, stressing that in
view of the need to contribute to national development Independent
candidates should be allowed.
In his contribution, Sergius Oguns, said experience in other
countries suggest independent candidates have often contributed to
the democratic process.
Mohammed Umar Jega said allowing Independent candidates
participate in the electoral process was the best approach to
deepening the nation’s democracy.
He said in most parts of the country, aspirants are subjected to
the whims abs caprices of godfathers as many of the political
parties are not ideologically based, but controlled by a dew
individuals who decide those to contest elections at a particular
time.
He said as a result of this imposition, candidates elected by
political parties are often removed by the courts and others
imposed on the people because of the absence of transparency in the
conduct of party affairs.
However, Rep. Abiodun Faleke, said it was not feasible at this
point in time to allow independent candidate in the electoral
system as it will increase the cost of elections and litigations,
adding that INEC lacks the capacity to handle the issue of
independent candidate.
Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said since it was an issue of
constitutional amendment, the Nigerian people will be allowed to
decide through a public hearing and referred the bill to the
Constitution amendment committee.