SIMPLIFY RECALL PROCESS OF NON PERFORMING LEGISLATORS —EMERITUS PROF
REPORTER: CHINWE MAMA
An emeritus Professor of English and Literary Studies University of Nigeria Nsukka, Damian Opata, has urged Nigerian lawmakers to enact laws that will make recall of non-performing political office-holders easy.
Professor Opata stated this at the 2022 Convention of Nsukka Journalist Forum held at Adada House, Nsukka.
Speaking on the theme of the programme, “Our vote, Our Power,” Prof Opata explains that part of the problem with Nigeria’s democracy is systemic concentration of power in the hands of a few.
He describes the theme as apt as activities for the 2023 general election in Nigeria are already in top gear, as all political parties have concluded their primary elections and have successfully selected their standard bearers.
The emeritus professor sadly observes that the just concluded primaries have shown the extent to which “our vote is our power,” stressing that in some ways it has also shown the non
inclusiveness of the people’s votes, as all parties held either indirect or consensus primaries.
He says that the national assembly should revisit and simplify the constitutional requirements of recalling a poor performing lawmaker.
“The power we have includes the power to recall those we elected. Where is the power that we cannot exercise? Becuase of the power of state, it is difficult to recall anybody.
“Lawmakers should make recall easy. If you make voting easy, why not make recall also easy? Otherwise, the power is not there,” he said.
The Don blames the electorate for failing to critique their leaders, adding that individuals can make rational choices.
“What do we do when we have leaders who are not serving us well? Have you done anything?
“In the delegate system, which is adopted in the Electoral Law, who and who are involved? The same few. The time is now,” he insisted.
In his contribution, the Senator representing Enugu North in the National Assembly, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, said “Journalists own the conscience of society and urged them to strive to sustain the profession.
“Journalism is critical. It’s a pity that journalism is not so much self-sustaining, but journalists should strive to sustain the career. I am proud of journalists.
“Don’t also leave politics for people who are not prepared. If you quit for nobody, our fate will hang in the balance,” Senator Utazi advised.
He thanked the forum for standing for truth but bemoaned the lack of translation of voting powers of Nsukka zone into political gains.
In a keynote address, the Bishop of Nsukka Anglican Communion, the Rt.Rev. Aloysius Agbo emphasised that voting is a strong catalyst for positive change and called for collaboration between the church and the media to bring sanity to the society .
Earlier in an address, the Acting Chairman of Nsukka Journalists Forum, Mrs. Amaka Okwuaba-Nnaji, said the summit would afford the members the opportunity to address some vital issues affecting the body.
She appealed to members to always encourage and support the leaders to actualise a common goal.
The event featured presentation of awards to some distinguished people of Enugu North Senatorial zone, including Senator Utazi, for their contributions to the development of the zone and the nation at large.
Sen Utazi received the award as the Most Outstanding Contributor on the flour of the Senate.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
