Chris Awhawha
The National Coordinator, Niger Delta Peace Coalition NDPC, Zik Gbemre says the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC taking over the elections for Local Governments is desirable to avoid state governors handpicking LG chairmen and councilors in the entire country.
In a statement on Saturday, the Urhobo born Social Activist, said, “ Though it is believed that election malpractices are pronounced all over Nigeria, INEC seems to be more credible than state election commissions. LG elections are a mockery’
“ There is no opposition in most LGAs in every state. As bad as INEC, there are still opposition state governors. There should be one election commission to cover all elective positions in the country”
He pointed that poor elections is why democracy doesn’t necessarily guarantee good leadership, noting that what Nigeria lacks is good leadership and not democracy.
“ Democracy without credible leadership is useless because it has no relevance and no developmental impacts on the society’
According to him, “ The Arab nations like United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Brunei that don’t practice democracy are far more developed than African countries that are practicing democracy”
“ Democracy doesn’t necessarily guarantee good leadership if elections are not credible. Nigeria lacks genuine leadership. Do we really have national leaders or tribal leaders? Buhari’s appointments were majorly Hausa/Fulani people. Tinubu’s appointments are majorly Yoruba people”
“ When Goodluck Jonathan ruled his administration favoured his Ijaw tribe’s people. The minister of petroleum resources and other juicy portfolios were permanently Ijaw people”
“Nigeria has no national leaders. A good leader will deliver good governance to his people no matter which tribe he/she belongs”
He further noted, “ The era of Alhaji Shehu Shagari as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is gone. Shagari’s administration that was toppled by Gen Mohammadu Buhari in December 31st 1983 reflected good governance”
“ Shagari appointed people based on competence and not on tribe & religion. Shagari was the last national leader that ruled Nigeria before he was toppled by Buhari and his military junta”