The People’s Redemption Party, PRP has called for the amendment of the Electoral Act to eliminate all ambiguities surrounding the election collation and election results in Nigeria.
The National Chairman of the party, Mallam Falalu Bello, made the call in Abuja the Nation’s capital while briefing Journalist on the Review of the 2023 General Election in Nigeria saying “Let’s Rescue Our Wobbling Democracy”
Mr. Bello, explained that the electoral process is still far from being perfect and still requires reform if democracy is to survive in the country.
Apex court’s rulings
According to the Party Chairman, PRP acknowledged the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other leaders in the 2023 General Election but remained critical of the electoral process from primaries to the apex court’s rulings.
“The PRP though not agreeing that the 2023 General Election were devoid of irregularities, yet congratulatea President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other elected leader in State declared winners by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC and affirmed as elected Tribunals, Appeal court and the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
”…congratulations to all elected leaders, we as a party feel duly bound to point out what were wrong with the elections from primary elections that produced candidates for the 2023 general election to the 2023 General elections and the recent off-season election of Bayelsa, Kogi and IMO as well as some of the judgement on these elections. “
Significant portion of the electorate
He highlighted the party’s disapproval of the high costs of nomination forms and bribery during the primaries, which they believe effectively silenced the voices of over 99% of Nigerians, including the youth, who make up a significant portion of the electorate.
“The exclusion of the Nigerian youth due to exorbitant nomination form fees and the blatant inducement of delegates are antithetical to the principles of a true democracy,”
“The PRP expressed concerns over the alleged open purchase of votes and bribing of officials during the elections, low voter turnout, religious manipulation, violence disrupting voting, malfunctioning card readers and B.V.A’s and the undermining of the electoral process,” he explained.
Citing the low voter turnout in the 2023 General Election, Mr. Bell said: “In country with over 93 million registered voters, it is alarming that less than 10% effectively decided the presidency. This apathy is a glaring signal that the public’s faith in our elections is dwindling.”
Reliable institution
To this effect, PRP calls for a non-partisan impartial, professionals transparent and reliable institution, the People’s Redemption Party, PRP says Independent National Electoral Commission INEC should be made an independent body.
It also calls for the implementation of recommendations from the Uwais Report, which includes establishing the Independence of the INEC, the creation of an Electoral Offences Commission, concluding election disputes before the swearing-in of winners and the amendment of procedures to shift the burden of proof on election malpractice to INEC.
“To build a democratic Nigeria that truly reflects the will of the people, we must have the courage to acknowledge the flaws in our system and commit to implementing the Uwais Report recommendations,” he emphasised.
“INEC should be relieved of political party’s registration and made to focus on election alone and funding of INEC should be first charge on the consolidation Revenue Fund of the Federation,” he stated.
The PRP Chairman also called for the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022. “The electoral process is still far from being perfect and still requires reform if democracy is to survive in Nigeria.
” Our democracy is wobbling and it is incumbent upon the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary to take heed of our recommendations if we are to fortify the pillars of our democratic practice,” Bello said.
Principles and Vision
Speaking further on the issue of merger, the Party’s Chairman said the PRP will only merge with political parties of same disposition with Principles and Vision.
” We won’t merge unless the principles of the other political parties aligned with that of the PRP”
“We have been a political party in Nigeria since 1979. We stand for certain principles and we are not going to merge with any party that doesn’t believe in what we believe in.
“We are in the left of the spectrum, we are not in the right. We are who and have remained consistent as a party”
“We don’t believe in what they believe. We believe in alliances, if we must merger then We will merge or have alliances with people of likemind, not with everybody. Our party is the party of the future” He said.
According to him, “PRP will thrive, We are not against mergers neither are we against electoral alliances”
“Electoral alliances in PRP is nothing. We have done it before. We will do it again but based on principles.” he stressed.
He further said that the party believed in true federalism which he said would solve the problem of ethnic agitations.
“True federalism will solve the problem of this country to a large extent. As a political party, we believe in true federalism as a panacea for solving our socio-economic problems.”
Also speaking, PRP 2023 Presidential candidate Mr Kola Abiola, said that “the merger you see today is the coming home of candidates.
“Party members just came together, may be they are thinking of consolidating their votes in the next election.
He said there is a big difference. That’s not a merger of parties. That is a reabsorption of people you have lost in your party. It’s a big difference. There is no principle behind that at all.
He added that the party is for merger but the principles have to be aligned.
Lateefah Ibrahim
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