2023: Lagos Assembly speaker demands fresh approach to elections in Nigeria

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Friday charged Nigeria to adopt a new approach ahead of 2023 general elections.

Obasa made the call in his goodwill message at the State’s 17th Legislative-Executive Parley Held at Marriott Hotels in GRA, Ikeja.

He reiterated the call for adequate preparations to be put in place ahead of the elections.

The speaker said: “The fact that Nigeria is planning another election after 23 years of democratic transition is a sign that democratic principles have been widely accepted despite the myriad of problems confronting the process.

“As the nation shows growing commitment to its stability, the time is ripe for civil society to prepare itself and the citizenry to demand power sharing in a truly participatory democracy.

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“As it’s evident enough, the negligence of the importance of voter education has been responsible for violence, a bulk of void votes, and apathy during past elections. It is unfortunate that Nigeria operates a fire brigade approach in some of our undertakings, especially as regards to voter education.”

He also cautioned Nigerians on electoral violence.

“Electoral violence and other factors such as cultural practices, family background, institutional and low level of political knowledge, no doubt, militate against political participation.

“The citizens for want of security, consequent upon electoral violence, develop apathy toward political participation. Therefore, to maximize the benefits of political education programmes and ensure sustainable democracy in Nigeria, the government and other political education agencies should develop a pragmatic political education framework,” Obasa added.

By Abdulkabeer Ambali

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