Nigerian needs Electoral Reform to survive -Atiku

Abubakar Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said he has no regrets for condemning the PDP and the incumbent government for denying the country a much-needed electoral reform.

In a statement released by his media office in Abuja, former Vice president Abubakar said the attack on his person for calling on the PDP and government to respect the wishes of Nigerians for electoral reforms is another confirmation that the PDP had derailed from the noble objectives of its founding fathers, including himself.

“There is no doubt that Nigeria needs an electoral reform. The failure of government and frustration of our people over the lack of effective governance is a fallout of the bad elections of 2007. The linkage between credible elections and performance in government is now very clear to Nigerians. It is a pity if some latter-day PDP joiners cannot see what every reasonable Nigerian sees clearly today.”

Atiku said the minimum requirements for credible elections as contained in the Justice Uwais Panel Report have been jettisoned by the PDP because many of the politicians in the party are afraid of free and fair elections.

“If these politicians are credible as they claim, why are they afraid of effecting electoral reforms that will guarantee the inalienable rights of Nigerians to choose their leaders?,” the statement said.

Atiku re-stated that a credible electoral system in Nigeria must include the appointment of INEC Chairman and board by an impartial body like the Nigerian Judicial Council (NJC); prevention of the swearing in of contestants declared winners by INEC until the completion of election petitions against them; a review of the Evidence Act to prevent domination of election petitions by technicalities and other reforms of the electoral process to protect the voting rights of Nigerians.

“These are critical reforms that will guarantee the credibility of the electoral system and ensure the emergence of credible and competent leadership at all levels of government,” he said.