ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the signing of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.
The council described the development as commendable and a show of commitment to credible elections come 2023.
The IYC also noted that the commitment shown by President Buhari towards the signing of the bill should be replicated in other areas such as the need to set up the substantive board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
National Spokesman, IYC, Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, said in a statement on Tuesday that the President’s assent to the bill remained the finest legacy his administration would leave behind for Nigerians.
Ekerefe said: “The decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Act, 2022 is commendable and remains the finest legacy his government will leave behind in view of the outcry of Nigerians for the electoral process to be strengthened.
“This has also shown that all hope is not yet lost as the Niger Delta people will continue to demand the immediate setting up of the NDDC substantive board, the publication of the forensic audit report and the probe of the NDDC accounts between October 2021 and Febuary 2022.
“Other germane issues that require the President’s intervention is the East-West road which serves as the economic nexus of the Niger Delta region.”
The IYC spokesman, however, pointed out that all hands must be on deck for the full implementation of the content of the Electoral Act, 2022 before, during and after the 2023 elections.
He further said: “We must ensure that it is not just the transmission of election results alone, but the transmission of the accredited results. There should be two transmissions: the first stage of the battle has been won, and we must now prepare for the second stage.
”Among other important provisions, this Electoral Act reviews timelines for electoral activities. For instance, the new Act requires the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a notice of election not later than 360 days to the next general election. We salute INEC in line with the new provisions of the Act for issuing a notice of election and new dates for the 2023 general elections announced. This underscores our faith that INEC is prepared.
“Again, INEC should quickly mobilise political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations and the electorate through every means available for proper understanding and awareness of the new Electoral Act.
“A free, fair, credible and generally acceptable election is the beauty of constitutional democracy. Nigerians yearn for improved electoral process ahead of the 2023 general elections.”
Ekerefe said the new Electoral Act was a tremendous boost and a pointer that a sustainable democratic process is possible and reiterated the council’s commendation of President Buhari, the National Assembly, Civil Society Organisations and Nigerians for the great achievement.