By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA - The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has enjoined Nigerians to actively participate in the 2015 general election, as well as to use their vote to push out corrupt politicians from the corridors of power.
As part of its effort to effectively galvanise Nigerians to participate in the electoral process, the legal body has inaugurated a committee on Voter Education and Mobilization.
The 10-man committee is headed by the former National President of the association Mr. Joseph Daudu, SAN.
While commissioning the committee, NBA President Mr. Augustine Alegeh, SAN, maintained that there are several defects in the nation’s electoral system which he said were occasioned by ignorance.
Maintaining that the role of committee was crucial at this point in time as we approach the 2015 general elections, Alegeh, insisted that both the political class are equally as ignorant as the electorates.
He said: ”The NBA Voter Education and Mobilization Committee therefore is charged with the onerous task of sensitizing the public on the exercise of their franchise with the view to ensuring that not only do their votes count, but that elected Officials are held accountable to the citizens”.
Alegeh pointed out that “the abiding logic of democracy is that a government that assumes power based on its overwhelming electoral support ultimately has the interest in the overall wellbeing of its citizens. Consequently, for there to be a major turnaround in our electoral system, the citizens must be enlightened and educated adequately. It is in line with this mandate and this administration’s solemn promise as contained in my Inaugural Address of 29 August 2014 where I stated thus:
‘‘The NBA using its network of 109 Branches and over 2000 Bar leaders would engage in VOTER EDUCATION AND VOTER MOBILISATION for the 2015 General elections on a strictly non-partisan basis. Simply put, this means that only Lawyers who do not belong to any Political Party and who are totally committed to the noble ideals of our great Association would be allowed to participate in this exercise.
“All Lawyers participating would be required to make statutory declarations of non-political affiliation which would if found to be false lead to disciplinary measures against such a lawyer’’.
Alegeh noted that “In the past, the NBA has been actively involved in other areas like election monitoring, electoral justice, training and capacity building for ad-hoc and professional personnel through our election working group. The work of this Committee is different and distinct from the work of the Election Working Group. However, where possible both Committees though with different mandates on elections may cooperate to achieve the overall objective of the NBA which is to ensure hitch free elections in Nigeria.
“The prime task of this Committee is to educate voters on their rights, obligations and duties during elections. To draw attention of voters to the need to go out in large numbers to vote during the elections. The Nigerian people must be made to understand that to achieve the dream of a Government responsive to our common needs and responsible to the populace then all registered voters must: (i) Go out to vote; (ii) Vote for candidates of their choice based on objective parameters; (iii) Observe and obey all electoral guidelines and rules during elections” he added.
“We urge INEC, Political Parties and other relevant agencies to partner with the NBA in our quest for a smooth transition come 2015. All hands must be on deck to ensure that the 2015 general elections are free and fair without being characterised by electoral irregularities. Whilst thanking the Chairman and Members of this Committee for accepting their appointment to render service to the Bar, I want to urge them to remain steadfast in their commitment to the Bar and not to engage in actions that will distract them from the realization of the Objectives of this Committee. We advise that you approach your task with utmost dedication and responsibility” the NBA President stated.
Other members of the committee are Mr. Momodu Kasim-Momodu- Alternate Chairman – Benin Branch, Mrs. Pat Igwebuike-Secretary- Oji River Branch, Aliyu Nassarawa Esq-Member -Kano Branch, Ogbonnaya Igwenyi Esq-Member -Aba Branch, Omobu Victor Frank-Briggs-Member-Port-Harcourt, Austin Ajineh Esq.-Member-Warri Branch, Mrs. Iyabode O. Oguseye-Member-Abuja Branch, Vivian Ekezie-Member-Lagos and Usman Sule Esq.-Member-Lokoja.a
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