L
LequteMan
Guest
Sen. Stella Oduah has stated that the senate's approval of independent candidacy in the ongoing review of 1999 Constitution would help in reducing political parties’ impunity in picking candidates for elections in Nigeria.
“For the first time, with that platform, people will vote for those they really want and not party and so, it will be a direct contract between the contestants and the electorate.
“So, if faced one-on-one, the electorate will ask how the candidates’ emergence will be of benefit to them.
“If both agree that the man or woman is the person they are looking to impact positively on their lives, then it becomes a contract.
“Nobody will come tomorrow and say it is not you we voted for and no party will impose on people the candidate that is not of their choice.
“So, it will have direct impact, ensure freedom and remove party impunity, where parties often impose some people that are not the people’s choice.
“I think that is what we need in this country at this point in time,’’ the lawmaker said.
On measures to put in place to ensure that the independent candidacy platform is not abused, she said that it was the duty of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to set stringent criteria.
“For the first time, with that platform, people will vote for those they really want and not party and so, it will be a direct contract between the contestants and the electorate.
“So, if faced one-on-one, the electorate will ask how the candidates’ emergence will be of benefit to them.
“If both agree that the man or woman is the person they are looking to impact positively on their lives, then it becomes a contract.
“Nobody will come tomorrow and say it is not you we voted for and no party will impose on people the candidate that is not of their choice.
“So, it will have direct impact, ensure freedom and remove party impunity, where parties often impose some people that are not the people’s choice.
“I think that is what we need in this country at this point in time,’’ the lawmaker said.
On measures to put in place to ensure that the independent candidacy platform is not abused, she said that it was the duty of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to set stringent criteria.
