By P. D. Pius
Should we walk together or walk our separate ways? We can answer this question when we begin to pay attention to political activities in Nigeria. One important activity is the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise that will soon commence. I understand it will start in this June, 2021.
When you look at the pains, poverty, suffering, insecurity and lots of other problems bedeviling Nigerians, you will agree with me that standing by without active participation in political activities is a great disservice oneself. So what can you do?
It is better to attempt and fail than do nothing. Merely complaining or criticizing or condemning will not help either. If you feel pained by the current happenings in Nigeria then let your anger move you to take legal action. I do not mean filing a court action. By legal action, I mean what is permitted in law as a legitimate means of turning things around or enthroning a descent government with love, care and respect for the citizens. It could even mean electing leaders under a pact that they will legitimately split us into two or three or more autonomous unit upon emergence. This legal action of participation in politics start with Voter Registration.
Section 9 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (As Amended) empowers the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register voters. Only registered voters are allowed to vote or determine the destiny of Nigeria for the next 4 years. The saying that democracy is a game of number is not correct in Nigeria. Instead, our democracy is a game of registered voters. Take this to heart and thank your gods later.
If you do not register to vote, you are as well giving your note of approval to those who participate to decide your fate or destiny and that of your children, siblings or other relations. Let me make some interesting revelations to you.
Under the law, there are no voting blocks or regions or states or areas. All Nigerians are allowed to register and vote any where in Nigeria. Section 12 of EA and other laws in that regard allows you to register anywhere. All that is needed is that you are a citizen. That’s all. In like sum, the Constitution allows all Nigerians to contest election in any state of his choice without restriction to the question of state of origin. This means that an Igbo man can mobilize enough voters to register in Kano, contest in Kano and be Governor of Kano if he likes. In same token, a Fulani man can mobilize enough voters to register in Enugu, contest in Enugu, become Governor of Enugu if he so wishes.
Thus, the argument that a certain part of the country or people is favoured is not a result lacuna in law but political apathy or lack of proper legal guidance to appreciate the beauty of our Electoral laws. In other words, the law permits the possibility of all Senators of Nigeria being elected from a particular ethnic group or different ethnic groups depending on the choice of voters or political aspirations of Nigerians. Yes!
To make a change within the context of the law, you can register anywhere and contest anywhere without any let or hindrance. There is no legal restriction. Only you is restricting your self.
Law to Remember
Any Nigerian can register to vote in any state, contest for any position in any state once he is of age without any legal restriction. S. 12 of EA.
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P. D. Pius, Esq.
Abuja, Nigeria
[email protected]
