A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Professor Ernest Ojukwu has on the occasion of June 12 Democracy Day decried the sad state of the nation as a result of the malpractices that viciously becloud our electoral system.
Leqaldeskng learnt that this is contained in a statement made available to TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL) on 12th day of June, 2020.

According to Prof. Ojukwu, SAN:

“We have not done well as a nation with regards to elections and rule of law. Our leaders and politicians have paid lip service to the tenets of democratic principles. There has not been any general elections that has not been hijacked by individuals and groups backed by governments through massive rigging, thuggery and brigandage. The same scenario plays out at party primaries.”

In addition, the learned silk noted that these unhealthy electoral malpractices equally manifest in the affairs of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA).

“That culture of stealing and rigging elections has also permeated our other segments of society such as the Nigerian Bar Association at both the National and branch elections.” He said.

Furthermore, the learned Professor remarked that this has eaten deeply into the fabrics of our social life in Nigeria cutting across every clime.

According to him:

“Many organisations and professional groups have also been enmershed in rigging election as a way of life in Nigeria including elections of students unions.”

Besides, it was noted by him that there has been a failed system in our electoral system since the transition to civil rule.

“The Nation has not bled so much as it has in terms of failed democracy as we have witnessed especially since 2004 when we made the first effort to conduct a civilian to civilian transition elections.

“Our electoral umpire has largely colluded with our bandit political leaders and party men to foist on Nigeria a culture of dishonesty and fraud in the electoral process.”

Furthermore, the learned silk opined that no concrete effort can be made through constitutional means in a bid to make the supposed elected officials accountable because it was a stolen mandate.

“We can hardly say that the leaders that emerge through these fraudulent elections were chosen by the people. And that is why they have hardly represented our interests. And because the electoral system and processes were stolen as a matter of course, it has been impossible to use democratic platforms provided in the constitution to check the excesses of mis-governance including recall of elected representatives at all levels.” He said.

In addition, Prof. Ojukwu noted that the act of electoral malpractice equally accounts for failure in governance. According to him:

“This singular act of electoral banditry has provided the impetus for seriously failed governance on human rights, damaged judiciary, poverty and insecurity. What plays out especially at our State and local government levels are massive corruption and
executive lawlessness.”

Finally, Prof. Ojukwu remarked that the celebration of democracy day in Nigeria today is but an aspiration for the nation to become truly democratic in the foreseeable future.

“It is a shame that Governance has not worked well in Nigeria since the return to civilian rule in 1999. We can only celebrate the 2020 democracy day as democracy aspirations, dreams and hopes for Nigeria.” He concluded.