Nigeria Content Online

Whether the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political parties
are prepared or not, the organization of next year’s election must
follow the law, Kayode Ajulo, a lawyer has said.

Despite the visible
challenges posing threats to the possible conduct of a free and fair
election, Mr Ajulo however called on INEC boss, Attahiru Jega to
“answer his name and ensure that the right things are done for us to
have credible election in Nigeria.” “He is not alone in this task, we
are with him to ensure that he deliver. All eyes are on him, Nigeria
must get it right this time around,” he said. “The amended
constitutional provision is a new opportunity to get the voters
registration right, As said earlier, voters registration is the
foundation of any election and if the registration is shaky, the
election cannot stand and will surely fall.”

Unprepared actors

Mr Ajulo said the
passage, by the 2/3 of the States House of Assembly of the amended
document, means the new constitution has taken effect. This also
translates that election ought to be held in January. He said no
political party has shown that they understand the urgency of things.
“They are not prepared; even the little opportunity has been reduced to
a very mundane issue called zoning arrangement in the face of paucity
of campaign, presentation and ventilation of parties manifestos and
campaign’s promises,” he said.

Commenting on the
claims of the deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, who chaired the
senate committee on the amendments of the constitution, that the senate
is aware of the little time left to the elections and are prepared to
assist INEC to achieve the election, Mr. Ajulo said INEC must be
totally autonomous, not by nomenclature alone but by funding. “He who
pays the piper dictates the tune, therefore to cut INEC from political
interference, they must be financial independent, like the judiciary.
Yes there is little time left, but with willpower and availability of
funds, the hurdles can be crossed,” he said.

The 36 state Houses of Assembly had, last week, sent their
resolutions back to the National Assembly on the amended clauses of the
1999 constitution, thus bringing to an end the process of the current
exercise which has gulped over N5billion.