By Our Reporter
Nigeria cannot function, according to legal luminary Chief Mike Ozekhome, until its people band together to draft a constitution and put it to a vote.
He contended that the country’s present journey is to no destination and therefore recommended that Nigeria should reverse course and follow the proper route.
The human rights advocate, who spoke in Benin, the Edo State capital, at the 2024 Midwest Herald ‘Midwest Achievers Awards’, however, advocated for the institutionalisation of development-focused practices to foster change in Nigeria and across the African continent.
He called for a harmonised fight against corruption, which should hold offenders accountable through democratic governance and the oversight of anti-corruption bodies by responsible civil society.
Chief Ozekhome, who received the ‘Defender of Democracy’ award at the event, in his paper titled ‘Has Democracy Led to Good Governance in Nigeria?’, flayed what he described as political corruption, saying that it undermines democratic principles.
He stressed that political corruption should be aggressively addressed with the same seriousness and penalties as other forms of corruption, such as financial crimes.
‘Too often, political corruption is overlooked, largely because the political elite, who are often guilty of these practices, hold significant power.
‘For instance, Nigeria’s election history is rife with stories of electoral manipulation and voter exploitation by the political class.
‘Post-election adjudication should not only focus on determining winners but should also impose penalties, including imprisonment and fines, on political elites or their agents who violate electoral rules.
‘Free and fair elections are the foundation of legitimacy, transparency, and accountability, and should be consistently safeguarded to ensure leaders are held accountable to the people,’ he added.
Earlier, the Director of Organisation, Midwest Achievers Awards, Dr Owen Omo-Ojo, said, ‘The event is geared to recognise achievers and spotlight super achievers who have dared to dream, navigate turbulent times, and uphold the highest ethical standards while inspiring hope in their communities and beyond.’
@The Sun.