To achieve true democracy and produce credible leaders in the country, citizens’ right to free choice must not be undermined.
This was the submission of the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo at the 72nd Posthumous Birthday and 4th Senator Abiola Ajimobi Roundtable, held at the Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan.
Vice President Osinbajo, who maintained that democracy remained the only just system of government, called on critical stakeholders in the nation’s electioneering process to ensure the protection of the rights of the electorates in freely choosing their representatives in government.
In a lead presentation titled “Election Security and Good Governance in Nigeria”, a former chairman, Independent National Electoral Commissioner, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega said any election marred by insecurity could not produce credible leaders, hence the need to harp on the importance of election security for good democratic governance.
Discussants at the presentation including Professor Antonia Simbine, Retired Brigadier General Sani Usman, Messers Majeed Dahiru and Babajide Otitoju, all argued that most political parties in Nigeria were not democratic and this had been the bane of good governance.
Earlier in an address of welcome, President, Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation, SAAF, Dr. Florence Ajimobi said when the process of attaining public leadership was effectively and transparently harnessed, a better-managed citizenry would emerge.
Highpoints of the programme were the inauguration of the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Resource Centre donated to the Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies, the University of Ibadan by the SAAF, presentation of awards, as well as, cutting of Senator Abiola Ajimobi Posthumous birthday cake.
Oluwakayode Banjo
