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Obong of Calabar,
Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V shaking VP Namadi Sambo at an event in Abuja
(Photo: efikeburutu.com)
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The
Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, has warned that the do-or-die
approach to 2015 polls by politicians constituted a serious threat to Nigeria’s
democracy.
The
Efik monarch made the observation in Adiabo in Odukpani Local Government Area
while interacting with some journalists.
The
monarch chided the political class over what he described as a do-or-die
approach to 2015 polls.
He
said that he was yet to be convinced that some politicians had the interest of
the country and that of ordinary Nigerians in mind from what he saw at the just
concluded political party primaries.
“Their
ambition and interest of many politicians seem to have overridden the interest
of the people they are supposed to serve.
“The
political class has now made politics a do-or-die business. To them, once you
sail through, you automatically become a millionaire.
“If
we can separate the political powers from the financial powers in the running
of the country, Nigeria will be better for it.
“The
governor, for instance, controls the state’s finances and decides what to do
with it.
“All
over the country, people are complaining over the just concluded party
primaries. It was very shabby; it was a disgrace to the power of democracy.
“
They virtually hand-picked their cronies and tactically locked out others.
“Our
democracy has deteriorated to the level that it is those at the corridors of
power who decides who should take over political power, not on the basis of
quality of service to the people.
“It
has become an avenue to settle political acolytes. The people’s voices are no
more important. This is very bad for our body polity.
“The
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had taken steps to ensure
credible elections, but politicians are not willing to play by the rules.
“You
invite INEC to witness the sham called party primaries, but the electoral laws
do not empower the umpire to take decision on the glaring imposition we are
witnessing.
“The National Assembly should
do something about the manner these primaries are conducted, else we may end up
saying good bye to our hard earned democracy,” the monarch stated. (NAN)
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