NUJ President Calls for Tightening of Enforcement Mechanism to End Electoral Malpractices

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Chris Isiguzo, has said that in preparation for the next general election, enforcement of mechanisms needs to be tightened for free, fair, and credible elections. 

Reacting to the recurring electoral malpractices that have continued to happen in the history of the nation, Isiguzo stated that weak institutions and lack of consequences, amongst other factors, have been the cause of the ugly trend.

Speaking in Abuja at the National Multi-stakeholders’ Forum on Youth Electoral Reform Priorities, which was organised by Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) and in collaboration with the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the NUJ President recalled that in the 2023 elections, BVAS didn’t work in some places which resulted in the electoral body, INEC using a manual approach.

He said, “Such things give room for manipulation and there’s no doubt about it. It must be made law that if the country has decided to make use of technology, which of course is the bedrock of democratic governance, then we must equally ensure that we accommodate them in our good book so that they become law. 

“We are not taking stringent measures in ensuring that we closely monitor campaign financing. When it is left open-ended, the weak parties will of course be out of the way and the strong parties will have their way.

 “We seem to have very weak enforcement systems in our country. The law must have provided for free, fair, and credible elections, but for the fact that our system is weak, it becomes an enabler for those who manage our elections. They feel like nothing will happen, hence the continuity. So, impunity continues to thrive. We are to tighten the noose of enforcement mechanism so that those who deliberately undermine or violate electoral processes will know that there are consequences for such action. 

“So anybody conducting elections will then know that BVAS must work. If it doesn’t work, then there’ll be no election. By the time that is done, you’ll know that those managing elections will be more cautious and committed that election materials work as expected.”

In his response to the clamour of Nigerian youths asking for the unbundling of INEC and its responsibilities, as well as the 35 per cent affirmative action for women and youths in elected and appointive positions, Isiguzo, the legislators must be carried along and must feel the impulse of the people. 

He said: “As of today, the only setting that is constitutionally empowered to make laws are our lawmakers. Whatever we do here, if we don’t engage them, it will be an effort in futility.”