2020: Edo, Ondo Governorship Elections In Focus: Lessons for 2023!

With both the Edo and Ondo States' governorship elections having been concluded in Nigeria, it is time to draw lessons from both exercises which will be useful for subsequent elections and the general elections in the year 2023. 

Of particular concern is the increasing monetization of votes by the dominant parties, a vice that was widely reported by local and international observers. In addition to the recommendations contained in the 14th January 2020 blog( see below),I will be encouraging the electoral commission, civil societies and the general public to embark on sustained pressure on the National Assembly and the Presidency for electoral reforms. This will enable both arms to progressively legislate and execute policies aimed at entrenching a gradual deployment of electronic voting in Nigeria. 

( Originally published on the 14th of January 2020)

2020: Edo, Ondo Governorship Elections In Focus

https://www.independent.ng/2020-edo-ondo-governorship-elections-in-focus/

( Source: Independent Newspapers)

Commentary

Source: www.ancient-origins.net/

With the orgies of war

from the recent Kogi 2019 election in mind

we cannot but dread

the stench from our electoral system

It was Prophet Isaiah*

Who foresaw our missed electoral values

when our productivity tool(votes) are manipulated

by greedy and self-centered politicians

and turn into destructive tools(swords)

in our very hands

Free and fair elections matters

Because they are the “pruning hooks”

That draws our nation to economic prosperity

And not the spears (guns and divisive rhetoric)

that political elite would rather

make some of our youths to carry

As we approach the Edo and Ondo 2020 gubernatorial elections

My desire is for

Swords turned into plowshares

And spears re-molded into pruning hooks

Happy New-kind electoral year from “Accountable Democracy”

To us all