The much-debated, much discussed, and much delayed Electoral Bill has finally been signed into law on Friday morning by President Muhammadu Buhari. This is a triumph for all Nigerians and for all advocates of genuine representative governance.
I congratulate President Buhari for being courageous and forward-looking enough to append his signature to this very significant Bill which has now become part of our law.
This Electoral law is quite significant in many ways. It will forever remove the democratic process from the shackles of godfatherism and money bags that continue to sabotage the will of the people. It will equally reduce a lot of electoral malpractices through the brazen forging of figures and other manipulative processes that hinder democratic growth.
The Nigerian democracy is now on the path of liberation and emancipatory importance. The Will of the people will now triumph over the shenanigans of a dirty few. This, no doubt, will deepen our democratic values and ensure the endurance of freedom and liberty. It is indeed a right step in the right direction.
Nigerians have suffered a lot for this democratic dawn. We must all applaud every opportunity that enhances our collective freedom. The next agenda that needs the attention of President Buhari is the devolution of powers where all sections of our nation will be empowered to develop at their own pace without the overbearing intervention of the center.
⁃ Chief Bode George
⁃ Atona Odua of Yorubaland