Senator Adams Oshiomhole from Edo North has urged his fellow politicians and lawmakers to refrain from utilizing the unemployed as tools to sabotage elections.The ex-governor of Edo State made this statement during the Senate plenary session on Wednesday.
He emphasized that in our approach to technology during elections, Nigeria needs to be vigilant against hackers.Furthermore, he expressed his disapproval of holding the elections for the President, National Assembly, and Governors on the same day.
“I’m not certain if the President will recall this. I’m unsure if I can invoke the President as a witness, but I wish to remind you of what I previously stated while we were both governors. First and foremost, we need to earnestly address violence in our electoral system. Elections should not resemble battlefields where young men, and older ones, wield AK-47s to intimidate opponents or to scare away the youth organizing the elections, or to seize coalition centers.
At that earlier meeting, I believe Governor Dickson attended as well, and when I concluded my points, I remarked that AK-47s aren’t purchased like street food; only the elite can afford them. I recall former Governor Amaechi questioning whether I was implicating the governors. I think my response was somewhat along the lines of ‘yes’, as inquiries to security agencies reveal an increase in violent crimes post-elections caused by politicians who arm desperate youth with weapons and minimal financial incentives. Once the elections are over, retrieving these weapons becomes impossible, and they are often used for further violence.
“There’s a clear link between rising criminal activity, such as robbery, and the period immediately following elections, as these individuals, feeling abandoned post-results, resort to crime. Someone advised me against blaming governors.“I’m not pinpointing governors now. I am merely recalling my earlier statements. As I listen to everyone who has spoken here, there is a collective voice in favor of transparent elections. If we all genuinely agree, not just with words but also with resolve, to eliminate violence and affirm that the Nigerian populace deserves to choose their leaders without intimidation on Election Day, especially every four years, we will ensure fair and transparent elections.
The essence of democracy isn’t solely about holding a significant elective position.“It’s the intrinsic satisfaction of knowing that the people, of their free choice, deem you worthy to be their representative and to manage our collective resources for the benefit of the majority.That is where the true value lies. If your success stems from manipulative tactics or fraudulent means, in the depth of your heart, you know true happiness eludes you.
Thus, I must declare this. Firstly, we need to collectively resolve that as elected representatives, we as senators shall neither directly nor indirectly, overtly or covertly, support unemployed individuals or arm them to disrupt elections. If we can uphold this commitment, we would have resolved 90 percent of the issue.