The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, has criticized the Senate’s decision to confirm the appointments of only two Resident Electoral Commissioners , RECs.
The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, has criticized the Senate’s decision to confirm the appointments of only two out of the 10 Resident Electoral Commissioners , RECs , nominated by President Bola Tinubu.
He said that the confirmation of these individuals in spite of petitions opposing their nominations demonstrated that the country’s democracy is being administered “without democrats,” though he did not name them.
Itodo said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily that the Senate’s actions suggested that people “who do not care about the people” are in charge of Nigeria’s democracy.
He also stated that, “They confirmed these individuals after the Senate President declined to refer this matter to the appropriate committee.
Petitions were filed against these individuals, particularly the two nominees who were the target of flag-waving by Nigerians, and pictures and videos of these people were all over the internet.
“This is not too far, it was just 2019, less than four or six years down the line. These are individuals who are really out there and confessed their political preference and alignment and you went ahead and confirmed these people.”
He added, “What it just simply tells us is that we have got a democracy without democrats; we have a democracy with individuals who do not care about the people and do not care about our institutions.
“I think it’s heartbreaking. You see what happened in the Senate yesterday ,Wednesday and see how these guys are killing our institutions.”
He asked. “How can you explain to a Nigerian that this person was confirmed for a democratic institution that is supposed to serve as an umpire?”
Itodo added that the inability of the lawmakers who ought to checkmate the excesses of the executive arm is damaging to the nation’s democratic institutions.
Crediblenews reports that President Bola Tinubu, in a letter sent to the Senate, had asked for the confirmation of 10 new RECs for a term of five years, to serve in the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The President’s request was read by Akpabio, at plenary on Tuesday.
Crediblenews.ng
