Seadogs call for credible 2015 election

The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) has called for free, fair, credible and acceptance general election in 2015 saying it is critical in strengthening the nation’s frail democracy.

NAS urged Nigerians to be patriotic and participate actively in the electoral process and vote for candidates of their choice and ensure that their votes are counted and count in the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Speaking at a lecture in Abuja with the theme, “Unity in Diversity: Our Nation’s Strength for the Future,” Emmanuel Nanle Samuel, a Senior Lecturer with the Plateau State Polytechnic urged Nigerians to be patriotic in the quest at building a strong, virile and prosperous democratic nation.

He said the danger that has dotted Nigeria’s democratic engagement is deeply rooted in ethnic and religious rivalry, stressing that, “a narrow harmonization of our peculiarities to ethnic, regional, socio-political, or economic classifications has the great potential of widening the divide and disunity in the country”.

“While I agree to the place of quota system and federal character are necessary to allow integration and participation in the act of governance for all people, good governance itself is government without biases and prejudices against any person or group of persons,” he stated.

Samuel urged Nigerians to “build on our strengths in diversity rather than over emphasize on ethno-religious and political lines of divide that will adversely affect our common destiny”.

He said a recipe for unity and national transformation includes, popular participation in governance and promotion of the principles of freedom, equality and justice for all, war against corruption, wealth creation to address unemployment, respect for the rule of law and a functional justice system, non-partisan security agencies, accountability and transparency in governance, patriotism and a new constitution as the nation’s grand norm.

He frowned at the increasing culture of impurity by public office holders saying it will undermine Nigeria’s democratic process. He urged politicians to imbibe issue-based politics and eschew violence in all its ramifications.