Abure advocates for electoral reform to stop “snatch, grab, and run” tactics
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Julius Abure has advocated for holistic electoral reform to restore public confidence in democracy and the electoral system, both of which have been further soiled by the “snatch, grab, and run” rigging tactics of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as espoused by Bola Tinubu long before he became President.
The Labour Party (LP) Chairman warned public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy is waning because of the huge disappointment in the 2023 election when the people’s mandate was brazenly stolen.
He made the point when he received a delegation of LP members of the House of Representatives who visited him at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
“This visit is to show that we are one, formidable opposition party. We thank God that we retained our strength in the House. I’m also facing the same challenge,” he said.
“You have been the symbol of the people, you will not abandon them. Many have been killed and maimed, you have become the voice of the voiceless. I hope that you will continue to keep faith.”
“Opposition is the soul of democracy. It is only in this part of the world that we see opposition as an anthem. There must be a strong opposition for the survival of democracy,” Abure added.
“You are the symbol of a new beginning. Moving forward as a party, we think that a reform of the electoral system is necessary.
“We need a holistic electoral reform. I will say that LP with your support we will begin with mobilisation, political education is important. Leadership is not only the problem, followership is also the problem.
“The party will be with you in all your struggles and challenges.”
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LP lawmakers won’t leave party
Vanguard reports Victor Ozodinobi, Deputy House Minority Whip who led the delegation, said: “This visit is a courtesy visit in the sense that within eight or nine months, the leadership of the party led by Peter Obi, did the miracle of the century.
“A party without structure was able to shake the country. This visit was delayed because of court cases. It is to thank Obi, and the National Working Committee [NWC] and to appreciate the party for giving us the platform.
“We got 35 seats within eight months and we are looking forward to more. Most of us have settled in. We are working very well. Our colleagues have been supportive.
“Be rest assured that we will not disappoint this party. None of us will leave this party.
“All of us owe our victory to Obi’s goodwill and the NWC. I will remain in opposition until Obi becomes President and I pray it will come to pass.”
LP House Caucus Leader Afam Ogene reiterated “the presidential petitions are over. We lost three seats but gained two, which puts us at 34, in the House.
“We know our expectations. Opposition doesn’t mean fight but alternate viewpoints. We are ready to put forward these viewpoints.
“Members were busy attending petitions. We can assure you that upon resumption in January, we will roll out programmes on how to engage in opposition. We will not be audio opposition but in truth and spirit.”
Ogene on behalf of his colleagues appealed to the party’s NWC to do a postmortem on federal and state election petitions to better prepare for the future.