Coordinator of the Pilex Center for Civic Education Initiative, Courage Nsirimovu, has warned that without comprehensive electoral reforms, the people of Rivers State will remain enslaved to the political class.
Nsirimovu made the statement during a Town Hall meeting organized by News Central for Rivers stakeholders, held in Port Harcourt.
He emphasized the need for true democracy, stressing that sovereignty belongs to the people, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
“I have listened to elders and politicians speak, but we must also consider the voice of the people,” he said. “The law says sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria. If we do not fix the core issues that guarantee sovereignty, what is happening in Rivers State will continue to be a recurring decimal.”
Nsirimovu pointed to flaws in the country’s electoral system, questioning the integrity of the voting process.
“The question that comes to mind is: does our vote count? If we do not resolve that, and one individual continues to decide who governs the state, then this is no longer democracy. It becomes a system of imposition, not a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
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He called for urgent constitutional amendments to address gaps in the electoral process, particularly the transmission of results from polling units, which he described as a critical issue affecting all stakeholders, civil society, politicians, and citizens alike.
“This is not just about Rivers State,” Nsirimovu noted. “Today it’s Rivers; tomorrow it could be another state. If we fail to fix the electoral system, the people will remain political slaves.”
He also referenced past instances of executive overreach, including the declaration of a state of emergency in Plateau State in 2004, criticizing what he described as impunity at the highest levels.
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“Even the Supreme Court ruled then that a state of emergency does not empower the President to suspend a sitting governor,” he recalled. “Yet we continue to see constitutional violations without consequence.
“Let’s take a look at the constitution itself, how did this electoral come about. History tells us that sometime in 2004 the then President of Nigeria declared State of emergency in Plateau State and another State.
“And people like the present President went to court and what did supreme court said even if you declared state of emergency you do not have the power to remove or suspend the Governor. We are here because of impunity at the highest level.
“Constitution clearly says this is how something should be done, the President comes on air says State of emergency takes place immediately where is that done? This is terribly illegality and this is where we found ourselves.”
Addressing the current political climate in Rivers State, Nsirimovu warned against the idea of peace built on submission to political godfathers.
“Sometime in Anambra State, one man demanded the governor bring the entire state allocation to him. If that is the kind of peace we want in Rivers State, then we should prepare for continued suffering,” he said.
“The peace we seek must be rooted in constitutional democracy where the electoral system works, votes count, and the governor is accountable to the people. Without that, we are slaves. And I refuse to be a slave. I believe the people of Rivers State also refuse to be slaves.”
One Response
We do not have a president interested in the rule of law, and we have a Supreme Court that’s more of a “cult” than upholding the Law. All these due to a most nefarious constitution of illegality foisted on us by political imbeciles with criminal intent.