Revisit the Adoption of Electronic Voting for 2019 Polls, Olanipekun, Others, Urge NASS

A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, has urged the National Assembly to revisit the adoption of electronic voting for 2019 General Elections.

Olanipekun said this last Wednesday, in his Keynote Address at the 2018 Annual Lecture of the Ikeja Branch of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC).

He said the combination of card readers and electronic voting, would result in a credible electoral process. A former General Secretary of NBA, Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, and NBA Vice President, Monday Ubani, also shared Olanipekun's views.

The lecture had the theme "The Role of Judiciary, Media in the 2019 Election”.

The Senior Advocate suggested that, electronic voting, would be an improvement on the card reader system introduced by the Professor Attahiru Jega led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2015.

“Even with the deployment of the card reader in 2015, a lot of electoral malpractices were still identified. The least that Nigerians expect from INEC for the 2019 General Elections, is the deployment and use of an electronic device, which would ensure substantial rig-proof elections.

“The combination of the use and activation of the card reader and electronic device, will assure and reassure Nigerians that INEC is indeed, and in fact, prepared for a free and fair election. INEC should not enter any caveat, or give any alibi for not being able to deploy the electronic device, which is now in use almost worldwide”, he said.

Speaking on the role of the Media, Olanipekun said though Nigerian laws had provided sufficiently for press freedom, there was a need for journalists to be adequately remunerated.

"The Nigerian press had been imbued with sufficient of freedom under our Constitution, and as such, there is no need to amend the Constitution to specifically provide for the independence of the press.

"For us to make any tangible progress in our quest for democratic stability, the Nigerian press has to be free from censorship by either the Government, its operatives, or proprietors of media outfits.

"For a journalist or pressman who is not gainfully employed, or who is under what economists call 'disguised unemployment', who receives peanuts or nothing for his services to his employers, cannot make any meaningful contribution to the either the 2019 General Elections, or the evolution of democracy.

"A hungry man, cannot be a happy man, instead, he is bound to be an angry personality”, he said.

Olanipekun said there is a need for Nigerians to appreciate the vital role of the press in every sphere of the nation, and commended the profound editorial opinions published in various print media.

Olanipekun hailed the role of the Judiciary, in ensuring the sustainability of the country's democracy.

"President Goodluck Jonathan honourably and commendably conceded defeat to President Muhammadu Buhari, after the 2015 Presidential election.

"Nigerians have lost sight of the fact that, the Presidential election of Saturday, March 28, 2015, was only held because of the judicial intervention of Kolawole J., of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division”, he said.

On her part, Lagos State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke, charged journalists to ensure fair and unbiased coverage, in order not to heat up the polity.

Oke, who was the Chief Host at the event, and was represented by Hon. Justice Josephine Oyefeso, noted that the media acts as a watchdog, with a duty to provide unbiased, fair and informative coverage of the 2019 elections.

"Responsible reporting of events must be the guiding principle of the media, apart from the electronic and print media, social media has also gained tremendous ground in this country.

"In the last election, it played a vital role, as a watchdog in the process of electioneering.

"Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp and Instagram, will continue to play a dominant role in communicating with the members of the public and monitoring elections and results.

"The need for responsible reporting to avoid fake news, cannot be overemphasised; we must take the good, and jettison the bad.

"Judiciary Correspondents covering the various election petition proceedings that will be set up, must report proceedings in an unbiased, fair and upright manner.

"When a case is under judgement, the media must ensure that it does not interfere with the fair trial obligation of the court.

"Accuracy must be our watchword, and you must ensure that you do not compromise ongoing court proceedings, bearing in mind that there are at least two sides to a story.

"We should not forget that lack of professionalism and objectivity, may plunge the nation into crisis, we should never forget the events in Rwanda in 1994 and Kenya in 2007”, the Chief Judge said.

The Attorney- General of Lagos State, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, in his speech, said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos, is committed to ensuring swift and fair administration of justice.

Kazeem who was represented by Mr. Idowu Akinwunmi, his Senior Special Adviser (SSA), urged the press to be unbiased in their reportage of national issues.

"Equally, the populace depend largely on professional reporting journalism, and I must commend the members of this Association for attaining the required level of this societal obligation.

"As stakeholders here seated, it is therefore, our collective responsibility as a society, to continue to uphold fair, independent and accountable institutions to carry out their work in a responsible manner.

"The theme of this lecture is relevant, as we draw closer to the election.

"Though today's topic focuses on the Judiciary and Media, individually and within our respective institutions, we all have a role to play in the coming elections”, he said.

In his welcome address, Mr. Akinwale Akintunde, the Chairman of NAJUC, represented by his Vice, Mr. Gbenga Adewoye said the theme of the lecture was very apt, because of the importance of elections in the country.

"You will all agree with me that as the 2019 General Elections draw near, and the widespread social media campaign for citizens to get their Permanent Voters Card intensifies, a number of people have a few questions on their lips.

"One of such questions is, can we ever get it right in this country?

"The answer is yes, but it can only happen when we all, particularly the Media and the Judiciary, play our roles effectively”, he said.