Why INEC must bring transparency to the electoral system, by Omotosho
Mike Omotosho, national chairman of the Labour Party (LP), in this exclusive interview with INIOBONG IWOK assesses the Muhammadu Buhari administration. He also speaks on other issues in the polity. Excerpts:
What is your take on the controversy over the invasion of the court by the DSS to rearrest Omoyele Sowore?
The reality of the matter is that even though it is not constitutional, there is nowhere that it is written in the law of the land that arrest cannot be made in court. But it is expected that customs should be obeyed; arrest should not be made in court.the traditions have been to respect the sanctity of the court. It is just like when you go to church nobody would tell you not to respect the sanctity of the church. Even some churches would not tell you to remove your cap when you enter the church, but you know that it is what you should do because you are going into a church. So, it is the sanctity of the church that you are respecting; not that it is written anywhere that you should remove your cap.
It appears to be anomaly when someone appears to wear a cap in church. So, it is anomaly when Sowore is been rearrested in court. It is not the norm. I think the important issue here is that the government, private individuals and the rest should respect the sanctity of the court. But I don’t think there is anything wrong, I have listened to a lot of arguments on the issue. But it is important that what we do should be within the law.
But does it bother you that the DSS appears to have consistency disobeyed court orders?
Yes, it bothers me, but you need to also be careful; there are some offences that are not bailable. But if he should be released on bail, they should obey the court and release him.it is left for you to show compelling reasons why the person should be released. It may be his right but without proof there is nothing the court can do. You have agreed as a law-abiding citizen to submit yourself to the dictate of the law as interpreted by the court. It would be unconstitutional to go against the court directive and there are avenues to appeal to the higher court even to the Supreme Court depending on how the case is. We are not there yet; I rightly agree that there is room for improvement.
What is your take on the ‘hate speech’ bill?
I think it is a little laughable. Even though hate speech is abominable, but having a death sentence for it is equally laughable. There are war crimes being perpetrated and nobody is talking about that. The truth of the matter is that we should learn to respect each other and value each other’s opinions and see ourselves as brothers and sisters. All this would not even come in when that is the case. To me, what is important now is for the government to strive to eliminate hunger and poverty to the barest minimum in the country. The moment we understand why we are together most of this hate speech would be eliminated and we can live in a better society. But I canvass for a reorientation as a nation, discipline as an individual, we should respect each other’s religion and dignity.we would appreciate why we are together as a country. Imagine your family member involved in hate speech, would you suggest that he/she should be beheaded? Rather you would look for ways in which everyone would live in harmony in the country.
There is increasing fear that this administration is becoming authoritarian;what is your take here?
I don’t think you can judge a book by its cover. I don’t think you can use one of two incidents to judge a book by its cover. We cannot come to that conclusion. Yes, there is room for improvement, but it is not to generalise. If you ask me, the most important thing is; how the lives of the ordinary people can be improved rather than these issues.
What is your take on the Kogi and Bayelsa States gubernatorial elections?
Unfortunately, I was not there but I can only talk based on what people said and based on what I read in the media. There are right channels to go to if INEC can’t do what is right. The court is there; candidates who are aggrieved should go there. In the present age, we can capture evident and the people are more aware now because it is easy to spot irregularities and based on that you can meet the court to annul an election.
But vote buying, violence and other anti-social behaviours were reportedly pronounced in these elections; the PDP women leader was killed?
It is not new; this is Nigeria where violence and vote-buying were pronounced during campaign for the 2019 general election. We need to improve on that and make sure that elections are not a do-or-die affair, and make sure that ordinary Nigerians have a voice in who represents them. I think it is not enough to elect a leader; we have a role to play to support them.
What should be done to bring credibility to Nigeria’s electoral system?
INEC needs to bring transparency to the electoral system so that people can have a say and confidence in elections.ones they believe they can partake in it; when more people take part in the electoral process the elected representatives would know that people elected them and they are meant to serve them.but when they believe they came in through violence they believe they are there for the four years for themselves.if they are buying votes; who are they buying votes from? What I am saying is that, the fault is from all of us. My grandmother used to say that the person giving you money should count it in your presence; when you collect it, count it in his presence.so, if someone wants to buy votes and you refused by saying; I am going to vote according to my conscience then you are ahead. You cannot accept the money from vote-buying and then turn around to be complaining.
There are rumours the North is interested in holding the power beyond 2023; do you have any issue with that?
That is just beer parlour views. I am not bothered by that, it is not written in the constitution that there must be rotational presidency in the country. But at the same time, the rule of law must prevail. People understand what needs to be done automatically. So, I don’t think these are issues we should bother ourselves with, because they are just rumours, because at the right time things would unfold and we would know where we are going.
What is the latest on the leadership crisis in the Labour Party?
Well, we are still in court and the court has not ruled on the matter. We are still waiting court decision; I can’t say much because I should not be talking about a case that is in court.