Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, ahead of the 2015 general elections has charged Nigerians to use their voting power to vote in or out political office holders based on performance.
The governor in a goodwill message at the 15th Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture at the Shell Hall, Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos said it leaves more to be desired when less than 50 per cent registered voters vote on the day of election, noting that every electioneering year presents golden opportunity for electorate to remove less performing candidates and return performing candidates or their party, according to report from Daily Independent According to him, “When you look at the result of our elections, you will struggle to see that 35 per cent of registered voters come out to vote.
Another opportunity now beckons, it is a one in four years opportunity.
“Whether you like it or not, election has started already because permanent voters’ cards are being issued.
Are you busy at work, stay at work? Those who wish things to happen, stay away from them, those who want things to happen, get involved with them.
Someone will probably collect your card or return it if it was not used.
“What is happening in February 2015 is balloting out of the whole process of election.
After balloting, disputes are resolved.
When all that is finished, it is to return the valid candidates and remove the unsuccessful candidates. “Election is a process and it has begun.
When you pick a coach and he does not give us result, what we do is sack the coach.
When I employ a driver and he drives me badly, what I need to do is sack him.
So, we are your servants, you should not be struggling the job with us.
If you think we have not done the job well, sack us,” Fashola told the people.
He urged Nigerians to focus more on ideas that can drive democracy and move the nation forward rather than concentrating on promulgation of laws or redrafting Constitution, saying if good laws are operated by bad people, there will be no result.
“In all the places where democracy is practiced, it is all about ideas.
The idea of a united Nigeria, can we take that away as what we want? In the few times we have had constitutional conferences, we have focused more on our laws and our Constitution rather than ourselves.
“What are the values and ideals with which we want our nation to run. What is the Nigeria idea for the Nigeria ideal? “Good laws will do nothing if bad people operate them.
Also, with the most badly drafted Constitution in the hands of men and women of goodwill, a lot of good can be achieved. We should ask ourselves what kind of Nigeria do we want.
Our value system really is the problem. What is our sense of right and wrong? Is it right only because he is your kinsman or is it right all the time?” Fashola asked rhetorically.
The post Vote Out Under Performing Office Holders – Fashola Tells Nigerians appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria No. 1 Online Portal.
from Naijaloaded | Nigeria No. 1 Online Portal http://ift.tt/1Cxazhn
via IFTTT
0 comments:
Post a Comment