Former President Goodluck Jonathan, has said that the ballots cast in elections, and not the Judiciary, should determine the winners of elections in the country, while also condemning Nigerian Politicians that induce voters with little cash and or foodstuff for votes, in order to win elections,
He said this on Monday, in Abuja, when he visited TOS TV.
He also urged Nigerian youths to participate in politics, saying that, the political system controls everything globally, and that the youths should not be left behind.
His words: “Ballot papers should be the basis of selecting Political Office holders. If it is the Judiciary that should select them, then we are not yet there.
“I am not saying the Judiciary is not doing well, but our laws should suppress the idea of our Judiciary returning Candidates. The ballots should decide who occupies the Councillorship seat up to the Presidency; that is democracy.”
He stressed that his administration gave women and youths the opportunity to take part in politics, saying that, this is the only way the government can influence programmes, policies, and effect changes.
According to him, there should be punitive measures against those who indulge in such unwholesome act.
He maintained that unlike Nigeria, where Politicians induced voters with money and foodstuff on election day, such actions are criminal offences in some African countries.
He added: “The problem we have in Nigeria, is the use of money to induce some voters. Compared to other African countries, we spend too much money here. Probably, we need to review our laws, because I have observed a number of elections in African countries.
“For instance, in Tanzania, a Candidate does not need to print his name on matchbox, or any items to woo voters. If you do that, they say that you are inducing the electorate. It is against their laws.
“But here, if somebody is contesting elections, you buy bags of rice, wrappers, and all manner of items, to induce the electorate. Ordinarily, our Electoral laws are supposed to frown on such practices.
“If you do that, you are supposed to be disqualified from contesting in the election. So, these are the things that make our elections expensive. I think if the young people are willing, things should begin to change.”
He, however, admitted that money is required to offset campaign logistics, and other legitimate costs during the electioneering.
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