By Ankeli Emmanuel (Sokoto)
Sokoto State Governor, Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has urged Nigerians to be vehement in making their positions known towards ensuring a free and fair election in the country.
Tambuwal who raised concern on the issue of proposed electronic transmission of votes before the National Assembly for deliberation noted that they should strive towards bequeathing a lasting legacy of the acceptable electoral process for the future of Nigeria's democracy.
He reminded the two arms of the legislatures of the need to clearly note that what is on the table, for now, is not electronic voting but the electronic transmission of votes. Tambuwal pointed out that both the international community, INEC as well as civil society organizations, are all in support of the electronic vote transmission.
While explaining further during a press conference he personally addressed at the Sokoto State Secretariat of the NUJ, governor Tambuwal said, "My intervention was not a partisan one. It must be seen as a contribution from someone who has had varied experiences as a legislator, a former Speaker, a sitting Governor and one who has been involved in the leadership of political parties".
While reiterating that only a credible, free, and fair election will ensure that voters decide any electoral contest, Tambuwal used the Edo and Ondo states elections as a case study, noting that," the electronic transmission of votes cast from the unit level ensured that the voter's wishes were respected hence PDP won in Edo and APC won in Ondo as a result."
Governor Tambuwal also reminded the National Assembly members of the need to look beyond immediate party interest, adding that today they might be in the ruling party and opposition tomorrow.
"We have seen many times where a person may be in the ruling party today and in the opposition tomorrow. We have also experienced a situation where party leaders would want to frustrate the re-election of a sitting member, even in the same political party"
"That guarantees the re-election of a member of the National Assembly or indeed any other contestant should his performance and appeal not be to the dictates of any godfather either as Governor, President or party leader or stakeholders."
Disputing the position of some commentators on electronic transmission of votes that internet penetration in all parts of Nigeria is not assured yet, governor Tambuwal said " this is exactly why the bill should give INEC the prerogative of introducing electronic transmission of votes in any election.
" In any case, INEC has demonstrated and assured that it has the technology to transmit votes electronically even without the internet". NNL.
