Key political stakeholders in Ondo State have commended the federal government for its decision to establish the Special Electoral Offences Tribunal ahead the forthcoming Ondo State gubernatorial election .
This, they believe, will checkmate the activities of politicians and their followers who see politics as a do-or-die affair.
Those who spoke to Our Ondo State Correspondent on the issue include Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Political Matters, Mr. Bamiduro Dada, State Chairmen of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Chief Olorunsola Adesoji, Labour Party, LP, Chief Olu Ogidan and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Ebenezer Alabi.
According to them, the move is a right step in the right direction, just as Mr. Dada expressed concern that those involved in electoral violence in the last general election are yet to be jailed.
“It wasn’t like that in Ondo State. People that were caught in Ondo State spent a very nice time at Olokuta Prison. And I believe that will serve as a deterrent to others. And it is quite unfortunate that those caught at the federal government level have not been tried up till now,” he said.
On his part, the PDP chairman believes activities of the new special tribunal will not be hampered by the “Nigerian factor”, adding that “It will not be abused.”
He added, “When we have such on ground, the violence that is associated with election will be minimal because people were not punished in the past, they got away with their antics. But if such tribunal is in place and they know the consequences of electoral violence it will go a long way in checking electoral malpractices.”
To Ogidan, the move will reduce the burden of election petition tribunals, while also pointing out that the new court should be mandated to try offenders at the local level, particularly local government election.
He said, “It is long overdue. Before the last general election, the Special Electoral Offences Tribunal ought to have been established. That will put a check on those who believe that they can get away with electoral violence. It will lead to quick dispensation of electoral cases.”
However, Chief Adesoji, called for the appointment of people with “high moral integrity” to man the special court, while urging the country’s leaders to learn from Ghana.
“It will limit the excesses of our people as regards electoral violence,” he noted.
Copyright: Fresh Angle International (www.freshangleng.com)
ISSN 2354 - 4104
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