The Bill for the alteration of the Electoral Act to provide for independent candidates will deepen our democracy and provide opportunities for th
The Bill for the alteration of the Electoral Act to provide for independent candidates will deepen our democracy and provide opportunities for those who are not affiliated to any political parties to participate in elections.
The member representing Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency in the 10th House of Representativeness, Hon. Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi stated this while appearing on Nigerian Television Authority, (NTA) 24 network programme, Nigeria Today on Friday night.
The lawmaker believes that “the independent candidate is doable because even under the present dispensation that only allows political parties to sponsor candidates, people are still elected unopposed in some cases”.
Professor Nnamchi in responding to the notion that the time was not ripe for independent candidacy yet due to the heavy financial demands involved in the political campaigns in the country stressed that focus shouldn’t be only on the big stages like the presidency and governorships.
He pointed out that at local governments levels, it might work for now adding, “at the counselorship and chairmanship elections it can work because there are people who don’t need to belong to political parties to win at those levels as result of their popularity and pedigree”.
Prof Nnamchi also noted that “there are sections within some areas that are perpetually marginalized by those who have hijacked the political parties who will find space to contest for election if the Bill is eventually passed”.
“Democracy is dynamic and people should not be afraid of change. I believe it will work. It will also reduce intra party feuds and the arrogance of the party leaders who often threaten prospective candidates with denial of nominations”. He emphasized.
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