The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has called on Nigerians to elect candidates that have the capacity and character to deliver dividends of democracy.
The minister made this called yesterday in Lagos at the 2022 TheNiche Annual Lecture on the topic, ‘2023 Elections and the Future of Nigeria’s Democracy.
Speaking at the event, Fashola noted the caliber of people that would be elected into public offices would determine the quality of democratic dividends that would be delivered.
He said democracy and election do not guarantee that the elected people will deliver on their election mandate. He, therefore, said it is the duty of the people to elect those that would deliver, adding that the electorate should worry less on religion as it is a private matter which should be done at home or at religious centres.
The former governor of Lagos State, who was the keynote speaker at the event said, the Nigerians should ensure that democracy works and positively impact the lives of ordinary people on the streets.
Fashola said, “On the election day, you will not see qualifications, Muslim or Christians on the ballot box. The ballot paper will not state whether the man you want to vote for is kind or compassion.
“It is the institutions of democracy like this town hall meeting that helps in defining issues because at the end of the day, the majority will chose the person they want.
“That someone is the choice of the majority does not mean that he or she will deliver on what he promised.”
He said any choice we make as a nation has consequences, warning of the danger to entrust power into the hands of those who do not have what it takes to enhance the lives of the citizenry.
On his part, a founding member of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, said Nigerians should be more concerned on changing our model of democracy rather than considering on 2023 general election.
Yakasai said Nigeria is currently at a cross road because of the American system of government the country practices. He noted that there is a general believe in the country that the current political dispensation is not working for all Nigerians.
“I have been advocating the adoption of French Presidential System of Government for Nigeria. In my opinion, it is easier to replace non-performing government in that system than in the American Presidential System.
“Another important reason why I am advocating the adoption of the French Presidential System is that it is cheaper to operate and, therefore, more suitable to our own reality as a developing nation,” he said.
