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Alleviate sufferings of Nigerians, CISLAC tells Tinubu

The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Mr Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take immediate action to implement genuine electoral and judicial reforms. This, he believes, is crucial to alleviating the suffering of Nigerians.

Mr Musa, who also serves as the Chairman of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), made this call in a statement provided to Saturday Tribune. He further urged President Tinubu to address the pressing issue of the rising cost of living in Nigeria, which has largely been influenced by policies introduced since the start of his administration.

He stated, “The 2023 general election has completed its full cycle with the Supreme Court of Nigeria’s verdict on October 26, 2023. While some Nigerians may have reservations about the verdict concerning the appeals of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Mr Peter Obi, it’s essential to remember that Nigeria operates under a democratic system.

Therefore, Nigerians from all backgrounds must set aside their grievances and accept the verdict as the conclusion of the 2023 presidential election cycle.

“Nigerians must now take on the responsibility of holding this administration accountable by demanding transparency at all levels. It is imperative for Nigerians to insist on genuine reforms in both the electoral system and the judiciary. Comprehensive reforms that regulate the actions of political actors are crucial at this time.

“The 2023 election revealed the extent to which the political class can manipulate electoral laws for their own benefit. Citizens must now demand reforms that curb the unruly behaviour of politicians in preparation for future elections in the country.

“If left in the hands of politicians, Nigeria will continue to have elections with questionable integrity. Citizens should advocate for political party reforms, as these parties are responsible for nominating candidates for elections in Nigeria. It is the duty of citizens to ensure that internal democracy is firmly established in the political party processes. Citizen oversight can help determine which political parties have failed to meet expectations and should be voted out accordingly.

“It is also vital for President Tinubu to recognize the importance of gaining the support of citizens by endorsing genuine electoral reforms in Nigeria. Beyond electoral reforms, the President must also prioritize genuine judicial reforms, as citizens currently have low confidence in the judicial system and processes in Nigeria.

“President Tinubu must urgently establish the necessary mechanisms to use his Supreme Court victory to address the rising cost of living in Nigeria, largely influenced by policies implemented since the beginning of his administration. His victory will remain personal unless it contributes to good governance for the general citizenry, meaning it will have little meaning to Nigerians.

“Concerningly, leaders and members of the ruling political party have made provocative statements against opposition parties and their candidates. This is not in line with democratic principles. The President must promptly advise his party members to refrain from such remarks. As a leading political party, the APC should consider this time as an opportunity for healing and engage accordingly.

“As for opposition parties and their leaders, they must, as believers in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, come to terms with the fact that the 2023 election cycle has concluded with the Supreme Court’s judgment. They should also recognize the vital role of a vibrant opposition in ensuring good governance.

“The opposition should now position itself to provide constructive opposition that works for the betterment of Nigerians. In doing so, the opposition will also be presenting themselves to the citizens for future elections,” he emphasised.”

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