AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF OSUN STATE , HIS EXCELLENCY, PRINCE OLAGUNSOYE OYINLOLA AT THE INAUGURATION OF A COMMITTEE FOR THE REVIEW OF THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM HELD IN OSOGBO ON TUESDAY, 29TH JANUARY, 2008
You will recall that His Excellency, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua recently set up an Electoral Reform Committee (ERC) to review the current electoral system in Nigeria , following the controversies generated by the conduct of Year 2007 General Elections.
The Electoral Reform Committee is to undertake a review of Nigeria ’s history with regard to the conduct of general election and identify factors which affect the quality and credibility of elections and their impact on the democratic process. The Committee is charged with the responsibility of examining the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act and other legislations that have bearing on the electoral process and assess the impact on the quality and credibility of the general elections.
It is also expected that the role of institutions, agencies, and stakeholders and electoral system relevant to the Nigerian experience that would impact positively on the quality and credibility of the nation’s electoral process would also be examined.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the essence of this development is to ensure that a truly Independent Electoral Commission imbued with administration and financial autonomy is guaranteed. The reform will also ensure that the conduct of elections meets acceptable international standards with legal processes that would ensure that election disputes are concluded before the inauguration of newly elected officials, as well as reduce post-election tensions.
The Electoral Reform Committee (ECR) has requested the State Government to submit a position paper on the issue.
I am therefore, delighted to welcome you all to the inauguration ceremony of the State Special Committee on the Electoral Reform put in place to produce suitable memorandum for the State Government on Electoral Reform. The Committee is to be headed by the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice with the Commissioner for Information and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Religious Affairs as members. Other members of the Committee are Mr. M. O. Adetunmbi, Director, Local Government Affairs in the Ministry of Local Government, and Mr. P. I. Awokojo, Director of Cabinet in the Governor’s Office as Secretary.
The terms of reference of this Special Committee, among others, include the following :-
(i) to examine the terms of reference of the Electoral Reform Committee (ERC) set up by His Excellency, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, GCFR;
(ii) to call for contributions from citizens and various groups in the State;
(iii) to collate the contributions from various groups in the State;
(iv) to prepare a suitable memorandum for the State to be submitted to the ERC; and
(v) to make further recommendations to the State Government, if any, as may be considered necessary.
I charge you all to consult far and wide. You must carry along all political parties, religious, civil and human rights organizations, as well as other stakeholders. The Committee is to submit its report within three weeks from today.
Finally, I congratulate you on your membership of the Committee. I wish to state that Government counts on you for a successful and speedy execution of this assignment.
Thank you all and God bless.
