Senator representing Enugu North, Chukwuka Utazi, has again advocated for provision to be made for Independent Candidacy in the Nigerian constitution to put an end to the overbearing and selfish disposition of Nigerian Governors.
The Governors live above the laws with immunity clause and the constitution has given them enormous powers to do and undo, as they dictate the pace for the electoral process on who should occupy what position thereby defeating the aim of democracy
Utazi spoke in Abuja at a policy dialogue, on situating “Constituency projects in the 2023 electioneering campaigns”, organised by OrderPaper in partnership with Budgit and MacArthur Foundation in Abuja
He said,
“The solution is for Nigeria to come to a point where the major traditional political parties will no longer be the issue. I have been a major proponent of of independent candidacy. In the last constitutional amendment I fought for it but we couldn’t get through.
“That is the only way we can have a semblance of democracy but once you have these two traditional parties putting people there it becomes very difficult. “So not until we get to the point of having independent candidate the system will not evolve.
He pointed out that with independent candidacy people can now go for the person whom they believe has what it takes. “The consciousness is already building up. The statuesque may no longer stand. So it has started, we have to build on it and keep the momentum so that you continue getting the type of people you want in the parliament not just any dick and Harry. According to him, Parliament is a different ball game from what the executive do adding that there are lot of things required to have an effective representation in the parliament
He also bemoaned the high turn over rate of lawmakers in the National Assembly which he said is not healthy for the development of democracy with regards to institutional memory
“You see it is very difficult when people outside influence those that are elected in to the chamber
I am not returning, you know I am not running, I didn’t go for the primaries. Does it mean I don’t want to come back to the parliament? The answer is no.
“What is on ground can not permit me to return. I can’t return because my Governor wants to be here so I have to go. That is just the issue.
“Am I done with this place? No. You know the longer you stay in the parliament the more experienced you become because you will develop institutional memory. “That institutional memory will help to better the lots of your people but in our clime here no, it is a status symbol, people want to answer the name senator so everybody wants to be here, so to be a senator is an important position.”