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Nigeria’s Electoral System In Need Of Urgent Reform, Says Senator Seriake Dickson
Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, has expressed the need to sanitize Nigeria’s electoral system, citing the growing number of election-related litigation and the erosion of public trust.
In a recent interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, monitored by Diaspora Watch in Nigeria, Dickson disclosed that the National Assembly has started moves to amend the electoral law.
“First of all, the electoral law is important, and we have started, I mean the electoral amendment committee. We are undertaking a comprehensive review once again of the electoral law to underpin the conduct of free and fair elections, to reduce litigation, contest, challenges, and disaffection as you saw now even in the Supreme Court venue, people not accepting the verdict of the Supreme Court.”
Dickson also called for the introduction of electronic voting to reduce human interference, which he believes gives rise to manipulation. “What we need to work towards in this country, in a nutshell, and we are trying to build a consensus in the National Assembly, I don’t know whether we will succeed, but we are making some progress, is how we can have electronic voting where you will reduce human interference that gives rise to manipulation, inducement, intimidation, and all of that.”
He lamented that the Federal Government under the All Progressives Congress (APC) has not built on the progress made in the use of technology in Nigeria’s elections in the last eight years. “In the party in government, they haven’t really shown that desire to see that we sanitize the electoral process, and most importantly now at the level of national leadership, to put the interest of the country above their personal interest and the interest of their party by actively promoting and supporting the application of technology.”
Dickson also endorsed the call by the Patriots, led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, for a national constituent assembly to produce a new draft constitution for the country. “It is a national imperative, it is the kind of constitution we have that has reduced our capacity to be productive. It is the nature of the constitution that has given rise to the ineffective grassroots administrative system, the local government system that we have.” He added that it is the constitution that has created the situation that has resulted in having an over-bloated and overloaded centre.
ExxonMobil Guyana has announced plans to increase oil production from its Stabroek block by 18,000 barrels per day (bpd). The capacity of the Unity floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel will increase from 252,000 bpd to 270,000 bpd, pending approval from local authorities. ExxonMobil Guyana currently produces 665,000 bpd, and future developments include the Hammerhead project, which aims to produce 120,000-180,000 bpd. The company’s investment is set to further strengthen Guyana’s economy as it grows into a major oil producer.
In political developments, President Irfaan Ali has announced several benefits ahead of Guyana’s upcoming elections. The new incentives include free college tuition and a one-time cash handout of nearly $1,000 per household, benefiting 264,000 families. The minimum wage will also increase from $350 to $500 starting next year, aimed at reducing the cost of living for Guyanese citizens.
Guyana’s economy, bolstered by its growing oil sector, saw a remarkable 60% GDP growth in 2022, the highest in the world, according to the IMF. To further utilize oil revenues, the government is launching various infrastructure projects, including hospitals, schools, and a $1.9 billion gas-to-energy initiative.
At the same time, the 115th COTED meeting on agriculture in CARICOM is tackling challenges like climate change and underdeveloped agricultural value chains, working towards the 25 by 2025 Food Security Initiative.
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CARICOM ministers gathered in St. Vincent during the 18th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) to address regional food security and sustainability. Key discussions included the “25 by 2025” initiative, blue economy development, and strategies to enhance intra-regional trade and agriculture. The ministers are also preparing for COP29, pushing for urgent climate action, and seeking financial commitments to protect Small Island Developing States (SIDS) from the impacts of climate change. Notable awards were presented to outstanding farmers for their contributions.
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#CWA2024 #FoodSecurity #ClimateAction #COP29 #CARICOM #SustainableAgriculture
As Nigerians face mounting economic hardship from soaring petrol prices and inflation, leaders like President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio, and Remi Tinubu make insensitive remarks that mock the suffering populace. President Tinubu claims his neoliberal reforms will benefit Nigerians in the future, while Akpabio dismisses citizens fleeing the country’s economic downturn as unpatriotic. With an already devastated middle class and rising poverty, these tone-deaf responses intensify frustrations.
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