THE House of Representatives yesterday rejected the two-party system which has been the subject matter of serious discuss in the country in the last few weeks.
Of the 221 lawmakers present, 172 voted in favour of retaining the present multi-party system, 48 voted for the two-party system, one person abstained from voting while 139 were absent.
All those who voted against the two-party system were members of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
But the circumstances in which the two-party system was rejected was loaded with series of dramatic scenes and uproar.
Speaker Dimeji Bankole had upon the resumption of the consideration of the report on the Electoral Bill announced that it was time for the House to decide on whether or not the option of two-party system was right for the country or not.
This was followed by some 15 minutes of consultation by members of the House during which they tried to persuade one another for or against the two-party system.
And when the session became calm, Bankole declared that following consultations with many members of the House, he had decided to simplify matters by putting the issue to voice votes.
The declaration was opposed by the pro-two-party system lawmakers led by the House Minority Leader, Aliu Ndume. They wanted the House Electronic Voting Machine to be activated and used.
At this point, the pro-multi-party lawmakers had taken to their feet urging the Speaker to insist on voice vote. They had their way as Bankole put the question to voice vote.
But following another round of protest that greeted the voice vote, the Speaker announced that he would divide the House to allow for a clearer picture on how the two groups stood.
Bankole said: “Honourable members, May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We tried voice vote. Members are complaining. They are not satisfied, no problem. It is my duty and responsibility to ensure that votes count in this House. But some members do not have their cards here. So the best way of ensuring that votes count is to divide the House.”
And immediately, he directed that those in support of the two-party system should move to one side of the chamber while those opposed to the two-party system should move to the opposite direction.
Tempers rose higher as the pro-two-party lawmakers rejected the voice vote option and insisted that electronic voting be used to decided the matter.
They marched close to the Mace table, chanting the song “no to multi-party! No to manipulation!”
This prompted the tightening of security around the Mace table to prevent the seizing of the mace by any member.
Meanwhile, the House Clerk, Alhaji M. A. Sani Omonori, had already concluded the counting of each of the groups and handed it over to the Speaker for announcement.
When the result was announced in favour of the multi-party system, the pro-two-party system simply walked out without uttering a word.
Ndume had two weeks ago, suggested that the House should take advantage of the current constitution amendment exercise to limit the number of political parties in the country to only two.
His suggestion was taken from an earlier suggestion by the Former Governors’ Forum (FGF), which had visited the National Assembly and canvassed the two-party system.
Led by the erstwhile governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, the forum which was represented in that visit by 10 former state helmsmen were of the opinion that "the present multiparty system is too unwieldy to be able to promote a self-sustaining democratic polity."
The forum added: "A two-party system offers a superior form of electoral democracy . The PDP has become the only dominant national party because of the inability of other parties to grow beyond their regions or states. The present system where most parties in the country do not exist beyond their registration certificates does not create an effective opposition, which is the bedrock of democracy."
Meanwhile, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) has commended the House of Representatives for rejecting the two-party system and for retaining multiparty democracy for Nigeria.
A statement last night by Yinka Odumakin, the ARG’s National Publicity Secretary, said: “As we all know, the right to multiparty system in Nigeria has a constitutional basis. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for freedom of association ‘with other persons’ and ‘any political party, trade union or any association.’ This also finds support in African Charter of Peoples and Human Rights and the Protocols of ECOWAS. And lest we forget, it was the legal battle and, subsequently, the victory that Gani Fawehinmi fought and won for Nigerians in the Supreme Court.
“Without doubt, Nigeria is not the only country with multiparty democracy. As we speak, there are 367 registered political parties in Great Britain and 46 in Northern Ireland. United States of America, interestingly, a country we are quick to mention when issues of this nature arise, also practises multiparty democracy.
“Apart from its two major and three minor political parties, there are also others appropriately classified as active, inactive and regional. Ghana has 20 and there is every proof to show that South Africa and Benin Republic practise multiparty democracy.
“From the foregoing, one cannot but doubt the motive of the wonderboys of our own system, those who never struggled for, but are mere benefiaciaries of the people’s struggle.
“Admitted! Some of these parties are formed for the sole purpose of collecting grants and related funds from the government. However, the idea that having so many parties is unwieldy does not hold water.”
The ARG added: “Again, Nigerians should not forget in a hurry that Ibrahim Babangida’s two-party contraption on Nigerians was by military fiat. Needless to repeat here also that the annulment of June 12, 1993 elections, adjuged both locally and internationally, as the freest and fairest in the country, was also by military fiat. Why then do we have to trek a despicable path that has not in any way led the people to the Promised Land?
“Yes! As things stand, there are more than 50 registered political parties in Nigeria. Nevertheless, all over the world, where dominant parties have emerged, it has been through the electorate, not by any fiat.
“It is our considered view that the problem of Nigeria has nothing to do with political parties. Rather, it has got to do with having a credible system and credible umpires; where people will vote and their votes will count.
“So, what we need is Electoral Reforms which the National Assembly has so far treated with contempt. And let nobody close the democratic space because we fought for it!”
Of the 221 lawmakers present, 172 voted in favour of retaining the present multi-party system, 48 voted for the two-party system, one person abstained from voting while 139 were absent.
All those who voted against the two-party system were members of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
But the circumstances in which the two-party system was rejected was loaded with series of dramatic scenes and uproar.
Speaker Dimeji Bankole had upon the resumption of the consideration of the report on the Electoral Bill announced that it was time for the House to decide on whether or not the option of two-party system was right for the country or not.
This was followed by some 15 minutes of consultation by members of the House during which they tried to persuade one another for or against the two-party system.
And when the session became calm, Bankole declared that following consultations with many members of the House, he had decided to simplify matters by putting the issue to voice votes.
The declaration was opposed by the pro-two-party system lawmakers led by the House Minority Leader, Aliu Ndume. They wanted the House Electronic Voting Machine to be activated and used.
At this point, the pro-multi-party lawmakers had taken to their feet urging the Speaker to insist on voice vote. They had their way as Bankole put the question to voice vote.
But following another round of protest that greeted the voice vote, the Speaker announced that he would divide the House to allow for a clearer picture on how the two groups stood.
Bankole said: “Honourable members, May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We tried voice vote. Members are complaining. They are not satisfied, no problem. It is my duty and responsibility to ensure that votes count in this House. But some members do not have their cards here. So the best way of ensuring that votes count is to divide the House.”
And immediately, he directed that those in support of the two-party system should move to one side of the chamber while those opposed to the two-party system should move to the opposite direction.
Tempers rose higher as the pro-two-party lawmakers rejected the voice vote option and insisted that electronic voting be used to decided the matter.
They marched close to the Mace table, chanting the song “no to multi-party! No to manipulation!”
This prompted the tightening of security around the Mace table to prevent the seizing of the mace by any member.
Meanwhile, the House Clerk, Alhaji M. A. Sani Omonori, had already concluded the counting of each of the groups and handed it over to the Speaker for announcement.
When the result was announced in favour of the multi-party system, the pro-two-party system simply walked out without uttering a word.
Ndume had two weeks ago, suggested that the House should take advantage of the current constitution amendment exercise to limit the number of political parties in the country to only two.
His suggestion was taken from an earlier suggestion by the Former Governors’ Forum (FGF), which had visited the National Assembly and canvassed the two-party system.
Led by the erstwhile governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, the forum which was represented in that visit by 10 former state helmsmen were of the opinion that "the present multiparty system is too unwieldy to be able to promote a self-sustaining democratic polity."
The forum added: "A two-party system offers a superior form of electoral democracy . The PDP has become the only dominant national party because of the inability of other parties to grow beyond their regions or states. The present system where most parties in the country do not exist beyond their registration certificates does not create an effective opposition, which is the bedrock of democracy."
Meanwhile, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) has commended the House of Representatives for rejecting the two-party system and for retaining multiparty democracy for Nigeria.
A statement last night by Yinka Odumakin, the ARG’s National Publicity Secretary, said: “As we all know, the right to multiparty system in Nigeria has a constitutional basis. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for freedom of association ‘with other persons’ and ‘any political party, trade union or any association.’ This also finds support in African Charter of Peoples and Human Rights and the Protocols of ECOWAS. And lest we forget, it was the legal battle and, subsequently, the victory that Gani Fawehinmi fought and won for Nigerians in the Supreme Court.
“Without doubt, Nigeria is not the only country with multiparty democracy. As we speak, there are 367 registered political parties in Great Britain and 46 in Northern Ireland. United States of America, interestingly, a country we are quick to mention when issues of this nature arise, also practises multiparty democracy.
“Apart from its two major and three minor political parties, there are also others appropriately classified as active, inactive and regional. Ghana has 20 and there is every proof to show that South Africa and Benin Republic practise multiparty democracy.
“From the foregoing, one cannot but doubt the motive of the wonderboys of our own system, those who never struggled for, but are mere benefiaciaries of the people’s struggle.
“Admitted! Some of these parties are formed for the sole purpose of collecting grants and related funds from the government. However, the idea that having so many parties is unwieldy does not hold water.”
The ARG added: “Again, Nigerians should not forget in a hurry that Ibrahim Babangida’s two-party contraption on Nigerians was by military fiat. Needless to repeat here also that the annulment of June 12, 1993 elections, adjuged both locally and internationally, as the freest and fairest in the country, was also by military fiat. Why then do we have to trek a despicable path that has not in any way led the people to the Promised Land?
“Yes! As things stand, there are more than 50 registered political parties in Nigeria. Nevertheless, all over the world, where dominant parties have emerged, it has been through the electorate, not by any fiat.
“It is our considered view that the problem of Nigeria has nothing to do with political parties. Rather, it has got to do with having a credible system and credible umpires; where people will vote and their votes will count.
“So, what we need is Electoral Reforms which the National Assembly has so far treated with contempt. And let nobody close the democratic space because we fought for it!”
Source: Guardian Nigeria
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