A judge of the Nigerian Court of Appeal, Justice Olabode Adegbehingbe has appealed to Nigerians to participate actively in politics in order to effect the desired change in the country.
Justice Adegbehingbe stated this on Monday at the 5th public lecture of the College of Law, Achievers University, Owo.
He emphasized that Nigerians who wish to change the bad narrative of the country must not stand aloof but join the political system.
According to the judge, the bad ones, who apparently are in the ruling class, are not more than the good Nigerians, who if they join the political system, will change the tide for the better.
He noted that no amount of indifference on the part of good Nigerians would bring about good governance, adding that Nigeria’s desired change would only be achieved when people with good intentions partake in the process.
On electoral reform in Nigeria, Justice Adegbehingbe called for more legislations that would ensure that the process is not compromised.
He supported the idea of electronic voting for checkmating vote trading, adding that such will bring the desired change, if it is not compromised. He however warned that vote trading would only stop when Nigerians are ready to reject electoral monetization.
The judge also rejected the claims that the Nigerian judiciary is responsible for the misfortune that has greeted the country.
In her address, the Vice-Chancellor of Achievers University, Owo, Prof. Omolola Irinoye noted that the institution is ever ready to support discourses that are geared towards the development of the country.
Earlier, the Dean of the College of Law, Prof. Samson Joshua noted that elections in Nigeria have always been a nightmare, hence conversations on the electoral process are paramount to the sustenance of democratic values and orientation.
The title of the lecture was, “Electoral Reforms and the Role of the Judiciary in Ensuring Free and Fair Elections in Nigeria.”
Among notable dignitaries at the lecture were management staff of the institution led by the deputy VC academics, Prof. Oyesoji Aremu and Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owo chapter, Chief Kunle Ijalana.
See photos from the public here
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