Okechukwu laments non-implementations of Uwais Report, 17 years after
By Tom Okpe
Former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, VoN, Dr Osita Okechukwu has decried inability of successful Governments in the country to implement the popular Uwais Report, seventeen, 17, years after it’s submission.
The founding member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, made this known in Abuja on Sunday, while speaking, with journalists, noting that the best tribute to Justice Mohammad Lawal Uwais, former Judge of the Supreme Court, JSC, “is to posthumously adopt and implement the fine tenets of his report, as the only politically, correct solution of restoration of democracy and global recognition.”
Justice Uwais served as the CJN, of the Supreme Court from 1995 to 2006 and Chairman of the popular Commission which published the much poblisized report on ‘Electoral Reform’.
He passed on, Friday last week, according to a statement, released by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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According to Okechukwu, “while calling on Almighty God to admit in his heavenly kingdom Nigeria’s legends, Chief Mike Ejeagha, Professor Jibril Aminu and Muhammad Uwais, JSC, who joined our ancestors last week, I, in agony, singled out Uwais ‘Electoral Reform’ and Nigerians’ Debt Burden.”
He lamented that; “Seventeen, 17, years down the line, successive Governments have failed to implement the vital sections of the Uwais ‘Electoral Reform’ Committee recommendations, with attendant collateral damages, multidimensional poverty, gross unemployment, huge debt burden, crass inequality and general insecurity.
“The Uwais Report was meant to enhance higher percentage of voters participation, reduce electoral malpractices and engender free, fair, credible and transparent elections, and most importantly, the public nomination of Chairmen and members of Electoral Commissions at the National and State levels.”
He appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to as a matter of urgent National importance, muster the political will and clear the Uwais debt burden by amending the constitution, albeit to make public appointments of Chairmen and members of both National and State Electoral Commissions, mandatory.
He opined that, “not only will the amendment consolidate Local Government Financial Autonomy, in addition, Almighty God has graciously obliged Mr President, all necessary arsenal and cordial relationship with the National Assembly and same synergy with about 30 State Governors, as well as overwhelming endorsement of Nigerians in this regard,” he added.
