A social scientist and former lecturer at Lagos State University, Prof. Amidu Sanni, has urged Nigerians to base the re-election of political office holders in the forthcoming general elections on their performance while in office.
Sanni said such a measure would help sanitise the political system and prevent “benchwarmers” from remaining in legislative houses without meaningful contributions.
He spoke in Lagos against the backdrop of growing calls to stop the re-election of lawmakers serving third, fourth and fifth terms, in order to create opportunities for fresh aspirants with new ideas.
Ahead of the general elections, concerns have continued to mount over the continued return of legislators who have spent several terms in office, especially those critics say have little to show for their years in service.
The calls have been particularly loud in Epe, Lagos State, where Mr. Wale Tasir-Raji, a member of the House of Representatives representing Epe Federal Constituency, is seeking a fourth term in office.
The report notes that the Nigerian Constitution permits legislators to seek re-election multiple times, provided they continue to win the mandate of their constituents.
Also seeking another term are Mr. Abiodun Mustain Tobun, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Epe Constituency I, who is contesting for a fifth term, and Mr. Sylvester Oluwadahunsi Ogunkelu, representing Epe Constituency II, who is seeking a third term.
Sanni described the re-election of non-performing lawmakers as a reflection of a dysfunctional political system, arguing that many politicians now see membership of the National and State Assemblies as avenues for amassing wealth and peddling influence rather than serving the people.
According to him, political office should be regarded as a public trust and not a transactional venture.
“The longer they stay there at all cost and by all means, the more they become symbols or icons of exceptional corruption rather than legislation,” he said.
He added that Nigeria’s moral compass should not be compromised and called for legislation to regulate prolonged occupancy of elective offices.
Sanni also proposed that any sitting governor wishing to contest for a seat in the National Assembly should first obtain a clean record from anti-corruption agencies one or two years after leaving office.
He further advocated that elected officials who defect from the political parties on whose platforms they were elected should automatically vacate their seats and seek fresh mandates through elections.
“Full refunds and penalties must be imposed on those who fraudulently get into office once declared so by a court of competent jurisdiction,” he said.
The don also called for governance to be made less expensive, suggesting that lawmakers should receive only sitting allowances or serve on a part-time basis.
Reporting By Innocent Onoh