A two-time member of the House of Representatives who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency, Chief Sam Onuigbo has advocated for the restoration of the values of honesty, hardwork, good neighbourliness amongst the peoples of Nigeria
Chief Onuigbo who made the assertion as a guest on NTA’s Good Morning Nigeria which special focus was on ’25 years of unbroken democracy in Nigeria’ lamented the negligence of societal values that saw the emergence of patriotic Leaders and Citizens at all levels at independence.
He is of the opinion that the Country’s democracy is currently suffering and economy negatively affected as a result of the abandonment of the core values taught by our past leaders and parents and called for total moral rearmament.
Chief Onuigbo however noted that despite the wrong steps and challenges that have dotted Nigeria’s democratic journey, the country has made steady progress particularly under the current democratic dispensation, arguing that along her chequered history, Nigeria as a democratic nation has built a foundation that is worthy of recognition and emulation.
Speaking on why the people have held on to democracy without any interference since 1999, the former federal lawmaker who is currently a member of the Governing Board, and Chairman Committee on Security, Climate Change and Special Interventions in North-East Development Commission attributed it to the unique features of the system of government which include tenure limitation, good performance from majority of the elected officials as well as amendments to key sections of the constitutions such as the electoral act in line with the current realities at different times.
He pointed out that every elected Leader under the Democratic dispensation knows that he starts being looked upon for quality performance as soon as he assumes office, being aware that there is a fixed period for his stay in office which could be renewed or rejected based on the assessment of the people.
“Democracy should be significantly predictable in terms of tenure in office and performance to reinforce confidence in the people who stood under the sun or rain to elect people through the power of their thumb “.
According to Chief Onuigbo, Nigeria at different times under this dispensation, realized that to broaden and deepen her democracy, elections are key which led to the amendments witnessed in section 54 sub-section 1 on party primary, section 150 sub-section 1 that deals on conduct of Local Government amongst others.
He advised politicians to work for the people and make a difference to secure their confidence and trust for democracy to be sustained while maintaining that political party administrators and major stakeholders have major roles in ensuring that the system is deepened.
“From my own personal experience, even when you are doing well, a few party administrators with some stakeholders get together and say, you see this person, he or she is not going again. And when you ask them, is the person not working, they will not respond to whether the person is not working or not but will rather insist he or she is not going back. That’s the reason why you find people quickly start looking for another place to give them platform to run elections”, the former federal lawmaker pointed out.
