Vice-President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, renowned security scholar, Professor Olawale Albert, a popular journalist, Mr Babajide Kolade-Otitoju were among numerous Nigerians that spoke against insecurity and its role in undermining election and good governance in Nigeria.
They bared their mind while speaking on “Politics and Good Governance”, during Senator Abiola Ajimobi ‘s 72nd posthumous birthday and the fourth Senator Abiola Ajimobi Round-Table and commissioning of Senator Abiola Ajimobi Resource Centre donated by Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation to the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies (IPPS), University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
Others present at the event were the Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde who was represented by his deputy, Rauf Olaniyan, Osun State governor, Gboyega Oyetola who was represented by his deputy, Mr Benedict Alabi, the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, Senator Bola Tinubu, represented by Senator Ayo Adeseun, Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola represented by Bola Ilori, Chief Bayo Adelabu and others.
Prof. Osinbajo, who was the chairman of the occasion, said the right of freedom of choice is undermined by violence.
According to him, “I think that all I would want to say is that man has not yet developed a fairer or a more just system of establishing government and government of the people, by the people and for the people. This is demonstrated that it is this system, captured in one-word democracy that guarantees the respect for the right of the individual to choose their leaders.
“This right of choice is civil and political and it is fundamental because that is what separates us in terms of the organisation from animals. For whom might confer the right to live on. This system of government guarantees the accountability of the elected to the electorate as the electorate determines in every electoral cycle by their free choice whether the mandate given was properly utilised.
“So, the major issue is how to ensure that this right of free choice is not corrupted in any way. Once that choice of free choice is violated, the basis of democracy and its product, good governance, is undermined. How can we protect the votes to ensure that every vote counts? How do we protect the government of the people by the people?” Osinbajo asked.
While paying tribute to the late Abiola Ajimobi, Osinbajo said: “to celebrate this special day. I want to thank in particular the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation as well as IPSS for the great honour of chairing this roundtable and commissioning this edifice.
This building in his honour is very important because it establishes the kind of person he is – a man of peace and a man who was a bridge builder.
He was a remarkable human and extraordinarily gifted man. He was an astute politician and accomplished public intellectual.
We will miss his sagacity, wisdom and maturity especially at this time of dissonance of conflict”, he submitted.
On his part, Prof. Jega, who was the lead paper presenter, said insecurity undermines election integrity.
According to him, “insecurity challenges will pose the most serious dangers even if it allows the election to be conducted, violence will affect the integrity of the election.
“It is necessary to provide security for elections to make people come out freely to register without apprehension, to give the electorate confidence to come out, enable election officers to feel safe, secure materials and reduce manipulation in result compilation of results”, Jega said.
The President of Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation, Dr Florence Ajimobi stressed the need to mete out punishment for those involved in election violence.
The moderator of the event, Prof. Olawale Albert described the late Ajimobi as a critical mind and hence the building of the structure in his honour.
Professor Albert said if Nigeria failed to deal with election violence, the future polls would be undermined.
Other discussants were Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, Majeed Dahiru, Brigadier General Sani Unman (rtd) and Professor. Antonia Simbine.
Director of IPSS, Dr Dominic Danjibo, said the centre would produce great minds for the country.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Kayode Adebowale who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Ezekiel Ayoola, lauded Ajimobi for his contribution to education in the state.
The major highlights of the event were the commissioning of Abiola Ajimobi Resource Centre donated to the Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan and the presentation of awards to some individuals who have stood by the Ajimobi family and contributions to the foundation.
