Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio asserts that the nations electoral process has seen significant improvements since the Peoples Democratic Party PDP lost power in 2015 Read his key points on electoral progress .
A Declaration of Electoral Progress
The President of the Nigerian Senate Godswill Akpabio has made a notable declaration regarding the state of the nations democratic process asserting that the quality and integrity of elections have significantly improved since the Peoples Democratic Party PDP ceased to hold the reins of federal power in 2015 This pronouncement places a strong emphasis on the perceived transformation of the electoral landscape under the subsequent administration and its current continuation .
Akpabio a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress APC and a former governor of Akwa Ibom State whose political career has spanned both the PDP and the APC made this statement while reflecting on the progress of democracy in Nigeria His perspective suggests a clear distinction between the pre-2015 electoral environment which was predominantly managed by the PDP-led federal government and the subsequent years .
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The Foundation of the Argument Post-2015 Reforms
The core of Senate President Akpabios argument rests on the observable changes and reforms that have been implemented in the electoral system since the PDPs loss of the presidency While the specific details of his full speech are extensive the general points often highlighted by proponents of this view include .
- Technological Integration: The increased adoption of technology in the accreditation and collation processes such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System BVAS and the INEC Result Viewing Portal IReV These innovations are widely believed to have curtailed certain forms of electoral malpractices that were prevalent in previous election cycles thereby enhancing transparency .
- Strengthened Electoral Act: The passage and implementation of a more robust Electoral Act which provides clearer guidelines tougher sanctions for electoral offenses and greater autonomy for the Independent National Commission INEC .
- Increased Judicial Scrutiny: A perceived greater willingness by the judiciary to objectively review electoral disputes even leading to the annulment of results in cases where evidence of non-compliance with the electoral law is overwhelming .
Akpabios assertion positions the current political era as one dedicated to deepening democracy through institutional reforms and technological advancements framing the period of PDPs dominance as less progressive in terms of electoral integrity .
Political Context and Implications
This statement by the Senate President is laden with political significance It serves multiple purposes within the current political climate .
1 Defending the Status Quo: As a high-ranking official in the ruling APC Akpabios comments defend the track record of his partys administration on electoral matters especially in the face of persistent criticisms and judicial challenges that often follow major elections 2 Critiquing the Opposition: The statement is a direct critique of the opposition PDP suggesting that their time in power was less conducive to free and fair elections thus justifying the change in power 3 Shaping Public Perception: It attempts to shape public and international perception of Nigerian elections emphasizing progress and reform rather than focusing solely on isolated incidents of violence or irregularity that often characterize the nations polls .
The sentiment that elections have improved is often a complex and contentious issue in Nigeria as varying degrees of satisfaction and dissatisfaction are expressed by different political actors and the citizenry following every major election However the introduction of technological tools like the BVAS and IReV despite initial glitches has fundamentally altered the post-election conversation shifting the focus from manual manipulation to technological reliability and compliance with the Electoral Act .
Conclusion
Senate President Godswill Akpabios claim that elections in Nigeria have improved since the PDP left power is a significant political declaration that underscores the perceived successes of electoral reforms initiated in the post-2015 era It highlights the positive impact of new technologies and legal frameworks in fostering a more transparent and credible electoral environment even as the country continues its journey toward achieving absolute electoral perfection His statement reinforces the ruling partys narrative of being committed to democratic consolidation .
Disclaimer:
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources concerning the political statement made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets and political analysts for comprehensive understanding and context .