Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Paul University Awka, Professor Stella Okunna, has bemoaned the lack of transparency in Nigeria’s electoral system, saying that votes are yet to start counting in the country.
Professor Okunna who spoke as a resource person at the August edition of Ikengaonline monthly townhall meeting, regretted that the outcomes of elections in the country, were usually not the true reflection of the people’s will.
She lamented the impunity with which election results are manipulated, and wished that votes would begin to count in her lifetime.
”In civilised world, you wait for non-performing leaders at the polls. But in Nigeria, you go to vote, and the people you voted against are allowed to rule over you (because of our weak system).
”And when they rule, they rule with vengeance knowing you did not vote for them. I’m still praying that in my lifetime, votes will count in Nigeria, and the people allowed to choose their leaders.”
The first female Professor of Mass Communication, challenged the media to rise to their constitutional responsibility of holding leaders accountable for the people, as the watchdog of society.
”The press is the oxygen of democracy. The press should have the courage to hold leaders accountable. We must develop ways as watchdogs of society to shout and not keep quiet.”
People from all parts of the world joined in the interactive programme co-anchored by Dr Osmond Agbo, and Dr Chido Onumah – co-publishers of Ikengaonline newspaper.
