The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, presented Certificate of Return to the Edo State House of Assembly members-elect with a charge to rise above parochial politics but placing the interest of the people first.
INFO DAILY reports that out of the 24 seats of the Edo State House of Assembly, three seats are yet to be cleared due to elections that were declared inconclusive in Ovia South West, Oredo East and Egor LGs respectively.
Presenting the certificate to the members-elect at the INEC headquarters in Benin, with the theme ‘A Time to deepen democracy,’ Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Edo State, Obo Effanga, urged them to rise above political allegiance but place the interest of the people first.
“It is important to charge the members-elect to understand that when they sit at the table of governance, they are there, not in their personal capacities but as representatives of their entire constituencies with all the diversities such as gender, age, ethnicity, religion and political leanings therein.
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“This is how to recognize and practice the principle of equality of all.
“Lawmakers and politicians generally need to rise above blind allegiance to political parties whose membership in our climes is very fluid, transient and without core values and principles.
” They should equally raise their game above the politics of allegiance to persons and other interests who may influence them to act even against the interest of their constituencies and the state or country.
“The existence of a parliament is what sets democracy apart from non-democratic systems of government and the central role of the parliament is to serve as checks and balances to the other arms of government, namely the executive and the judiciary. It is hoped that those elected into the upcoming parliament have a clear understanding of this, as a building block to democracy”, Effanga said.
While commenting how democracy has evolved in the country over the years, he called on those who contested in the election but felt to have been rigged out to seek redress in the appropriate quarters rather than calling for war.
“Twenty-four years into our current democratic journey, it is time for us to build, raise and equip more democrats to keep democracy going.
“True democrats are those who recognize that while everybody must be heard, the majority will often determine the way to go and that election is not do-or-die or win at all costs.
“True democrats also realize that in a multiparty election, there is a higher chance of losing than winning the election and they must prepare their minds to such possibilities and live with the outcome. But where they disagree with the outcome, they must follow the proper channels for seeking redress.
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“We should not pull down everything, including the institutions and structures of democracy simply because the outcome is different from our expectations.
“True democrats look for legitimate ways to expand the frontiers of democracy. They do so by building on the good that exists, rather than destroy the fabrics. Let us learn to build up and not destroy”, Effanga said.
Responding on behalf of the members-elect, Yekini Idiaye, representing Akoko-Edo Constituency 1, thanked the INEC and the security personnel for their roles in the election.
He said the members-elect, irrespective of their political parties differences, will always put the interest of the people above their personal interest
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