Speaking to journalists at Abuja on Sunday on the ongoing constitutional electoral reforms, Mr Osita Okechukwu stated that without truly Independent National and State Electoral Commissions, (INEC & SIEC), which he termed Uwais Report’s Handgun on electoral reforms, no genuine electoral reforms. 

“Whilst one commends the efforts of Messers Jibrin Barau, Benjamin Kalu, Salsiu Mustapha, Ikenga Ugochinyere and host of other Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members in their electoral reform bid; however there will be no genuine electoral reform without the Uwais Electoral Report’s Handgun - which is truly independent INEC & SIEC.” 

Okechukwu appealed that 17 years after Uwais Report, it is high time Mr President, State Governors and National and State Assemblies members, should muster the political will to use the handgun of the report to deepen our democracy and catapult Nigeria to giant status.

He retorted that this will be achieved by amending the constitutional nomination process of INEC and SIEC as recommended by Uwais Report interalia:-

i) Advertise all positions, spelling out requisite Qualifications 

ii)Receive Applications/Nominations from the General Public 

iii) Shortlist 3 Persons for each position and 

iv) Send to the National Council of State to select one from the Shortlist and forward to the Senate for Confirmation.

Okechukwu said that this crucial amendment will make INEC and SIEC truly independent and will ensure the highest quality and the highest standard of our general elections.

He opined that impartial INEC and SIEC will automatically wipe out negative electoral mindset from Nigerians, reduce apathy, minimise electoral violence and consign Professor Humphrey Nwosu’s June 12, 1999 to 2nd place.

Finally, he submitted that legacy of truly independent INEC and SIEC, will consolidate political culture of free, fair and transparent elections, entrench rule of law and progressive society; whereby President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s critics will be silenced and programs like financial autonomy of local government councils and regional development intervention commissions will flourish.