2027: Time to hold politicians to account –Hayatudeen

A former presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mohammed Hayatudeen, has said the 2027 general polls would be the best time for Nigerians to hold politicians to account for their stewardship over the years.

He enjoined elective officers to render account of their stewardship, defend their records and justify the need for them to seek another mandate.

Hayatudeen, who served as chairman of the launch of two books entitled, ‘Beneath the Surface’ and ‘Leading in a Storm,’ authored by a former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Peterside Dakuku, tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure free and credible elections.

He also tasked INEC to provide substantial clarity to the electoral timetable, ensuring that it registers political associations that have met the criteria for registration into political parties ahead of time so they do not suffer any disadvantages by reason of late registration.

More so, he stressed that members of the opposition who want to vie for elective office should do their homework, critique the record of incumbents supported by evidence-based research and provide a robust and practical blueprint to convince the electorate of the superiority of their programmes, vis-à-vis their opponents.

“As we march forward in this nascent democracy, there is a lot more we can do to strengthen governance and public institutions, without which this journey will be a road to nowhere.

“As we approach 2027, we need to create a climate conducive to the conduct of credible, free and fair elections.

“Incumbent elective office holders are enjoined to render an account of their stewardship, defend their record and clearly justify the need for seeking another mandate.

“Members of the opposition who want to vie for elective office should thoroughly do their homework, critique the record of incumbents supported by evidence-based research and provide a robust and practical blueprint to convince the electorate of the superiority of their programs, vis-à-vis their opponents.

“The electoral umpire should bring substantial clarity to the electoral timetable, ensure that it registers political associations that have met the criteria for registration into political parties well ahead of time so they do not suffer any disadvantages by reason of late registration.

“More importantly, it should draw profound lessons from the mishap and technological glitches of previous election cycles and conduct the forthcoming elections based on global best practices.

The voting public is enjoined to make wise and informed decisions at the ballot box,” he said.

The former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the defunct FSB International Bank PLC, pointed out that as Nigeria seeks to perfect its democratic journey, citizens must vote for leaders with quality who should serve as chief moral agents of society.

He said: “A leader must be the chief moral agent of society. He is our alter-ego. We house him, protect him and his family, revere him, celebrate him and entrust our collective destiny to his care.

“And to whom much is given, much is expected. He is expected to conduct himself with decency, honour and integrity, and through the power of his personal example, he becomes a shining beacon of hope for society.

“The leader should have a deep and profound emotional connection with the people, in the same way the Imam and the Cardinal are deeply connected to the congregation.

“The core message here is that whenever a society is in doubt in its political journey; and the people are perplexed and confused, it is the task of the leader to rise to the occasion and become a pathfinder so that hope and confidence replace despondency and apathy, energy and action replace inertia and lethargy.”

He advised President Bola Tinubu, state governors and local government chairmen to take the lead by setting a strong tone through their words and deeds.

“The leader needs to rebuild trust with the people by offering a credible and durable program for revitalising and transforming society.

“It goes without saying that once our leaders respect and fulfil the terms of their social contract with the people, you will find the people flocking in large numbers and rallying to the flag.

“For the most part, it is poverty and deprivation which make people retreat to their tribal and regional cocoons.”