Press Releases

Fashola, Soyinka, Bakare, Others Call For Credible Voters Register
…As Save Nigeria Group stages "One man, One Vote" Rally in Lagos

Jun 23, 2010 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola on Wednesday joined other notable Nigerians like Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, General Alani Akinrinade (Rtd), Chief Bisi Akande and the Convener of the Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare in calling on Nigerians to rise up and take their destiny in their hands.

Speaking at the Onikan Stadium venue of a rally organized by the Save Nigeria Group on the adoption of a new voters register, Governor Fashola urged all Nigerians to ensure that they register, vote and ensure that the votes count.

Governor Fashola said his heart bleeds when he sees elder statesmen like Professor Wole Soyinka, General Alani Aknirinade and Chief Bisi Akande who have served the country in their prime still being saddled with the responsibility of taking the lead in the fight for the restoration for good governance in Nigeria.

He charged the youths at the event to pick up the gauntlet to fight the battle which the elders are still championing advising that if some leaders are postulating that the youth have no role to play in the affairs of the nation, the youth must demonstrate that they can do it.

While supporting the acronym 'R.S.V.P' drawn from the charge to everyone at the gathering to Register, Select, Vote and Protect used at the rally, Governor Fashola said he is in full support of the quest to ensure that everyone gets registered just as he reasoned that an ample opportunity existed for Nigerians to have used the last Identification exercise as a means of developing a credible voters register.

Governor Fashola affirmed that if what would be required for achieving a credible voters register is to stay at home for a few days as it was during the Census exercise, then Nigerians must be ready to stay indoors in order to achieve a credible voters register.

The Lagos State Governor charged Nigerian voters to start asking those who aspire to rule them questions such as their managerial capabilities, adding that by asking such questions, only people with proven ability to manage men would get to positions of authority.

The Governor also called for the organization of public debates for prospective public office holders to be coordinated by higher institutions adding that they also represent avenues of testing the preparedness of people who aspire to public offices.

Governor Fashola asserted that he has a social contract with the people of Lagos to ensure that come rain, come sunshine he would work for the people who also brave the harsh weather conditions then to vote him into power.

He urged Nigerians to see elections days as carnival like days when people should have fun and even feel free to bring their young ones to the voting area, but ensure that after voting, a watchful eye is kept on goings on in the polling booth to prevent any form of malpractices.

Also speaking, former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said Nigerians must say no and out rightly reject the 2006 voters register which contains a lot of fake names.

Asiwaju Tinubu who was represented by the Chairman of the Action Congress in Lagos State, Chief Henry Ajomale added that it is only by ensuring that INEC compiles a new voters register that Nigeria can have a credible election in 2011.

He expressed the hope that the new Chairman designate of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Attahiru Jega would allow Nigeria have a credible election in 2011.

In his address at the occasion, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka said this is a make or break period for Nigerians to decide on what the people should do if the present administration refuses to compile a fresh voters register.

Professor Soyinka said he hoped this would be the last time he would be called upon to attend any forum or rally aimed at fighting for restoration of good government in Nigeria.

He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that all those who have violated the fundamental voting rights of the people of Nigeria are heavily punished such that it may include outright forfeiture of properties.

The Convener of the Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare in his address said there is hope for Nigeria, stressing that the group will not stop until Nigeria changes for the better.

He reiterated that the group would stop at nothing but to ensure that it makes leadership accountable to the people in whom the sovereignty lies, all Nigerians must register at areas where they would vote and must be ready to make such votes count.

The event drew a large crowd of Nigerians, non- governmental organizations, pro democracy groups and human rights activists with several banners on the need to compile a new voters register nationwide.