Get Guardian on GoogleThe Vice Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has renewed call for electoral reforms that requires a presidential candidate to secure a minimum of 51 per cent of the total votes cast before being declared the winner.
Kwankwaso’s agitation comes against section 134 (2)(a) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, implying a candidate to be deemed elected as president after securing the highest number of votes cast at the election; among other condition.
The former Minister of Defence believed it is imperative for a presidential candidate to secure at least 51 per cent of votes cast to strengthen the legitimacy of electoral mandates.
The Kwankwasiyya movement leader who specifically citing the 2023 presidential election, where President Bola Tinubu was declared winner with about 34 per cent of the total votes cast shouldn’t be tenable.
He observed that the figure represented about nine per cent of the country’s 93 million registered voters, arguing that constitutional reforms should consider requiring presidential candidates to secure at least 51 per cent of votes cast to strengthen the electoral system.
“ With approximately 8.7 million votes out of about 24 million votes cast, representing roughly 34 per cent of the total valid votes is not good enough”. Kwankwaso argued.
Kwankwaso who spoke during the 5th Convocation ceremony of Skyline university, Kano at the weekend described the Presidential candidate of NDC Mr. Peter Obi as incorruptible leader who can best lead Nigeria to the promised land, if voted to power in 2027.
Besides Kwankwaso said he is confidence the newly registered Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) would emerge as a formidable political force ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He however accused some political office holders in the country of using their positions to frustrate opposition parties, alleging that political desperation had made it increasingly difficult for opposition candidates to campaign freely in several states.
He cited alleged attacks on opposition campaign activities in Benue, Cross River states, and Lagos, as examples of what he described as growing intolerance in the country’s political environment.
Kwankwaso also raised concerns over the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary in ensuring credible elections, with particular reference to dispute involving the NDC and its candidate in Kano State.
According to him, the party’s Kano governorship candidate, Aminu Abdulsalam, fulfilled all the necessary requirements, and his name was initially published by INEC before being omitted in a subsequent publication on October 10.
The former Kano state Governor claimed that when NDC sought clarification, INEC attributed the omission to a pending court case. He insisted the court action was only instituted by some individuals on October 27, while an order was issued on October 29.
He questioned why INEC had withheld the publication of the candidates’ names for 17 days before the court action was instituted, describing the development as a source of concern for the party.
He warned that the alleged exclusion of opposition parties from political activities, coupled with perceived institutional interference, could further heighten tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kwankwaso therefore appealed to political leaders, electoral institutions and other stakeholders to exercise restraint and ensure that justice prevailed, stressing the need to prevent violence and safeguard democratic processes.
