In democracy, voice of people must be heard, their wishes respected, says Senator Ekong 

Akpan Ekong Sampson is a Nigerian politician from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. He was born on 18 September 1967. He is currently serving as a senator representing the Akwa Ibom South District.  In 2023, Senator Ekong was elected for his second term in the 10th National Assembly. He’s the Chairman Senate committee on Solid minerals. During the recent public presentation of research report and policy dialogue on addressing illicit financial flow IFFs in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, held in Abuja, he spoke to journalists on a number of issues about political trends in Nigeria and what the Senate is doing to stem illicit financial flow in Solid minerals sector: Onu Okorie was there for the Presidentstrides International Magazine. Excerpt.

Q

Sir. It’s cherry news everywhere, what the National Assembly has been able to do as regards the electoral act. How can this impact on 2027 elections? What should be the expectations? What are the key highlights? 

A

The expectations is that as a legislature, we are committed to deepening access to the space. What the Senate is considering is that the people, our people, the Nigerians, must have greater say in the electoral process.

There has been concerns raised about the transmission of results. We should also look at the bigger picture too. The Senate, through the committee that worked on the act, and I took part in much of the work that was done to some extent. And I know that the Senate has shown a commitment that the voice of the people must be heard. That the wishes of the people should be respected. I’ll give you one case.

We have a situation in this country where a winner emerges but is later disqualified by the courts. Because of ineligibility, the courts will pronounce that the candidate who came second should be sworn in. Even if he scored just one or two votes in the election.

The Senate has looked at the gap in that process. And we’ve come up with a position that where we have such unfortunate circumstances, there should be a rerun. So that the people can choose who they truly want outside the winner who had emerged and has been rendered ineligible or the party that brought him to power.

That’s where the wishes of the people are respected. There are a number of other interventions that we’ve looked at. But in any case, we have a conference committee in place. Why don’t we allow the conference committee to do the work that they should?  Concerns, of course, are very important in a democracy.But we should also look at the larger picture. I can say as a senator that I’m committed that the voice of our people must be heard and their wishes respected. That’s why we’ve shown a commitment to some of the work that we’ve done so that the space is enlarged. 

Q

There has been a gale of defection and there has been some uproar about it. Did you touch on any of that? And secondly, yes, timetables for elections are not yet out, but we’re seeing a lot of campaigns across the country.

A

What’s your reaction to that? We are in a democracy. When you have defections, it’s simply a signal to the parties to put their house in order.  This game is a game of interest. You must not forget the intrigues, the navigations that come with politics.  It’s a challenge for parties to put their house in order. I think that’s as much as I can say about that. The bigger lesson here is that Nigerians must protect democracy. There is no sane substitute to democracy. None.

We must be united with that key objective that we must protect our democracy. The freedom that we are enjoying, the free space is possible through democracy. That way we can harvest our potentials as a country.

So we must join hands to protect democracy. As the legislature, as I said earlier, our intention is to broaden the space. Space for freedom, for participation.

And as much as possible, ensure that the wishes of the people are respected. That is why the Senate does not encourage courts to declare winners of elections through the process now. Rather, we encourage the people to choose who they want.

 It’s very, very key. We don’t want to encourage the judiciary to be a critical process that pronounces the winners of elections. Rather, we want that power restored to the people.

That’s why we are saying that where a winner is disqualified. Then they go back to the field. Let the people, not the courts, choose who they want to represent them.

That is very key. And that is what we should also do as part of the highlights that we are working on in the act. 

Q

So what’s the stage of the electoral law? Do we expect it to be in place by 2027?

A

Of course, it will be in place. It will be in place in good time for INEC to work with.  Otherwise, there’s a conference to come into that. Working very, very hard to look at how to harmonize views.

In common with a law that can stand the test of time. We are making the law not just for today, but for tomorrow.  And that’s why, as I said earlier, we want the wishes of the people to prevail. Not necessarily what the courts will pronounce. Because sometimes there could be confusion. We don’t want to encourage courts to pronounce results.

 We don’t want courts to pronounce results. We want the wishes of the people to prevail. 

And that should also be part of what we are doing. To encourage wider participation and the wishes of the people to prevail. Not just intervention, which sometimes has brought a lot of confusion in this country.

Q

Okay, distinguished. Sorry, one last minute. Let me take you away from politics now.

Looking at solid minerals, a lot of money… Nigeria depends on oil, oil, oil. There is a whole lot we can benefit from solid minerals. The United States of America is on it and all of that.

 So should we expect legislative backing from the upper chamber to ensure that these high-value minerals, from production to export,  there is monitoring, should there be rules?

A

That’s why I’m here.  That’s why I’m here in person.  Nigeria is so hugely endowed.We have a lot in this sector. And I must commend Mr. President, who has shown a lot of courage and vision that Nigeria must have the full potential in solid minerals. As elsewhere, this country has a lot.

And that’s why we as a legislature, we are working closely with the executives. so that we can put in place the framework that will enable this country to have the full potential that this sector has for Nigeria.  Thank you.