Human rights lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba, wey be SAN, don reject one bill wey dem wan use make voting compulsory for Nigeria. E talk say e go rather go prison than obey dat kain law.
As e dey talk for one TV programme on Monday, Agbakoba blast National Assembly for wan force people to vote by force, say dem no dey look wetin dey cause voter apathy for the country.
“See that yeye bill wey National Assembly dey push, say make voting compulsory. If that bill pass, me I go talk say, ‘Agbakoba no go obey am.’ I go claim say na my conscience. I prefer to do six months for prison than obey dat kain law,” na wetin e talk be that.
E still ask say,
“Why National Assembly wan force people to vote? Why dem no ask the real question—why people no wan vote? Wetin dey cause the apathy?”
Agbakoba talk say people no dey vote because dem don tire from years of bad government and empty promises, no be say dem no get sense of civic duty. E talk say the real wahala for Nigeria democracy na say many people dey excluded.
As e dey talk about 2027 general elections, e express concern say e dey see the same old pattern and warn say democracy no fit grow if e still dey favour only the big men and elites.
When dem ask am whether na because people dey chase power or say leadership don fail, Agbakoba stand gidigba say na political wahala dey cause low voter turnout.
That bill wey don already pass second reading for House of Reps, dey try make voting compulsory for everybody wey get right to vote for Nigeria. The bill na Speaker and one Labour Party lawmaker dey sponsor am.
