ADVOCACY MANIFESTO

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Today, Nigeria does not work because the system does not work. The system does not work because it has been designed to be dysfunctional for the benefit of those who want the status quo to remain. There is therefore a need for drastic POLITICAL REFORMS in the structure of our polity if we are going to realise the Nigeria of our dreams and our aspirations in our lifetime.

A NEW CONSTITUTION + -

The 1999 Constitution must be abolished.

Elected representatives must set aside the regular constitutional amendment process and begin a consultation process for a new constitution across the country between now and the expiry date of the former.

The 1999 Constitution must expire on June 12, 2022.

Nigerians must be allowed to decide the basis of our unity – through a proper federal structure, decentralisation of powers and resource control.

A NEW ELECTORAL ACT + -

The Electoral Act 2010, as amended, can no longer serve the purpose of conducting a free, fair, violent free, credible electoral process. It must be repealed and replaced by a new Electoral Act.

The New Electoral Act must allow for electronic collation, voting, transmission and collation of results amongst other reforms.

The New Electoral Act must be binding on local government elections organised by State Electoral Commissions.

The New Electoral Act must include political party reforms for the nomination process and the inclusion of women, youths and people living with disability.

A PROPER FEDERAL STRUCTURE + -

While we call ourselves the FEDERAL Republic of Nigeria, the kind of republic we run is close to a centralised unitary system. This improper management of our diversity has led to a do or die contest to get elected, absolute neglect of the people at the local levels, a burden of national development too weighty for any administration, economic underdevelopment at the states and so many more.

The exclusive legislative list at the federal level must be pruned

The power of resource control must return to the states and the states must pay royalties to the centre

The law requiring states to add whatever power they generate to the national grid must be expunged

Security must be decentralised and states must be able to create a policing system for their people. The power of legislation must come with the power of law enforcement

AN ACCESSIBLE AND FAIR JUSTICE SYSTEM + -

Our justice system is for the rich, not the poor. No society thrives and becomes or sustains its prosperity without a justice system that is fair to all. We are demanding the following

A Constitutional Requirement for ALL states to set up and fund the Office of The Public Defender

ALL prisoners who have not been charged to court and have been held for more than 48 hours be released.

ALL criminal and prison records be digitised

AN ACCOUNTABLE, TRANSPARENT AND INCORRUPTIBLE GOVERNANCE SYSTEM + -

Corruption has become an institution in our country – it is the rule of the game in public service and has corrupted our values system. Our demands for an accountable, transparent and incorruptible governance are

The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation must be granted prosecutorial powers.

All public procurement by the government at the federal and state and local government level must be made public on a portal accessible to all Nigerians via the internet.

The foundation of our economic structure has no place for the average Nigerian. The dignity of labor has been stripped away from all efforts at climbing the social ladder because such labor cannot guarantee basic dignified living. Our economic system is designed to manufacture poverty on a daily basis even as our population grows. This economic structure has to be bulldozed to its foundation and reconstructed.