By Simon Ebegbulem

BENIN-GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Thursday, at the Nigeria Guild of Editors, NGEs’ conference in Benin, said lack of democratic dividends for Nigerians was a great threat to the nation’s democracy.

He warned that it would be difficult for democracy to be deepened in the country unless the Federal Government provides basic amenities to the people. According to him, for the nation to grow, the Federal Government must take the lead since it collects 72 per cent of the nation’s revenue, while the states are left with 28 per cent.

Oshiomhole said: “My fear for this democracy is that it is not delivering the dividends to the people. When that happens, the people will not be able to defend the democracy when there is a problem. So we must ensure that government delivers the dividends of democracy to the people. Official statistics shows that Nigerians are too poor.”

NGE’s President speaks

In his address, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, President of the NGE, said holding the conference in Benin was unique because of the theme since “Edo State has experienced change in every aspect. It was not always that our votes counted. But it started counting in Edo State and Prof. Jega is generally believed to be continuing with the process of institutionalising one-man one-vote even if it is imperfect yet.”

Dignitaries at the event included the former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba, who chaired the conference; former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke; Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka; Mrs Remi Oyo; President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Alhaji Muhammed Garba; Mr. Ray Ekpu; Mr Tony Akiotu; Mr. Richard Akinola; Prof Stella Okunna, who represented the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, and many others.

Mr. Adefaye said: “What the FoI law seeks was an open and accountable society where there are sound policies and great institutions. For us as editors, perhaps, we need to apply more rigour as we seek to understand the facts behind the figures in the cost of governance of this republic.”

He commended Governor Oshiomhole for his assistance in hosting the conference in the state and expressed optimism that the conference will come up with solutions to the problems bedevilling the country.

Jega

On his part, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, commended the media for their support during the April 2011 general elections. He recalled the problems the commission was confronted with before the elections, but said the commission was able to make the best out of the time given for both the voters register and the election.

Jega, who was represented by Prince Solomon Soyemi, a Commissioner in INEC, said: “Whatever gains were recorded in the April elections would have been impossible without the massive support of the media to the electoral process. The Nigerian editor is well positioned to water the tendrils of our democracy and help enthrone the culture of good governance.”