In a recent episode of the Mic On Podcast, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Mr. Victor Opatola discussed various legal battles and issues of public interest. Opatola criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for disenfranchising Nigerians without Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), stating, “Nigerians should not be punished…They have fulfilled all legal conditions.” He emphasized that temporary voters’ cards should suffice for accreditation, accusing INEC of serial illegality for not allowing their use in elections.
He also challenged the call for regionalism in Nigeria, arguing that it perpetuates divisions created by colonialism. He explained,
“The regionalism that was handed over to us…failed because of the deficiencies of regionalism and other things like parochialism, regional power play, ethnic divisions.”
He believes that creating further contraptions like regional vice presidents will not help Nigeria grow and solve its historical problems.
On the appointment of Mr. Ola Olukoyede as EFCC Chairman by President Bola Tinubu, Opatola, the legal practitioner, questioned the qualifications, citing the EFCC Act:
“The appointment does not meet the requirements of Section 2 of the EFCC Act.”
He also filed a suit against the National Population Commission to ensure probity and accountability in their expenditure ahead of the census, stressing the need for rigorous processes to avoid wasting public funds.
Highlighting broader issues of governance, Opatola criticized the Federal Government’s borrowing practices, stating, “The provision of the ways and means was abused both by the CBN and the Federal Government.” He therefore called for collective activism and accountability, urging Nigerians to be more vigilant and organized to effect real change, particularly emphasizing the role of young people in politics and governance.
Click to watch full clip.