“FAIRLY PEACEFUL”
The fairly peaceful conduct and
outcome of the gubernatorial election in Ondo state represents an
important milestone in Nigeria’s search for effective electoral
governance under the Fourth Republic. Measured against the background of
the garrisoned electoral history of the country, the Ondo experiment,
building upon the precedent set in Edo State, was a pointer to the
prospects of democratic deepening through election administration. The
election would be remembered for its high level of competition among
three leading political parties, namely the Action Congress of Nigeria
(ACN), the Labour Party (LP) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP);
issue-based electioneering (PIC…GOVERNOR MIMIKO AND ROTIMI AKEREDOLU WHO CONTESTED AGAINST HIM)
campaigns, robust debates among leading contenders and popular participation. Also worthy of note was the widespread celebration that attended the declaration of results in Akure, the state capital and its environs, which may be interpreted, rightly or wrongly, as an expression of the legitimacy of the process, as well as its outcome.
Now that Governor Segun Mimiko has been declared winner, all contestants and their followers should transcend the bitter aspects of the campaigns and find a common ground to work together in the overall interests of the state and its people. This requires that both the winner and losers manage the election results in a civilised and democratic manner. The winner has set the tone with a call to all, particularly the opposition, to join the new government in taking the state to the next level. The opposition parties would do well to consider the call and respond accordingly, without necessarily compromising their platforms for continued constructive criticisms of government policies. Nigerian politicians must learn to accept electoral defeat in good spirit, in the absence of any major orchestrated manipulation of the processes and the fact that human beings — and the elections they conduct — are not perfect.
The Ondo election nonetheless had its shortcomings, most notably the huge deployment of military personnel in the process. While some have attributed the relative success of the election to the heavy presence of security agents, the deployment of 11, 000 policemen, together with an undisclosed number of soldiers, for a gubernatorial election in a state as small as Ondo, is an obvious minus for democratic norms. One, the heavy presence of security agents could scare potential voters, thereby reducing the level of turnout. Two, the shoot-at-sight order granted the security agents an anti-democratic stance that could easily be abused. Whether this was the case or not in Ondo is immaterial. Worse still, the Ondo scenario raises the more fundamental question of sustainability in the event of large scale elections across the 36 states of the federation in one day. Such an arrangement is unworkable. Yet, the heavy presence of security agents was not enough to deter some political thugs from having free reign in some parts of the state. The security agents apparently looked the other way, probably with orders from above. This explains why some people have accused them of complicity in the observed flaws in the Ondo polls. In this connection, the role of the security personnel in the election needs more critical scrutiny.
To be sure, there were alleged lapses in the electoral processes upon which some opposition elements hinge their threats of litigation, and consider strong enough to void the outcome. The reports alleged snatching of ballot boxes, shortage and/or absence of ad-hoc electoral staff in some parts of the state, delay in the arrival of materials and intimidation of party agents and voters. Even if these allegations, if true, are not substantial enough to alter the election outcome, they need to be thoroughly investigated. Moreover, is there evidence that the alleged lapses were deliberately orchestrated in favour of, or against any particular candidate, as being alleged by some politicians? A mere perception of such lapses alone, point to worrisome defects in measures to foster effective electoral administration.
The lessons of the Ondo election are many. First, democracy is all about the people and only they have the final say over the choice of leadership. The Nigerian electorates would appear to be coming of age, and may no longer be taken for granted. They are primary stakeholders of politics and should be treated as such. The declared winner, Governor Mimiko, should not merely attribute his victory to the people or on his achievements over the past four years; his administration should pursue more vigorously, people-oriented policies and projects as espoused during electioneering campaigns. Second, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seems to perform better in elections administered on a small scale. As such, the commission may wish to consider, as a matter of deliberate policy, the introduction of staggered elections. This calls for early preparation to ensure that all elections are completed within legally permissible timeframe. Third, the electoral umpire needs to look inward to address perennial logistics and procedural challenges that appear to have become endemic in the administration of elections. Allowing issues such as late deployment of materials and personnel to mar the integrity of elections is inexcusable. Moreover, while the phenomenon of godfatherism has been (and may remain for years to come) a dominant feature of Nigerian politics, the godfathers may not always have their way. Given the increasing level of awareness of the average Nigerian voters as demonstrated in Ondo state, pertinent issues about leadership integrity, performance and delivery of dividends of democracy may begin to assume more prominent roles in shaping future electoral behaviour of Nigerians. Politicians should beware!
Overall, there is a gradual emergence of a political culture, where broader democratic issues of ownership, accountability and control rest with the people. Adequate efforts must be made by the government, opposition parties, civil society and the mass media to ensure the consolidation of this trend.
EDITORIAL OPINION OF THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER,NIGERIA YESTERDAY
campaigns, robust debates among leading contenders and popular participation. Also worthy of note was the widespread celebration that attended the declaration of results in Akure, the state capital and its environs, which may be interpreted, rightly or wrongly, as an expression of the legitimacy of the process, as well as its outcome.
Now that Governor Segun Mimiko has been declared winner, all contestants and their followers should transcend the bitter aspects of the campaigns and find a common ground to work together in the overall interests of the state and its people. This requires that both the winner and losers manage the election results in a civilised and democratic manner. The winner has set the tone with a call to all, particularly the opposition, to join the new government in taking the state to the next level. The opposition parties would do well to consider the call and respond accordingly, without necessarily compromising their platforms for continued constructive criticisms of government policies. Nigerian politicians must learn to accept electoral defeat in good spirit, in the absence of any major orchestrated manipulation of the processes and the fact that human beings — and the elections they conduct — are not perfect.
The Ondo election nonetheless had its shortcomings, most notably the huge deployment of military personnel in the process. While some have attributed the relative success of the election to the heavy presence of security agents, the deployment of 11, 000 policemen, together with an undisclosed number of soldiers, for a gubernatorial election in a state as small as Ondo, is an obvious minus for democratic norms. One, the heavy presence of security agents could scare potential voters, thereby reducing the level of turnout. Two, the shoot-at-sight order granted the security agents an anti-democratic stance that could easily be abused. Whether this was the case or not in Ondo is immaterial. Worse still, the Ondo scenario raises the more fundamental question of sustainability in the event of large scale elections across the 36 states of the federation in one day. Such an arrangement is unworkable. Yet, the heavy presence of security agents was not enough to deter some political thugs from having free reign in some parts of the state. The security agents apparently looked the other way, probably with orders from above. This explains why some people have accused them of complicity in the observed flaws in the Ondo polls. In this connection, the role of the security personnel in the election needs more critical scrutiny.
To be sure, there were alleged lapses in the electoral processes upon which some opposition elements hinge their threats of litigation, and consider strong enough to void the outcome. The reports alleged snatching of ballot boxes, shortage and/or absence of ad-hoc electoral staff in some parts of the state, delay in the arrival of materials and intimidation of party agents and voters. Even if these allegations, if true, are not substantial enough to alter the election outcome, they need to be thoroughly investigated. Moreover, is there evidence that the alleged lapses were deliberately orchestrated in favour of, or against any particular candidate, as being alleged by some politicians? A mere perception of such lapses alone, point to worrisome defects in measures to foster effective electoral administration.
The lessons of the Ondo election are many. First, democracy is all about the people and only they have the final say over the choice of leadership. The Nigerian electorates would appear to be coming of age, and may no longer be taken for granted. They are primary stakeholders of politics and should be treated as such. The declared winner, Governor Mimiko, should not merely attribute his victory to the people or on his achievements over the past four years; his administration should pursue more vigorously, people-oriented policies and projects as espoused during electioneering campaigns. Second, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seems to perform better in elections administered on a small scale. As such, the commission may wish to consider, as a matter of deliberate policy, the introduction of staggered elections. This calls for early preparation to ensure that all elections are completed within legally permissible timeframe. Third, the electoral umpire needs to look inward to address perennial logistics and procedural challenges that appear to have become endemic in the administration of elections. Allowing issues such as late deployment of materials and personnel to mar the integrity of elections is inexcusable. Moreover, while the phenomenon of godfatherism has been (and may remain for years to come) a dominant feature of Nigerian politics, the godfathers may not always have their way. Given the increasing level of awareness of the average Nigerian voters as demonstrated in Ondo state, pertinent issues about leadership integrity, performance and delivery of dividends of democracy may begin to assume more prominent roles in shaping future electoral behaviour of Nigerians. Politicians should beware!
Overall, there is a gradual emergence of a political culture, where broader democratic issues of ownership, accountability and control rest with the people. Adequate efforts must be made by the government, opposition parties, civil society and the mass media to ensure the consolidation of this trend.
EDITORIAL OPINION OF THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER,NIGERIA YESTERDAY
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