The Best Elections in Nigeria

The 2007 general elections have been severally described. To the “winners” and electoral body it was free, fair and the best ever held in the country. Similar comforting sentiments emanated from His Excellency the Commander in Chief of the armed forces. After-all he would be making history again, this time as leading a civilian to civilian transition.

An observer would not expect otherwise. With a loquacious electoral chief. Who it would appear required (or should it be), enjoyed the services of presidential spokespersons to elucidate or canvass his action points or to otherwise corroborate same. We are informed that in one state, whereas there was no election in several local governments, the largest number of votes recorded ever was declared for the ruling Party that was while votes were still being collated. In that instances, the information is, the resident electoral officer for the state had to dispel such rumors issued by his bosses. In another instance, electoral chiefs formed the habit of wining and dinning at a godfather’s mansion at the eve of the elections.

In yet another instance, voting commenced after the official closing hours designed for same in a certain geo-political zone. It was in such circumstance that a fortunate presidential candidate cast his votes only after activating the lights of his mobile phone to find his way and to vote. It would appear now that that candidate was infact fortunate as several of his colleagues never enjoyed that privilege. An election characterized by several under aged voting, ballot bag snatching, state intimidation via the armed forces and Para-military agencies. Several other interesting accounts abound. It is against this background that it becomes very interesting to find certain persons basking in the euphoria of having won elections into various offices.

For certain, the electoral tribunals would serve as comic relief out of this specie of free, fair and best ever elections to be held in this part of the world. An election that has further reduced our collective integrity in the eyes of the international community. In the words of the European Union election monitors, “the election were marred by poor Organisation, lack of essential transparency, widespread procedural irregularities, significant evidence of fraud particularly during the result collation process, voters disenchantment at different stages of the process, lack of equal conditions for contestants and numerous incidents of violence”. As if to add salt to injury, the Madeleine Albright led National Democratic Institute in another press statement described the elections as “a step backwards in the conduct of election in Nigeria. … in all of the elections that the NDI has observed in every part of the world such delay in the delivery of essential electoral materials and in opening of polling sites is unprecedented”.

It was with these very kind words, the elections conducted by the Iwu-manned commission; was described. We have not bothered to incorporate the opinion of the local observers. Our concern here is how did we get here? Who is to blame for this mess of an election? What learning points should we take from this unfortunate experience? Several opinions have been shared on this. One imagines that most of such opinion only begs the issue. Our opinion is, we got to this point because we allowed ingenious people into positions of authority. Who is to blame for this? The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Why? The responsibility of screening or reviewing budgets appropriated by government agencies rests in part with the upper house.

Can we in all honesty say that in the exercise of those constitutional powers the Senate acted in the best interest of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? How did the Senate treat or consider the nomination of our loquacious electoral chief. Were they a bunch of rubber stamp specialist? Was any effort made to verify the authencity of the educational qualifications of members of the electoral body? Some murmuring exist over that matter, what about their experience(s) in life, what made them stand out transparent enough to head the body? Was the Senate under any pressure over the said appointments? These and more bother the minds of not a few Nigerians because again the rumor mills have it that the elections were won (rigged, that is) following the confirmation of appointment.

Then again, it would appear that the electoral body was awash with Naira so much that it could conveniently embark on an endless voter registration, importation of laptops and sundry items, purchase of ballot bags, endless printing and reprinting of ballot papers some supposedly at short notice and in foreign currency, aircraft charters, needless litigations and appeals; and so on.

In approving budgets did it occur to the legislators that ballot boxes exist and that the proposed ballot bags acquired for the election was a needless waste of resources. Did it occur to the legislators that their approvals of budget ought to be tired to expenditure heads? If the legislators employed these cautions, where did the foreign exchange employed in reprinting ballot papers to accommodate the judgment of the Supreme Court come from? What about the huge sums employed in chattering aircrafts for purposes of dispatching printed materials?

As we said, these really are learning points. The Senate owes it a duty to ensure that only quality people ascend positions of authority. Failure on their part to so guarantee means they have no relevance in the scheme of things. It does not augur well for them to cry wolf when as individuals they reap from their failure to act diligently.

Again, the learning point is essentially for the new Senate. A lesson on how best to undertake senatorial responsibility. One understands it is an entirely new Senate in composition. It appears the ambition of the bulk of the old brigade hit the rock. It cannot be otherwise; when that brigade delighted themselves in doing things in some interesting manner. Please do not imagine that one has in mind the issue of the numerous PTDF reports.

Another interesting aspect about the elections is the call for utility of the electoral tribunals by aggrieved candidates. The quarters from whence such calls come, again leave much to be desired. The same apostle of “do or die” elections are now recommending the tribunals. What is the guarantee that the “do or die” spirit would not re-surface there. The electoral body we learn has promised to assist would be litigants with evidence. The schedule of electoral bodies the world over is to conduct credible elections. Supply of evidence ought not to be consolation emanating from such quarters.

Published in the Punch and Daily Independent newspapers in Nigeria.