 Published
May 6th, 2010
There is no gainsaying that the foundation of every healthy
democratic society is built on the principles of sound and
reliable electoral culture. This is so because, it is only
through free and fair elections that credible persons could
be picked and entrusted with key leadership positions in
society. In the last thirty years of Nigeria’s history,
several bold attempts have been made by the political class,
social-cultural, religious, and civil society organisations
to find enduring solutions to the nation’s weak and spongy
electoral protocols. The faulty nature of the electoral
system has helped to create room for the few moneybags to
massage the conscience of electoral officials in order to
rig elections in favour of themselves or their stooges. This
is the reason why politicians respect electoral umpires far
more than even the electorates. Without any fear of
contradiction, this is the root causes of failing political
leadership in the country.
Nigerians should not wait for Barrack Obama or Hillary
Clinton to confirm to us that poor leadership culture has
been the bane of Nigeria- the supposed Giant of Africa, now
struggling to make impact even among Lilliputian nations. It
is a common fact that poor political leadership breeds
corruption, underdevelopment, poverty, crime, tribalism,
nepotism, and ineptitude among others. Many have therefore
not seen it as a surprise that over 90% of the nation’s
population are living below poverty line. To the utter
dismay of many, a greater percentage of workers in both the
private and public sectors earn salaries that are not enough
to feed a family of three for just one week. Quite
evidently, the rise in cases of ill health among Nigerians
can be traced to poor dieting regime. Majority of Nigerian
now eat between one and two low diet meals daily. This
already bad situation is made worse by the non availability
of access to clean drinking water most
especially in the rural areas. The international community
is shocked that the world’s sixth largest producer of crude
oil is relying on the importation of fuel to service her
local market. It is an irony that Nigeria is still grappling
with power generation with all the option of gas, hydro,
wind, coal, and solar at our disposal. With an enormous
population size, Nigeria is capable of generating enough
power from waste products.
It is also very disturbing that job creation figures have
fallen far below population growth levels. The authorities
must understand that the consequences of high unemployment
rate are capable of compromising the security of this
nation. Governments at the local, state, and federal levels
must therefore roll out practicable plans to stimulate
economic and industrial growth. This will in turn create
employment opportunities and improve the human worth of more
of the nation’s citizens. With all of the above in mind, one
can easily appreciate the reasons for the enthusiasm shown
by Nigerians concerning the attempt by the present
administration to reform the nation’s frail electoral
framework.
While the Governors’ Forum are free to hold their opinions
on issues bothering on the country, it is very clear that
their hard-line position on the Chairmanship of the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was very
unfortunate. It bears clear traces of self help. The
Governors’ Forum failed to convince Nigerians of what the
nation stood to lose if Maurice Iwu is not retained for a
second term. If one puts common sense to test, it would
point to the fact that the nation’s electoral system cannot
be truly reformed with Iwu as INEC boss. This is so because,
civil society groups, religious organisations,
socio-cultural bodies, and several political actors are
convinced that evidences volunteered at election tribunals
has stained the hands of Maurice Iwu with blood. Many
stakeholders believe that he played significant roles in
aiding electoral frauds. Retaining him would therefore pose
a whole lot of credibility problems for INEC. Integrity
is an important ingredient that cannot be divorced from the
personality of electoral umpires.
The huge support that greeted the exit of Maurice Iwu last
week was indeed unprecedented. By that singular action,
Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has made a bold statement
that political leadership in Nigeria can surely rise above
parochial interests. The only way Jonathan or any other
political leader can be encouraged to always stand on the
side of truth is for the political class, civil society,
religious, and socio-cultural organisations to give them all
the backing they deserve. But more importantly, the acting
president should not ignore, but rather engage the
Governors’ Forum in dialogues to remind them of the
important need to put the nation first. In as much as state
governors wield a lot of influence, I foresee a dull picture
where their shallow and narrow minded opinions on key
national issues would pitch the masses against them in the
very near future.
Immediately after President Musa Yar’Adua was flown out to
Saudi Arabia for medical treatment, the Governors’ Forum
quickly turned themselves into a mountain that Goodluck
Jonathan must climb before taking important decisions. Even
without the benefit of a prophet, one can see the
handwriting clearly on the wall. The governors are trying to
position themselves well ahead of the 2011 elections at the
expense of the nation. Their shock and grief following the
much expected exit of Maurice Iwu have no doubt distorted a
well rehearsed cavalcade.
While there is nothing wrong in governors demanding to be
consulted on key national issues, their attempts at
sacrificing national interests for parochial ambitions
should be resisted by both the presidency and the masses.
This is one sure way we can safeguard our democracy. The
time has therefore come for all to remind state governors of
the important need for them to leave the acting president
alone and face squarely the enormous responsibilities
waiting for them in their various states. Under normal
circumstances, they should not need Iwu to win elections.
Let them allow their four year report cards to deliver them
at the polls. The governors are certainly afraid that with
the expected electoral reform exercise, the opportunity for
rigging elections will be greatly reduced. A sound electoral
culture will customarily make the electorates kings as is
obtained in every democratically healthy society. Nigerian
masses should start celebrating. The years of
poor political leadership will soon come to an end.
KALI GWEGWE
2, Greenvilla-Customs Link Road,
Biogbolo-Epie,
Yenagoa,
Bayelsa State.
0806 407 4810
kaligwegwe@yahoo.com
http://kali-gwegwe.blogspot.com
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