Ekiti re-run poll: Which way Nigeria

Ekiti re-run poll: Which way Nigeria?

By Emmanuel Ajibulu

The practise of decent/modern democracy once again has proven to be a mirage in Nigeria, this time around in Ekiti State; the uncontrollable violence where bottles, stones, machetes, etc were allowed to be freely used, over a conduct of a re-run polls by INEC in just 10 LGs (at some selected wards) amidst heavy presence of security operatives (10,000 men) shows the extent of the decay in Nigerian politics; I think The Punch captions it right in its Monday 27th April 2009 publication-Shame of a Nation.

Further, this development has put a lot of news reporters, correspondents, editors, etc in respective media houses into a lot of challenges and scenario of uncertainty, because as news breaks, in the next minute what was considered as news worthy materials or scoop becomes stale within the twinkle of an eye. Today we hear the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) is sick and could not continue her work, tomorrow she purportedly resigned and thereafter she reaffirms her appointment as REC in Ekiti and promised to complete what she started. The protest match of half naked women in Ado Ekiti (29th April 2009) is another lesson that cannot be forgotten so easily, as a matter of fact this recent unhealthy happenings can precipitate a great damage to our nascent democracy.

Some have raised highbrow against the immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to have been the one throwing weight behind the AC candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi. And as speculated by political spectators, that has afforded the latter huge support from the good people of Ekiti. But I asked, what is wrong in that? Good product will always sell itself without advert overkill. Tinubu is a tested and trusted political phenomenon in the history of south-west Nigeria (S/West). He has demonstrated that he is a progressive and his style of governance was the type with human face. Again his political values and virtues underscore that of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, his successor, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has been recording enviable achievements in Lagos. Honestly this is good for the S/west.

Similarly, some have opined that the President, Vice President, Speaker, Governors in PDP controlled states, and other PDP chieftains shouldn’t have come to campaign for the PDP candidate/former Governor of Ekiti State, Engr. Segun Oni, during the electioneering campaign period. There should be no course for alarm, after all Mr. President has proven beyond doubt that he is a symbol of rule of law and transparency, this clout can equally garner support for PDP in the polls. But from an objective angle, we know that the Nigerian President is not a PDP President, Protocol shouldn’t have allowed him to do that.

However, it is immaterial for anyone to show such high volume of support and loyalty to his political party whether at the local, state or federal level. What is important is the ability to conduct election on a levelled playing field so that the most popular contestant can emerge as the winner freely and fairly.

Nigerians can now see for themselves which candidate is popular and from which party, Nigerians can now see who the deceivers are, the traitors, liars etc. If the security of the Resident Electoral Commissioner Mrs. Olushola Adebayo in Ekiti cannot be guaranteed it shows who we are as a country. We must again not lose sleep over the factors that precipitated the woman to initially throw in the towel. There are obviously some forces pressurising her to do some things against the popular demands of the people of Ekiti State.

According to a statement credited to the woman in her purported resignation letter, duly signed by her. ‘’Ekiti State was supposed to be election that will enhance the image of INEC... Unfortunately, the circumstances changed in the middle of the process. Therefore, my conscience as a Christian cannot allow me to further participate in this process.’’

Before the election proper INEC gave the reassurance that it will deploy all necessary resources both human and material to ensure that the April 27 re-run elections would be free and fair, but recent happenings however, have proven that the nation’s election umpire is either incompetent, biased or jittery in the discharge of its legitimate duties.

The time is now when Nigeria should chart a new course for a virile and purposeful future for the present generation and generations unborn. We all need to do which is right at all times and in all places so that posterity can judge us right. Infact Nigeria should tactically desist to call itself the giant of Africa, after its 49 years of independent, other African counties have shown us how elections should be conducted without hitches, Ghana and South Africa are worthy examples.
Moreover, it shows that the slogan Nigeria good people great nation should cease to exist, because we have nothing to celebrate to merit this slogan. The massive irregularities of the Ekiti re-run should be properly managed so that it doesn’t degenerate to another civil unrest. Whoever that is planning an emergency rule in Ekiti this time around should beware and note that it won’t work, Ekiti people cannot be taken for a ride for the second time. Not anymore.
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