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One of the reasons Prof. Attahiru Jega, the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was successful on the job after the initial missteps that almost derailed the 2011 general election, was that he treated politics as a science. Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, who occupied the same chair 22 years earlier had almost the same political style, but no two persons are the same. If Nwosu’s political style was in his head and he was more vocal, Jega’s style seemed to be in his blood. For me, Jega is a more rational operator and a master of the art of politics.
Undoubtedly, Jega, like every ex-electoral Chairman, has a dose of benefit of hindsight of what could make or mar elections in the country. It’s important that when he speaks on such matter, we should listen. Such knowledge that comes from been once on the job, the experience of pressures and pleasures, the uncommon courage, the sincerity of purpose and perhaps, independent of mind and the lessons from failure, altogether, can enrich the conduct of future elections in the country.
Therefore, it’s important that his 2018 ‘Democracy Day’ lecture, in Abuja, last week, should be properly assessed in its context and the advice he offered, should be heeded. It was also fitting that his lecture came in the nick of time, less than nine months going into another crucial elections. That our politics and politicians are vulnerable to the disturbing facts he x-rayed, provide food for thought.
That the road leading to the 2019 elections portend grave danger, is stating the obvious. These are the issues that worry him, and most Nigerians as well. They include the often alleged partiality of security agencies which he advised must imbibe professionalism during the election and maintain neutrality in the course of discharging their duties. Also, worrisome, he said, was the inability of the political parties(in particular, the ruling All Progressives Congress) to observe internal democracy and conduct peaceful congresses at the state levels. It still troubles the mind, and perhaps points to dangerous signals to what to expect next year. It’s already unfolding, thick and fast.
On the crisis that beset the state congresses last month, this is what Jega said: “If political parties cannot organise their internal elections peacefully, how can they engage the other parties with civility in the general elections”? It is important, he says, that this is addressed quickly, because, as he pointed out, if a crisis breaks out during the elections, some of these issues will be outside the scope of the electoral commission, and in the end, INEC takes the flak. Jega is right. But, that’s not all. He expressed deep concern about increasing hate speeches by politicians, opinion and religious leaders. This, he rightly noted, could precipitate violence.
Besides, we cannot fault his concern about impunity in the land. And, how do we ensure that the rule of law is obeyed, especially when those who should comply with the law are now the lawbreakers? That worry is deepening every passing day. Did the federal government and its key agencies listen to Jega’s worries? Will those he described as “more patriotic, democratic and well meaning Nigerians” heed his call to speak against hate speeches? Also, why is the National Assembly stonewalling about the passage of the amended Electoral Act? Its passage is necessary for a much better electoral legal framework for next year’s elections. Of course, there are other aspects of the Electoral Act, which are opposed to party democracy.
Altogether, Jega’s worries need urgent reflections. How do we tame the beasts that he identified in his Democracy Day lecture? For instance, any political party that lacks internal democracy, lacks the oxygen to exist, and may squander the goodwill of the people. On electoral violence, this remains a present danger that can derail our democracy and possibly quicken the United States 2005 Intelligence Council report that forecast failure and eventual collapse of Nigeria as a nation if certain precautions were not taken by the political leadership.
We need to recall that among the pressure-points the U.S. report was anchored on, were issues of globalisation and its impact on political development, economic growth, patterns of conflict and terrorism. Even though we dismissed the U.S. prediction as shallow and glib, that it was based on dubious benchmarks, are these fears not become a grim reality, 23 years on? For good measures, so much to worry about as we countdown to the next elections. Just as Jega was giving his advisory, the European Union (EU) in Nigeria urged the Federal Government and INEC that though who will win 2019 general elections “is a decision for the Nigerian people”, Nigerians, it said, must be allowed to choose their leaders. As the EU stated in its statement last Monday, “democracy is not only about the voting process. It also requires a strong commitment from political actors to uphold the democratic ideal”.
It also noted with concern reports of violence, intimidation and corruption, both within parties and between parties. This was the same concern Bishop Matthew Kukak expressed in a paper he delivered in Owerri, Imo state, in January, 2010 at a workshop organised by INEC entitled:” The prevention of electoral violence in Nigeria.” In his usual eloquence and anecdotes, Kukah described electoral violence as the “first born child of an illegitimate government”. He said electoral violence “shortens the distance of our path to collective destruction”. With this in focus, Kukah warned our politicians to note that as long as they continue to swim to power through the blood of electoral violence, “one day, they will drown in the pool of that blood”. Harsh words, you may say, coming from a priest, but that day, some doomsayers, are quick to remind us may not be far away. The lesson in all of this, is that, all hands must be on deck. The Electoral Act, as it is now, is helpless in reining in politicians and their supporters who unleash violence during election campaigns.
How far government at all levels are able to contain the challenges of unemployment, hunger and poverty will impact on election violence. But we must not ignore the urgency of an institutional framework that will guarantee free and credible elections next year. I also insist that as our democracy will be put to great test in 2019, our attitude to politics and elections as “ winner takes all”, must change. We need to change our mindset that power is never given– it is only taken, by force. And this must start with our politicians, who Kukah, disparages as the “worst enemies of our democratic values, the worst transgressors of the rule of law in the subversion of the moral basis of our politics”. But, make no mistake about it: the Police top brass and other officials of government are now becoming the biggest transgressors of the rule of law in the land. That’s why our politics will continue to stir up controversies, mayhem and bloodshed.
