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Everywhere one turns, within and without Nigeria, all one hears about the 2023 ballot is that it is not going to be business as usual. Those who really understand the business insist that 2023 will throw up too many surprises. For this writer, though: as a Nigerian who is old enough and has lived in the country long enough, experience restrains such optimism. But, still, nothing is too much for this nation of God to achieve, if it really wants it.
What has changed to inspire so much hope about the next general elections? That’s easy cake. Nigerians believe the Electoral Act as amended is a game-changer. Among others, sections 37, 50, 51, 84, 94 shine the light on the way to go.
For instance, one, section 34 sub 3 maintains that if after commencement of poll and before announcement of final result and declaration of a winner, a candidate dies (a) the commission shall, being satisfied with the fact of the death, suspend the election for a period not more than 21 days; and (b) in the case of election into a legislative house, election shall start afresh and the political party whose candidate died may, if it intends to continue to participate in the election, conduct a fresh primary within 14 days of the death of its candidate and submit the name of a new candidate to the commission to replace the dead candidate: provided that in the case of presidential or governorship or federal capital territory area council elections, the running mate shall continue with the election and nominate a new running mate. This is pure fresh air. For instance, two, section 50 sub 2 rules that where the number of votes cast at an election in any polling unit exceeds the number of accredited voters in that polling unit, the presiding officer shall cancel the result of the election in that polling unit. Subsection 3 continues with the fact that where the result of an election is cancelled in accordance with subsection 2, there shall be no return for the election until another poll has taken place in the affected polling unit.
Furthermore, the new electoral instrument directs that where a smart card reader or any other technological device deployed for accreditation of voters fails to function in any unit and a fresh card reader or technological device is not deployed, the election in that unit shall be cancelled and another election shall be scheduled within 24 hours if the commission is satisfied that the result of the election in that polling unit will substantially affect the final result of the whole election and declaration of a winner in the constituency concerned. Meaning: even if it affects the final tally but substantially un-so, the cancellation ends right there. Meaning also that the rigging-via-incident-form window is not only no longer possible, it is also shut forever. Add these gains to that embedded in electronic transmission and you realise Nigeria is at the threshold of electoral El Dorado!
But, just: this is Nigeria. Nigerians are capable of circumventing any law and getting away with it. We cannot and should not shout Uhuru just yet because we don’t know what politicians and their footsoldier citizens are plotting. Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and indeed his Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the rest of the law-abiding citizenry should not remove our eyes from the ball.
Now, to the business of the day. Candidates 2023 should realise that the game is up. No Nigerian is going to win election next year and beyond the way it used to be won. Rigging -if any- shall be minimal.
To win, therefore, the candidate must work extra-hard. They must reach out, campaign wisely and widely, and make their plans and promises (read manifesto) barely intelligible. The manifesto must speak to the electorate’s needs and interests. The people are back as the real kingmakers.
There’s so much reawakening, so much consciousness, so much haste to correct the mistakes of the past. The masses are angry, having proved beyond reasonable doubt that an alarming majority of political office holders took them for a ride all these years. The people look all set to extract their pound of flesh. Standard-bearers should be smart not to cross the voter(s).
How not to do that? Eschew pride and arrogance and prejudice. Reach even those you think are insignificant. Apologise where you should, reconcile with even those you think you shouldn’t.
Tricky elections such as 2023 call for a switch in behaviour and approach. You can’t be eyeing something as big as political prize but be carrying on as if you have nothing at stake. Stop looking for trouble and even where and when you see that a voter provokes you, don’t fight back. Run away so you live to fight another day -hopefully in the comfort of a political office!
God bless Nigeria!
I am: A cure for inferiority complex (Part 1)
In case you didn’t know that I know who I am, sit down there and let me tell you about me, from A to Z. I am fearfully and wonderfully and beautifully made.
I am human. I am humane. I am of God, A to Z.
I am able. I am active. I am amazing.
I am an ambassador of God. I am attractive. I am authentic.
I am blessed. I am bodacious. I am brilliant.
I am competent. I am competitive. I am complete.
I am dependable. I am determined. I am dutiful.
I am ebullient. I am energetic. I am expectant.
I am favoured. I am fearless. I am fruitful.
(Cont’d all through September 2022)
Any virtue as important as respect?
When it comes to human relations, what is the principal thing: love or respect? I have been ruminating on this, lately.
Is it possible to love and not respect a person? On the other hand, is it possible to respect and not love?
As I see it: I believe that while love is generic, respect is specific and therefore special. Except we agree that love means respect, respect is the better of the two.
People can love you but still insult you. No one does that to respect.
Do you agree? Please, let me know!
