Rotary ideals: A guide for elections

The much awaited 2011 general elections that may make or mar our dear country kicks off Saturday. Virtually every single process for the elections was controversial. Recall that until Prof Jega was named the INEC chairman, Nigerians had written off the process in advance. Again, the voter registration was volatile, and despite warnings many Nigerians still registered more than once. The party primaries also were very contumacious. But regardless of these challenges Nigerians will go to the polls over the next three Saturdays to perform that important civic responsibility.

As Nigerians make their choices of who to vote for; as the electoral umpire exercises its statutory responsibilities; and as politicians suffer their final bout of election fever; I earnestly wish the entire process could be tested by the foremost ideals of rotary. By the way rotary is arguably the foremost international service organisation with membership spread across 200 countries of the world. It is completely a non political and not for profit organisation. In pursuit of its dreams it has advanced a set of principles as a common guide, which l heartily recommend to Nigerians as they make their choice in the coming elections.

One of such ideals is the four way test of rotary. It remains a beacon of what ideally should guide the conduct of any man or woman in his or her every day life. The content says as much: “the four way test of the things Rotarians think, say or do can be applied profitably in relation with others in the home, community, business, national and international life; particularly to proposed plans, policies, statements and advertising in business and professions, to proposed legislation in government; to relations between teachers and students”. It then goes ahead to provide the checks as follows: “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendship? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

I have no doubt that if the electorate will be ready to apply the underlining principles of the text in their choice of candidates, such choices would be beneficial to all Nigerians. Also the electoral officials could make their responsibilities a lot easier by acting in accordance with the high ethical stands of the four way test, as they relate with the candidates. While the contestants and partisans may sneer at this suggestion, they must realise that without a set of standards and objects as the four way test; killing and mayhem as we are witnessing would be the other alternative.

In making a choice of who to vote for at the polls for instance, it may be helpful to ask whether the criterion for the choice is fair. It will also be helpful to judge the candidates by their conducts and statements; that is whether what they are promising is realizable, or are outright lies and mere posturing. Furthermore the electorates can examine the previous actions of the contestants to appreciate whether they have always been fair to all the interests, whether local, state or national. A legislator or an executive seeking a reelection should be judged by his or her previous performance, using the text.

So, when a candidate is connected with violence and destruction, whether against his or her political opponents or perceived enemies; it would be unfair to vote in such a person. Unfortunately in the run up to the coming elections there has been so much violence. While in some instances it may be difficult to pin point the perpetrators or their sponsors, in some other cases the sources of the killings and maiming of opponents are well known. Regardless of sentiments, Nigerians should not vote in violent candidates.

I think also the four way test should be adopted as the standard code of conduct for Prof Jega and his colleagues. As a matter of urgency, the commission should send printed version of the four way test to be displayed in all INEC offices, while the officials should be encouraged to recite it regularly. An adoption of the ideals of the four-way test will save the chairman a lot of headache as many of his staff would naturally buy into it, and desist from conducts that would bring disrepute to the body. If in their conduct with the contestants, they act truthfully, fairly and in a manner that will be beneficial to all the parties, the chances of freer and fairer elections are higher.

There is also the equally famous object of rotary which though is fashioned to guide Rotarians but could also be adopted to help foster high ethical standards for all the parties in the forthcoming elections. The object talks of encouraging and fostering the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise. It encourages high ethical standards in business and professions, and using such opportunity to serve society. While urging every Rotarian (substitute for every concerned party in the forthcoming elections) to always apply that ideal, it urges for the advancement of international (substitute for national) understanding, goodwill and peace through fellowship.

As Nigerians go to the polls there is no doubt that the nation needs all the best wishes. The signs that we are a failing state could be reversed. On this score the security agencies should rise up to their responsibilities. The politicians could also reduce their resort to primordial sentiments running steep in our national arteries. But even if the politicians remain desperate to win at all cost, the electorates could swing a reversal by conducting themselves in a manner consistent with the high ethical standards of the rotary movement. I believe many Nigerians desires, a change of our electoral tactics.