{"id":359737,"date":"2011-04-01T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2011-04-01T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/04\/01\/decision-2011-hope-alive\/"},"modified":"2011-04-01T23:00:00","modified_gmt":"2011-04-01T23:00:00","slug":"decision-2011-hope-alive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/04\/01\/decision-2011-hope-alive\/","title":{"rendered":"Decision 2011: Hope alive"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Hope, a poet one declared, springs eternal in the human breast. As we commence today the series of elections to determine those who will pilot our affairs for another four years from May, it so easy to give in to despair and cynicism. Yes, the country has never been as insecure as she is today with the exception of the civil war years. Kidnappings, assasinations, communal strife, religious infractions, armed robbery, bomb blasts and other forms of violence are the order of the day across the country. These are clear indications of a severely disturbed society and looming state failure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Those state functionaries who make the loudest professions of commitment to free, fair and credible elections also demonstate a capacity to unhesitatingly misuse state power to manipulate the electoral process in their favour. The competition for power continues to be fierce, vicious, violent and unrestrained indicating that the purpose, largely, is personal aggrandisement rather than selfless service.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, millions of Nigerians will expectedly troop out today to exercise their power to vote. But the power to vote can only be utilized in a socially beneficial manner if a substantial proportion of voters are fortified by the more critical power of adequate knowledge and acquaintance with the pertinent issues. Despite the uncritical romanticisation of liberal democracy by the contemporary global conventional wisdom, the truth is that in a poverty ridden polity like ours characterized by large scale illiteracy, deep ethno-regional fissions and a cynical power elite, the power of the vote can also very easily be a weapon of mass self destruction.<\/span><\/p>\n

In spite of all of these, there is still every reason to keep hope alive. The march to sustainable democracy in Nigeria has become an irresistible force. Every seemingly immovable object on its path must inevitably give way. It is only a matter of time. It is instructive, for instance, that virtually all the serious candidates at all levels have campaigned vigorously both by physical contact and through the media. We have witnessed perhaps the most intensive campaigns in the history of electioneering in Nigeria. This is a welcome indication that the power seekers are not taking the electorate for granted. Yes, hope is certainly alive. Democracy will yet thrive in Nigeria.<\/span><\/p>\n

Particularly to be commended in this regard is President Goodluck Jonathan. We can understand Buhari, Ribadu and Shekarau criss crossing the country campaigning as hard as they did. They have no choice if they want to dislodge the incumbent. They must work twice as hard to neutralize the immense advantages of incumbency. But President Jonathan refused to be lulled into complacency by the power of incumbency. He campaigned long and hard, visiting states considered critical two or even three times.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jonathan clearly does not share Mr. \u2018Fix it\u2019 Anthony Annenih\u2019s view that \u2018there is no vacancy in Aso Rock\u2019 otherwise he would have sat down cosily enjoying himself in the presidential villa waiting to be sworn in in May after the mere formality of elections. Of course, it is true that under the wily OBJ in 2003 and 2007, pre-election presidential campaigns were only a smokescreen for the blatant rigging of the actual elections. The contending dynamics are completely different this time round.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, President Jonathan stylishly dodged the presidential debate organized by the independent and more objective NN24<\/em> with his aides citing contradictory non-reasons for the clearly inexcusable behaviour. But in the final analysis he was still forced to engage in the farcical dialogue with himself masquerading as a presidential debate organized by the Nigerian Election Debate Group (NEDG). Even if the farce severely diminished both the person and office of the president, it still happened because the incumbent could not afford to ignore public perception. This is still good for democracy; another reason to keep hope alive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whatever may be their plans to pervert the electoral process, the Nigerian political class through the energy and tremendous resources expended on their campaigns at least appear to appreciate that, in the final analysis, the voter is king in a democracy. But for Nigeria\u2019s security establishment, particularly the office of the National Security Adviser, the fear of the electorate seems to be the beginning of wisdom. For them, voters constitute the greatest threat to the elections. Ah, if only we could abolish the people to gurantee the security of the state!<\/span><\/p>\n

The cream of Nigeria\u2019s security elite are preparing for the elections as if for war. Their pronouncements create the impression that the election is a major confrontation between the state and the people. Thus, the National Security Adviser, General Andrew Owoye Azazi, and Inspector General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, want voters to immediately vacate the battle field after firing the volley of their votes. They must not wait to ensure that the enemy of electoral impunity is vanquished and that their counted votes actually count.<\/span><\/p>\n

Among others, the security agencies fear the possibility of violence and the polling booths being over run if people wait behind after voting. But why should there be violence if the votes counted, recorded and announced at each polling booth actually reflect the will of the majority? Is it not the absence of voters at the polling booths to witness the vote count that may encourage unscrupulous politicians and INEC officials to collude and announce fictitious results?<\/span><\/p>\n

Another demonstration of the security establishment\u2019s war mentality in the run up to the election is the decision to deploy troops to counter thuggery and other forms of electoral violence. It does not occur to those who took this decision that it portrays the Nigerian State as exceedingly weak and ineffective. Armies exist to protect a country\u2019s territorial integrity from external aggression. They may be deployed during periods of grave natural disasters or when civil disturbances esclate beyond the capacity of internal security agencies. But when the might of the military has to be deployed to contain mere thugs and electoral bandits something is grossly wrong somewhere.<\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps the most dangerous decision of the security establishment is the reported likely restriction on GSM calls and text messages during the elections. The reason for this is the fear of spreading unverified results and other messages that can create tension during the polls. Justifying this position, the Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Labran Maku, said “In fact, the only threat we fear is sensational reporting. If reports go wrong, they can threaten an election.”<\/span><\/p>\n

In the first place, even if GSM calls and text messages are restricted, the security agencies can still not stop the publication and propagation of unauthorised reports through other means. In the final analysis, it is the result authenticated by INEC that is recognized by law. After all, in 2003, false results for the Lagos State governorship election were posted on the internet. This did nothing to affect the authentic results.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond this, the adoption of the Modified Open Secret Ballot system for the election by INEC has effectively addressed the question of authentic or non-authentic results. INEC has made the entire process transparent and open to scrutiny. Voters will be accredited between 8am and noon. Voting will commence at 12.30 pm. Thereafter, the votes will be counted, recorded and announced on the spot. The attempt by the security agencies to mystify the process is needless. Indeed, INEC itself has introduced the reclaimnigeria.net platform to facilitate incident reporting by the populace during the polls. This provides an opportunity for people to send SMS messages as well as Email, web, video and photo reports directly to INEC on the conduct of the elections. The security chiefs are clearly living in the past. They must wake up to the reality of an emergent new Nigeria.<\/span><\/p>\n

If the mindset of the security chiefs is worrisome, the determination, sincerity and courage of Professor Attahiru Jega to conduct free, fair and crdible elections gives reason to keep hope alive. The commission\u2019s adoption of the Modified Open Secret Ballot system and its insistence that people can wait and peacefully observe the counting of votes and announcement of results are surely indications of a bright future.<\/span><\/p>\n

President Goodluck Jonathan made a wise, high minded and well meaning decision in appointing Jega as INEC Chairman. He deserves kudos for this. Can the samething be said of Hafiz Ringim\u2019s appointment as IG of police? It is doubtful. But the courage of Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in checking the unjust persecution by the IG of Senator John Udoedehe of the A.C.N. for the unfortunate violence in Akwa-Ibom shows that the rule of law is on the ascendancy in Nigeria. Democracy is on the march. We must keep hope alive.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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