WHY IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE A FOOLPROOF ELECTION IN NIGERIA

Christopher Adewale Gade adechris33@yahoo.com Although the issue of flawed election is not peculiar to Nigeria, an acclaimed giant of Africa is expected to be an epitome of democratic values by conducting its elections in a free and fair manner. A free and fair elections entails adherence to election laws such as the Constitution and the Electoral Act, it also must be in conformity with the Universal laid down rules and regulations guiding the conduct of elections. A look back into the history of Election in Nigeria; the events leading to and the after-maths of Nigeria elections testifies to the flaws characterised with the conduct of elections in Nigeria, the only election that can be considered as conducted freely and fairly since the introduction of the elective principle into Nigerias politics in 1923 is the annulled June 12, 1993 election because it is the only election that its outcome shows the will of the Electorate. The 2011 general election conducted by Prof. Attahiru Jega led INEC can be seen as a little improvement over the ones conducted in the past, verdicts in election tribunals and Appellate Courts shows the falsehood of election outcomes in some part of Nigeria resulting into fresh elections in some places while it is the outright ousting of government in other places, and also the high level of electoral violence in some parts of Nigeria shows that we are not there yet. So what makes for a credible election? What are the basic requirements of a free and fair election? Yes what can be done to ensure a foolproof election? The credibility of any election begins within various political parties; the outcome of party primaries goes a long way to determine the choice of the voters. The need for proper internal democracy during party primaries cannot be over- emphasized, the Electorate can only make their choice and elect from the list of successful party flag-bearers. Also before an election can be adjudged as foolproof, the process of registering voters for the particular election must be done in accordance with guiding rules and regulations; only eligible voters should be registered, underage registration should not be encouraged, and also the system must not allow for multiple registration. To ensure the success of an election, it is also paramount to educate the Electorate, Political Parties, Security Agencies and all other stakeholders in the electoral process on the process of the conduct of an election, what is expected of them, their rights and privileges during the election so that they can know how to do what they are to do and what not to do. Also the people must be encouraged through the use of the mass media and the public orientation organs of government to come out in large numbers to vote during elections, politicians find it easy to perform all acts that negate the tenets of democracy which election is based on when there are few people around. 1|P ag e

A good outcome of an electoral process and any election hinges on proper planning and analysis of all gamut of activities going on from the beginning to the end. All aspects in the organization of an election such as the recruitment and training of non-party affiliated polling officials, the early arrival of electoral materials to various States and ultimately the polling units, how to convey polling officials and the election materials to and from polling stations, proper remuneration of election officials, etc. are so sacrosanct that none should be overlooked. Candidates and political parties had in previous elections cashed in on the logistics loopholes to rig elections, especially areas designated as dangerous terrain, Elections have been found to start late in these areas because of late arrival of materials. Also those that serves as watchdogs during electoral processes such as the 4th estate of the realm and the security agencies should awake to their responsibility during elections, be properly mobilized, and they should also not take sides in the discharge of their duties. A free and fair election should also be simple, transparent, it must respect the secrecy of the ballot, it must be based on good, acceptable and enforceable law, it must respect human rights, it must respect the right of appeal, it must encourage the existence of genuine opposition parties, it must recognize the social and political circumstances of the people it serves, and its outcome must be acceptable to the people. At this juncture, it becomes imperative not to forget the theme of this piece; why it is impossible to have a foolproof election in Nigeria. With the appointment of Prof. Jega a man reputed as incorruptible and knowledgeable as the chairman of INEC and the enactment into law of the 2010 Electoral Act, it seems the government themselves also has come to realize the need for a free and fair election for once in Nigeria and with the shout of the slogan One man one vote all over the media it seems that credible election is at hand. However after all the rollercoaster of pre-election and post-election events, it was clear we did not get it right again, although there were huge improvements (great work by INEC) but the fact still remains that the election was not foolproof. The appointment of Jega and the amendment of the 2006 Electoral Act can be seen in some quarters and those vast in the history of the conduct of election in Nigeria as only washing the outside of a Tea Cup without washing the real dirty part; the inside. Even the resources at the disposal of Prof. Jega was not able to prevent the flaws characterised with the general election of 2011, one thing that should be known is that before the ever elusive foolproof election can be achieved in Nigeria, the dirt within must be cleansed. So what are these rots that should be cleansed from Nigerias politics? What has been preventing us from having a free and fair election in Nigeria? Yes why is it impossible for Nigeria to have a foolproof election? The power of incumbency in Nigeria still remains a huge factor in the determination of election outcomes. All States apparatus and even the State treasury are employed to ensure the return of the incumbent 2|P ag e

government, even in the situation whereby the incumbent leader is to vacate his post after spending the maximum term in office, the person will do all within his power to ensure the election of the candidate on the platform of his political party, doing this by using the media, the security agencies, and all other resources in his disposal. Consequentially, the enormous advantage possessed by the incumbent government make it extremely hard to dislodge an incumbent government in Nigeria. Also, the activity of so called godfathers is also a major cause of flaws in Nigerias elections. Godfathers in Nigerias politics is as old as the country itself, it is so pronounced and plain to see for all who cares to the extent that these godfathers are seen as first citizens before the governor in the State they take dominance. It might be good if the activity of these godfathers stops at financing their adopted godson for an election but no they contribute a major disturbance to the polity at large. They are involved in candidate imposition during party primaries, they exterminate opposing elements within and outside their political party that might prevent the assumption to power of their godson, and they also disrupt the voting process by hiring hoodlums to perform acts of violence, all in the aim of achieving their goal of controlling power and receiving huge financial returns on their investments. The insurgent of godfathers into Nigerias politics has been a great disturbance bringing with it an enormous load of negativity, the consequence of this is the resulting violence characterized with Nigerias inter-party and intra-party politics, inability of these godsons to concentrate on governance after they had been sworn in into power as they are being pestered with unending requests from the godfather. Godfathers affects the outcome of elections by disrupting the electoral process, saying no to all that is good and strongly imposing their candidate on the party and the people. Another major reason why free and fair election remains elusive in Nigeria is the high rate of illiteracy in the country, particular in the North, most of the literates are also ignorant of the electoral process. This development results to a flock of electorates who are unaware of their rights and privileges and this make them easy target of politicians manoeuvres, they can be easily cajoled, threatened, and bribed into the wrong exercise of their franchise, and some will even aid this politicians in ballot stuffing, election thuggery and general disrupt of the electoral process. As a result of the huge salary attached with both executive and legislative elective positions in Nigeria, those who find their way into this public offices find it extremely hard relinquishing power as they become acclimatized with the financial rewards and other privileges that come with their office. Also there are some network and connections of rich elites who are the movers and shakers of the economy; those who runs the financial wheel and means of production in the country and the end of a particular regime or the ousting of a political party means the end of their influence in government, therefore they also will do all within their power so that their link in government will not be cut. In Nigeria, the powerful subvert all tenets of

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democracy and result to the use of brutal force, corruption, and intimidation to the detriment of free and fair election in order to maintain the status quo. Also, Nigeria has not been able to have a fool proof election due to the corruptive nature of some Nigerians. Systematic corruption has for a very long time find its way into all areas of Nigerias political and socioeconomic systems. This made it easy for an election official to collect money from a political party, candidate or their agents for the purpose of altering the outcome of an election. Even the voters are given money in exchange in exchange for their vote. In some cases, the election officials or the voters themselves demand for this bribe. The consequence of this is the flaw of the whole electoral process. Another problem facing the conduct of free and fair election in Nigeria is the high rate of poverty in the country. Take the case of Musa; a cobbler who lives in Kano, he wakes up one morning to a banging noise on the wooden door of his single room. He opened the door to find his friend Yaro whose fist seemed glued to his door. Musa asked him what the cause of the urgency is since it is not yet time for them to go to the big market where they both ply their trade. Yaro replied him by putting his hand inside his pocket bringing out a mint 200naira note telling Musa that he had just earned it by selling his voters card to one man who is vying for the chairmanship seat of the Local Government in which they both lived in. Remembering that he had slept on an empty stomach last night, Musa hurriedly pick up a worn out T-shirt from the stands and drags Yaro out to immediately take him to the man so that he can also sell his own voters card for 200naira. Such is the level of poverty in some areas in Nigeria; this high poverty rate makes it easy for politicians to buy their way into public offices. Someone who finds it extremely hard to afford a good meal per day would find it very easy to sell his right of franchise and would even go to any length by serving as political thugs, causing violence and general disruption of the peace and credibility of an election just to earn himself a little naira. And not helping the situation is the high level of joblessness and youth restiveness in the country, numerous of graduates are released year in year out into the labour market without any glimmer of hope of getting a job, an idle hand they say is the devils workshop. So, is a foolproof election impossible to achieve in Nigeria? No, there is nothing that stops us from achieving this feat if everyone and all of us will arise to our responsibility as Nigerians and contribute our quota to the success of forthcoming elections. The 2011 general shows us that we are close, it is a joint responsibility for us all to find a lasting solution to the cause of the flaws associated with our election; we must all stand for change, we must learn to say no to powers that would want things to stay the way they are, let us all wash the real dirt from our polity. God bless Nigeria.

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