Kogi, Bayelsa Governorship Elections: A Rubicon Test For Buhari, INEC Boss
Nigeria has being grappling with incredible electoral system, and how to make elections free and fair as obtains in real democracies. This has being the situation for a long time, until the last 2015 general elections which became adjudged as better than some in the past.
The impression is based mostly on the fact that incumbents at different levels, including former President Goodluck Jonathan were voted out. This is because the electorate had opportunity to exercise their franchise without fear and intimidation.
That does not however mean that the 2015 elections had no flaws. The best assessment therefore is that the elections conformed to standards substantially.
The success of the 2015 electoral programme of transition are attributed to former president Jonathan, the out gone electoral chairman, Prof. Atahiru Jega and the magic wand of the card reading machine, which though had short comings.
Frankly, former president Jonathan’s widely applauded transparency; non-interference in the electoral process and concession of defeat to President Buhari were responsible for the success and peaceful aftermath of the elections.
Haven benefited from such free and fair electoral system, all eyes are on Persistent Buhari to replicate or even surpass such feat.
Indeed, he is expected to run a more transparent electoral system, as Jonathan has already set a good template for him.
Whether that will happen under President Buhari or not, could better be discerned from the Kogi state and Bayelsa state forthcoming governorship elections.
Renowned for his integrity, the rubicon test for President Buhari is whether he will allow the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties especially his party and security operatives to be independent and discharge their sacred duties without fear and favour.
This poser is sequel to the unbridled desire by presidents of African countries, to twist the electoral system to their favour or outrightly rig elections in favour of favoured parties and candidates.
It is also as a result of apprehension that as a former military junta and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), there might not be free hand for the electoral system to work independently.
Already, there are speculations in political circles that the security apparatus, funds and whatever, would be massively deployed by the Federal Government to dictate the pace.
There is also palpable fear that the new chairman of INEC, Mrs. Amina Zakari could be a willing tool. Her appointment had been greeted with wild criticisms, especially on the ground of being a Northern.
The fears being expressed might not always hold water. The speculated deployments are part of normal logistic arrangements for elections, and need not be taken with a pinch of salt. However, the ball is in President Buhari’s court, not to rubbish his integrity in the forthcoming elections, nor be hoodwinked by any of his bootlickers to carry out executive electoral malpractices.
The new electoral boss, Mrs. Zakari, might not mortgage her integrity, to do the bidding of the President and the APC, under public watch.
Despite these assurances, any unsavoury thing could still happen. Therefore, the nascent Buhari's administration’s ability to conduct free and fair elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States in December 5, 2015 is what the people expect. Achieving that will serve as a sign post to more transparent electioneering process come 2019 general elections.
If free hands are given to the election administrators, parties, candidates and the electorate to participate in the aforementioned elections, every stakeholder will be happy. The governments that will come on board in the two states will also be more legitimate, just the Buhari’s administration itself will enjoy more goodwill from the people.
More so, the same local and international observers that scored the last elections as okay, and who also sympathized President Muhammadu Buhari, will also still laud him as a leader really worthy of trust.
To many, the new administration in the country is the mascot for good governance. Thus, there is hope that it will sanitize the political and economic systems.
Therefore, improving the electoral system ought to be part of the radical reforms aimed at repositioning the polity and the economy, and not fighting financial corruption only.
This is because the faulty electoral processes and bad political behaviour have also been responsible for enthroning corrupt and ineffective leadership at all levels of government.
If what is being said in some political quarters, that President Mohammadu Buhari in his right element of integrity will not interfere in the elections nor pump money into any candidates electoral ambition, nor even to the APC is anything to believe, then he should affirm such in conduct.
With the accolades pouring on him, even as political appointments made in the first three months of the regime, besides the on-going probes are weeping up sentiments, there is still hope that President Buhari could spring surprises, given the chance to do so.
It should therefore be known to him, that the Kogi and Bayelsa States gubernatorial elections, constitute the biggest test of his integrity, and can make or mare his popularity as well as the electoral system.