The decision by Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to join the presidential race has made some Nigerians doubt the credibility of next year’s elections despite the integrity of the new INEC leadership and the signing into law of a new electoral act, which is believed to be an improved departure from the post-electoral act, as well as the approval of sufficient funds for INEC. In this report, MUAZU ABARI takes a look at the journey to 2011 elections and the quest for credible elections in the country, among other issues.
Since the attainment of political independence in 1960, Nigeria’s democracy and politics, like that of all other countries in the world, has continued to face challenges and problems, which at various times threatened the democratic stability of the country. Some countries have succeeded in overcoming their own challenges through the application of a realistic approach, based on the overall national interest of their countries. But that of Nigeria has continued to elude all solutions. It has continued to move from bad to worse due to the unpatriotic and selfish desires of a few, in their desperate efforts to hang on to power at all costs and by all means, against the wishes of most Nigerians, and to the detriment of the nation and survival of its democratic norms and values.
The restoration of democracy in May 1999 presented another opportunity to the nation to right the wrongs of the past, but unfortunately, the 2003 and 2007 elections, conducted by Professor Maurice Iwu during the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, are believed to be the worst in Nigeria’s political history, taking into consideration that a lot of rigging methods, which were hitherto unknown to the nation, were introduced into the polity. And it has negatively affected the integrity and reputation of Nigeria as a democratic nation in the eyes of the world. This makes it imperative for the nation to x-ray itself if it must remain relevant in global affairs.
Nigeria’s electoral system became so basterdised that the late president, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, openly admitted that the election that brought him to power was flawed. He, however, went ahead to promise electoral reform.
Not a few Nigerians, including the opposition, as well as the international community, applauded this courageous decision to make a change, especially considering Nigeria’s position in Africa.
To make good his promise, the late president inaugurated an Electoral Reform Committee, headed by Justice Mohammeed Lawal Uwais. That committee was saddled with the responsibility to recommend ways of sanitising the nation’s electoral system.
Uwais and his committee members had successfully completed their job, but their recommendations were not allowed to see the light of day following the action of the ministerial committee.
Again, not a few Nigerians condemned this action, but the demise of Alhaji Yar’Adua has further stopped action on this document that would have transformed Nigeria’s electoral system.
Interestingly, President Goodluck Jonathan has promised free, fair and credible elections in 2011. It must therefore be said that what Nigerians need is action, not rhetorics. And to prove that he is sincere about his promise, President Jonathan should revisit the Uwais recommendation as this will no doubt restore the confidence of Nigerians in the country’s electoral system.
Fortunately, the choice of Professor Attahiru Jega as the new INEC chairman has re-invigorated the hope and confidence of Nigerians, that the forthcoming electioneering year will be better than previous ones.
The president also signed into law, the electoral act as passed by the National Assembly, which is an improvement from what we were introduced to.
A lot of Nigerians are also of the opinion that since Jonathan got presidential power without much struggle, but through divine mandate, he should endeavour to leave a legacy of credible elections for Nigerians. He must not allow personal desire to becloud his reasoning as others do.
