2011, APRIL BALLOT: WINNERS, LOSERS AND THE NIGERIANS LESSONS

2011, APRIL BALLOT: WINNERS, LOSERS AND THE NIGERIANS LESSONS

Chijioke Akusoronwa

Before the general election in Nigeria, there were lots of questions: if truly Nigeria could hold a credible election that would make the votes of the Nigerian people count, bringing back her place in the international system and standing back to her footings as the democratically recognised giant of Africa. In order to perform this enormous electoral task, Prof. Attahiru Jega was appointed to spearhead this task through the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC].

Although, the appointment of Prof. Attahiru Jega was widely accepted by most political parties and Nigerians but Prof. Attahiru Jega’s claim for a new voters register, request for over 80 billion naira, appointment of state resident electoral commissioners, deadline over date of submission of party nominations, final voter register figure  and decision over the cancellation of National Assembly election; due to late arrival of INEC result sheets, were all marked with numerous accusations, complaints and calls for the removal of the man at the helms of affairs of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

The first question here is: Could Nigerians have had better April election without Jega? Yes and no. Yes, in the sense that, there are many good people in Nigeria amidst bad and corrupt people, if only a willing and sincere government want to do what is right for Nigerians. No, some would say, giving the short time, his political criticisms, decision to cancel an on-going election without compromising, his conduct to many angry Nigerians especially opposition parties etc. This shows his doggedness, sincere willingness and zeal in conducting a free, fair and credible election which every Nigerian is proud of and the international communities.

The April elections were scheduled to hold on the 2nd (National Assembly election), 9th (Presidential election), 16th (Governorship and State Assembly election), respectively. But, the first election on the 2nd was marked by a last minute cancellation at about 1: 15pm in a national broadcast by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega and shifted the election to Monday 4th, almost at the close of voting, especially in areas where voters’ turnout were low. This issue trailed a lot of accusations, almost a loss of trust and confidence in Jega’s leadership even after his pleading and national apology for Nigerians to see that some logistic arrangements were fouled. However this may sound, the whole elections was postponed in a week time, then held on the 9th, 16th, and 26th, while post presidential election violent state (Bauchi and Kaduna) was shifted to 28th April and non inconclusive governorship election state (Imo State) was again rescheduled to hold her inconclusive four local government election on 6th May, 2011.

The second question is: Has any of these postponements of April elections made sense in certifying our April elections and determining the independence of INEC? I will leave that for you to answer. But, I would want to add that after the cancellation of the April 2, 2011 election, Nigerians almost dashed their hope in Jega’s ability and commitment in delivering a free, fair and credible election. But, after I listened and read his public broadcast and the comment of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in his home town saying, ‘‘he too just got the information and that, as we can see, he also was in his home town waiting to vote only to discover that election has been cancelled. He went further to say that, if Jega had known that the election wouldn’t be possible today, he would have made this announcement earlier so that such electoral, economic and personnel loss would have been avoided. He again added that, he thinks Jega’s wouldn’t have cancelled the election if it not for something very important. He finally ended by saying that, it is better to cancel the election if it would not bring about a free, fair and credible election as he has promised Nigerians and the entire international communities.’’

The Independent National Electoral Commission was put to test on the 9th April, 2011 in the reschedule National Assembly elections. This marked a turning point and disbelief according to what many Nigerian, voters and international observers saw and said in private and public discussions. INEC materials and officials were on ground before many people could wake up from their beds, non-movement were strictly adhered to, security operative were ready and courteous and many people were also ready to perform their civic rights. After that election, then results: The Senate (Out of 85 contested seats in 109 seats - PDP, 53 seats - 62.35%; ACN, 18 seats – 21.18%; CPC, 6 seats – 7.06%; ANPP, 4 seats – 4.71%; LP, 2 seats – 2.35%; DPP, 1 seat - 1.18%; and APGA, 1 seat – 1.18%) and The House of Representative (Out of 279 contested seats in 360 seats – PDP, 152 seats – 54.48%; ACN, 53 seats – 19%; CPC, 31 seats - 11.11%; ANPP, 23 seats - 8.24%; LP, 9 seats – 3.23%; APGA, 6 seats – 2.15%; ACCORD, 3 seats – 1.08%; DPP, 1 seat – 0.36%; PPN, 1 seat – 0.36%) which were announced as expected according to the electoral reformed law and saw the oppositions winning more seats in both the upper (Senate) and lower (House of Representatives) chambers of the National Assembly thereby reducing the dominate influence of the ruling party (PDP) which have always had more of its representative in both Houses since 1999, thus, bringing back a more robust deliberative House where the wishes of the people would be more felt.

The third question is:  What part will the opposition parties play in bringing about a quantum change in the new composition of our National Assembly? I think the voting pattern and Nigerians political consciousness has placed more task on the ruling party and most especially the opposition parties to seeing and making adequate changes in government that will benefit the people or else they would in turn be voted out, if changes made by them are not significant.

After the National Assembly election, came the Presidential election which was seen by most Nigerian to being an improvement on the National Assembly elections. The changes saw a more efficient INEC with the correction of mistakes from its first election. And, when the result was released, it was constitutional won by Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the incumbent President of Nigeria, under the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) flag, in what most Nigerian describe as a victory of the people’s choice with a total of 22,495,187 votes representing 58.89% and winning in 24 states of the federation and meeting the requirement of having 25% of total vote cast in at least 24 states (two-third majority) while the other parties have the following results: CPC, 12,214,853 – 31.98%; ACN, 2,067,301 – 5.41%; ANPP, 917,012 – 2.40%; and all others remaining parties clenched a total of 504,866 votes – 1.32%. Although, less than 48 hours after the presidential election some areas in the Northern Nigeria were marked with post election violence especially after the declaration of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the winner. The violence was caused by the supporters of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the decision of the CPC in rejecting the election results in some states. This violence escalated into the loss of live of over 200 people including the lives of so many serving corps members serving their fathers lands. It is also worthy of note, that there were so many pocket of electoral violence in some parts of the country before and after the April election especially in Jos, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Oyo, Kano, Gombe etc.

The fourth question is: Would electoral violence and the loss of innocent lives redress or solved any electoral problem? No, and it has also shown that these elections have brought to mind the level of our political maturity. Although, the election had shown some changes as compared to previous elections, but has been marred by some few who has not done too well in fully understanding the trend of changes in the electorate. Again, I see that many politicians have not done their homework well enough before the election and for some supporters; their political literacy level have also been put to question.

Due to the violence that erupted in some parts of the Northern region in Nigeria after the presidential election, election in two states especially in Bauchi and Kaduna were shifted to another two days for the conduct of its Governorship and State House of Assembly elections. It is important to note that Governorship election did not hold in all states of the federation due to court interpretations in 5 States: Edo, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Kogi, and Sokoto and due to incompletion of tenure by some Governors in Anambra, Ondo, Osun, Crossriver and Ekiti in the federation thus bring to a total of 26 States where Governorship elections were held.

The last question is: Are there any lessons learnt by winners, losers and the entire Nigerian citizens in the 2011 April election? If any, are we all ready to consolidate on these electoral lessons for a better Nigeria? Sure, I think winners of this election will not seat on their oasis and wait to be re-elected just like that without delivering dividends of democracy. Losers will also learn that the Nigerians votes does count, and that the season of power of incumbency, money politics without practical leadership example will fail even in his/her hometown where he/she resides. For Nigerians, this is just the beginning of their lessons in the 2011 April election that their votes can change their lives, and that ‘‘the legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but can not do, at all, or can not, so well do, for themselves – in their separate, and individual capacities.’’ – Abraham Lincoln

CHIJIOKE, holds a professional certification in Management and a first degree in Political Science and one of the best graduating student in the said discipline from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. He is passionate about providing the leading platform for bearing the burden for his clients’ zenith successes which is hinged at providing exceptional Consulting Services in the areas of paper writing, biographies, training, political advisory, public speaking, business development, product marketing and advert production all in a practical solution driven and goal oriented perspectives. As the Principal/Head Consultant, HeroesPlus Consultant based in Lagos, his interest in research and development made him a social blogger and a prolific biographer. Among his works includes: Celebrating Our Country In Doubt: A Question Begging Patriotic Answer; Challenging Your Dreams; Nigeria Sixth Republic: 50 Years Of Unfinished Leadership; A Charade Celebration Of Childrens’ Day, among others. He is a member of Civil Liberty Organization, Rotaract Club to mention a few.

Send your questions and comments to heroesplusconsultant@gmail.com

To read more...Click on my Facebook page then ‘‘My Notes’’ to see some of my articles.

Thank you for reading.