2015: ‘FG needs to guarantee INEC’s independence’

You are a stakeholder in Benue politics. How will you describe the just concluded Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial primary election, where Prince Terhemen Tarzoor emerged as the party’s flag bearer? I am a stakeholder in the Nigeria project, particularly as one who has given his all to the good and development of our country in […]

You are a stakeholder in Benue politics. How will you describe the just concluded Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial primary election, where Prince Terhemen Tarzoor emerged as the party’s flag bearer?
 I am a stakeholder in the Nigeria project, particularly as one who has given his all to the good and development of our country in one little way or the other in the last 10 years. Fundamentally, Benue is my project because it is my home, my abode and an institution that has done so much for me. In this vein, if Benue fails at any time, it will be good to conclude that I have failed. And we have a duty and responsibility to ensure that our steady and slow journey to the land of milk and honey is not truncated at any point by self- seeking and serving persons in the society.
 
Is it true that Tarzoor is Governor Gabriel Suswam’s choice?
Firstly, let me categorically state here that the PDP in Benue State, to a very large extent, does not believe in one man show, unlike other platforms where things are done like private firms that are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
It is true that Benue State is blessed with two powerful institutions in the PDP; the Senate President and the governor. But from a very close watch, we have discovered that it is a purely democratic set-up where the will of the people reign most supreme above the wishes of a few individuals. Governor Suswam and Senator David Mark are aspirants who visit the delegates and talk to them one on one without necessarily using state funds or crude power to marshal unmerited followership. The governorship aspirants are all given a level playing ground to sell their views to the people.
At the end of the day, the best among them has emerged. Governor Suswam couldn’t have supported any other aspirant apart from his age-long deputy and friend, who was also in the race, if he had the singular right or privilege of determining his successor at any point in time. Both men still maintain the highest level of cordiality despite the wide gap between the office of the governor and the deputy. Sadly, it will be unfair to rule out the fact that in every occurrence, not every person will be happy.
The governor, as the leader of his party, has a right to work for the success of the candidate and I think he is doing so to ensure the continuity of his major programmes which many observers have adjudged as the best so far in the history of Benue State.  In my understanding, the PDP delegates saw issues like character, goodwill, general acceptability, genuineness of purpose, track records to be above primordial issues like ethnicity and bank accounts as the basis for choosing their leaders. As much as I love to hate some actors in the PDP, it is only charitable that we give them kudos where they have done well.
 
The current security situation in the country is a growing concern to many Nigerians ahead of the 2015 elections. What should the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) do to restore confidence in the people?
I strongly stand to commend the INEC for blocking the undemocratic elements such as under-age, ghost and animal votes in 2015. The federal government should support them with logistics and allow for independence so that we can be guaranteed an exercise that will conform to international best practices. Government should also take issue of security very serious so that the elections will be smooth without security hitches.