Edo 2016 – postponement in perspective
The postponement of the Edo State elections only serves to make it more evident that our politicians must be called to order. In addition to generally having no discernible positive impact on the lives of people, they are increasingly constituting themselves into a public nuisance. Their convoys drive recklessly, their escorts kill and maim innocent […]
The postponement of the Edo State elections only serves to make it more evident that our politicians must be called to order. In addition to generally having no discernible positive impact on the lives of people, they are increasingly constituting themselves into a public nuisance.
Their convoys drive recklessly, their escorts kill and maim innocent citizens, they help themselves liberally to our national wealth, and most tragically they mess up our electoral processes. Loss of life, threat to peace, security clampdowns, bribery and corrupt practices during elections have no place in true democracy.
Tragically in a nation that cannot source funds to pay pensions, finance standard health care, repair crumbling infrastructure, or even sponsor teams to international sporting tournaments, money is always available to pay for the perks of political office and costs of inefficient electoral processes.
It’s the height of irresponsibility that the election postponement will cost the nation hundreds of millions and nobody will be held accountable. Although the Inspector general of Police (IGP) said that while elections are important he cannot allow the peace of the country to be disrupted, there is no justification for postponing elections based upon “security reports” rather than the “security situation.
The facts on ground are that there had been no breakdown of law and order; less than twenty people had been arrested; less than five people had been killed; no NYSC member had been harmed; and the aspirants were not invited to any forum to discuss security reports.
Questions are being rightly asked as to what was the nature of the threat, why were the reports so belated, and perhaps most importantly what is expected to happen in the intervening period to lessen the security threat when the general public haven’t been informed of its nature and how to assist in reducing it? Under close scrutiny the excuse of “security reports” is simply lame.
It’s a shameful breach of a constitutional duty for security agencies to suggest postponing elections even if they had credible intelligence indicating plans by extremists and insurgents to attack vulnerable communities and soft targets.
Prior to the European Nations Football Championships the host country France had been under several terror attacks, and there were security reports that something big and terrible would happen if the tournament went ahead. Rather than postponement the French increased security and everything went ahead smoothly.
The Edo State Governor alleges that the PDP registered 8,000 militants with the intention of using them to manipulate the elections in which over 500,000 are expected to vote! An average commercial bus carries 15 passengers. For 8,000 militants to enter Edo State it would require well over 500 buses. Where are these buses? Were they bought or chartered? It’s a tacit admission of failure for our security forces not to have the capacity to react immediately with “shock and awe” to dampen any threat.
As expected that the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has raised alarm. They know all about self-serving unnecessary election postponements. Still fresh in the memory are revelations from the ongoing investigations into the activities of former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki. From all indications his analysis of the “security situation” that necessitated postponement of the general elections was simply a ruse to enable funds to be disbursed and “arrangements” finalised.
To give INEC their credit they initially snubbed the advice of the security agencies. As an independent body they were prepared to go ahead having already deployed staff and logistics for what they promised was going to be the best election under the new leadership. They were brow beaten into submission.
The whole shambles is more than likely going to be used as an excuse for any result which INEC announces to be hotly disputed. The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) quite rightly condemned the postponement calling it “a clear interference in the electoral process… which could undermine the confidence of voters, precipitate apathy and build tension in the political space”.
In spite of all this there is yet to be a breach of the Electoral Act. Under electoral laws the election must be concluded not less than 30 days before the end of the tenure of current Governor Adams Oshiomhole who was inaugurated on November 12th2012, so the election must hold before October 12th.
The mess makes it increasingly evident that our political class are part of the problem with our nation, not part of the solution. Although the National Chairman of the APC Chief John Oyegun who is not known for political intrigue said his party was” stunned, shocked and surprised” by the postponement, the PDP not surprisingly maintain that the postponement is a conspiracy by the APC to avert defeat and work on how to compromise election officials.
While the legality and constitutionality of the postponement is a matter for determination be the law courts, it is beyond dispute that it is a breach of confidence and trust by INEC and the security agencies.