Towards credible elections in Yobe North
Nigerians, under democratic governance, have had their freedom of expression and the opportunity to challenge leaders and governments at the federal, state and local levels. Democracy provides liberty and opportunities for self-determination to the people. Consequently, democratic governance became popular by attracting Nigerians from all spheres of life, including the champions of military regimes in […]
Nigerians, under democratic governance, have had their freedom of expression and the opportunity to challenge leaders and governments at the federal, state and local levels.
Democracy provides liberty and opportunities for self-determination to the people. Consequently, democratic governance became popular by attracting Nigerians from all spheres of life, including the champions of military regimes in the likes of Geneneral Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida [IBB], Aliyu Gusau etc into the system who appreciate democratic cultures and values as the accepted norms.
The supporting roles played by the military institution to the survival of democracy in Nigeria demonstrated the high and appreciable respect the military has for democratic governance thereby fast tracking the development of the political system.
While appreciating the developmental role of the military institution in the growth of Nigeria’s democracy, there are some silent but disturbing experiences in some remote parts of the country which needs the attention and immediate response from the concerned authorities.
Yobe North’s experience in the 2007 senatorial and governorship elections which recorded many casualties arising from scuffles between military personnel attached to a retired General in Gashua and politicians was sad and regrettable.
The use of brutal force on innocent and peace-loving citizens by the general’s men was exceedingly disturbing and embarrassing.
But it is more disturbing that after 12 years of civil governance, such military officers still employ archaic and unpopular styles of coercion and intimidation on electorates to subvert democratic processes.
The recent unfortunate development at the Yobe North PDP senatorial primary election in Gashua, involving soldiers attached to the same retired General must not be left unchallenged.
This ugly and dirty reoccurring antics of the general has become a source of concern to politicians, opinion leaders, traditional rulers and people of Gashua and Yobe North in general.
Friday 7th January, 2011 would have been another disaster when delegates and party supporters at the scheduled PDP national assembly primaries resisted attempts by the general’s men to manhandle politicians and interfere with the primaries.
The injuries sustained by Wakil Sabo and other supporters of the PDP senatorial aspirants were unnecessary and avoidable.
The roles played by these security attaché created tension, threatening peaceful conduct of the exercise. The primaries had to be shifted to provide the needed peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of the election.
The January 7 scenario was a pointer to the fact that the people will no longer tolerate such abuses and brutality in subsequent electoral activities. It was a clear message of resistance which must be respected.
As concerned politicians, we are worried over the continuous deployment of soldiers in the peaceful town of Gashua even when soldiers were not deployed to Damaturu the state capital and other towns with volatile political history.
It is time for us to speak out and make such officers realize that Nigeria has moved away from the culture of brutal force to that of negotiation and persuasion to earn peoples confidence and votes.
This wanton abuse of privilege to inflict injuries on innocent citizens and perpetuate irregularities must be checked by the concerned authorities. As a perpetrate and disciplined institution, the military must not allow its men to be used for selfish and sentimental reasons.
It is therefore necessary and incumbent on the authorities to check the excesses of its men and flagrant abuse of privileges provided by the institution to its retired officers to avoid dragging the prestigious name of our now professional military into partisan politics.
We must collectively work hard to help Nigeria realize its quest for peaceful, credible and acceptable elections in 2011.
We have a duty and responsibility individually and, as institutions to move Nigeria from the old order to a new beginning of credibility. Nigerians and the international community are watching with keen interest actors to the success or otherwise of the 2011 elections. Let us be forewarned.
Ado Haliru writes from No.13, Sabongari, Gashua