<\/p>\n
By:Adekoya Boladale<\/p>\n
If there is one thing political events in the past few days has taught us
\nabout the up-coming general election in Africa’s most populous country,
\nNigeria, it is the fact that the term ‘free and fair’ may become too
\nexpensive for the country to afford if it eventually goes to the poll come
\nMarch 28th and April 11th, 2015.<\/p>\n
Few months ago, in my separate pieces for the South African based The Star
\nInternational and Nigerian Punch Newspaper, I had opined a crash to death
\nscenario if the general election was to take place on February 14 as
\nearlier planned basing my postulation on the notorious state of politics
\nthe opposition party and the ruling party seems to be devising in order to
\nwin the electorates to their side. Issues and policies that directly
\naffect the lives of citizens are neglected; propaganda, smear campaign,
\nethnicity and religious sentiment reign supreme.<\/p>\n
While both parties have continuously attacked each other on the failure to
\nconcentrate on issue-based campaign, the political adverts sponsored by
\nthese two either directly or via proxy have given a new definition to
\npettiness and dirty politics. The continuous running of a documentary
\ntitled ‘The Real Buhari’ by the ruling party on television stations which
\nshows a grand mixture of lies and minimal truth against the opposition’s
\npresidential flag bearer, General Muhammad Buhari would not have gone pass
\nthe table of the censor board anywhere in the world. The opposition on the
\nother hand have also created tonnes of videos online sponsored via ads for
\na viral effect on social media with some been aired on various television
\nstations, continuously ridiculing the sacred office of the president with
\nsome descending as low as attributing the President to a baboon and even
\nthe devil!<\/p>\n
Both parties even with so much campaign emphasis on the need to discuss
\ninter alia, the downtrodden economy, depreciating naira, skyrocketing
\nunemployment index have continued to pay lip-service to attending a
\npresidential debate while they have both concentrated on cacophony of
\nfact-less, caricature and sweet-tongued promises at various campaign arena
\nleaving the question of the feasibility of these promises begging for
\nanswers. This sincerely, isn’t the right way to go.<\/p>\n
Beyond the pettiness and propaganda, the outcome of the election no matter
\nhow transparent and fair it appears will never be accepted by either
\nparty.<\/p>\n
An anonymous commentator said recently, that the most fearful issue in
\nthis election is that each political party believes it has won the
\nelection and anything short of that will be seen as nothing but rigging.
\nWhile granting an interview recently, the presidential candidate of the
\nopposition party, General Buhari in an attempt to answer a straight
\nforward question on what he will do should he loses at the poll said ‘I
\nwon’t lose’. The implication of this is that General Buhari already sees
\nhimself as an awaiting President, one need not wonder how he would take a
\ndisappointing outcome. Such disagreement wouldn’t be fought on the pages
\nof newspapers or television screen but with guns, machetes and cutlasses.<\/p>\n
Each political parties have enough excuse to disregard the outcome of the
\nelection, even if supervised by Angels.<\/p>\n
To the ruling party, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
\nhas become a close ally of the opposition with the party issuing press
\nreleases which in recent times have been aligning with most of its
\npolicies and actions. This naturally is bound to create a displeasure with
\nthe ruling party as such sudden found love means that the electoral body
\nmay be dancing to the tune of the opposition. Evidences have shown that
\nthe fear of the ruling party may be in order has INEC claims to have
\ndistributed over 80% of permanent voter’s cards (PVC) in the Northern part
\nof the country which beyond doubt is the opposition’s strong hold while
\nthe South only has approximately 55% collections. The implication of this
\nis that more people will be able to vote in the North compared to the
\nSouth. It will therefore be of no surprise if the party refuses to accept
\nthe result of the election.<\/p>\n
The opposition on the other hand will not take anything less than a
\nvictory. The postponement of the election by six weeks beyond doubt is
\nmore of the hand of Esau and voice of Jacob. The opposition believes the
\nruling party intimidated the electoral body using the security agencies,
\ndescribing the act as a ‘civilian coup’. If such feat could be achieved
\nthen how hard it is to turn around results in favour of the government in
\npower especially as most of the INEC officials were appointed by the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
While the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warning to both
\nparties on the need to ensure a peaceful pre and post election period
\ncombined with the signing of the Abuja Accord for peace, history has
\nclearly shown that such accord or warning are not strong enough to avert
\nthe possibility of chaos.
\nEven if eventually, the culprits and promoters of violence are brought to
\njustice, the effect of such massive civil unrest on the fragile security
\nof the country maybe a plus for the terrorist group, Boko Haram to fully
\ntake over.<\/p>\n
All said and done, I believe it will be in interest of peace for
\nstakeholders and decision makers to begin the consideration of forming a
\nunity government to avert the looming bloodshed and continuous waste of
\nscarce resources for the election.<\/p>\n
Considering the already deepening division the election is causing the
\ncountry and the need for peace and unity at this critical state in our war
\nagainst insurgency coupled with the effect the heated polity is having on
\nour economy with an uncertain market, the opposition party and the ruling
\nparty should concentrate on forming a joint government. Nigeria should not
\nbe allowed to descend to a nation at the mercy of the western world as
\nevidence in the past few days shows a more than normal interest of the
\nUnited States and European Union in the affairs of the country and history
\nhas shown that countries on such interest list end up becoming a ghost of
\nitself. See the case of Libya, Afghanistan, Iran for details.<\/p>\n
The National Assembly being the highest lawmaking organ in the country
\nshould as a matter of urgency put up laws to accommodate an all inclusive
\ngovernment of national unity. Due to the level of distrust in our polity,
\nthe African Union should mediate the process of negotiation and creation
\nof the offices of the Prime Minister and deputy prime minister. President
\nGoodluck Jonathan can still continue to hold the presidential position
\nwhile General Buhari and his running mate Professor Osibanjo becomes Prime
\nminister and deputy prime minister respectively. Both parties should hold
\na political conference and agree on how to jointly nominate individuals to
\nthe various ministries, departments and agencies of government.<\/p>\n
It is left to us all to ensure the next few weeks doesn’t turn out to be
\nthe last for the country. We all must stand up against the greed and
\nselfishness of politicians, for if this country burns, it is the blood of
\nthe masses that will be used in setting it ablaze.<\/p>\n
Adekoya Boladale wrote via adekoyaboladale@gmail.com. Please engage on
\ntwitter @adekoyabee and Facebook www.facebook.com\/adekoyabee<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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