This year, the Independent National Electoral Commission will conduct two governorship elections in Ondo and Edo states.
There have been concerns about the readiness of INEC to conduct free and fair elections in these two significant states, particularly considering the criticisms that trailed the conduct of stand alone governorship and National Assembly elections in the past.
Some observers have not stopped talking about the intricacies that eventually stamped Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress as the Governor of Osun State, against Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Congress.
Aside from the regrettable visible violence that greeted both the main and subsequent elections, some political watchers are still of the opinion that the events that culminated in INEC’s decision to adjudge the election inconclusive were largely unfounded. This is as the ruling party and the electoral umpire have continued to defend their actions in this and other cases.
However, the crisis in APC, which has taken a messier turn since the race for primary election became keener, especially in Edo State, is one that calls for concern ahead of the conduct of the main elections in the two states later in the year.
Do-or-die politics is not alien to the Nigerian environment, but we advise that key players in the current situation should refrain from desperation that can lead to multiple loss of lives and property, mainly for selfish reasons
While we would not judge any party to the crisis as fair or guilty, we want to put on record that the activities, which surrounded the APC primary election in Edo State, up to the point of screening, already point to dangerous politics that must not be allowed to degenerate.
Do-or-die politics is not alien to the Nigerian environment, but we advise that key players in the current situation should refrain from desperation that can lead to multiple loss of lives and property, mainly for selfish reasons.
The Edo case is clearly a case of powerful forces within the ruling party flexing muscles. This is normal in politics all over the world. However, antecedents of Nigerian political leaders have shown that when the terrain becomes so rough, key actors do not care about the effects of their actions on the people they are fighting to lead and the country as a whole.
We must, as a matter of priority, begin to put citizens first in everything in order to ensure that our collective actions are usually for the common good.
Analysts have said that a situation that led to two national chairmen giving orders concerning key activities of the ruling party, each claiming legality under either the party’s constitution or the Nigerian law, should worry citizens ahead of the election proper.
We do not want to see a repeat of what happened during the supplementary election in Kano or in Kogi. Enough blood has been shed in the country for no just cause. So, we would advise the President to be very firm for once and enforce the pronouncements of the National Executive Council at the last meeting, where the APC’s National Working Committee was dissolved.
The fact that Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has decamped to the opposition PDP may make matters worse in Edo. But INEC can help out where it matters most by being independent in the true sense of it, and ensuring a fair playing ground for everyone regardless of the body language of any highly placed government official.
The situation is not different in Ondo, where Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, have been embroiled in a National drama since the latter made his intention to decamp to PDP glaring. The complicity of law enforcement agents, as evidenced by a video that went viral, where a commissioner of police was blocking the deputy governor from leaving the state house, may be a pointer to more anomalies if the right steps are not taken to ensure that the Police and others are for fair and equitable protection.
Though it may seem that the APC is in the process of putting its house in order with the dissolution of the controversial NWC and the institution of a Caretaker and Convention committee, the hurdles are still far from over. Watchers of political events have asserted that the ousted NWC members may pull some surprises close to the two main elections slated for this year.
The Inspector General of Police should be commended for the good efforts by the Police to contain the multi-faceted security problems in the country under his watch. But more should be done towards the elections to ensure that all parties are protected in terms of genuine electoral standing. Both the INEC and the law enforcement agencies should provide a level playing field for all parties, unlike what observers witnessed in the past.
We call on the ruling party, the PDP, African Democratic Congress, and other duly registered opposition parties to play responsible politics in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. There are too many troubles to confront in a post COVID-19 era. We can’t afford to spark off another strain on the wellbeing of the masses.
