ELECTORAL REFORM AND PDP's ROTATIONAL PRESIDENCY

ELECTORAL REFORMS AND PDP’s ROTATIONAL PRESIDENCY

There is no doubt surrounding the fact that democracy is the best form of government ever known to man. Even so, many democratic societies and its citizens still suffer gross underdevelopment and abject poverty owing to poor political leadership culture. This sad reality has elicited a whole lot of debate among political scientists, journalists, opinion leaders, and commentators on contemporary issues. The consensus opinion is that the masses have been robbed of their powers by the political class. It has become clear that political power no longer belongs to the people- electorates like it is supposed to be. As a result of this, the loyalty of political leaders is mostly directed at electoral umpires, god fathers, and kingmakers. It is for this simple reason that public office holders can afford to ignore the concerns of the electorates and loot the treasury.

In an effort to return power to the people, the late President Musa Yar’Adua stunned the world when he admitted openly that the election that brought him to power was faulty. He thereafter called for understanding and promised to carry out a holistic electoral reform exercise. Unfortunately, many Nigerians have failed to appreciate the true meaning of electoral reform and have therefore restricted it to mean the recommendations of Justice Mohammed Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee.

For the avoidance of doubt, let it be noted that the main aim of reforming the nation’s electoral system would be defeated if it is not done holistically. We cannot talk of electoral reforms when there is no internal democracy within the political parties. We cannot talk of electoral reforms when some key players in the nation’s electoral body- INEC are card-carrying members of political parties. In the same vein, Nigerians cannot talk of electoral reforms when political parties are allowed to practice undemocratic traditions such as rotational presidency.

One of the major aims of reforming the electoral system is to promote quality political leadership in the country. For this very important reason, whatever action or practice that would not support this objective should be jettisoned. Rotational presidency is one of them. Apart from promoting tribalism, the culture of seclusion is undemocratic. It creates bitterness among party members and also reduces the chances of sourcing for the best hands.

My opinion is not based on the fact that I and President Goodluck Jonathan come from the same state. After all, he has not said he is going to contest the presidency in 2011. Nevertheless, there would be nothing wrong if majority of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wants him to contest. This is the beauty of democracy. Power belongs to the people- not a party’s National Working Committee or Board of Trustee. This is the time when Nigerians should come together and work towards making every vote count and not wasting valuable time on issues that will divide the nation along tribal lines.

Perhaps, it would be necessary to highlight the reason behind the culture of rotational presidency. It is to a very large extent erroneously believed that one has to share the same tribal lineage with the president in order to secure a key appointment or win a big contract. This anomaly is hugely responsible for why tribal lineage is regarded far above every other factor in Nigerian politics. Frankly, tribal-based politics can only be rife in a country where the government pay mere lip service to the culture of transparency, accountability, justice, and fair play.

Just like I have submitted in previous write-ups, one of Nigeria’s greatest problems is tribalism. It is owing to the deep rooted nature of tribalism in the polity that successive administrations have not been able to effectively fight corruption in the country. There is an unwritten law in Nigeria that forbids citizens from exposing or prosecuting fellow tribesmen for corrupt practices. That is the reason why public servants that earns less than N12m annually will build mansions, acquire fleet of exotic cars, and own investments worth over N200m within four years without being asked to show proof of sources of funds.

Furthermore, tribalism promotes national poverty. It makes citizens to become lazy. In a tribal-infected polity, even people that sow nothing can reap bountifully simply because their tribesperson is in power. This is clearly against natural principle. The more we promote tribal agenda above democratic prescriptions, the closer we get to the source of our disintegration.

I do not know their individual names but most of the people championing calls for electoral reforms are carrying nametags that bear “Hypocrite.” That is exactly what those of them that support the culture of rotational presidency are. The reason for the reform must not be bleached to serve tribal agendas. And for those that are threatening the corporate destiny of Nigeria following speculations that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan may run for the presidency come 2011; I wish them well. They should not play God. Nigerian masses are hungry for good political leadership. Let the people be allowed to decide whom they want. It can be Jonathan or any other person. Let us stop playing God and concentrate on how to make our votes count.

DEMOCRACY, GOVERNORS' FORUM AND IWU

There is no gainsaying that the foundation of every healthy democratic society is built on the principles of sound and reliable electoral culture. This is so because, it is only through free and fair elections that credible persons could be picked and entrusted with key leadership positions in society. In the last thirty years of Nigeria’s history, several bold attempts have been made by the political class, social-cultural, religious, and civil society organisations to find enduring solutions to the nation’s weak and spongy electoral protocols. The faulty nature of the electoral system has helped to create room for the few moneybags to massage the conscience of electoral officials in order to rig elections in favour of themselves or their stooges. This is the reason why politicians respect electoral umpires far more than even the electorates. Without any fear of contradiction, this is the root causes of failing political leadership in the country.

Nigerians should not wait for Barrack Obama or Hillary Clinton to confirm to us that poor leadership culture has been the bane of Nigeria- the supposed Giant of Africa, now struggling to make impact even among Lilliputian nations. It is a common fact that poor political leadership breeds corruption, underdevelopment, poverty, crime, tribalism, nepotism, and ineptitude among others. Many have therefore not seen it as a surprise that over 90% of the nation’s population are living below poverty line. To the utter dismay of many, a greater percentage of workers in both the private and public sectors earn salaries that are not enough to feed a family of three for just one week. Quite evidently, the rise in cases of ill health among Nigerians can be traced to poor dieting regime. Majority of Nigerian now eat between one and two low diet meals daily. This already bad situation is made worse by the non availability of access to clean drinking water most especially in the rural areas. The international community is shocked that the world’s sixth largest producer of crude oil is relying on the importation of fuel to service her local market. It is an irony that Nigeria is still grappling with power generation with all the option of gas, hydro, wind, coal, and solar at our disposal. With an enormous population size, Nigeria is capable of generating enough power from waste products.

It is also very disturbing that job creation figures have fallen far below population growth levels. The authorities must understand that the consequences of high unemployment rate are capable of compromising the security of this nation. Governments at the local, state, and federal levels must therefore roll out practicable plans to stimulate economic and industrial growth. This will in turn create employment opportunities and improve the human worth of more of the nation’s citizens. With all of the above in mind, one can easily appreciate the reasons for the enthusiasm shown by Nigerians concerning the attempt by the present administration to reform the nation’s frail electoral framework.

While the Governors’ Forum are free to hold their opinions on issues bothering on the country, it is very clear that their hard-line position on the Chairmanship of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was very unfortunate. It bears clear traces of self help. The Governors’ Forum failed to convince Nigerians of what the nation stood to lose if Maurice Iwu is not retained for a second term. If one puts common sense to test, it would point to the fact that the nation’s electoral system cannot be truly reformed with Iwu as INEC boss. This is so because, civil society groups, religious organisations, socio-cultural bodies, and several political actors are convinced that evidences volunteered at election tribunals has stained the hands of Maurice Iwu with blood. Many stakeholders believe that he played significant roles in aiding electoral frauds. Retaining him would therefore pose a whole lot of credibility problems for INEC. Integrity is an important ingredient that cannot be divorced from the personality of electoral umpires.

The huge support that greeted the exit of Maurice Iwu last week was indeed unprecedented. By that singular action, Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has made a bold statement that political leadership in Nigeria can surely rise above parochial interests. The only way Jonathan or any other political leader can be encouraged to always stand on the side of truth is for the political class, civil society, religious, and socio-cultural organisations to give them all the backing they deserve. But more importantly, the acting president should not ignore, but rather engage the Governors’ Forum in dialogues to remind them of the important need to put the nation first. In as much as state governors wield a lot of influence, I foresee a dull picture where their shallow and narrow minded opinions on key national issues would pitch the masses against them in the very near future.

Immediately after President Musa Yar’Adua was flown out to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment, the Governors’ Forum quickly turned themselves into a mountain that Goodluck Jonathan must climb before taking important decisions. Even without the benefit of a prophet, one can see the handwriting clearly on the wall. The governors are trying to position themselves well ahead of the 2011 elections at the expense of the nation. Their shock and grief following the much expected exit of Maurice Iwu have no doubt distorted a well rehearsed cavalcade.

While there is nothing wrong in governors demanding to be consulted on key national issues, their attempts at sacrificing national interests for parochial ambitions should be resisted by both the presidency and the masses. This is one sure way we can safeguard our democracy. The time has therefore come for all to remind state governors of the important need for them to leave the acting president alone and face squarely the enormous responsibilities waiting for them in their various states. Under normal circumstances, they should not need Iwu to win elections. Let them allow their four year report cards to deliver them at the polls. The governors are certainly afraid that with the expected electoral reform exercise, the opportunity for rigging elections will be greatly reduced. A sound electoral culture will customarily make the electorates kings as is obtained in every democratically healthy society. Nigerian masses should start celebrating. The years of poor political leadership will soon come to an end.