2015: INEC And Third Party Campaigns

It is no longer news that the hapless Nigerian
populace has been inundated by persuasive
requests for support or endorsement of particular persons for various elective positions ahead of the 2015 general elections.
Hardly any day passes without the news of one rally or the other being held in different parts of the country, promoting some political interests, by groups, most of which bear curious names, claiming to do what they do in the wider national interest.
Infact, evidences of third party political campaigns on radio, television, bill boards and the social media have been so overwhelming that many highly perceptible Nigerians have been wondering how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has remained aloof in the face of the mindless and continued contravention of its rules.
As it is, this failure by INEC to stop third party campaigns for politicians is akin to sleeping on duty. Indeed, INEC’s apparent indifference or helplessness has emboldened persons now feeding fat on third party campaigns. Sadly, even the politicians now go about their political activities without regard to the law that decides when they can begin. This clearly gives cause for worry over the courage to handle the 2015 general election justly.
Ordinarily, there is nothing wrong in third party campaigns for politicians or in politicians campaigning for support for elective offices, but there are laid down rules which must be obeyed by every law-abiding citizen no matter how highly placed, and irrespective of creed, political and or ethnic cleavages.
Afterall, it is only in abiding by the rules or laws and by the rules of the game for that matter that the much needed democratic ethos in Nigeria could be developed for the benefit of all.
It is against this backdrop that The Tide is surprised that a very serious matter of early and third party campaigns for politicians that is outlawed by section 2:2:1 of the 1999 constitution is being treated with disdain and little commitment.
More worrisome is the fact that campaigns appear to have taken off in full swing when INEC had not allowed full-scale campaigns by political parties or groups. They have used the opportunity to unduly overheat the polity and reduced everything to politics, albeit destructive.
Yet, the divergent opinions that have continued to trail this act have not helped matters. While some persons argue that all major political parties stand guilty of the act, others say it cannot be said to be wrong as the constitution also guarantees the right of association, to hold opinion, and the expression of same. This, INEC must clarify and keep everyone on the same page.
Although INEC is known to have spoken up against the campaigns and even made letters to some persons, its inability to enlist the services of the security agencies, especially, the police, to stop the act or prosecute offenders is what many persons do not understand.
Nevertheless, due to the dust which the third party campaigns have raised and the imputation of partiality, INEC must find ways of stopping the campaigns and or putting up section 2:2:1 of the constitution for a possible amendment.
All The Tide wants is for INEC to do its job properly, stamp its authority, and maintain a level playing field for all political parties and candidates. Posterity will hold INEC responsible for whatever political misadventure if it fails to act now and according to law.
We are concerned by what is happening because of how it subjects the ordinary citizen to protracted period of electioneering pains and bad blood. It gives the impression that laws in Nigeria exist only on paper and perhaps more dangerously, that no line can be drawn between electioneering and governance and these should worry everyone.