That INEC’s Alarm

Penultimate Monday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said, because of the destruction of its facilities and intimidation, in 15 States of Nigeria, it would not be able to conduct this year’s general elections as  scheduled.Some States where its facilities were destroyed according to the Commission include: Bayelsa, Anambra, Ondo, Ogun, Imo, Delta, Enugu, etc.The announcement threw concerned public into expected reactions. The reactions, some of which were sensational and beclouded with sentiment, however reveal how tired Nigerians are with the present leadership especially at the national level. The respondents to electronic media call-in programme were  unanimous in expressing their disenchantment with the present administration in the country. In fact for most callers, most political leaders have overstayed their usefulness in office. And if it is within the prerogative of the callers, they would have fast-forwarded the exit of the present administration.
I was able to glean from the callers’ tone the reality of the wise saying that  “when the righteous rule the people rejoice, but when the wicked are in authority the people mourn”.The people are highly dissatisfied and disappointed with some political leaders in public office. The people’s unpretentious and unequivocal reactions show a failed national administration because some political leaders, who are saddled  with the responsibility of holding the resources of the people in trust- I mean people who should be servant leaders – have failed woefully in their mandate and the people want them out. The people’s media reaction, I must state, was a lack of confidence vote for  some elected leaders at the State Houses of Assembly, some Governors,  House of Representatives members, Senators and of course Mr. President.
The INEC bombshell on the planned postponment of elections was worsened by the fuel scarcity that hit the yuletide. A litre of fuel was sold for N450, where available, while transport fare skyrocketed like a phoenix disproportionately. Commuters were stranded at most loading points. These are aside, numerous other cases that are capable of causing heartbreak in a plutocratic and oligarchic Nigeria. A nation abounding in human and material resources yet majority of her citizens live in abject poverty; a nation that nothing is lacking except servant leaders.On the other hand, does the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), not have the right to cry out when its capacity to deliver a free, fair and credible elections is at stake considering the destruction of some of her essential requirements for conduct of this year’s General Elections? As the umpire and a midwife for another ‘democratic’ transition, the Independent National Electoral Commission offices across the country should be given a conducive and secured atmosphere to function. If INEC is having a premonition of trouble on its capacity and capability to conduct the General Elections then we should not blame the commission if what Nigerians got from the elections was far below their expectations. If the processes are faulty then relative failure is inevitable.
It takes a conducive, secure atmosphere and emotional stability of INEC personnel, including ad hoc officers  to deliver on their statutory mandate. Therefore, those who have not realised the danger their actions of destroying the Independent National Electoral Commission’s property is posing on conduct of the general elections and the emergence of the people’s choices, should please rethink and stay action on their dastardly acts. The success of this year’s General Elections depends on every Nigerian but more especially, the Independent National Electoral Commission’s roles are sacrosanct. Corrupt electoral umpires the world over, hold both the yam and the knife and decides who gets what. So let us guard against flawed elections, protect the Commission’s property and make our votes count. Every human organisation rises and falls on leadership. Nigeria is in dire need of good leaders. Let us get it right through conscientious voting devoid of ethnic or religious sentiments.

By: Igbiki Benibo