Democracy and Credible election in Danger: Anambra Election in Focus

Election debate for Anambra November 2017 election (#AnambraDecides) has been concluded. I wish to remind us that we are in a critical time in the history of Nigeria’s fledgling democracy. On the debates, I expected nothing less of an intellectually charged atmosphere between Chidoka (UPP), Obaze (PDP) and Obiano (APGA); these men are intellectually sound with many years of experience having blazed the trail in their private and public life. Chidoka comes across as an egalitarian protégé of late Chief Ojo Maduekwe, a gladiator in Nigerian politics, he was appointed head of FRSC; while Gov Obiano got to the highest echelon of the banking industry before Peter Obi handpicked him to become the flagbearer of APGA and thus won the last election in Anambra. Obaze is an accomplished United Nations diplomat that comes across as one with international exposure and experience in high-level dealings at the supra-national level of governance. However, the outlier in the debate is Tony Nwoye, the erstwhile President of NANS, a national students union which requires thuggery to preside over it. I am pleased that our business men have realized that politics is imperative for economic stability hence the participation of Ezeemo (PPA) should be applauded by all. As expected, those who watched the debate would attest to the fact that the other gentlemen including Ezeemo (PPA) bested the APC flagbearer in the debates of highly educated and highly experienced contestants. This brings to fore the issues at stake — the credibility of elections come November 18th, 2017.

For those who have been watching events on the African continent, the just concluded election in Kenya falls short of the minimum standard of elections expected from democratic states in Africa. At least the standard Nigeria set in the 2015 elections. Post-election violence and boycotts, riots and deaths were rife as Raila Odinga, the septuagenarian slugged it out with the younger one Uhuru Kenyatta (56), the incumbent who decided not to imbibe the virtues of Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria — who conceded to Mohammad Buhari (septuagenarian) — and John Mahama of Ghana (58) — who also conceded to Nana Akufo-Addo (septuagenarian). The morale of the story is that just like many are wont to, democratic progress should not be taken for granted. The antecedents of President Buhari of Nigeria indicates that he is a man who is given to winning elections at all cost and could replicate such an ominous and dangerous antecedent in the Anambra elections. Going by the debates and even reality on ground, the election is between the three musketeers listed earlier while Nwoye of APC and other candidates like Ezeemo (PPA), the business man contestant who nonetheless has wowed voters with his elegant plans to boost business in the state, would likely not garner much votes.

This election which will be conducted by INEC under Prof Yakubu will be a stress test to access President Buhari’s willingness to preserve and improve on the legacy of credible elections which the immediate past president Goodluck Jonathan left for him and the Nigerian people. There has been serious apprehension that elections under this administration has returned to the days of former President Obasanjo when electioneering was a “do-or-die” affair. The Edo State Governorship election held in 2016 comes to mind. As we speak, the victory of Governor Obaseki is still disputed and President Buhari has not established himself as one given to improving the democratic progress achieved in 2015 elections which has become a template for elections in Africa. Meanwhile, we have the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that have decided that Ofe Nsala will become a nationally recognised food as they push for election boycott with #OfeNsalaDay. That conundrum I will not interrogate in this expose. That I have reserved for another time because its suitability as a strategy to achieve secessionist agenda requires deep introspection and interrogation. However, this developing hostility should not be used as an alibi to thwart the results of the election should the elections be conducted free and fair in other to achieve sinister agenda by the APC-led government. As the campaign period draws to a close, there is speculation that President Buhari will be in Anambra to drum up support for Tony Nwoye and I hope there won’t be clashes between IPOB and security agencies as that will be an ominous signs of things to come.

The greatest legacy which former president Goodluck Jonathan left for the Muhammad Buhari’s presidency is credible elections, the fact that we can conduct elections without bloodshed, violence and rancour and allow the will of the people decide the fate of politicians in elections. Any retrogression in this aspect will be a disservice to Nigerians, the international community and posterity. The election must be conducted free and fair and no lives lost amidst the existential threats emanating from various quarters. Nigeria will be better off if democratic progress is sustained and improved and violence and rigging of elections are completely eliminated. The burden is on the shoulders of Buhari not to destroy Nigeria through electoral malpractices, violence and bloodshed. Let Anambrarians decide their fate, let every one of over 2 million votes count.