Arab spring, literacy level ignite Nigerians’ interest in elections – Analysts

Rising political consciousness spurred by the Arab spring, unfulfilled promises by politicians, literacy and strong will not to continue to abandon their destiny in the hands of political jobbers are some of the factors igniting Nigerians’ interest in the 2015 general elections, analysts have submitted. The Arab spring, a political uprising that spread across the Arab world in 2011 originated in Tunisia in December 2010 and quickly took hold in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, with thousands of the citizens in mass protests denouncing bad government and seeking the resignation of their leaders. According to the analysts, the Arab spring which brought down unpopular governments in some of the countries it spread, was an eye opener which resurrected consciousness among Nigerians that political power lies with the people. It has so far strengthened the belief of the people in the power of their votes to change people-unfriendly governments whether at the state or federal level.   “The world is now a global village where whatever happens in Europe, Asia, America or Africa has an enduring impact on the people wherever they may be. Nigeria is no longer alone as may have been the scenario three or two decades ago when people seemed apolitical and did not even have faith in the electioneering process. Democracy is taking its root and the people now know that they have a stake. Increased literacy level has brought about remarkable changes in our political landscape. A greater percentage of the populace now appreciates that the only non-violent way to change an unpopular government is their vote. There is increasing interest in the electioneering process which explains the agitations we are seeing for the optimal distribution of the permanent voters’ cards. The people want to vote, said Ekujumi, executive director, Centre for Rights & Grassroots Initiative. Yinka Odumakin, a chieftain of the Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political group, also spoke to the roles played by interest groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in raising political consciousness, saying public enlightenment and education are ongoing across the country by various groups and NGOs. He also zeroed in on the impact of knowledge world, indentifying timely dissemination of political messages, gadgets, cell phones, internet and the social media plat- forms as helping to further raise political awareness and spurring Nigerians’ interest in politics and governance never like before in the history of the country. According to Odumakin, the economic misfortune of many as a result of bad governance is another reason why Nigerians are embracing election as a tool for change. People desire better quality of life because they are seeing it happening in other countries where government place premium on the welfare of the citizens. Nigerians believe this can happen in our country if the resources are well managed. So it is no surprised that people are eager to participate in election,” he said.  However, Itse Sagay, a professor of law, agreed to a rising political consciousness of Nigerians, but cautioned against poor handling of election processes by the In- dependent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which to him, can dampen the spirit. Sagay said much as the electorate is eager to vote, there seems to be a hurdle on their way, with the results not always truly reflecting the votes cast.

The professor in a presentation titled ‘reflections on 2011 elections’ which he made available to BusinessDay, argued that the results of the 2011 presidential election did not truly reflect voting patterns in some geopolitical zones, listing south-south and southeast where he believed there were some anomalies. He noted that while the appointment of highly credited Atahiru Jega as INEC chairman raised high hopes in the polity that Nigeria was at last going to experience a free, fair and credible elections since 1993, Nigerians overlooked the fact that he (Jega) was one man in Abuja who is relying on others across the 36 states to conduct elections.  The feeling was partly justified because Jega had an encouraging track record as the President of ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities) from roughly 1988 to 1992.  He fought the cause of the union fearlessly and gallantly, was detained but remained stead- fast; his integrity unshaken. However, what the polity failed to appreciate was that Jega was only one physical being based in Abuja.  There were other national electoral commissioners who did not meet the “Jega standard”. Neither was much thought devoted to the fact that there are 37 resident electoral commissioners including the Federal Capital Territory and hundreds of permanent and adhoc staff of INEC who are not Jega “compliant”.  Thus, the most devastating error made by Nigeria in the 2011 elections, is that it placed its faith on one strong man and not in strong electoral institutions. Thus in spite of the post election euphoria of Nigerians and the international community, the best that can be said about the 2011 elections is that it was a great improvement on the 2007 elections, but nowhere near the 1991 – 1993 general elections (governorship, national assembly and presidential) under Babangida, or the 1979 and 1999 elections under Obasanjo and Abdulsami, respectively.  In the last two mentioned above, only the presidential elections created doubts and controversy. A cursory analysis of the results of the various levels of elections, in the south-south and south-east, reveals anomalies and characteristics which strain a reasonable man’s credulity,” said Sagay, who believed that in the 2015 elections, the electoral body must restore the confidence of the anxious electorate in the electoral system that their votes can truly count.