EZREL TABIOWO examines the political conduct of candidates contesting in next month’s general elections and how it can guarantee or end abruptly the unity of Nigeria
Ahead of the February 2015 general elections which is just about three weeks away, the various candidates belonging particularly to the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, and the Opposition All Progressive Congress, APC, as recent events show, have deployed what can be considered extreme means – ranging from electoral malpractice to violence- towards ensuring the realisation of their respective political ambitions.
The Department of State Security (DSS), following a recent investigation on a raid of an office belonging to the APC in Lagos state, accused the opposition party of hatching a plot to manipulate voters figure by hacking into the database of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Such show of desperation and extremism on the path of the two major political parties in Nigeria, which also over the last few weeks resulted in acts of violence that sparked off in Gombe, Jos, Rivers states, and looming in several others like Kaduna, were ignited by the inciting conduct of certain key political figures and stakeholders within these states, and of course the radical sentiments of their supporters.
The outcome has further raised burning concerns and heightened anxiety amongst Nigerians as whether or not the country will stay united after the 2015 elections scheduled for next month.
The basis for entertaining fears on the part of Nigerians are anchored on the threats made by some politicians and their supporters who have vowed to destabilise government should their party or candidates lose out during the Presidential elections slated for February 14, 2015.
Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, whose party – the All Progressive Congress – is presently embroiled in an ongoing war with the Nyesom Wike led PDP in the state, had threatened that should the opposition presidential candidate, General Muhamadu Buhari lose out to the PDP’s President Goodluck Jonathan, a parallel government would be immediately setup to truncate his continued stay in office.
Though Amaechi has come under severe fire and condemnation over his comment, its implication as a threat against the unity of Nigeria cannot be ignored especially against the backdrop of political violence that sparked off in the northern part of the country immediately after the 2011 general elections, following the defeat of Muhammadu Buhari, the then presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC.
On the other plank, recall too that several staunch political loyalists of President Goodluck Jonathan such as Chief Edwin Clark and Asari Dokubo, both from the Niger Delta region, had also threatened that the region would disallow the continued use of its crude oil and gas resources by the central government should the president not be re-elected to serve another four year term in office.
To buttress the threat made by both Dokubo and Clark, Lagos State governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje, over a week ago in his campaign to London to reach out to Nigerians in Diaspora warned that the Niger Delta militants could shut the country’s economy down if President Goodluck Jonathan was not returned to power next month.
Mr Agbaje said: “The Buhari of today is not the Buhari of 2007 or 2011 as he is operating on the steam of those who put him there for their own selfish purposes. We also have to appreciate the fact that the people in the south-south have the ability to shut the system down of their man is not elected.
“Remember that they have done it before. Yes, it can happen in the north too but we have to ask ourselves which of the two scenarios we can survive best.”
Agbaje’s observation on the two scenarios however, also presents the chances of violence erupting if the President is re-elected or not, an outcome that of course is capable of permanently putting an end to the unity of Nigeria.
As means of averting violence during and after the elections, some presidential candidates in this year’s election, including President Goodluck Jonathan (PDP) and General Muhammadu Buhari (APC), both major contenders in next month’s presidential elections, all signed a peace pact last week to desist from actions that could promote violence during and after the polls.
In attendance were the former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Anan, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku, seven presidential candidates including frontrunners, President Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, all of whom openly spoke against violence at the poll.
Other political parties that signed the non-violence pact included the Action Alliance, AA, Alliance for Democracy, AD, United Democratic Party, UDP, United Progressive Party, UPP, African Democratic Congress, ADC, and Hope Democratic Party, HDP.
But President of the Senate, David Mark, a key member of the Peoples Democratic Party, in his usual show of patriotism last week expressed optimism that Nigeria will not disintegrate after the elections.
He said despite voiced warnings which have heightened fears that the country might not survive next month’s elections; Nigerians have the strength of character, the political will, the perseverance and maturity to rise above all the challenges that lie ahead.
Senator Mark stated this last Tuesday in a speech delivered to welcome senators back from the Christmas break.
The Senate President who also expressed dismay at war songs emanating from many quarters, particularly from highly placed Nigerians threatening fire and brimstone, warned that same will only result in a legacy of regrets.
He therefore cautioned politicians to desist from making provocative utterances, adding that elections should instead be an asset to democracy, rather than being a liability.
His words: “Experience has shown that the electioneering period are often difficult times. Politicians must desist from provocative and inciting utterances. We may be in different political parties but we are not enemies.
“We must educate, caution and guide our supporters and followers. Election should be an asset to democracy but where it leads to violence or acrimony, it becomes a liability.
“We must, irrespective of party affiliation, do our best to ensure free, fair, transparent and credible elections. At the risk of stating the obvious, I would like to emphasize that for us to hold an elective office, there must first be a nation. I urge all my distinguished colleagues to continue to set example for conduct in the public sphere.”
He continued: “I am disturbed and saddened by the war songs emanating from many quarters, particularly from highly placed Nigerians who are threatening fire and brimstone. Elections need not dissolve into theatres of war. It is my belief that war mongering will only result in a legacy that we will all regret.
“As Distinguished Senators, we have a role to play in ensuring that Nigeria witnesses a peaceful general election. Despite the much vaunted fear, apprehension and anxiety that our nation may not survive the elections by some dooms day prophets, I personally remain optimistic that we have the strength of character, the political will, the perseverance and maturity to rise above all the challenges that lie ahead. We are all leaders and I know that we will work towards peace and harmony. Our nation will not disintegrate after the elections!”
