EXPERTS POUR OUT EXPECTATIONS TO FORTHCOMING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Raphael Mbaiorga

Elections over these years have become a critical issue with growing concerns among citizens owing to the increasing sociopolitical awareness and apparent youth clamor for inclusiveness in the affairs of the nation.

 

While the country has made progress in consolidating democratically elected governments, the electoral system upon which democratic pillars are laid has not made much gain in complimenting the civic procedure.

With Benue State local government elections in view, THE TRANSMITTER sampled opinions from residents of the state.

 

According to Anyam Gabriel a political scientist who frowned at the previous general elections “legitimacy of the outcome of the local government elections would largely be dependent on the integrity of whosoever is the chairman of Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) and not the optimism of the electorates. I think it is possible for BSIEC to conduct free and fair elections, except where the BSIEC chairman decides to bury his own reputation and dance to the tune of a sitting governor.”  Anyam Gabriel believes that complete local government autonomy is important for transparent local government elections.

When asked whether electoral bodies be unbundled to ease quick delivery of materials and increase in reach to the locals during elections as suggested by others he differs “State Independent Electoral Commissions should be absorbed by the Independent National Electoral Commission to increase fair play and prevent state governments’ meddling that has quenched the desire of opposition parties in contesting the local polls in their various states.”

 

Dr. John Tsuwa, a Senior Lecturer in the Political Science Department at the Benue State University who once headed the BSIEC states that “independent electoral commissions are rather the victim of the electioneering process and not the perpetrators of electoral malpractices.”

He blamed seat tight politicians who are elected and subsequently do not want to leave the offices, resorting to desperate factors to retain power, thereby infiltrating the political process.

 

Local Government elections in Nigeria have been the case of winner takes all, once a seating governor is elected he ensures his political party is enthroned in every local government regardless of the choices of the masses. In the last Local Government elections in Benue State, APC (then Gov. Ortom’s party) won all the 23 local governments in the state. This sad development usually cast doubts on the legitimacy of those later announced as winners. The development over the years has prompted some opposition parties not to participate in elections conducted by state election umpires.

 

Tsuwa agreed that: “yes the states meddle even the Federal Government meddles but what do you expect when someone is paying the piper? It usually starts from the funding which is why I am of the suggestion that electoral umpires be unbundled by ensuring their total independence which is paramount to free and fair elections across board.

 

He blames ‘minor’ political parties for their inability to wake up to the challenge of effectively competing with the leading parties. In his words “  there are no opposition parties to rise up to the challenge, and worst of all, sometimes rather than head to the polls, the leading political parties would rally around Inter Party Advisory Council IPAC to mobilize lower structures for the major parties, thereby weakening the chances of the opposition parties in the race.”

Just like many Nigerians, the political scientist expressed optimism with the new electoral law in view “I believe that the newly proposed electoral law if passed would help especially with the use of card reader and electronic transfer of results to mitigate post election legal fireworks by both the electoral body and other stakeholders.”

 

Comrade Gabriel Akpoko a contestant in the forthcoming Benue State Local Government elections believes that Benue State could chose to be a model to other states for local polls “yes I am aware that on separate occasions the state government meddled in local government elections, but I am not deterred, I believe that the current BSIEC leadership has the capacity to deliver acceptable elections that would appeal to those that would participate.”

 

On accepting the outcome of the elections Gabriel Akpoko said “so far there is no foul play in the process. I always believe in justice and even though not all parties must be satisfied, I expect that the will of the masses will not be shortchanged.”

 

While the council election is in view, THE TRANSMITTER would continuously keep you updated on the developments from our investigations. Nigeria has never done well with elections at the third tier of government, but there is always room for change.