Politics

Kwara 2019: Integrity test for new CP, NSCDC commandant

 

There is an adage in Yoruba that says “Arise larika…ohun abase loni oro itan ni bo dola,” which literally means that whatever we do today  will be  for the records and become reference point for  future purpose(s). It is believed that this axiom is meant to steer moral compass of everyone especially people in authority.
There is no doubt that all eyes will be on Kwara State for the forthcoming general  elections. Reason is not far fetched, the major opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC), which has the Federal Government backing is hellbent on wrestling power from the long standing Saraki dynasty in the state.  The President Muhammadu Buhari, who is gunning for a second term in office on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has not hidden his agenda to put to an end to the political dominance of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who is also the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara. This can be adduced to recent comments credited to the president on the political contest in the state, which he seems to have vested interest in. Furthermore, Saraki’s nomination as the Director-General of the APC’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has further deepened the animosity between the duo. Without doubt, the election will be a defining moment for the state as it is either the status quo remains or there is a change in political leadership. That explains the fierce political battle for the soul of the state.
Nonetheless, events in the state in the past few months, have, however,  cast doubt on a   free, fair, transparent, credible and violence-free elections. Albeit  there have been efforts by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at allaying fears of Kwarans, such as the peace pact signed by political parties. It would be recalled that  controversies had trailed the bye-election  to fill  the Irepodun/Ekiti/Oke- Ero/Isin federal constituency seat, which was won by Hon Raimi Tunji Olawuyi aka Ajulo Opin. There were allegations by the APC  that the election was militarised. It is for this reason that focus is on security agents particularly the police on the forthcoming election. Incontrovertibly the election will be an integrity test for the new Commissioner of Police, Bashir Makama and Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Bello Ale. Their deployment to the state at a time like this has put them in the eye of the public. Their actions or inactions will go a long way to determine if the election will be free and fair. This is because  for people to be able to exercise their franchise, they must be able to make their choice of candidates without molestation and violence. It is believed that the security agents can pose threat to credible election through misconducts. This is what the new security chiefs in the state must guard against. How security agents carry out their duties during elections could become potential source of electoral violence if not done with patriotism.
It is imperative for security agents particularly the police to carry out their duties with  professionalism and  expected neutrality in the forthcoming 2019 general election. It will be an abberation for the police to collude with politicians to subvert the democratic process. Security agents need to be made to understand that there is grave consequence if they do not discharge their responsibilities effectively; it could give room to violence leading to avoidable loss of lives and wanton destruction of property. It is known fact that desperate politicians try to use of security agents to undermine the integrity of elections in Nigeria. These politicians devise unethical strategies to win at all cost and they use security personnel to perpetrate the electoral malpractices, in order to cover their tracks. It therefore, behooves, the  police boss and his counterpart in the NSCDC to show zero tolerance to electoral malpractices. They must not tolerate collusion or aiding and abetting of perpetrators of electoral malpractices by their officers and men. The role of the security agencies, particularly the police, as critical stakeholders in the electoral process, is to maintain law and order and provide environment conducive for electoral activities to take place. Responsibilities they must discharged without fear or favour for successful outcome of the polls.
It is pertinent for security agencies in the state to treat all political parties with equality towards ensuring a credible election. There should be no sacred cow any politician found to be going against the rules must be  made to face the wrath of the law.
One must commend the new commissioner of police for steps taken so far and rhetorics in a bid to ensure that the state record violence- free election. One of such efforts was the Security/Election  stakeholders meeting organised by the Nigeria Police Force,  Kwara State Police Command, recently, with members of political parties, traditional rulers among others in attendance.
It is instructive that the forthcoming election is an opportunity for the security bosses to write their names in gold. Posterity is the judge of all.

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