By Ayobrown Adetunji
A wise man once said you should never believe a thing simply because you want to believe it. My mother taught me never to trust looks, but I always considered INEC to be a very effective and efficient commission, however, what just happened seems to be redefining those terms. What delayed INEC this far before the official announcement of the postponement, must really be out of its control.
Many slammed on the metaphorical brakes, as almost all went out of control when the news was aired; oh my goodness, 2019 elections have been shifted. INEC finally did the expectations of many, one cannot but imagine the agony and trauma, not to talk of money and time wasted less than six-hours to the commencement with all sensitive and non-sensitive materials already in place. His reasons, logistical problem is to be blamed and responsible as it is more than what Prof. Mamoud and INEC can cope with. Now the deed had been done, it has forced Nigeria to delay the first set of elections…our collective vicious fear seems to be active after all.
The two main political parties swiftly condemned the move, but accusing each other of orchestrating the delay as a way of manipulating the vote…many wondered which to believe.
The elections are expected to hold at 119,973 polling units across the country while collation of results will take place in 8,809 Registration Areas or Wards, 774 Local Government Areas and 36 States and the FCT. But many wondered, how come over six hours of marathon meeting between INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu and his 12 national commissioners could not come with solutions after four years of so-called preparations. The meeting, which began Friday evening ended early on Saturday morning to break the bad news to Nigerians.
The decision to delay this year’s vote was criticised by chairman of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Uche Secondus believed the move was an action that was “dangerous to our democracy and unacceptable”, adding that it was part of an attempt by Buhari to “cling on to power even when it’s obvious to him that Nigerians want him out”.
Though, President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) party also criticised the electoral commission for the delay. Buhari said, “we cooperated fully with INEC by ensuring everything it demanded to conduct free and fair elections were promptly made available”. His statement further said “this news is therefore a huge disappointment to us”. Prior to the announcement, there were statements expressing concerns over the election’s failure and success.
Is President Buhari really not in the know this time too? The question on many lips is how come Mr President did not care to know earlier? Or is it the cabals that are responsible for this too? Many believed president’s body language and reaction could be true on his innocence. He said ‘elections by themselves do not constitute Democracy, it is the spirit of citizenship engagement that utilises the energy of citizens towards the attainment of good governance’ – a quote from President Buhari. But many are querying his assurances when he said, “our electoral umpire has already assured us that they have done everything possible to ensure free and fair elections”. Buhari need more than just mere assurance from INEC in the conduct of elections.
Election can be postponed but destiny can never be delayed, many see and perceived this as a rape of democracy aided by INEC, another Coup against Nigerians under Buhari’s watch.
Everything you ever wanted is truly on the other side of fear; I was preparing a different piece for this edition, until this last minute, but I have fewer fears today than I had yesterday…thank God.
But how to explain the meaning of ‘logistic problem’ as stated by INEC to illiterates to go back home became herculean task, you may wish to ask many.
Though, it is not the first time that the commission would postpone a scheduled general election; in 2015, the presidential election was shifted from February 14 to March 28th, 2015; while the governorship and assembly elections scheduled for 28 February were shifted to 11 April…giving electorates space and time to readjust but very unlike this one.
Nigerians took turn to narrate how it had affected them. A friend tweeted and think it is because of someone’s failure or omission another one week holiday will be added to students’ holiday. He even wished he could afford to train his child abroad just like the children of these people.
Another thought it is the fear of defeat that made Buhari colluded with INEC to postpones the elections with no respect to the citizens.
The election — the sixth in the 20 years since civilian rule was restored — is likely to be one of the last times men of Buhari’s generation will feature so prominently…all thanks to ‘Not Too Young to Run’.
In valour there is hope, we will surely overcome all these…you can delay elections but you cannot postpone destiny, this will give the electorates better understanding of our politics and policy, forcing the political class and parties to be more adequately prepared.
This isn’t a reason at all…many disagreed, how could one hinge an election postponement on careful review of operational and logistics activities? Prof Mahmood is simply not telling Nigerians the whole truth. It’s better to cite factors leading to this postponement than mere ambiguous narrative as stated in INEC chair’s speech. But what special preparation which did not happen in 3 years 51 weeks that will then happen in just 1 week will surely be nothing but funny.
With a professor leading a commission, that ‘logistics problems is the only given reason Nigeria elections were delayed’ is a good headline in the international community, if you ask me. Now many of the electorates are calling for President Buhari and Mamoud’s necks, because what the old man refused to know is that mere assurance from INEC is not enough. That not even his special advisers, assistants, or ministers could see this coming or a signal, is rather shameful.
Yes, INEC must be independent, but then who is to supervise or monitor its preparation and activities, since a four year preparation seems not enough?
Truly, the distinction and differences between computer engineer and typewriter repairer can never be underestimated. In this developed age and time, simulating exercises that give possible reality outcomes and results ought to have been carried out…if you ask me, it is very easy. I wish I am the INEC Chair. But a friend said “you expect these analogue people to apply technology? No, they’ll tell you technology is for the Yahoo Boys. Nothing is impossible in today’s digitalised world, applications of life situations and simulations scenarios are done and practiced in modern world, INEC and its officials need better training.
*Ayobrown, Senior System Analyst, National Pilot Newspaper, writes via aayobrown@gmail.com
