Real losers of 2023 Nigerian general elections are not the electorate who were deprived of their rights to freely choose candidates of their choice nor the first-timer youth who were disappointed by the Nigerian state nor the candidates who lost or won as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The biggest losers are President Muhammadu Buhari, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigeria as a political entity.  Except for Bola Tinubu who carries the burden of legitimacy arising from flawed process and total miniature votes garnered, the others will live with scar and collective guilt slammed on the country by ethical deficit in delivery process of the elections.

With general disenchantment over the conduct of the 2023 Nigerian general elections by over 145,000 national and foreign observers deployed across the country, INEC failed to leave a split opinion on its capacity to conduct a free, fair and credible elections, a development that will hunt Mahmood Yakubu, Mohammed Buhari and Nigeria for a long time to come.  The exercise was not only a horrendous phenomenon on the psyche of Nigerians but a fleeting nightmare.

A consensus negative opinion on the flawed elections by European Union, African Union, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Commonwealth, The International Republican Institute (IRI), National Democratic Institute (NDI), Joint Election Observation Mission (IEOM), four former African presidents, and Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), is an affirmation of global skepticism about Nigeria’s reputation.  They all concluded that the electoral process lacked transparency, which encouraged manipulations and undermined voters’ confidence.

This trust deficit was also highlighted by Chatham House when it declared that INEC had learnt nothing from its past failures.  Specifically, it said, “The INEC’s performance and controversies over these results mean that the electoral reforms and lessons declared to have been learned were not fully applied and, as an electoral body, it was significantly less prepared than it claimed.”

As a consequence of these opinions, President Buhari might have missed the opportunity to etch his name in gold over his failure to provide a secured and enabling environment for free, fair and credible elections.  As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he failed to optimally use his offices, including effective deployment of the police, army, DSS, and other security agencies to protect voters during the elections.

Nigerians were mortified by horrendous images of election violations, and no rationalization could justify such criminal acts.  An election where about 27 persons were killed nationwide over violence, ballot snatching, thuggery, voters’ suppression, ethnic bigotry, use of tribal gods and deities, even in the presence of security operatives in some instances, can only be a national shame.

Besides, whatever is left of Buhari’s legacy might have been further weakened by the naira redesign and currency swap policy which brought untold hardship to citizens during period of the elections.  Perhaps, the intention of the policy was to eliminate monetary inducement and vote buying, unfortunately, Buhari and the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, were outwitted by politicians through use of extra-constitutional and procedural means to contrive and achieve sinister objectives.

For the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, there might be no second opportunity to redeem his character.  With a budget of over N305 billion and other sundry support, he had no reasons to have failed.  Yakubu gave assurances in both local and international events, including Chatham House, of his Commission’s preparedness, pledging that with use of technology, including Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), results would be transmitted in real-time to INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

These assertions receded into irrelevance when INEC failed to comply with the Electoral Act and its own guidelines.  The Electoral Act, 2022, requires INEC to upload the elections of polling units in its portal as stipulated in Section 60 (5) and Clause 38 of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines.

Specifically, Clause 38 of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022 states: “Upon completion of all the Polling Unit voting and results, procedures, the Presiding Officer shall:-(i) Electronically transmit or transfer the result of the Polling Unit direct to the collation system as prescribed by the commission. (ii) Use BVAS to upload a scan of ES8A to INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), as prescribed by the commission. (iii) Take the BVAS and the original copy of each of the forms in tamper-evident envelope to the Registration Area/Ward Collation Officer, in the company of security agents. The polling agents may accompany the Presiding Officer to the RA/Ward Collation Centre.”

It is hoped that Nigeria will not allow a repeat of this ugly experience.  It is time to make political offices unattractive to discourage desperation which is the underpinning motive for all these electoral atrocities.

With non-compliance and deviation from these regulatory provisions, INEC opened the electoral process to manipulations, resulting in lack of justice and fulfilment for voters.

READ ALSO: May Nigeria never experience this 9th National Assembly again

These violations have exposed existential gaps in the capacity of Mahmood Yakubu to deliver on a significant national assignment.  This might cast aspersion on his reputation and capabilities.  Indeed, this election is a minus for his profile, as no government or any serious organisation may want to bequeath him with such responsibilities in future.

Unfortunately, the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, is a product of INEC’s flawed process, and this has triggered legitimacy challenge that is further fueled by lean number of votes secured at the election relative to total votes cast.  Tinubu polled 8.87 million (the least by any presidential candidate since 1999), representing 36.61 per cent of total votes, and 10.08 per cent of all eligible voters.  Out of approximately 93 million registered voters, only about 25 million, representing 28.63 percent, actually turned out to vote.

Implicitly, Bola Tinubu was not only elected by minority voters when viewed against 25 million persons that voted, and in a country of over 200 million people, skepticism resulting from INEC’s multiple irregularities are unhelpful to his presidency.  Perhaps, this accounts for the absence of national pomp and celebration that would have heralded his victory.

Without prejudice to outcome of current litigation, going forward, Bola Tinubu should activate his social capital to open up channels across to influential groups and personalities in the country, including his political rivals aimed at legitimizing his presidency, and achieving unity through formation of all-inclusive government.

INEC’s performance has also rubbed off on Nigeria’s image as a corrupt country.  Through the foreign observers, perception of the international community about Nigeria as a corrupt country might have worsen on account of their opinions over lack of transparency and operational failures that characterized INEC’s performance.

In the 2022 Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI), Nigeria was ranked 150 out of 180 countries, and also placed as second most corrupt country in West Africa.  By INEC’s standard and performance, it has unwittingly further confirmed Nigeria as a corrupt country, and deepened global negative impressions.

Nigeria lost the opportunity to demonstrate before the world of its preparedness to be a leading light in Africa and world affairs, using the elections as spring board to exhibit its leadership potentials and capacity.  Hopes for these attainments have, however, been frustrated and shattered by INEC.

Besides, with world’s attention on Nigeria as connoted by presence of foreign observers, Nigeria should have used the elections as public relations tool to strengthen the country’s image through conduct of free, fair and credible election under a transparent atmosphere. This would have left foreign observers rattled as to Nigeria’s new values and ethical orientation.

It was an event Nigeria should have used to shore-up its dwindling reputation.  It is more effective than image-laundering programme where huge amount of money in foreign currencies is budgeted for public relations and reputation management.  With good image, Nigerians’ dignity and respect would be restored, and largely put an end to discrimination at border posts in foreign countries.

This experience should serve as a lesson on the need to be transparent in conduct of future elections.  Former American President, Jimmy Carter, who was in Nigeria in the past to observe elections vowed never to observe elections in Nigeria again after his ugly experience of brazen violation of electoral process. He was upset with the impunity with which politicians used thuggery to deprive electorate from freely voting for candidates of their choice.

It is hoped that Nigeria will not allow a repeat of this ugly experience.  It is time to make political offices unattractive to discourage desperation which is the underpinning motive for all these electoral atrocities.    The electoral body should be reformed and repositioned with people of integrity as drivers aimed at restoring electoral integrity.

Dr. Owhoko, Lagos-based journalist and author, can be reached at www.mikeowhoko.com.

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The commission also made public presentation of the “Review of the 2019 General Election: Report of the Commission’s Retreats and Stakeholder Engagements.”

INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, while presenting the two reports said that the “Report of the 2019 General Election” has 13 Chapters covering major issues.

These according to him included challenges associated with the preparation and conduct of the election, lessons learnt and specific recommendations for addressing them.

Yakubu said that the second report “The Review of the 2019 General Election’’ contained 180 recommendations including recommendations for test-running and adoption of e-voting as well as adoption of early/special voting for election duty and other related officials.

Other recommendations are:

*Early presentation of proposed amendments to the electoral legal framework, which should be concluded at least 12 months to the next general election, to provide effective planning.

*The creation of electoral Offences Commission and Tribunal with powers to arrest, investigate and prosecute electoral offenders.

*Automation of the nomination process to facilitate the storage, access and retrieval of candidates’ data.

*The commission’s consideration of sourcing of its ad-hoc personnel from its pool of retired staff.

*Delivery of all non-sensitive election materials to states and FCT offices 30 days to any election so as ensure proper audit and quality assurance.

*The need to review the criteria for recruiting collation officers and returning officers.

*Sourcing of Registration Area Camps, RAC, managers from the staff of the commission.

*Improvement of the voter registration to accommodate online registration and printing of permanent voter cards on monthly basis instead of the current quarterly basis.

The report also recommended that the Nigerian Constitution should be amended to provide for stronger legislation against defection by elected members of the national and state houses of assembly from one party to another.

“Such defectors should automatically lose their seats except in the case of merger of two or more parties,’’ it said.

The report recommended that funding of political parties from budgetary allocation should be restored.

It, however, said that that should not be tied to the election campaigns but for the purpose of maintaining infrastructural facilities and membership registration.

The recommendations, according to Yakubu, either required administrative action by the commission or amendments to strengthen the existing electoral legal framework by the National Assembly.

“Some of the recommendations that require administrative action by INEC are already being implemented resulting in improved management of the electoral process as seen in the recent off-cycle Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.

“We are similarly engaging with the National Assembly on aspects of the recommendations that require legislative action.’’

Yakubu noted that the strength of any public institution lay in its ability to ask critical questions, review its processes, strengthen its procedures for better service delivery and engage with stakeholders.

“It is my hope that making the two reports public will promote a better understanding of the issues and challenges associated with the conduct of the 2019 General Election and as important resource materials for research.

“It is my hope that it will serve as the promotion of a broader national discourse on the necessary reforms required for the continued delivery of peaceful, free, fair, credible, inclusive and safe elections in Nigeria.’’

Yakubu assured Nigerians that the hard copies of the two reports would be widely disseminated while soft copies would be uploaded on the commission’s website on Monday next week.

Prof. Okechwukwu Ibeanu, the INEC National Commissioner in-charge of Electoral Operations and Logistics Committee, said that the two documents covered the chronicled works of INEC, views of the commission and those of stakeholders on the 2019 general elections.

Ibeanu said that in drafting the document INEC was guided by a number of principles including openness driven by a genuine consultation, sound knowledge informed by good science and good collaboration based on partnership.

He said that the reports revealed five key lessons including the fact that election could not rise above the structure and the infrastructure of the society.

“It is the same roads washed off that the commission has to use to conduct elections. It is the same airlines that run late that we have to use.

“The second lesson is that trust is at the heart of every election and that is why the commission has placed a lot of emphasis on openness and transparency in building trust.’’

He said that the reports also revealed that elections are too serious to be left in the hands of 30,000 election manager alone.

He added that the report also revealed that while INEC played key roles in the conduct of elections, the actions of other stakeholders including CSOs, security agencies and media were also important in determining the quality of the election.

He said that while technology in election had also become inevitable, it was not the end, as the use of technology in an election without trust would complicate matters.

Mr Hermann Thiel, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) Country Director for Nigeria, said that the reports represented an institution willing to reflect on its processes, learn from them and improve on the process.

Thiel said that the development in the 2020 U.S. elections revealed that elections processes around the world were faced with challenges.

“Every country in the world is going through the processes. The world is changing, technology is being introduced.

“New processes and principles that were not there in the last decades were being introduced and they are presenting challenges to elections around the world and each election authority around the world has to learn.’’

Thiel added that one of the ways to learn was to look at what others had done, adding that the reports would be of great benefits to INEC and other electoral bodies around the world.

Mr Manji Wilson, the Electoral Administration Expert for the European Centre for Electoral Support, ECES, commended INEC’s innovations implemented toward improving the country’s electoral system.

Wilson expressed hope that the lessons learnt from previous elections documented in the reports would contribute to meaningful and improve processes in the next electoral cycles in Nigeria.

Source: NAN

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The army said it also acted in the best interest of the country by assisting the police in the elections.

Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Port Harcourt, disclosed this while receiving two individual Awards of Excellence at the divisional headquarters on Sunday in Port Harcourt.

Two youth groups: the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Youth Council, and the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, presented the awards.

According to Sarham, the elections in Rivers offered a unique experience to which the army satisfactorily carried out its responsibilities.

“The 2019 general elections which the division acted in aid of Nigerian police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offered the army a unique experience.

“This is because some subversive elements tried, but failed to cause the division to compromise the integrity of the polls.

“Their failure was due to the resilience and doggedness of our personnel, whom some of them, unfortunately paid the supreme price in defence of our democracy,”  he said.

Sarham said the awards were in recognition that some groups and individuals had closely monitored the elections as well as independently verified activities of the army.

“Among the groups are the ECOWAS Youth Council and the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria which are presenting these awards.

“I have been made to understand that there are many more similar organisations that are also processing their request (award) through the Army Headquarters,” he said.

The GOC said the recognition wouldn’t have been possible without the support and guidance of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, and troops of the division.

He dedicated the awards to soldiers who lost their lives while assisting the police in the elections.

Earlier, the Director of Cabinet, ECOWAS Youth Council, who presented the ECOWAS award, commended the GOC for his professionalism to the nation’s security architecture.

“We also thank you (Sarham) for promoting peace and nation building. We believe that if Nigeria gets it right, Africa will also get it right,” he said.

On his part, Dr Isa Abubakar, President of the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, said that Sarham provided effective leadership and contributed positively to the concluded elections in Rivers.

Source: NAN

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The review will be carried out at its general meeting holding at its Lagos secretariat.

According to a statement issued by the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the party, Mr. Rufus Olusesan, the meeting would look at the party and its journey so far and discuss how to consolidate on its gains during the general election.

He stated that the party would also discuss issues pertaining to the 2019 May Day rally coming up.

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This is the position of the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole.

Specifically, he stated that INEC was bias in the way it handled some issues concerning the party at different levels.

Oshiomhole made the allegation when speaking on an  interview programme on Channels Television on Friday.

His words:  “I have huge reservations about the way INEC conducted this election. INEC’s bias against APC is so clear.

“INEC was biased even in the way it dealt with our primaries, INEC was biased in the way in which it selectively used the card readers or the non-use of card readers in some states where it suits them.”

APC, it would be recalled, was at loggerheads with INEC at different levels of the electoral process.

Notable was INEC’s declaration that APC’s candidates in Rivers and Zamfara could not participate in the election because they refused to organise their primaries within the stipulated time.

The issues led to serious legal battles that saw the party losing.

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Already, a 9-man committee has been set up to carry out the exercise.

The committee which has already commenced action, was inaugurated by the Chief of Administration (Army), Major General KAY Isiyaku on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS ) Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai.

The committee is headed by Maj Gen TA Gagariga.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, also disclosed that the committee should carry out their duties objectively, fairly and transparently in line with its Terms of Reference.

The committee is expected to submit its findings not later than March 31, 2019.

It would be recalled that some soldiers were said to have been involved in wrongdoing during the general election.

The statement reads in full:

NIGERIAN ARMY SETS UP COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT AGAINST HER PERSONNEL DURING THE 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS

As a way of ensuring that NA troops deployed for election security duties during the 2019 General Elections conducted themselves within laid down Rules of Engagement and the Code of Conduct, the NA has set up a 9-member investigative committee, headed by Maj Gen. T.A. Gagariga with Brig Gen JM Ali, Brig Gen GO Adeshina, Brig Gen. M.A. Obari, Col. A.T. Bitiyong, Col. A. Tanko and Col. W.A. Bakare as members and Lt. Col. P.A.J. Ebuk as Secretary to investigate all allegations of misconduct against the NA during the just concluded general elections. The committee is to submit its report not later than 31st of March, 2019.

The committee, which has already commenced action, was inaugurated by the Chief of Administration (Army), Major General K.A.Y. Isiyaku on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS ) Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai and admonished to carry out their duties objectively, fairly and transparently in line with its Terms of Reference.

The committee’s Terms of Reference centered on thoroughly investigating the activities, actions and/or inactions of NA Personnel in all the States that alleged one infraction/wrong doing or the other.

The Committee is also to collate and thoroughly analyze all reports to determine the veracity of the allegations including the alleged assassination attempt on Rivers State Governor and the circumstances that led to the shooting to death of Lt Kurmi as well as that leading to serious injuries to an officer and some soldiers in the State.

The Committee is further mandated to visit all States where issues have been raised about the conduct of NA during and after the elections and also interact with Civil Society Organizations, sister security agencies and State Governors with claims against the Army.

It would be recalled that the COAS, Lt. Gen T.Y. Buratai has on many fora, consistently (both in words and actions), soundly indicated that, under his watch, NA personnel must remain apolitical, respect human rights and abide by the rule of law in all its official engagements within or outside Nigeria and in or out of conflict situation. NA troops were deployed for the elections under Operation SAFE CONDUCT that was set up to provide support to the NP and other security agencies to ensure hitch free and successful elections in the country.

The Chairman of the committee, Major General T.A. Gagariga has assured the COAS and all Nigerians of the committee’s commitment, resolve and determination to objectively and professionally address the major issues as contained in the Committee’s Terms of Reference.

SAGIR MUSA

Colonel

Acting Director Army Public Relations

15 March 2019

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The prayer, the group said, should be observed by muslims from Tuesday, February 26 to Thursday, February 28, 2019.

Christians, MURIC urged, should observe a special prayer for the same purpose on Sunday, March 3, 2019.

The call was made on Tuesday by the group in a statement issued by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

“We appeal to all men of goodwill particularly opinion leaders, traditional rulers, etc, to rise to the occasion. We request for special prayers for peace and tranquility in churches and mosques throughout the federation. In particular, we urge church clerics to pray for Nigeria on Sunday 3rd March, 2019. We request Imams and their congregation to observe sujud ash-shukr between Maghrib and Ishai prayers from Tuesday 26th February to Thursday 28th February 2019 and to pray for political stability during those three days,” MURIC said.

Also, the group appealed to Nigerians, particularly, key political actors to show some restraint during and after the declaration of results of the presidential election held on Saturday.

The appeal, it said, came against the background of the altercations between the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the results of the general election held on Saturday were being announced.

MURIC warned that altercations among stakeholders were capable of increasing tension in the country.

It said stakeholders should understand that in any contest, there would always be a winner and a loser.

It said however, true democrats and men of courage and nobility would always be identified by their liberal disposition.

The group said only political fanatics would stand on the extreme edge and refuse to bend.

“In any case, INEC’s declaration of a winner is not the end of hope. Relief can still be sought in the courts of law up to the highest level. This is what we should do in order to prove that our democracy has not been stagnant afterall,” MURIC advised.

The group added:  “MURIC invites winners to manifest humility and magnanimity in victory. For the sake of our dear country, Nigeria, we charge whoever loses in this election to display uncommon equanimity and unparalleled sportsmanship. This is necessary in order to inject a large dose of patriotism in young Nigerians. They are the politicians of the future. We must not leave a legacy of bitterness, intolerance and desperation in politics. The whole world is watching you.

“Islamic political thought identifies Almighty Allah alone as the sole giver of power. He gives whom He wishes and He takes power from whom He so desires (Qur’an 3:26). It is interesting that the two main contenders in this 2019 general elections are Muslims and they know the implications of this popular verse. Here is a chance to demonstrate the depth of our leaders’ faith. Is it vertically strong or horizontally inclined?

“We must consider the safety of lives and properties. Is our victory worth the blood of hundreds of innocent Nigerians? Is it worth the pandemonium that is bound to follow a crisis? Should Nigeria go the way of Rwanda or Liberia because we want to lead? We must ruminate over the humanitarian crisis which is likely to follow a violent eruption.

“We call on all stakeholders to eschew hate speech, incitement and all forms of provocation. We call on the youth to distance themselves from all acts of thuggery and hooliganism. The children of politicians are in London, Paris and New York. Why must we be used to kill and maim ourselves over simple political differences? Another four years will be here by 2023.”

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This is as the Director-General of NYSC, Major General Suleiman Kazaure, praised corps members for their courage, discipline and patriotism.

Corps members were used as INEC ad-hoc staff in the conduct of the general election held on Saturday.

NYSC, in a statement by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Adenike Adeyemi, stressed that the need to pay corps members now became necessary as another election was scheduled for March 9.

The demand, NYSC said, was in line with its commitment to ensuring that all matters relating to the security and general welfare of corps members were duly attended to.

The statement reads in part:  “In this regard, we call on INEC to, as a matter of urgency, settle all outstanding training allowances and other entitlements of the corps members who participated in the conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

“The commission should avoid delay in the settlement of corps members’ allowances for the next phase of the elections.

“We appeal to INEC and security agencies to continue to evolve strategies for the protection of all corps members throughout this election period and thereafter.”

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The purpose, according to the Director, Strategic Communications, APC Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Festus Keyamo, was to disrupt the collation process of the elections nationwide in order to cause crises and make the election inconclusive.

Keyamo, raising the alarm stated:  “This is therefore a clarion call to all law enforcement agencies to mobilise extra armed security to protect all collation centres nationwide. We also appeal to Nigerians of goodwill and our supporters to provide standby electricity this night at these collation centres.

“We also call on all our party agents, supporters and patriotic Nigerians to stick with these election results from the various units up to the State Collation Centres. “There is no cause for any political party at this stage to jubilate or be dejected. Nothing has been won and nothing has been lost. Official results have not been declared. Hence we call for eternal vigilance on the part of our agents and supporters.

“We repeat: Nobody should jubilate now and abandon his/her duties. Let us keep our feet firmly on the ground and stick with our assigned role(s) until final results are declared by INEC.”

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There was a large turnout of voters at the Teachers Village’s IDPs in Maiduguri, in spite of the early morning explosion scare.

Voters joined queues at various polling units in the camp as early as 8 a.m., while voting commenced at about 9:30a.m.

The IDPs’ voters were from Kukawa, Kruss Kawwa, Baga, and Doron Baga communities of Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno.

Some of the voters, who spoke in separate interviews, said that they came out with satisfaction and joy to vote for candidates of their choice.

Usman Kachalla, a displaced person from Baga, said he came out to join the queue at 7 a.m.

Kachallah said that the electoral officers and materials arrived on time for the elections.

Yagana Bala, another voter, said that the explosion caused panic among the displaced people, stressing that the incident was not enough to dampen their enthusiasm to vote.

Alhaji Dan-Baga, also an IDP, appealed to the government to strengthen security at the camp to prevent unsuspected attack by Boko Haram insurgents.

“We need maximum security in the camp to enable us cast our votes peacefully,” he said.

Series of explosions were heard in the Borno capital of Maiduguri on Saturday, just hours before the opening of polls in presidential and National Assembly.

Explosion occurred at Teachers Village Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp, Bolori and Pompomari areas of Maiduguri, with no casualties recorded.

However, there was no immediate indication of the cause but the city has been repeatedly attacked by Boko Haram.

Source:  NAN

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