HARSH words came from Prof. Attahiru Jega yesterday for state governors over their alleged failure to create a level-playing field for opposition candidates to operate.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) boss said it was sad that most state governors had gone to the extent of refusing their opponents the use of public facilities such as stadia, media outfits, and even the streets to place their posters and billboards.
He said the attitude of the governors was inimical to the growth of democracy in the country and should be avoided because the opposition candidates also have a stake in the polity.
Of particular concern to Jega are the reports that state governors denied opposition parties platforms to launch their campaigns; the denial of public electronic stations to opposition parties, on the pretext that such facilities had been booked in advance as well as pulling down the billboards of candidates of opposing parties in favour of the ones being supported by governments.
All these actions, the INEC boss said, do not reflect the body and spirit of the growing demand for free, fair and credible elections in April.
In a speech before the signing of the revised code of conduct for political parties in Abuja yesterday, Jega said the parties needed to imbibe the culture of tolerance in all its ramifications before the nation could conduct free polls.
But the occasion produced some drama as the National Democratic Party (NDP), Labour Party (LP) and African Renaissance Party (ARP) rose against the document, which they claimed would amount to creating a parallel body to INEC.
Chairmen of the three parties, Chudi Chukuani (NDP), Dan Nwanyawu (LP) and Alhaji Yahaya Ndu (ARP), told the stakeholders’ forum that a similar document was signed before the 2007 elections but did not make any difference as rigging still went ahead.
Nwanyawu, in particular observed that the code of conduct did not spell out the responsibilities of INEC in the event of default, noting that the absence of such specifications gave room to the previous management of the commission to embark on some illegalities such as announcing the results of state elections in Abuja, instead of the state capitals.
He also accused the Jega-led INEC of failing to consult with the political parties on its preparations for the April elections.
For instance, Nwanyawu said till date the parties were not aware of the order of elections, the sample of ballot papers to be used, and other relevant information that would enable the parties to prepare for the elections.
“As bad as Maurice Iwu-led INEC was, he operated a more transparent conduct, especially as regard its relationship with political parties. If INEC continues in this way, the political parties would be forced to withdraw their cooperation with it and we will see how Jega thinks he can succeed without our support.”
Chukuani argued that the Electoral Act had given enough powers to INEC on what to do during elections and therefore signing the document would amount to signing away INEC’s independence on the alter of exigencies.
Ndu, in a statement he circulated to reporters in Abuja, described the document as evil. Despite their initial reservations, however, both Nwanyawu and Chukuani endorsed the document, while Ndu refused to sign. Similarly, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also failed to sign the document, even though it’s National Secretary, Kawu Abubakar Baraje was cited in the hall shortly before the event started.
INEC Director of Political Parties Monitoring and Liaison, Mrs. Regina Omo-Agege, who confirmed the development, simply said “the PDP will sign later.”
Earlier, Jega had said with the endorsement of the document, it was expected that the parties should show high regards for the rule of law, especially in keeping with the electioneering process.
“Obviously, our political process has been characterised by a number of challenges in the past and as we move towards the 2011 elections, it is necessary that all participants in the process make extra efforts to bring civility into the system to ensure that there is tolerance and there is mutual working relationship among all participants and in particular, we also have to work together to ensure that conflict and violence are prevented from occurring both during electioneering and during the main elections.
“There are concerns, which well-meaning Nigerians have expressed over the utterances and the conduct of some of the participants in the process. This is unfortunate and we should do everything to prevent it from degenerating. For instance, when we hear that certain governors or incumbents are banning other parties or opponents from coming to campaign in their states, that is a serious cause for concern and obviously it does not augur well for the electioneering process and we will ask for restraint and urge maturity in the kind of speeches and utterances that participants make in the process.
“Similarly, when we read reports in the newspapers about the activities in certain states where for example, banners or posters of opponents were brought down and replaced by those of their favoured candidates, this also is a very serious cause for concern, which has to be addressed. Similarly, when we read reports about the public media not giving the quality of opportunity in terms of coverage of campaigns of all the political parties, then obviously, it is an issue that needs to be addressed.
“We have heard for example that some parties wanted to even pay their money for the advertorial to be carried in some of the public media, radio and television and they were told that other parties have already booked the entire slots for the entire periods leading to the election. Certainly, this does not augur well for equity, it does not augur well for the need to create a level-playing field for all participants and contestants.
“It is therefore absolutely necessary as we move in the next few weeks towards the elections in April that we bring a new attitude, a new mindset and a new commitment to civility, respect for the rule of law, equity and harmonious working relationship in the electioneering process. We believe that the signing of the code of conduct today (yesterday) will add values with regards to moral suasion in ensuring that the elections are free, fair and credible,” he said.
Also yesterday, Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the Deputy Governor, Pius Odubu called on the electorate to resist any attempt to rig the April polls in the state.
The two leaders spoke at different rallies in Edo South Senatorial District to garner support for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) ahead of next month’s elections.
Oshiomhole, who was in Okada, Ovia North East Local Council, urged the people to resist any attempt to rig the election in the council.
Addressing party faithful and defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Odubu said the April elections would be based on issues of development, promises fulfilled and not on empty promises or good luck.
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