Why Nigeria must move on

By Okechukwu Nwokocha

As the country gropes in the throes of election disputes and reversal of mandates, realism dictates we must begin to apply some brakes. No doubt, the courts have lived up to their image as the last arbiter of the common man by intervening decisively where the citizenry have been clearly robbed. In states like Kogi, Enugu , Kebbi and others, the courts have restored the confidence in the vote by annulling the false victories of the governors. In Anambra, justice smiled on Governor Peter Obi who not only retrieved his mandate after three years at the court, but also survived the gale of impeachment by the state’s House of Assembly and got his mandate extended to 2010.

His counterpart in Rivers, Rotimi Amaechi, got a sweet victory when the Supreme Court also ruled in his favour after his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), first sent his name as winner of the governorship primaries to INEC, and later substituted it with that of Celestine Omehia who never contested the primaries. Some senators, members of the House Representatives and state legislators who got questionable mandates have also had their insidious dream axed.  

In our desire to enthrone and sustain viable institutional processes and avoid the breakdown that engendered war and disorder in many countries in Africa , we surely need to encourage a fearless and virile judiciary. This is the path of ensuring that Nigeria , the world’s largest black democracy continues to play its role as a stabilising force in the West African sub-region. But it should not be at the expense of tearing down everything we’ve achieved as a nation. We have longed for a government with a listening ear that will be pliable to our wishes and aspirations. One that will fix our deplorable roads and resolve the problem of our moribund power sector, provide shelter, jobs and generally ensure social security.

No doubt, the government of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as a child of circumstances has been clearly modeled along that path of bringing smiles and hope to the citizenry. It is a government that is fervently committed to the rule of law and respect for human rights. And one obviously destined to clean the Augean ’s stable. While former President Olusegun Obasanjo prevaricated on court decisions, Yar’Adua has elected not to make mincemeat with judicial pronouncements. Away from the superficial anti-corruption stance of the last government, Yar’Adua has opted to fundamentally attack its roots by tackling the twin evils of immunity clause and security votes, which had provided the cover for many public officials to funnel our resources to wet their personal appetite. In accord with popular thinking, the president who has hardly touched his security vote in six months has made a bond to global civil society that the immunity clause must be shown the exit in the next constitutional amendment.  

His government has taken the gauntlet and began the historic march to deepen our democracy through its bold programme of electoral reform. While not making bones that the 2007 elections were flawless, he has begun to take concrete steps to restore the sanctity of the people’s vote. For us it is now a choice between allowing our gains to be frittered by the blur of the moment.

In any case, the election that brought US President George Bush to power in 2001 and his re-election in 2004, were very controversial and was eventually resolved by the courts, which was mindful of the effect of lack of political direction for the world’s most powerful nation. We need to be guided by a thought process devoid of bringing down the fabrics of the nation.

I have closely followed the court proceedings in the case instituted by the presidential candidate of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), General Muhammadu Buhari, and his Action Congress (AC) counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, challenging the victory of President Yar’Adua at the April 14, 2007 election but can hardly see the kernel of their complaints before the court. It reminds one only of the winding case instituted by the presidential candidate of the All Peoples Party (APP)/ Alliance of Democracy (AD), Chief Olu Falae, challenging the victory of President Olusegun Obasanjo in which the lead counsel, Chief G.O.K Ajayi, delved almost exclusively on Obasanjo’s membership of Ogboni Cult.  

It is important to stress that we cannot be speaking from different sides of the mouth in our chant for democracy. We can’t be seeking for the flourish of democratic freedom and enthroning fundamental human rights while circumscribing and denying same to our political foes. I have been thirsty for the real meat of the presidential election dispute but was appalled that although they complained about irregularities in 28 of the 36 states, only evidence from four states was adduced. The crucial issue that the presidential election “substantially” complied with the provisions of the 2006 Electoral Act has only been feebly assailed by the disputants.  It would be a travesty of justice if the court grants them their prayers to annul the presidential election on such flimsy grounds. Even if we concede to cancel the results in these four states on account of irregularities, the effect will not be significant to supplant Yar’Adua’s victory. That is why we must rise above political ambition and personal ego to save the country from the crisis of political interregnum.

The effect on our governmental process cannot be imagined. We may need to steer our nation away from the path of possible anarchy and disorder that may follow the nullification of the presidential election.  The country may come to an almost grind once the ship of state is rudderless. We cannot strive to correct one error by foisting confusion and lack of direction.

I also doubt whether this is the time to dance naked when the country is under the scrutiny of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). Not also at a time when a government has taken the bull’s horn to tackle the nation’s crises of underdevelopment and move it closer to achieving the targets of the Millennium Development Goals ((MDGs).  While it is necessary that we tackle the ills of our electoral process, we need to evenly ponder on the disastrous effect a nullification of the presidential election will wrought.  Although one is hardly miffed by the thought of a re-run presidential election, which may just provide Yar’Adua the opportunity to shine and elicit a resounding popular acclaim, but I certainly think the country has much to gain by just upholding his victory.    

- Nwokocha writes from Enugu.