ISSUES in the political campaign trail,as widely predicted, have been like no other before now.The polity is frenzily heated up.Real issues that should define the elections,in fact,national issues that the voters want to hear and how our politicians can proffer solutions to them,have sadly been crowded out of the campaign trail.
As the elections draw feverishly close,uncertainties hang in the air.One of such uncertainties is the fate of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), Prof.Attahiru Jega. Will he stay on his job and conduct the elections rescheduled for March 28 and April 11? Or will he be shoved aside and someone else appointed,even or a temporary basis, to oversee the elections?
Untangling these puzzles seem to have become as hard as the gordian knots.Perhaps,that will be settled this week.However,there’s no doubt that what becomes the fate of Jega has been
percolating for some time.One of the issues that seems to put his fate in the balance is: Can Jega be trusted to conduct these elections impartially? It was an issue I raised in this column last week.It was for obvious reasons which I dutifully laid bare.I did say, among other things,that a huge blanket of suspicion is swirling around Jega’s sense of impartiality in the elections.As a result,criticisms and in fact,attacks on his person,have remained unabetted. There is no bipartisan support for him.Every one has an opinion on whether he should go or remain to conduct of the elections. Those against him have been pushing President Jonathan to move for his removal from office before his tenure ends on June 30.
But the Senate caucus of the opposition All Progressives Congress(APC) made vociferous claims last week, of a plot by the Presidency to send Jega on pre-retirement leave,perhaps this week.
Indeed,the way the APC is going about the fate of Jega,according to PDP, seems to give some suspicion of an “alliance” of some sorts between the INEC Chairman and the APC,on the conduct of the elections,and perhaps the outcome of the all-crucial Presidential poll.
All of these uncertainties are in spite of the President’s assurances during the Presidential media chat a few weeks ago that Jega’s job was not threatened.This much is plain:finality,as Disraeli said,is not the language of politics. That is how Jega has created a voracious appetite for drama with all its characters. What we are not certain about now is whether all of this drama will be a happy or unhappy ending.
But as the uncertainty over Jega’s fate enters its crucial and critical stage this week,we need to remind ourselves that in every democracy,the political appointee does well to remember that he is present in any position,to paraphrase the words of Donald T. Regan (President Ronald Reagan’s ex-Chief of staff) “as a matter of luck and courtesy rather than by right”.
Therefore, the issue of whether President Jonathan can decide the fate of Jega should not be in contention. This is important, because, as the activists’ camp would like to argue, government must sometimes “make things happen”, just as it’s true that one of government’s most important functions “is to prevent certain things from happening at all”.
I however agree with some pro-Jega forces that whatever becomes of his fate as the Chief electoral umpire is so sensitive that it should be handled very carefully.Timing is crucial.
But this is equally crucial: umpires are like rulers;they are not judged like the rest of us;they must have our trust and to continue to have our confidence,they should be,almost at all times,be above board.Whatever frustrations and disappointments that Nigerians,including the ruling PDP may have with Jega,came about perhaps by widespread allegations,rightly or wrongly,that the INEC Chairman has,wittingly or unwittingly, permitted the opposition party and some interest groups in the North,to attach themselves to his person, his name,or his office,may be, as a means of advancing their own interests and agendas.
In the end,whenever it comes,these people,may be held responsible for what may befall Jega.As I said last week on this column,an “umpire’s authority essentially comes from the public belief in his right and ability to make the right decisions,if not always,but in critical moments that the people are concerned about. Election is one of such critical moments. In such a crucial moment,it’s often hard for the people to suspend their judgement,or to keep quiet,when in their opinion, the umpire is believed,(rightly or wrongly),to be taking sides with one of the ‘players’ in the game…”.
It’s therefore not in doubt,how vital the impartiality and leadership ability of the man who heads the electoral commission is.That,we must repeat,is the reason why the job of the chief electoral umpire is such a tough one that it requires an eye on the ball,uncommon courage,sincerity of purpose and independence of mind.
Therefore, the growing reactions, positive and negative, about the continued stay in office of Jega,goes beyond his competence.
It’s all about trust.Trust entails being impartial,fair to all. No one should begrudge those who ask this question.It borders on whether Jega has abandoned his duties to pursue narrow interests in disregard to,and unconnected with the mandate of his assignment.
Although Jega’s frustrations on the issue of perfect elections are somewhat understandable,the fact remains that Nigerians need from a free and credible elections .Over all, I see the fate of Jega,as crucial as it is to the elections this month,remains a distraction to President Jonathan from focusing on his biggest political battle,his re-election bid and the ‘roadblock’ mounted by the APC Presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.
SUN
END
There is always an element of truth in every rumour. Given the series of lies told in the past by this administration and the display of desperation we have seen by the incubents over time as well as the postponement saga that began as a rumour,rebuffed by the president yet foisted on Nigerians by the president’s lieutenants. The very fact of the president selecting who chairs INEC automatically tilts the balance in his favour, so to hear them(presidents men) criticize him and his tools at the eleventh hour should get Nigerians more curious and vigilant. JEGA must be allowed to remain independent, any attempt to remove him or muscle him to do their bid will be resisted by Nigerians.