On the march again in Nigeria’s democracy

Nigeria’s large number of political parties ended their conventions October 7 in line with stipulations of the Independent National Electoral Commission.  The political temperature has since gone up several notches as the parties announce their candidates. Nigeria is thus on the march again on the political hustings, the fifth time since the return to representative democracy in 1999.

Politicking leading to elections is one of the hallmarks of democracy. Elections are the main channels through which the people play a role in the famed government of the people for the people and by the people. It starts at the party conventions and then involves the broad electorate at the general elections.

The march to the February 2019 general elections would involve the exercise of the adult franchise in selecting representation at various levels, notably positions in the legislature and executive offices of State Governors and their deputies as well as the President and his Vice. It is imperative that the parties and the contestants observe basic ground rules as they prepare for the hustings.

Issues must be the basis for the campaigns. We decry the resort to abuse, name calling and demarketing that has characterised the announcement of a presidential candidate by the leading opposition party and the consequent resort to brickbats. It will not suffice.

There are many requiring the intellection and articulation of the parties and the candidates. The economy is primary. Economic matters drive most electoral contests across the world unless there is a national emergency in other areas. In Nigeria, the economy itself is in emergency mode, making it the most critical issue of this election.

The parties need to speak to the issues of jobs, health, education and infrastructure. Jobs have become a top-burner issue given the job losses of the last three years. Who has a programme for reclaiming the jobs and creating new ones? What is the plan to improve performance in the various sectors of our economy and the newly emerging fields of technology including artificial intelligence? Reports from relevant authorities globally decry our performance in health and education. What is the plan to improve on these areas?

Nigeria continues also to lag in infrastructure. The Federal Government speaks of an estimate of at least a trillion Naira to bring Nigeria up to par in infrastructure. Where is the route map to the promised land of sufficient infrastructure for the country’s needs?

The other is the avoidance of violence in all its forms. We congratulate the parties for the relatively smooth conduct of the primaries across the land. Violence did not feature as a major characteristic of the primaries, unlike in the past.  The actual competition must also be free of rancour and violence.

Finally, we hope to see vibrant and spirited debates across the spectrum. All persons contesting for offices at various levels should present programmes and policies, canvass and debate them in public forums. We expect such debates to apply for all positions from the State Houses of Assembly through those seeking places in the Red and Green Chambers to persons desiring the Governor’s Offices up to the Presidency.

The electorate has a role to play. Social groups, clubs, professional associations, development bodies at all levels should get involved. It is about our communities, our states and our nations. Groups and professional associations should organise Town Hall meetings and other activities where the candidates would present themselves for assessment. It is standard practice in developed democracies and existed here in our salad days of democracy before the military interrupted the growing practice.  Let us return to it.

Political parties are at the centre of the process leading up to the February 2019 General Elections. They are critical in the leadership recruitment process, so we assume that they are presenting to the electorate those they consider to be the best for the various offices.  Nigeria requires that they play a role in the education of the electorate and the formation of public opinion concerning the various offices for which they are presenting candidates. The parties should be pushing for particular public policies in various areas. The quality of the campaigns going forward would be a reflection of the party secretariats. Do the parties have thinktanks to formulate programmes and policies on various issues.

To the grind then, one and all, as we take steps to consolidate democratic practice in Nigeria on the march to February 2019 General Elections.