*Propose solutions to strengthening democratic practice
By Michael Oche
Contrary to claims in some quarters about the credibility of the recently concluded 2023 general election, stakeholders in Nigeria’s election process have highlighted numerous gains from the poll, while also suggesting recommendations to overcome some of the challenges experienced during the polls.
The stakeholders, which include National Orientation Agency, Security agencies, Civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders and the media spoke on Tuesday in Kano at a one-day town hall meeting organised by Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA).
Our Correspondent reports that PAACA is holding the meeting across the 6 political zones in the country to evaluate the challenges and gains from the 2023 election.
Ezenwa Nwagwu, the chairman of PAACA in his welcome address said the meeting was called to look at challenges experienced in the conduct of the 2023 election and to harvest issues that will form part of advocacy campaigns for amendments to the electoral act.
According to him, “Elections are essentially anchored in law. It is therefore important that to analyze the election, stakeholders and other Nigerians must acquaint themselves with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.”
While highlighting the gains from the election, Ezenwa noted that the introduction of various reforms, especially the BVAS was a major game changer in the 2023 general elections.
“Truth is that the politicians were not happy with the BVAS. They just didn’t know what to do about it,” he said
He also observed that most of the commentary in the post-election was borne out of ignorance from people who know little about the election process or deliberate political propaganda.
He said, “propaganda and lies are tweaking the minds of our people to crucify people that should be commended and commending people that should be crucified.
“This workshop is a citizen’s call to action, that for us to enjoy the benefits of good governance we must play our role as stakeholders to expose the lies and propaganda, while also educating our citizens.”
Nwagwu admitted that while it is true that the election was not perfect, the gains surpassed the challenges experienced.
He said, “yes, there was violence and there was voters’ suppression. But those who analyze elections must talk about percentages. There are 176,974 polling units in Nigeria. In how many of those polling units did we experience violence?”
In his goodwill message, the Director General of the NOA, Garba Abari said more collaborative work with other government agencies such as NOA and civil society organisations is required to deliver on adequate voter education.
The DG who was represented by Adelaja Adeola, the director, political civic, ethics and values department, said one of the gains from the 2023 election was the deployment of technology by INEC, noting that the newly introduced technological tools reduced the incidence of ballot box snatching
She highlighted some lessons learnt by the agency through reports which were collated from field officers called Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers (COMOS).
She said politicians still resort to divisive narratives to win votes and elections. He also noted that political parties and candidates continue to tread the old way of abusive campaign languages.
Furthermore, he said electoral officers and security personnel require more commitment to duty and a new orientation, while also calling for more collaborative work to deliver on adequate voter education.
In her words; “The promotion of Peace and stability were some of the essential goals of our mandate and featured prominently in our campaign messaging. We in NOA firmly believe that the campaign against electoral violence is gradually taking root in our system.
“More than two months after the elections, we have not witnessed any serious conflict resulting from that election and the fact that almost all contenders have invested their hope in the courts of our land speaks loudly of the evolving culture of peace in our democratic system.
“However, it must be noted that the peace and stability that we have so far enjoyed today has nothing to do with the readiness of political actors to be tame and patriotic. Instead, our citizens have clearly shown a preference for peace over violence. This is a citizen led campaign that emphasises non-violence, maturity, civility, patriotism, and tolerance. Our people have chosen to be civilised in their approach to democratic protests. We are, indeed, a people of peace.
“what is clear to many Nigerians is that Election matters to our people. We cannot leave the leadership recruitment process in the hands of merchants whose sense of patriotism is still not adequate. That is why we continue to preach to our stakeholders, statesmen, men, and women of conscience to play their role in sustaining peace and security in our country.
“It is at times like this that patriots, elder statesmen and women, men and women of conscience who put country over self must rise to be counted. We count on our partners in the civil society and media to continue to promote voices of moderation, non-violence and maturity in handling emotive issues, including our elections.”
In his presentation, Amb. Abdu Zango, the Kano State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, highlighted some challenges the commission encountered, while also expressing the gains.
The REC, who was represented by the state PRO, A. A. Maulud explained that election is a process and not an event, adding that the commission has begun the process and preparation for the 2023 elections.
According to him, the Commission is committed to taking recommendations from stakeholders to help it improve on the challenges experienced in 2023 during future elections.
The REC said a major gain was the passage of the Electoral Act 2022, noting that the new law contains some significant changes that hold potential for improving the quality of Nigeria’s elections.
He said the debates over the legality or otherwise of the use of electronic devices for accreditation of voters now appears to be settled by Section 47 of the Act, which empowers INEC to use the Smart Card Reader or any other device for accreditation.
He said, “But all elections, especially those involving the type of extensive national deployment like we do in Nigeria, will naturally come with challenges.”
According to him, one of those challenges experienced by INEC was late released of funds, which was further worsened by the Central Bank’s new Naira policy.
The electoral Act provides that INEC should get its funds at least one year to the general election.
The REC added that INEC’s commitment remains only to Nigerians and not to any political party or candidate.
“That is what the law requires of us. We cherish the institutional independence and integrity of the Commission. With the enthusiasm of Nigerians, the goodwill of stakeholders and partners, and the commitment of the Commission, we believed that the 2023 general election was among the best conducted in Nigeria,” he said.
The Kano state commissioner of Police in a brief remark called on stakeholders, especially traditional and religious leaders, to encourage the youths to shun electoral violence.
The police commissioner, represented by CSP Abubakar Hamma, blamed politicians for recruiting and arming youths to perpetrate violence.
He said, Some youth are introduced to drugs. To some extent, they are recruited by politicians and given dangerous weapons during the elections. After elections, the politicians abandoned them. We appeal to our royal fathers and Ulamas to talk to the youths to shun violence.
The representative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), advocated for a provision that allows security personnel covering elections to vote on election day.
Dr Hamisu Sadi Ali Kano State NNPP Secretary, in his remarks described the 2023 election as the best election conducted so far since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule
The Emir and Kano and Emir of Rano were represented at the meeting
