Again, All Eyes on INEC

Political Notes

Short of alluding to some perceived and unintended acquiescence by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in elections, a disposition believed to have left a sweet/sour taste at the end of this year’s exercise, the remaining bits of the process must be handled with utmost caution and professionalism.

That some INEC officials allegedly colluded with certain party officials in some instances and in many other cases, created the environment for a free-for-all electoral malpractices are stories that have come out to blemish what would have turned out INEC’s greatest showing, given the initiatives introduced into this year’s electoral experience.

If in covering up for INEC’s inadequacies, its chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega is the only who did not see what was wrong during the governorship election in Rivers State, does anyone need to look any further that something is utterly wrong with the entire membership of the commission since the leadership appears to have developed a bad sight of a sudden.

But with reports from observers – local and international – the issue of flawed elections would be resolved soon at the tribunals and the courts with the truth triumphing.

But before then, the rescheduled elections in Abia, Imo and Taraba States offer yet another opportunity for INEC to further firm up its shortcomings and give change a defining meaning. The story in Abia is worrisome.

That a REC who had earlier cancelled an election in certain areas on the grounds of proven irregularities would come out after a meeting with interested members of another party and reversed herself calls for a rethink. The party must resolve this impasse in moving forward and bearing in mind, the laws guiding such exercise of power.

In similar breath, the recriminations going on in Imo and Taraba States are not of lesser concern either. The two parties have raised very serious allegations against each other, with some alluding to officials of the commission as partisan. That is not good for INEC. This last phase of the exercise is expected to end well and that is not feasible without the INEC playing its expected role of a fair umpire.

INEC is doing no one any good by discharging its responsibility but the country in the collective journey to an egalitarian league. The challenge of a promising political evolution especially in a third world state like Nigeria is huge but certainly not insurmountable. This is why critical institutions like the INEC must be seen as playing their bits and doing it well.
Tomorrow, INEC has yet another date with history. Let’s see on which side it intends to stand.