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Nigeria Election Tribunal – After The Decision What Next? By Oyeyemi Olodo Esq. info@theintegritymagazineonline.co.uk As Nigeria Political Parties embrace themselves for the worst outcome from the ongoing election tribunal which is already setting the scene for the changing political landscape in the country, the Polish people commence voting with the opinion polls published throughout last week indicating that the Civic Platform (PO), led by Donald Tusk, was comfortably ahead of the ruling Law and Justice party of President Lech Kaczynski and Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski. The Poland’s liberal opposition party according to the poll had lead of 8-17 percentage points on PiS in a string of polls, with forecast scores ranging from 34 to 47% of Sunday’s ballot. The target of at least half of the 460 seats in parliament has proven unattainable in the five free elections since the demise of the country’s communist regime in 1989. However, Nigeria political commentators are monitoring very closely the unfolding election saga in Poland for one major reason. In 2005, the 3,000 polish living in the United Kingdom were given the opportunity to participate in the election process with two polling booths set up. However, twenty polling booths have been set up across the UK to enable Polish people to cast their votes in Poland’s general election and it is widely believed that the 36,000 Polish are likely to impact on the political landscape in their homeland Poland. If the above approach is enshrined or adopted into Nigeria election process then there is the likelihood that Nigeria political destiny would definitely be affected in many ways particularly in policy formation and greater scrutiny of politicians which in reality is lacking. That said, the gospel truth remains that it is unlikely that this dream will ever see the light of day because majority of the legislators will view this quantum leap as a direct challenge to their Kleptocratic aims. The current mechanisms which normally should ensure transparency of the political process in Nigeria is presently under major pressure but it is quite interesting that the ongoing election tribunal is re-mapping the political position of political parties and upholding the concept of election fairness. At the moment, many in the corridors of some state government houses across Nigeria are now working on the assumption that fresh elections will be conducted in certain states following successful litigation at some election tribunals already.
The Kogi State governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, recently had his election nullified by the election petition tribunal sitting in Lokoja, the state capital whilst the election of Governor Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi State was also nullified by the state election petition tribunal which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct a fresh governorship poll in the state.
Although, the petition against Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State was not upheld on the ground that the petitioner, Senator Ibikunle Amosu did not state his age, name, qualification and the party in whose name he contested the election. He has said that he is appealing the case.
Many political commentators are watching with great interest the political situation in Rivers State following the decision of Chief Judge of Rivers, Hon Justice Uche Ndu on 18th October 2007 to assign the petition of Tonye Princewill against the Rivers State Governor Sir Celestine Omehia. The AC candidate is the only political opposition in Nigeria political system presently that is not only contesting the legitimacy of the Celestine Omehia after the April election but also ensuring the Rivers State government adherence to constitutional requirements.
In a press release, Tonye Princewill Campaign Organisation reminded the general public that they “…on 3rd October, 2007 filed a petition at the State High Court against the illegal constitution of the Electoral Commission of Rivers State under the chairmanship of Dr Ogbonnaya as all the members of the Commission are all card carrying members of PDP and with such a body there is no way other political parties can have a fair dealing during the polls and beside the Governor did not follow the due process in constituting the Commission…”. The media consultant for the campaign organisation, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, appealed to supporters to remain calm on the matter:
As things stand, no one can tell what the political landscape will look like after the tribunal conclude all its election petitions but the real question remains, what next?
For most Nigeria politicians, election malpractice is a way of life and anyone seeking to secure an election against such odd need to start thinking proactively about the use of admissible legal materials that could be used during election period to capture election irregularities such as video-recording, use of independent election monitors etc to mention but a few.
Oyeyemi Olodo Esq., Publisher/Director The Integrity Magazine Online |