INEC and the July 23 Elections in Imo

INEC AND THE PROPOSED JULY 23 ELECTIONS IN IMO

    The last time I checked, Imo in her entirety was once again earnestly awaiting the Imo North Senatorial District election coupled with that of some state constituencies including Oru-East, Isiala-Mbano and Owerri-West, as rescheduled for Saturday 23^rd July 2016 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

     It’s not anymore news that the overall people of the state, the Eastern Heartland had, albeit scepticism, patiently and peacefully waited for the said elections ever since they were indefinitely postponed unannounced by the electoral umpire. In the long run, most individuals in some quarters became of the view that the awaited polls would never come to past again as anticipated, not until the INEC surprised them few weeks ago by announcing a fresh date for the elections.

     Though it is popularly cited that ‘it’s better late than never’, it is imperative to comprehend that the elections in question had already caused most Imolites an unimagined nervous wreck as well as sleeping sickness. Such unwarranted medical situation has made some of the victims to see hospitals and clinics as residential arenas; suffice it to say that they are now regarded as permanent residents of those clinical centres.

     Frankly, if you were in the shoes of those directly affected by the aforementioned incident, or the long wait, I’m afraid, by now you might be in one of those recently dug graves. You know, when one does not feel the pains as others do, he or she is liable to trivialize the ordeal at hand, thereby making him/her laugh when others are really sobbing. A famous Igbo adage says ‘Eburu ozu onye ozo, odi ka ebu oshishi kworo nku’ meaning literally ‘when one carries a corpse belonging to another, he feels or acts like one carrying a firewood’. A good illustration of it is when an undertaker does what he knows how to do best.

     The bone of contention is that, acknowledging the gravity of injury the concerned electorate had already incurred while they patiently await the said polls which wasn’t forthcoming, there’s no gain notifying INEC that enough is enough. In other words, they are required to do everything humanly possible towards ensuring that the new date for the long awaited polls remains sacrosanct irrespective of whose ox is gored.

     We are not unaware that Imo isn’t the only state affected by the anomaly. Thus, as the people of Imo pray vehemently for the date in question to be treated as such, some other states across the federation are equally not left out. This significantly implies that the entire country is deeply affected negatively by the menace; hence, the INEC is expected to handle the case as a national issue.

     The electorate on their part must as well become more reasonable and sober at this time by embracing the use of logic. We can’t continue to indulge ourselves in retrogressive matters all in the name of politics. Unequivocally, politicking is a game that requires participation of rational and calculating individuals; the game arguably isn’t meant for people with low thinking faculty.

     So, if you call yourself a politician, or people around address you as one, you must always be willing and ready to employ reasonable acumen in your day-to-day activity. An average politician anywhere in the world is widely regarded as a potential leader; and it’s crucial to take into cognizance that leadership isn’t for everyone. Needless to state that, every politician needs to be conscious of the fact that all eyes are invariably on him/her.

     Politicking doesn’t in any way call for noisemaking or whatsoever. Politics, which is conspicuously a profession that requires a brainwork, is never a platform for hiring of thugs or other related individuals. To this end, we must say no to political violence at all costs; it’s longer news that political violence has been the sole reason elections are often inconclusive, postponed, or characterized by various irregularities. Besides, Imolites are politically aware now, unlike before, so you can’t deceive them or cajole them to do anything against their wish.

     Similarly, the various law enforcement agencies must come to our rescue at this critical moment. We don’t want to witness further postponement having passed through an unspeakable circumstance, thus the security agents, particularly the Police, ought to ensure that anyone found culpable is arrested and thereafter duly arraigned. They shouldn’t allow the electorate or the politicians, as the case may be, take the laws into their hands, simply because they are of the notion that they were born to win while others were created to be defeated. Such silly and weird mentality needs to change this time around.

     Hence, for the umpteenth time, I candidly call on the INEC to be completely independent while the polls last. All we are yearning for is nothing but free, fair, credible and peaceful elections come Saturday July 23, 2016, thus the commission must ensure that such laudable wish isn’t shortchanged via the effort of any ruthless cabal. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

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frednwaozor@gmail.com

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