Electoral process has overtime remained
a major uniqueness of any democratic terrain. It’s a procedure in which the
people are meant to choose for themselves who would govern them.
It
isn’t anymore news that in less than 96 hours from now, the good people of
Ekiti State will variously find themselves at the polls where they are expected
to elect who would be at the state’s helm of affairs after the exit of the
incumbent Executive Governor, Chief Ayodele Fayose whose second term tenure
will terminate on 16th October 2018.
It’s,
therefore, inconsequential to assert that the heat is really on in every facet
of the South-Western province as the electorate are already seen in their numbers
being perturbed over what the outcome of the election would entail.
It’s noteworthy that over thirty-five
political parties are ready to slug it out at the polls. However, two main
contenders namely, the former past Minister of Solid Minerals Dr. Kayode Fayemi
of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the present Deputy Governor of the
state Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), are
being spotted in the race.
The Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) had on Monday, 2nd July 2018 at a Pre-Election
Workshop organized for electoral officers in Ado-Ekiti assured the public that
the hopes and expectations of Nigerians on the Ekiti gubernatorial election
would not be dashed, saying there would be no room for failure as regards the
exercise.
In
their separate speeches, the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Ekiti,
Osun and Oyo States Mr. Solomon Soyebi and his counterpart in charge of
Election Operations and Logistics Mrs. Amina Zakari, tendered the assurance.
Mrs. Zakari equally used the occasion to
debunk an allegation by Gov. Fayose alongside the PDP that she had been hired
by the APC candidate Dr. Fayemi to rig the polls in favour of the latter, hence
challenged the governor and his party members to back the accusation with
evidence, adding it was not possible for an individual to rig an election.
Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner
(REC) in the state Prof. Abdul-Ganiyu Raji who disclosed that the workshop was
to ensure information flow between policy formulators and those that implement
it towards a successful conduct of the polls, stated that the INEC was prepared
to conduct an election that Nigerians would be proud of. He further highlighted
that there was no reason for the said election not to be free and fair.
In spite of these declarations from the
horse’s mouth, concerned Ekitians are still jittery over the impending polls,
perhaps owing to fear of the unknown which is invariably felt by mankind in
suchlike situation. It’s worthy of note that the people’s quest for a credible
guber election can yield a fruitful outcome if only the needful is adhered to
come Saturday, 14th July 2018.
Politics
is unarguably a game. There are always three key players associated with the
game, namely: the political parties, electoral umpire and the electorate.
Hence, for any electoral process to be successful, these three must play by the
rules irrespective of the circumstance.
The various parties involved in the
polls need to, at all cost, ensure that their respective allies and/or
sympathizers don’t in any way violate the existing principles guiding the electoral
procedure. They must be duly sensitized on the need to see only the Permanent
Voter’s Card (PVC) as their power at the polls, and nothing more.
The party agents ought to also remain vigilant
and civil throughout the election. They are the eyes of their various parties,
hence the need to ensure that their parties aren’t shortchanged, or deprived of
any rights and privileges. As they exercise their civic obligations, they must
ensure that violence of any kind is eschewed.
The INEC, on their part, shouldn’t be reminded
that at such a critical time like this, they are regarded by the people and
teeming observers as that messiah that has been sent to uphold fair play among
the gladiators and flag bearers. Justice, therefore, is expected to be their
watchword as long as the process lasts.
Though several promises had been made by
the electoral umpire in strong terms, such pledges must be replicated in
practical terms towards showcasing what they truly represent. Away from mere
verbal assurances, the electoral officers need to acknowledge that all eyes are
apparently on them at this moment, thus the need not to sell their conscience.
Inter alia, the electorate should comprehend that time has gone when
people elect a candidate as a result of some peanuts he/she might have given
them. This time, rational and discerning mindsets are strictly interested in
electing someone who isn’t contesting in furtherance of his/her personal goals,
but that of the entire people.
Most importantly, the security outfits
that have business at the polls must once again read the riot acts for their
numerous personnel with a view to ensuring that no stone is left unturned in
carrying out their lawful consignment.
Anyone who has no business at the polling
units shouldn’t be allowed to go closer to them. Only patriotic Ekitians are
meant to go to the polls. Think about it!
National Coordinator,
Right Thinkers Movement
__________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter: @mediambassador
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