Lessons from the US 2016 Presidential Polls

LESSONS FROM THE US 2016 PRESIDENTIAL POLLS

        The last time I checked, history was indeed made in the United States (US) on 9^th November 2016, the day that ushered a new political dawn in the country. On that fateful day, the renowned global business mogul, Mr. Donald J. Trump emerged as the 45^th democratically elected President of the country under the Republican Party otherwise known as the Grand Old Party (GOP) having defeated his closest rival, Mrs. Hillary Clinton who contested under the platform of the Democratic Party.

        History, in the sense that Mr. Trump’s emergence was to the utmost surprise of hundreds of millions of onlookers across the globe; in the sense that he would be the first President of the US who had never served in any political position in the past; in the sense that he would be the fifth person to emerge as American President despite losing the popular vote; in the sense that he emerged victorious in spite of the fact his candidature was denounced by most of his allies prior to the election. In fact, I’ve lost my count. The reasons that make such feat historic are countless.

        This is a clear indication that there’s a lot to learn from the just concluded electoral outing. Whatever that happened in America has the tendency of influencing other countries in the world, because it’s undoubtedly a world power. Hence, the US election remains an event that’s supposed to be closely examined by any nation that means well for itself, and Nigeria isn’t exceptional.

        The election has taught us, and indeed the entire world, that there’s a large dichotomy between politics and perception. The former is one’s ability to influence people’s thoughts or actions towards achieving his/her goal, whilst the latter is the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses, or the way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted. Perception merely represents one’s view over something/someone. But, politics is how able are you to influence people’s mindset.

       Prior to the election, public perception showed that Mr. Trump would, or was likely to, lose it; this was why most people far and near were seemingly taken unawares by the outcome of the polls. However, politics transcend perception. Mr. Trump’s victory has proven that politics isn’t based on what the public think of you, but your ability to employ a viable political strategy. The said victor used every means to capture the minds of every existing class/race in America, including the whites, blacks, working class, elites, and of course the religious faithful - particularly the Christians who constitute the dominant religion in the US. Mind you; power is taken, not given. So, you’re expected to deploy all tactics towards influencing the mindset of the electorate.

        Mr. Trump understood that an average white in America wants to see the blacks leave the country, thus he assured them that if he became the US president he would see their (blacks’) repatriation. And the whites who occupy over 70% of the US population were convinced by this campaign promise. Similarly, Mr. Trump comprehended that the blacks were mainly Christians - Catholics precisely, who remained ardent supporters of Pro-life movement, thus he assured them that if he became the president he would revisit the abortion and homosexuality laws.

         He was equally able to capture the minds of the working and middle classes by promising to cut their tax by 30% and 35%, respectively. Among all, he knew his closest rival was a woman, hence, he thought it wise to remove his former Campaign Manager, Mr. Paul Manafort and replace him with a woman in the person of Mrs. Kellyanne Elizabeth Conway. If asked, I would say categorically that Mr. Trump played his politics very well. In other words, he got the result of what he laboured for. If not that America is known for fair and credible elections, considering public perception, none of the onlookers would have believed that Mr. Trump really won the polls.  

         Do you think Mr. Trump would redeem all his campaign pledges? Politics and governance are as well two parallel lines. The latter, which signifies dividend of democracy, can only be implemented when other institutions that make-up the government had agreed to the president’s proposal. America’s democratic terrain, likewise Nigeria’s, constitutes both the Senate and the House of Representatives; the president cannot implement any project without the consent of these authorities. So, it’s not as easy as we presume.

        During President Mohammadu Buhari’s campaign tour prior to the Nigeria’s 2015 presidential polls, he pledged that every unemployed youth in the country would be entitled to #5,000 monthly allowance. When he became the Nigerian President, he said that it was his party - the All Progressives Congress (APC) that made the promise. So, who is President Buhari, and who is APC? How do you reconcile these? The factual point is that politics is politics, while governance remains governance. They’re two different factors. You’re required to use any tactics to gain power but don’t resort to violence, then if you won and consequently assumed duty, try and implement those that are needful.

        Another pertinent lesson to learn from the US presidential elections is concerning the two-way electoral system of the country – the popular vote and the Electoral College. The popular vote pattern, which has been in existence ab intio, allows each eligible voter from each state across the federation to decide who would govern the country.

        The Electoral College, which constitutes only 538 electors to be drawn from the existing political parties in each state, was introduced thereafter as a supplement. History has it that its introduction was informed by the need to make the elites the major determinant of electoral victory in America, since an average voter/citizen was not fully informed and enlightened, thus wasn’t in good position to determine who would suit the White House.

        The number of electors to be delegated by each of the 50 states in the US depends solely on the state’s capacity as regards population. The method through which they would emerge varies from state to state. The electors are just like party delegates. Worse still, the electoral vote (Electoral College) constitutionally supersedes the popular vote. This implies that for anyone to emerge as the US President, he/she must win the Electoral College; and to win in the College, he must obtain up to 270 electoral votes.

        This provision indicates that the popular vote, which represents the real wish of the people, is seemingly useless. It would interest, perhaps shock you to note that Mrs. Clinton won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College, thereby making Mr. Trump who won the latter to emerge victorious. This nature of defeat puts Mrs. Clinton on track to become the fifth US presidential candidate to win the popular vote but lost the election. Even though I strongly wanted Mr. Trump to win, the process through which he acquired the triumph wasn’t very impressive.

        From all indications, it’s high time the US abolished the Electoral College because it doesn’t reflect the real wish of the people. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

Follow: @mediambassador

  

CCB/CCT Act Amendment Act: Whwn NASS Dances Makossa

CCB/CCT ACT AMENDMENT: WHEN NASS DANCES MAKOSSA

       The last time I checked, the Red Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS) was at it again. The said parliament on Thursday 27^th October 2016 amended the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (CCB/CCT Act). The amendment altered the Section 18(1) and (2) of the extant law by transferring the Presidency’s regulatory power over the bureau and tribunal to the NASS. This implies that, if assented to, henceforth the NASS as against the Presidency will have the power to determine the function of the CCB, and who should be exempted from asset declaration or not.

       The Senate equally reintroduced a clause in the Act as contained in Section 3(e) of the bill that mandates the CCB to invite anyone found culpable in asset declaration towards making necessary correction as against being charged to the CCT for trial. The provision states that ‘upon complaint(s) of any breach or where it appears to the Bureau that there is a breach of provisions of this Act, the person concerned shall be given particulars of such non-compliance or breaches to explain before any reference to the Tribunal’. It’s noteworthy that this very clause had earlier been expunged from the Act.

        More so, the Chamber amended Section 1(4) of the extant law, which stipulates that the chairman and members of the CCB shall vacate their seats upon attaining the retirement age of 70. The amended clause prescribes a renewable five-year tenure for both the chairman and members. According to the clause, the appointment shall be subject to renewal for one term only. Section 20(4) of the CCB/CCT Act authorizes the President to appoint the chairman of the CCT based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC); the new amendment makes such recommendation and appointment invalid unless it is approved by the Senate.

        However, the Section 20(2) of the Act, which states that members of the CCT shall consist of the chairman and two other members, has been amended to provide that ‘the tribunal shall consist of a chairman and four others, and three of the five shall form a quorum’. The passage of the bill, which was at concurrence with the House of Representatives’ bill that had earlier been passed, followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

        Shifting the regulatory power from the Presidency to the NASS is completely wrong, and has no logical representation. Authorizing the NASS to determine the power of the CCB, and who should be exempted from asset declaration or not, is a clear indication that our highly revered legislators are up to something. Doesn’t it sound ridiculous that the NASS was empowered by the amendment to determine the individual/officer that’s supposed to be tried by the CCT? From all indications, this is apparently a move to shield their dirty linens at the expense of the people’s wish.

       Another awkward and irritating aspect of the so-called amended Act is the idea of mandating the CCB to wear a human face. The amendment stipulates that anyone found culpable in asset declaration should be invited by the CCB to enable the individual/officer make amends where necessary. This is not just absurd, but laughable. The moment any extant law start portraying a human face, its docility outrightly sets in. The human-face part of any law/Act lasts only during the period when the concerned people or officers are expected to adhere to it; at this period, the people are given the opportunity to enjoy the privileges as provided by the law.

       But, as soon as anyone violates the stipulated privileges, s/he becomes culpable. And, no culpable or indicted individual is meant to be given a chance to express him/herself, or the reason the law was violated by him/her, except in a law court. It is only in the court a culpable individual is required to tender any expression, if need be. This is the reason whenever one is being arrested by the police or any law enforcement agency, he would be advised to remain silent, otherwise any statement made by him would be used against his person in the court.

       Mind you; ‘ignorantia juris non excusat’, meaning literally ignorance of the law is no excuse. It’s pathetic and painful that our lawmakers whom are meant to understand this very clause ended up abusing it. So, shall we tell our children that the set of persons we entrusted our laws to has failed us? Let’s not get it twisted; the truth is that, if the CCB begin to invite culpable individuals, or anyone suspected to have breached any provision of its Act, for explanation cum correction before any reference to the CCT, then no one would be arraigned consequently because such provision would create an avenue for people’s sins to be forgiven by the former.

        If I may ask; what are you to explain if found culpable? That you were not well intimated on the CCB Act; that you were on steering when responding to any questionnaire in the past; that you were bereaved, thus couldn’t concentrate while filling the assets’ declaration form; that you filled the form under duress; or that, you didn’t know the exact figure of the assets owned by you? I’m just wondering what kind of correction is expected to be made by someone who has been found culpable. This very clause doesn’t only seem weird and laughable but equally smacks of mischief, hence, ostensibly targeted to satisfy a selfish desire.

        As much as I compliment some of the amended clauses of the Act such as the stipulated renewable five-year tenure for any serving CCB chairman/member contrary to vacation of their seats upon attaining the retirement age of 70 as well as the newly stipulated five-man member of the CCT and forming of a three-man quorum, I equally wish to state categorically and unequivocally that the bad-side of the amendment is far greater than the good-side; thus totally unacceptable by anyone who means well for Nigeria and Nigerians at large.

        In view of this observation, it would be advisable for us to pretend that the said Act is yet to be amended, to enable the NASS revisit it towards making a change where necessary. It’s needless to reiterate that the work was haphazardly carried out by the 109 respected officers, probably owing to their inability to comprehend that the contemporary Nigerian society comprises intelligentsia that can sense a foul play without much ado. Hence, the said public servants need to take a closer study of the real content or constituents of the society in question.

       It’s either they review the controversial provisions or consider forfeiting their integrity, because well informed citizens are already boiling in respect of the amendment. Of course, they can’t fold their hands and watch inferno engulf their mansion. The development is arguably not unlike a situation where a dog ends up devouring the bone that was hung on its neck. Think about it!

FDN Nwaozor

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The Rusticated, Expelled UniLag Students

THE RUSTICATED, EXPELLED UNILAG UNDERGRADUATES

       The last time I checked, the highly revered University of Lagos (UNILAG) was wearing a new look owing to the recent sanction issued to some of its students in various departments. Penultimate two weeks, it was reported that the institution’s authorities rusticated as well as expelled, respectively 198 and 125 undergraduates of the citadel. Since the incident occurred, within and outside the shores of the campus could be best described as hot zone.

        I could recollect vividly; those days when we were in the university, Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) precisely, as undergraduates, I used to crack an expensive joke amidst my friends. And the joke went like this: ‘If you wake up tomorrow morning and peradventure discovered that you have been expelled from this university, what would be your prayer or reaction consequently especially if you don’t deserve the expulsion?’ it was really a controversial question that usually kept my friends in an abrupt sober mood each time it surfaced. The people in question were all serious-minded and brilliant students, so they couldn’t fathom the reason for the so-called joke.

       However, it’s noteworthy that the students of UNILAG affected by the disciplinary measure were accused of examination malpractices among other social vices. According to the University’s Deputy Registrar on Information, Mr. Toyin Adebule who confirmed the expulsion and estimation to newsmen in Lagos on Sunday 16^th October 2016, the action was in accordance with the citadel’s zero tolerance on malpractices and other vices on the campus.

       He said ‘for those who were caught impersonating, writing examinations for others, they will face outright expulsion.’ Whilst the other categories, such as those caught with micro-sheets and those caught smoking weeds (Marijuana), would face suspension ranging from two to four semesters. Mr. Adebule further disclosed that the University would continue to do all it could toward sustaining set standards and best practices as obtained in other top universities around the world. He equally clarified that the development had nothing to do with those involved in the recent students’ riot that took place in the institution.

       Now, back to my joke; as a student of a higher institution, you woke up one morning and realized that your name had been delisted from the citadel’s studentship database. How would you feel, or what would be your reaction/prayer in consequence to the ordeal? One question too many, I guess. No doubt, it would be really painful and devastating for one whom didn’t deserve the sanction. But, could someone be erroneously rusticated or expelled from an institution of learning? Such approach, to me, is seemingly far-fetched. Hence, it’s beyond possibility for authorities of a university to sanction their students in error.

       In view of the above logic, I want to believe that the affected UNILAG undergraduates were apparently caught in the act. Besides, neither has any of them claimed that s/he was not responsible for the act for which he was accused of. Rather, they had only protested that the punishment assigned to them was too severe compared to the nature of the vices allegedly committed. Their protest is really funny and laughable. Expulsion or rustication never started today, nor recently; it has been an available mechanism ab initio, and often occasioned by exam malpractices as well as societal vices to include cultism, rebellion, and what have you, as the case may be.

        My sympathy goes to their parents and guardians. As much as I share their pains and fury, I equally want them to use this opportunity to address some lingering anomalies in their respective homes. It’s obvious that, for some time now, several uncalled attitudes of most of our young ones have been harboured by their various parents/guardians. It’s not anymore news that most students in secondary schools across the country no longer write the Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (S.S.C.E) by themselves, rather they prefer to engage mercenaries. It’s even more worrisome to acknowledge that the schools are the prime advocate of the menace. Funnily enough, it would interest, perhaps shock you to observe that most of the impostors are virtually brainless individuals who parade themselves as kings just to defraud the unsuspecting candidates.

       Few months ago, the news of a certain undergraduate of the University of Ilorin who voluntarily withdrew his studentship owing to guilty conscience, went viral across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. It was gathered that, having embraced real repentance, the student thought it wise to withdraw his studentship to enable him rewrite his SSCE, which according to him was written on his behalf by a hired mercenary.

       His purpose was to start the journey afresh having realized that he had derailed. The moment I got the news, I was of the view that if other Nigerian youths of similar history could follow suit, probably about eighty-six per cent (86%) of the undergraduates in our various institutions of higher learning would be affected. I was trying to assert that virtually all the undergraduates in Nigeria’s institutions are fake. I enjoin a sceptic to carry out the research toward ascertaining the credibility of the hypothesis.

        Let’s not get it twisted. The fact remains that the country’s education sector is damn porous and pathetic. Only a genuine and drastic measure can redress the pitiable physiognomy of the said sector. And such approach must begin from the nursery cum primary level, which remains the foundation. It’s either we heal the injury now or allow it to deteriorate further. It’s more mind-boggling to realize that the people who are required to revive the sector are patronizing foreign education.

        Away from the students; the teachers must also be resuscitated, considering that most present days’ teachers are nothing to write home about. Aside the non-qualified ones, the existence of those that indulge themselves in all forms of vices is even more baffling. It’s no longer hidden that some of the teachers in all levels of learning end up molesting their students. In the higher institutions, some lecturers would persuade the female students to sleep with them or consider failing their courses. Payment, either in kind or cash, in exchange for grade popularly known as ‘sorting’, is now on the rampage.

       These are other critical areas the authorities of various higher institutions of learning need to look into towards doing the needful. The disciplinary measure must not be lopsided. Our education industry is yearning for a total turnaround, and not haphazard. Let’s do the much we can to ensure that the said industry does not go into extinction. I’m afraid, if we cease to act now, we’ll all live to regret it.

        To this end, the newly passed Sexual Harassment Bill, which prescribes five years imprisonment for any lecturer found guilty, ought to be assented to in earnest by the Presidency. Though, the five-year jail term would have been extended to twenty or thereabouts. However, people in some quarters have criticized the bill, saying it is one-sided; according to them, most times these lecturers are seduced into committing such atrocity. The truth is that, no amount of seduction or pressure is a good reason for a teacher to descend so low. Think about it!   

Comr. Fred Doc Nwaozor

Follow: @mediambassador