In a fortnight dominated by what looks like official corruption (purchase of two armored vehicles at a prohibitive cost of about N250 million), the successful pilgrimage of the President, Goodluck Jonathan to Israel appears a welcome relief.  It is appropriate to pray for the sins of Nigeria at many consecrated and holy places, especially at the Wailing Wall of Jerusalem.

The year 2015 (the year of doom to many foreign commentators) is so far but near.  However, the problems of official corruption, electoral malpractices (rigging) and violence are rife and continuously raging like an Australian wildfire. It is a pity, but not a surprise that the local politicians appear undisturbed in their preparations for the 2015 elections.

It looks as if the opposition, judging by their prevalent uncompromising mood, think and act only on the presumption that the end of Jonathan‘s administration is around the corner.  What a wishful thinking in a country where everything “goes” and where certain things become uncertain, in the end.

The vexed condition of corruption once reminds me of the Ibadan saga of the 1950s when the Nicholson Commission of Enquiry declared that the popular Ibadan politician (also a Central Minister), Adegoke Adelabu was guilty of official corruption during his tenure as Chairman of Ibadan Municipal Council.  Many Ibadan Citizens carried placards saying that Adelabu should spend their money as he wished since Ibadan people did not complain of any missing funds.  The official reaction was swift; Adelabu lost his ministerial post in Lagos and Ibadan Municipal Council, his fief was dissolved Adegoke Adelabu, despite his brilliance, did not recover his political status till his death.

Since corruption is so endemic in the country and the cognomen of many politicians is, ‘Mr. Corruption‘, the effective antidote to the dreaded disease is instant justice to anyone so unfortunate to be caught in the act.  That would tend to serve as a deterrent to others who are often backed by ethnic sentiments.  The present politicians in the ruling parties all over the country owe the people the obligation to serve justly without fear or favour and to shun corruption at all levels.  There is no doubt that the road to 2015 would be less dangerous if there is zero tolerance on corruption.

The other week, the Senatorial contest of Delta Central was won by the candidate of the ruling party, the PDP.  As expected, the opposition parties, APC and others protested the victory claiming rigging in full view of security agents.  The recent victory of APC candidate in the North-East Esan (Edo State) Council Chairmanship tussle is still being challenged by the opposition party, the PDP.  It looks as if a common trend is now discernible in Nigeria‘s political terrain – the difficulty of defeating a sitting government in an election and the heavy presence of security forces (police and the military) at designated election areas.

‘There is poison in the pot‘, cried the sons of the prophets to Elisha.  There would be more poison and danger in 2015 when at the moment, there is no election that is seen and adjudged by many to be free and fair, even with the undesirable presence of heavy security forces at the polling and collation centers.  In the past, ‘cattle‘ were regarded as potential voters in the North; ‘ghosts‘ aided voters in the West and the East; in the riverine areas, ‘fishes‘ always ensured about 95 per cent voting at any time.

At present, it seems that rigging of an election has assumed such sophistication that no impartial observer could vouch for the authencity of some recently concluded elections or to say with absolute certainty that the products of such elections are genuine representatives of the people.
It is clear that much is to be done in the sphere of electoral processes for Nigerians to be sure that election in 2015 would be fair, just and peaceful.  As it is often repeated in this column, the Uwais Report should be visited again for objective review or many other factors not captured in the Report should be added so as to provide opportunity for government, opposition and other Nigerians to produce acceptable electoral law.

Many observers see the present voting procedure of first screening voters in the morning and voting later in the afternoon as unnecessary and contributing indirectly to rigging.  It may be reasonable and acceptable for a voter, after being verified to go straight to vote rather than being asked to return to vote later.

The glory of democracy is a clean election where the wishes of the majority (represented by their votes) are respected and the leaders chosen by majority of the people to form the government.  There is no doubt the arrogant stance of the opposition (represented by APC) is based on the assumption that it would win in 2015 because of problems within the ruling party, PDP.  But 2015, which appears so near, is yet, so far.  Anything can happen to upset a perfectly made plan.

Dr. Michael Okpara, late fiery leader of United Progressive Alliance (UPGA) once noted on 1964 elections, “Up till today, no one can say where those results purported to have emanated from the West Electoral Commission came from…” Perhaps the losing parties in Delta Central (Delta State) and Esan N.E (Edo) might be asking the same questions in 2013.  Then, what happens next in Anambra where according to reports, voter’s card (political birthright) is reported could be purchased for N5, 000.00, -another form of rigging in the 21st century Nigeria.

Those who prophesy doom in 2015 might have their reasons in the unchanged attitude of politicians on the necessity on the pursuit of money, power and prestige.  Perhaps President Jonathan (either by conviction or otherwise) sees in the convocation of a National Dialogue a way of making the road to 2015 a less hazardous journey.  It is in the interest of all to support the initiative and to turn what looks like a joke into a reality and stunning success.

All Progressives Congress (APC)
The supposedly formidable opposition party is made up of ACN (South West), ANPP and CPC of the North – a political alliance of Yoruba and Hausa Fulani. When the late Chief S. L. Akintola advocated that approach in the 1950s and 1960s, he was accused of trying to sell the Yoruba to the North.  He was killed in a coup by the murderous progressives of the South.  Is ACN leader, Tinubu selling Yoruba to the North to satisfy those who want power to return to the North?  How time changes without the people being involved.