By Adisa Adeleye
THE other funny Saturday when I witnessed an election that never was, saw a funny side of me.  In utter desperation to conquer my anger over the days‘ incidence, I threw myself carelessly on my bed with windows open, not minding any intruders.

There were intruders– the tiny mosquitoes which feasted lavishly, after giving adequate warning by their incessant humming.

It would appear funny that I did not take adequate prevention in a mosquito_ infected area.  The consequence of Malaria and its debilating effects on the body is a sad reminder of the obstinacy of a nation that refuses to take adequate measures to prevent the deadly disease.  In a more tolerable environment, mosquitoes eat grass in our local enviroment, mosquitoes feed joyfully on human blood (with adequate notice).

In many enlightened comments before the drama of April Fool(pardon April 2), it was clearly pointed out that one of the most effective weapons of electoral malpractices has been either disappearance of voting materials or vanishing (like ghosts) of electoral officials or both.  In many cases, voters‘ cards would be faulty or insufficient especially in known opposition areas.

All other forms of rigging of elections were happily discussed in this column some weeks ago to put Prof Attahiru  Jega and his team on the alert.

It must be admitted however, that Prof Jega as an individual (no matter how clever) could not do the job alone.  He is expected to have capable assistants.  If he had asked for billions of badly battered naira, and he was obliged, then, there should be no reasonable excuse for a terrible but false start.

The lesson of last Saturday is that the leaders are isolated from public education by some clever people who have their own interests to pursue.  If leaders have no time to read all newspapers, some officials should be identified to inform them on relevant topics.

It is necessary for the education of Prof Jega and his team, to restate some of the actions by politicians that might affect the credibility or fairness of the coming elections.  These are late arrival of electoral officials, late arrival of voting materials, badly printed ballot papers, wrong information on ballot papers and extra thumbing of remaining ballot papers after voting has ended.

The arrest of candidates (on fictitious petitions) before election (prevalent in 1950s and 1960s) is now rearing its ugly and the Police should exercise discretion.

If there are correct results at all voting booths, the central collation of total votes would be easier.  However based on past experience in some areas, many nasty things could have happened on the road between the various booths and the central collation centre.

Indeed some ugly things had happened in the country since 1960 that might have put our reputation (solid and hopeful) in danger.  One thing is certain – there is serious disconnect between leadership and the people.

There had been no direct line of communication between the rulers and the ruled.  There had been and still ample room for intermediate officials to exert their pernicious influence or play ‘dirty politics‘ in the execution of their official duties.

In the great anticipation of a free and fair election in 2011, many Nigerians are not focusing on political and economic issues that would shape post_election era.  Not many people had considered constructively the implication of ceaseless violence in Jos or untamed violence of Boko Haram in Maiduguri on the unity and security of the country.

The problems after the elections might be greater than the present ones that are being viewed with unpardonable levity.  Some leaders are playing dirty politics in their own selfish interests.

A more disturbing aspect of the country‘s economic policy (or lack of it) is the widely acclaimed policy of wealth with full employment and the regressive policy embarked upon by the Central Bank.  Since the emergence of Keysian economics following the economic depression of the 1930s, Western nations have adopted the policy of full employment (not more than 3 per cent unemployment) to promote economic growth.

On economic growth, Keynes noted that in times of‘depression and unemployment‘ it is desirable to encourage spending lavishly.  The right action is to let as more money as possible fructify in the pockets of the citizens rather than to fritter it away on government activities nor absolutely necessary! Keynes pattern of expenditure as related to our situation would be household expenditure to stimulate dormant demand for locally produced goods and government expenditure for infrastructural development (not recurrent personal emoluments).

The available strategy all over the world is through budget surplus, which is an anathema to our Central Bank Governors (past and present).

The present Central Bank Governor has altered the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) thrice since assuming office on the pretence of preventing anticipated inflation.  The recent increase to 7.5 per cent is to prevent inflation that might arise from a budget deficit (from a budget 2011 yet to be implemented) and expected spending by politicians.

The latest increase was taken under an atmosphere of stable economic condition, rising oil revenue and reducing inflationary rate.

Inspite of CBN‘s  ad_hoc rescue plan for Power, Agriculture and Manufacturing, its constant  tightening policy (high interest rates and mopping up of excess liquidity (which is self created) would  tend to retard real economic growth if it is followed by what is called (fiscal retrenchment).

Certainly, an economic policy of ‘Go, Follow me, Stop being  presently pursued by the Central Bank, and recommended to the Federal Government to pursue in its fiscal stance would not promote employment but unemployment and stunted  economic growth.

Is Mallam (now Dr.) Lamido Sanusi, son of an ex  diplomat and a former Emir of Kano playing ‘dirty politics‘ with the country‘s monetary policy?  Time will tell.
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