EDO POLLS AND BUHARI'S ALLEGORY.

by Mahmoon Baba-Ahmed.

Nigeria's democratic system is imperfect. It is a corrupted version of the model bequeathed to the world by ancient Greeks. It could also be a bastardised variation copied blindly from American prototype. Invariably it is employed as a tool for the formation of a government of the few, by the privileged, for the powerful. Nigeria’s flawed electoral procedure, which is a direct byeproduct of dysfunctional democracy, makes it impossible for governments to be elected freely and equally by all citizens due mainly to official corruption and other related vices. What simply obtains in Nigeria is a system of government which is often disputed by the people who always have hard feelings about the process of its formation. In Nigeria the rich and the powerful always have their way, while the say of the people is never considered.

That is the prevailing political situation in the country and people are almost becoming used to it. They are no longer bothered by the possibility of ascribing victory to a losing candidate robbed from preferred contestant who had been massively supported. The party bigwigs choose who will contest and also decide the number of votes to be falsely returned in his favour. Under that dispensation it is absolutely necessary for all political parties to indulge in immoral electoral vices if they have to remain afloat. In that respect the ruling or the ‘winning’ party’-- the PDP-- is habitually at the forefront of the unlawful movements that perpetrate electoral fraud. No wonder, therefore, the masses always shout “PeeDeePee” whenever an evil act is committed. Similarly the name PDP is synonymous with all sorts of imaginable malpractices.

Nonetheless the PDP met its Waterloo recently in Edo State when it was decisively defeated in gubernatorial election it had determinedly planned to rig. Its favourite candidate, Retired Major-General Charles Airhiavbere, whose nomination for the contest tore the party apart, was thoroughly humiliated by the indomitable and venerable incumbent, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, favoured by the generality of the masses. He dealt his opponent a devastating blow to secure a landslide victory which obviously hit the final nail on the PDP’s coffin in the state, and may perhaps affect its future electoral fortunes nationwide.

Even before the elections everyone knew that Comrade Oshiomhole was coasting to victory. His campaign rallies were always graced by a mammoth crowd of passionate supporters and well wishers to the chagrin of the ever scheming PDP which was renting crowd for an impressive political outing or distractive jamborees. Avowed critics of Governor Oshiomhole and admirers alike concurred that he had done more than enough for the development of Edo State which he met in shambles, with its people existing in squalid conditions. 

With the advent of the ACN administration under him four years ago, there were serious development efforts in all parts of the state particularly in human, infrastructure, economy and social aspect. These have led to increased prosperity to the people of the state and an important boost to the economic development of the country in general. In addition to these Governor Oshiomhole designed and implemented programmes that helped ameliorate the sufferings of his people, thus paving way for enduring peace that permitted suitable conditions for empowering youths economically. Without doubt these were the credentials Governor Oshiomhole flaunted before the electorates which also convinced them to rally round him once again, trusting him to take them to the Promised Land.

That was why everyone was happy with the misfortunes of the PDP in Edo State, especially as it was occasioned by its vain arrogance and over confidence, for it believed that Governor Oshiomhole was going to be an easy pushover. Leaders of the party had earlier beaten their chests, boasting about their detestable precedents of improperly toppling opposition governments in other states. Consequently it hastily mustered a formidable campaign team under the distinguished chairmanship of Vice President Namadi Sambo; rolled out its war drums, and assembled a fearsome force made up of 3,500 militarised personnel and a squadron of 13,000 policemen to prosecute its ill-fated mission in Edo. The aim was to intimidate the already cowed citizenry by creating tensed atmosphere which induced fear of invasion.

However, despite all the tricks in the books employed by the PDP’s big shot in Abuja, with local officials of the party engaging in coercion, oppression, threats, use of money and undue influence to subdue Oshiomhole’s supporters, yet they remained steadfast in backing him, unwavering in their endorsement and unyielding in their commitment to ensure victory. In fact there were concerns and worries of looming danger, but in the face of all these the people and the security men remained firm and conducted violent free elections. The efforts of the people paid off considerably, thus underscoring the relevance of an age-old Roman saying: Vox populi suprema lex, meaning that the voice of the people is the supreme law. 

It has also shown that once the people vowed to protect their rights with their votes, and ensure their mandate goes to the right candidate, no Jupiter could disrupt them from pursuing the goals of improving their socio-political conditions. They campaigned for free and fair elections and they got more than they bargained for. The reward for their enduring steadfastness and patience has been eternal liberty and emancipation from the yoke of oppression in the hands of uncaring PDP government which had in the past condemned them to abject poverty, penury and want of conducive conditions for decent living.

Here, it is imperative to salute the courage of the Edo people for their exemplary efforts to save democracy. They have now demeaned the PDP and exposed its sinister tricks of begrudging the inalienable right of the people to choose a candidate into whose hands they wish to commit their destiny. If the emerging situation in Edo State had been otherwise, General Buhari’s exhortation in his famous allegory of dog, baboon and the blood would have come to pass. Everyone is grateful to Almighty God now that all is well that ends well in Edo.