Edo governorship and self–deceit of qualifications

By Kayode Alabi

 

The human society is governed by human beings who have limited understanding of human nature and the forces that control it. They are yet to find lasting solutions to the many problems that plague the society in which they live.

The constitution of our great country, Nigeria, is often mis-interpreted by some lawyers to suit their clients’ interests.  In a civilized society, issues of certificate forgery or requisite educational qualification are investigated; and usually reports are made open by the security agents before the conduct of elections.   But, in a country like Nigeria, nobody is determined to serve the country in sincerity. Everyone is, more often than not, after what they can acquire for themselves, whether through dubious means or not, no one usually cares; not even when they know it is an abuse of the constitution.

In our characteristic manner of self-deceit, an electoral candidate, who knows deep down in his heart that he did not possess the basic educational qualification, would still go ahead to contest an election, when his candidacy is in doubt. If he is challenged in court by the opponent, he would still want to put our judicial system to test; and in some cases such offenders could influence the judiciary and curiously gets what he wants.

Nigerian politicians are not scared of presenting forged certificates to their political parties or the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, because they believe the nation’s constitution could be circumvented and subverted. Here, in Nigeria, they believe in anything goes.

     However, democracy is still the best instrument of governance, especially when the nation’s constitution is properly adhered to by the citizens.  The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the security agents still have a lot to do, to ensure that candidates are properly screened.  We have had many cases of certificate forgery within the nation’s political class.  Some of these culprits are given party tickets to contest elections, without meeting the basic constitutional requirements.  It, therefore, would amount to self-deceit for a nation to set aside the constitution, the imperative of instituting good governance, and expect to achieve good result.  Suffice to say that it is only when right pegs are put in the right holes, that the desired result could be achieved in the operation of our democratic system.   Members of the political class must understand what it takes to contest an elections; the rules must be obeyed; and the constitutional educational requirements must be met.

Unfortunately, the political class in Nigeria is acting and living in self-deceit, pretending to be obeying the constitution. To crown it all, the entire democratic process Nigerians are subjected to is nothing but a grand act in self-deceit.  This is because elections, more often than not, are rigged with recklessness and candidates with forged documents are allowed to contest.

Candidates without the basic qualifications, as prescribed in the constitution, are declared winners at the polls, and injustice is hugely celebrated.  People go to churches for elaborate Thanks-giving ceremonies after winning elections through fraudulent means! For how long shall we continue to see white and call it black?  When will Nigerians accept the truth and denounce lies?  The visible picture that could be seen now is that things may fall apart sooner than later as we persist in these acts of self-deceit.

*Mr. Kayode Alabi wrote in from Igarra, Akoko-Edo LGA, Edo State.

  TheNavigator