Nigeria And Bloody States Elections: Core Challenge Of Our Nascent Democracy

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Weeks after the presidential and national assembly elections, Nigerians are still in the mode of debate if the result should be challenged in court or not.

The rancour that accompanied the February 23rd elections was uncalled for and unnecessary. The skirmishes were very prominent in the southern states. Many thoughts that the region would have experience peace and tranquillity after the announcement of the results. But up to date, the south is not free from the aftermath of the contest.

STATES UNDER TENSION TOWARDS 9TH MARCH ELECTIONS

1. RIVERS: it is in the news that over 15,000 police officers had been deployed to the state. The face-off between the minister of transport and the governor Wike is said to be the reason for the fracas. This event started in 2015. It is a practical show of force and test of Political strength between the Port Harcourt big boys and old friends turned enemies.

The government should have played a key role in calling them to order. The killings at Abonima and the unrest in places like Okrika is worrisome. 

No matter what, Rivers must be peaceful. The Tension in the state is not healthy and it really affecting the peace in the nation. Democracy must be allowed to prevail against undemocratic precedent.

2. LAGOS: Okota area and other areas of Lagos boiled during the February election. So many arguments emanate from the incidents. Some say it was an attack against the Igbo extraction to stop them from carrying out their Civic responsibilities while others claimed it was just activities of thugs or thuggery. No matter what the case may be… Lagos must be peaceful ahead of Saturday elections.

3. BAYELSA: It was reported that over 63 smart card readers were stolen from the INEC office and about 23 have been recovered. The worrisome issue is,how did they get access to the items without been apprehended. The case of posting police commissioners in and out of the state is another issue. I believe Nigeria deserves a peaceful election. The former governor of the state and the seating governor face-off is disturbing.

4. AKWA-IBOM: The situation in this state is very disturbing. Ex-governor Godswill Akpabio is the man in the front line of the quagmire. He has vowed to make the state ungovernable for his political godson, Governor Udom Emmanuel. Him losing his senatorial bid is another issue that worsen the situation in the state. Thugs were said to have been imported from neighbouring Edo to cause confusion and cause unrest in tomorrow election. Police arrested and have released them. Our politics will not grow if we all allow all these worrisome distractions to continue without check. 

5. BENUE: Akume is the former governor of the state who lost his senatorial projections. The decamping of the governor Ortom to PDP is another core cause of the fracas in the state. The state is facing a lot of Political stress because of the politicians’ war of might.

6. DELTA: Delta is a special state in Nigeria because of it’s oil strength. As a neighbouring state to Edo. Governor Okowa is passing through a lot. The happening in the state is too much. 

7. KADUNA: The governor of the state is the Lord of the ring. He seems to be the most controversial person in the state. Religion sentiment is a factor there. Tension is high because of the battle between the APC and the PDP. The last election wasn’t as peaceful in the state as expected.

Other states under critical watch are Kwara and Plateau. The quest for power in those states are very alarming. It is more of desperation than politics. The point is, it is not healthy for our politics to be this harsh.

Many have accused the national chairman of APC as the man behind all the crisis and uprising in the oil-rich states of Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Delta and Cross River. No matter the argument, peace in the nation is very Fundamental.

Politics must be allowed to be developmental. 

No matter what happens tomorrow, we must all remember that this too shall pass and posterity shall speak about our actions today.  Sanity is needed in our democracy. The 2023 elections success will be successful based on the outcome of this year’s elections.

There is a call to change of dynasty in Kwara state, that led to the defeat of the Senate president Bukola Saraki. The same call is been made by the opposition PDP in Lagos led by Jimi Agbaje. Why can’t politicians allow the populace to vote and live in peace?

No matter what happens in Nigeria, let’s put humanity first above power. A wise man once said, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”.

There is a need for all the gladiators to shield their swords for the sake of unity.

Amidst all these southern brouhahas the North is very peaceful. They have their interests in all Political parties, but the unity of the people is Paramount to them. This is how politics should be.

As a patriotic Nigerian, despite all the sad news coming from southern regions, I will always wish Nigeria the best and I will forever stand for the progress of the nation.

Rwang Patrick Stephen

 Federal University of Kashere,

Faculty of Humanities, Management and Social Sciences,

Department of Political Science.