On December 7,2024 ,the Electoral Commission of Ghana conducted the parliamentary and presidential elections in Ghana.The electorates in Ghana freely and fairly voted for the candidates of their choice.
The basic index of a democracy is the credible conduct of periodic elections to enable the citizens determine who should represent them in the various tiers and arms of government.This basic index of democracy was given full expression in the conduct of the 2024 parliamentary and presidential elections in Ghana.I congratulate the people of Ghana and I commend the officials of the Electoral Commission of Ghana for their patriotism and commitment to the ideals of democracy in their country.
The conduct of a free and fair election is not dependent upon sophisticated technology, but on the patriotism of the electoral officials and how responsible the security agencies are in the performance of their constitutional duties to protect lives and property before, during and after elections.The inference from the credible conduct of elections in Ghana are patriotic Electoral Commission officials and responsible officers and men of the Security Agencies.
The lessons for Nigeria are quite easy to understand.
1.Nigeria do not have a patriotic INEC leadership.
2.Nigeria do not have responsible leadership of the security agencies.
3 However, Nigerians are capable of conducting credible elections.
4.Nigeria have men and women in the security agencies that can perform better than their counterpart in Ghana.
In 1979, FEDECO under the leadership of Anthony Ani, conducted a peaceful and a fair election.Though the final declaration was challenged by the leader and the presidential candidate of the UPN,late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the legal contest was mainly on the percentage score that was required across the States to win a presidential election,not on the figures that were collatted at the polling units.
Professor Ame Awa of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, conducted a credible open -ballot election in Nigeria.There was no voters register, no ballot papers,yet accreditation of voters on the spot was transparent,votes were cast,counted on the spot and results declared on the spot.The election was credible, results were generally accepted and tribunal cases were almost absent or minimal.
My lecturer, Professor Humphrey Nwosu of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, conducted a credible Presidential election on June 12 1993.Though the election was annulled by the military government,it was adjudged to be the most credible presidential election in Nigeria and was so recognized by Nigerian government through the declaration of June 12 as a public holiday to mark democracy day in Nigeria.
The peaceful and transparent conduct of elections in Nigeria were dependent upon patriotic Electoral officials and responsible men and women in the security agencies that were committed to the protection of lives and property.
Nigeria can get it right and entrench the principle of credible conduct of elections through the involvement of patriotic Electoral Commission officials and responsible Security Agencies.Billions of Naira invested in elections technology without patriotic citizens that will manage the conduct of elections will be a waste.
The present Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,in Nigeria,under the leadership of Professor Mahmud Yakubu is a disgrace. At every election circle,INEC Chairman Prof Mahmud Yakubu and the Inspector General of Police,go around with smooth talks and rhetoric, but always refuse to take responsibility for the failure to conduct credible elections in Nigeria.
It is not the job of the Judiciary to tell Nigerians who is the winner of an election.
The voters,INEC , Security Agencies,etc, know the winner of the election.The problem is the refusal of INEC officials to do the right thing and shift the determination of election results to the Judiciary.The results of the presidential election in Ghana have been announced as determined by the electorates and will not be subjected to Judicial determination.
Lessons And Recommendations For Nigeria From The 2024 Elections in Ghana:
1.Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria,INEC should be dissolved and it’s constitutional responsibility should be decentralized to specialized public agencies.The public servants working in INEC should be redeployed to their States for assignment in the ministries and government agencies.
2.There should not be a permanent Electoral Commission Staff.
3.The conduct of elections should be by adhoc staff from public service in Nigeria.
4.The Academic Staff Union of Universities in Nigeria,ASUU should be empowered by the constitution to take over the responsibility of conducting elections in Nigeria on adhoc basis and as part of their civic engagement.The ASUU should be empowered to have powers for internal mechanism to regulate the conduct of their members and initiate criminal prosecution against any of her members,or any other individual or organs within the chain of the conduct of elections found in the act of fraudulent practices.
5.The Acamedic Staff Union of Polytechnics ( ASUP), and other HND should be constitutionally empowered to regulate the registration and regulations of the activities of political party.It should be on adhoc basis and ensure that political parties adhere strictly to their Constitutions.They should have powers for internal mechanism to discipline their members and can initiate criminal prosecution against their members or political parties members that are found of any act of fraudulent practices.When former military president, Ibrahim Babaginda engaged the public servants in Nigeria for the regulations of the activities of the political parties in Nigeria ,there was internal democracy in the political parties.
6.Nigeria Union of Journalist ,NUJ should be responsible for coordinating Elections Observations and monitoring groups.NUJ should be empowered to have internal mechanism for the regulation of the activities of her members and can institute criminal prosecution against of any of her members,or any other individual within the chain of the conduct of the election that is found engaging in fraudulent practices.
7.The Nigeria Bar Association should be constitutionally empowered to be responsible for the review of pre and post elections matters.The review of pre election matters should not be more than one month.The review of post elections matters should not be more than 3 months and should be completed before the inauguration of the winners.The NBA will have internal regulatory mechanism to discipline their members and can initiate criminal prosecution in the court of any of her members,or any individual within the chain of the conduct of elections that are found guilty of fraudulent practice in the course of their assignment.
8.The Judiciary should be concerned only with the criminal prosecution of election offenders, and should be concerned with the determination of winners of intra party or inter party electoral contest.
Implementation of these recommendations will address the agitations to remove the president or the governors from the appointment of Electoral Officials.The benefits are numerous and some will include saving funds for the government, promote active civil society,free resources for the Universities and other higher institutions for election management training,socio economic and political research, citizens orientation, credible elections,etc.
It is expected that those that are presently benefitting from the fraudulent conduct of INEC will describe the recommendations as impracticable and will struggle for the retention of the status quo.However,it should be noted that the conduct of credible elections is a foundation for peace, security and development.The ultimate outcome of an impartial electoral umpire is victory for all.It is important for the National Assembly and States Houses of Assembly to appreciate the collective benefits and urgently commence the amendment of the Constitution for a truly Independent Electoral Commission that will serve the interest of all Nigerians.
Dr.Isaiah Osifo,
University teacher and a farmer.
Email – [email protected]
10/12/2024.
