Former Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Maurice Iwu offered advice on how the country could achieve credible elections during next year’s polling.
Speaking as a guest lecturer during the second anniversary lecture of an online media, Realnews magazine, and public presentation of a book, Paragon of Journalism, Iwu said “violence in its various forms and manifestations negates the spirit and principles of democracy.There is hardly any room for the two – democracy and violence – to thrive simultaneously. One finds expression in the freedom of individuals to make decisions and choices freely and without hindrance.
“There can be no greater untruth than the belief by some individuals and groups that political contest cannot go without violence, indeed, political contest should be more of a game than a war.
“As with all contests in all realms of human endeavour, elections must have winners and losers. This is unavoidable. To turn electoral contests and campaigns that precede them into blood sports and mortal engagements, as has become the case in Nigeria, is neither healthy nor acceptable.
“Party politics has increasingly been made the exclusive preserve of a select few, which raises the question of the primary role of the citizens in the context of elections and democratic governance.
“Are they primarily onlookers in a game which the outcome affects various facets of their lives and occasional judges among the contestants, or are they to be active participants and partisans with the final say on who should represent them?”
He also recommended that “2015 has to accommodate the menace of the externally-organized and funded aggression against the Nigerian State, including the jihadist war being waged in some North-East states.
“This calls for unity and patriotism from all Nigerians and the political players. The prospects for future elections in Nigeria are bright. Let us keep faith and have confidence in ourselves.”