THE SUCCESS OF 2011 ELECTION AND THE SECURITY SITUATION

BY
PRINCE OLIVER OKPALA

The 2011 election is around the corner AND IT promises to be a major acid test for the NATION’S DEMOCRACY. It will be the second civilian-TO- civilian election in the present political dispensation. Its successful conduct will therefore have an impact on the peace and stability of THE NATION. The electoral process in Nigeria had faced criticisms as a result of rigging, thuggery, and mayhem which characterised its conduct. It THEREFORE became evident that for THE NATION’S elections to be acceptable, drastic measures should be taken to eliminate THESE problems. THE present ADMINISTRATION has put several measures in place to ensure free and fair polls.

Some of these include the appointment of a credible and acceptable helmsman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) AND the appointment OF more electoral officials. THERE ARE ALSO MOVES TO UPDATE THE VOTERS REGISTER. The President has also assured the nation that he would not interfere with the functions and activities of INEC. These are indeed SIGNS OF GOOD THINGS TO COME. IF THESE ARE DONE, IT will greatly enhance the credibility of the forthcoming elections. ALSO the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT has continued to URGE AND ENCOURAGE security agencies to perform optimally AS THEY ARE CRUCIAL TO THE success of the ENTIRE PROCESS. FOR INSTANCE, IT IS commendable THAT THE POLICE Under the present Inspector General, Mr. Ogbonnaya Onovo, has ADOPTED what HAS been described by some as benevolent policing.

This is the practice whereby the security concerns of a given community or state are taken up by the Police BY interacting and liaising with them and proffering solutions to their problems. IN RECENT TIMES the Police has shown that it is committed to COOPERATING WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO ACHIEVE CREDIBLE ELECTIONS. The elections in Anambra and Edo States and the re-run elections across the country HAVE SHOWN THIS. There is the need for the police to be adequately sensitized and prepared for any eventuality. The spate of kidnapping in parts of the country also needs to be tackled. The Inspector General read the riot act to Police MEN recently in Abia State where he stated that any Policeman found involved in kidnapping would be BROUGHT TO BOOK. IT IS COMMENDABLE THAT with his PERSONAL intervention, the recent kidnap of journalists in ABIA WAS PEACEFULLY RESOLVED WITH THE ARREST OF THE SUSPECTS. With the acquisition of modern communication equipments, it is expected that kidnapping will be CURTAILED.
AS THE 2011 ELECTIONS BECKON, THE POLICE MUST BE PREPARED TO FIGHT political thuggery. In the build-up to the elections, THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL BE ON THE FRONT BURNER. Desperate politicians who want to force themselves on the masses will enlist THE unemployed AND willing youths in their bid to capture power by all means. Political thuggery comes in various FORMS; it could be by way of arson, looting, destruction of public property, disruption of election, rigging, murder and violence. The Police should THEREFORE be alert TO ARREST ANY CULPRITS AS WELL AS THEIR SPONSORS. THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF THE the 2011 elections will in a large part be determined by the security agencies. Any impediment to a free and fair election must be tackled at whatever cost. The politicians themselves have a great role to play in the SEARCH for credible elections as they are major stakeholders in the POLITY. They must play by the rules as their actions or inactions could make or mar the process.
Whether in or out of government POLITICIANS must RESOLVE not TO derail our democracy. The POLITICAL parties also have a role to play in THIS REGARD. They MUST imbibe the TENETS of internal democracy. They should democratize their operations and activities AND PROVIDE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR ALL. Internal democracy can ensure transparency in party affairs as a loser in a transparent primaries is likely TO ACCEPT DEFEAT AND PREPARE FOR ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY. Nigerians must all resolve to support the security agencies as they resolve to ensure that the 2011 pools are conduced in a secure and free environment for all.


Source: FRCN daily commentary