Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 1 of 27

Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason: Political Assassinations, Decampments, Moneybags, and Public Protests

By

Victor E. Dike

Introduction

The problems facing Nigeria emanate from many fronts, which include irrational behavior (actions) of the political elite, politics of division, and politics devoid of political ideology. Others factors are corruption and poverty, lack of distributive justice, regional, and religious cleavages. All these combine to create crises (riots and conflicts) in the polity, culminating in public desperation and insecurity, politics of assassinations, decampments (carpet crossing), moneybags, and public protests. All this reached its climax during the 2003 elections. When the nation thinks it is shifting away from these forces, they would somersault and clash again creating another political thunderstorm. It looks that the society would hardly outgrow ‘the politics of unreason’ (Lipset and Raab, 1970), which is often politics of extremism, because the political class is always going beyond the limits of what are reasonable to secure or retain political power.

During the 2003 elections moneybags (instead of political ideology) directed political actions in political parties; and it also influenced the activities of many politicians. As a result, the presidential candidates of the two major political parties (PDP and ANPP) cliched their party tickets by stuffing the car boots, so to say, of their party delegates with -Must- Go bags. This frustrated and intimidated their political opponents within (and those in the other minor political parties). Since after his defeat by Chief in the 2003 PDP primary in , Dr. Alex Ekwueme has been protesting, to no avail (Vanguard, March 30, 2003). And the election (‘selection’?) of Major General as the presidential candidate of the ANPP during its 2003 party primary led to mass protests from the other presidential aspirants, such as Chief John Nwodo, Chief , Chief Harry Akande and Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke (Daily Independent, Jan 15, 2003).

As already mentioned, after the 2003 party primaries the politics ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ bags took the center stage and every other thing went to the dogs. The nation was shocked by the donations made to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at a fund raising party organized for the automatic re-election of Obasanjo and Atiku. For example, Aliko Dangote and Emeka Offor donated N1billion to the Obasanjo-Atiku re-election bid; Dasab Airline donated a Boeing 727 (150-seater), and some companies contributed N400 million. To appreciate the magnitude and influence of corruption in the 2003 electoral process, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) -a federal government agency, was among the public organizations that dolled out money to the Obasanjo/Atiku re-election campaign (Nas: Weekly Trust, March 8, 2003). In additions, all Federal Cabinet Ministers donated N10 million; and the 21 state-controlled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors contributed N210 million. Worse still, the managers of some of the ‘solvent’ government parastatals handed in millions, while an anonymous individual dolled out 1million Euro to the campaign. Thus, everyone was falling over each other to make his or her presence noted. In all, about N2 billion was raised at the party (The Guardian: Feb 25, 2003). However, this was a tip of the iceberg!

The fund raising party served, in the opinion of this writer, as a conduit for corrupt government officials to channel their loots to the party in the name of political contributions. But, the praise-singers and political mercenaries of the presidency rushed out in drove to tell the world that the governors and public servants made the contributions out of their private funds. One wonder what makes them to think that Nigerians are fools; any person, who was not blind or idiotic, could see that the deception was nothing but a ‘money laundering’ activity.

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 2 of 27

However, the questions are, if the governors could afford to donate millions of Naira to their party (the PDP), why are the teachers and civil servants in their states owed many months of back pay? Why are the roads in their Sates not maintained? And are the streets are littered with trash? One cannot ask enough questions here: why are water fountains often dry in these states that dolled such amount of money? Why are state hospitals, clinics, and universities in the States under funded and unequipped? Are civil servants permitted by the Constitution to contribute to political campaigns? If the answer is affirmative, how much are individuals and businesses permitted to donate to political parties?

Nevertheless, on donation to political parties, Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution states:

"No association, other than a political party, shall canvass for votes for any candidate at any election or contribute to the funds of any political party or to the election expenses of any candidate at an election" (The Guardian, Feb 25, 2003).

Yet, the Chief Obasanjo administration, which vowed to fight corruption in the society, defended the fraud. Thus, Nigeria withers, if those who are supposed to protect and defend the Constitution are the most violators! No wonder why corruption is self-perpetuation in the society! Nigeria is a place where politicians can threaten lives, kill, steal and turn the Constitution upside down to remain in power. It is no longer news that political parties and politicians in the society represent nothing other than bribery and corruption.

However, lack of political principles make the politicians to shift like ‘Sand Dunes,’ and quickly abandon their political parties whenever they fail to achieve their selfish political ambition in the parties during the 2003 elections in Nigeria. And the failure of the political parties to control their members made the situation worse. With monetary inducements, political thugs working for political parties get involved in political assassinations, thereby exacerbating the insecurity issue in the society (Dike, January 30, 2003).

This article, therefore, examines the 2003 Nigerian elections and some of the frightening anomalies experienced in the 2003 electoral process. The discussion shall begin with a brief review of the political activities in the society.

Historical survey of party activities

Party politics in Nigeria dates back to pre-independence era1, but Nigerians began to participate fully in partisan politics during the 1959 general elections, which ushered in the First Republic (1960-1966). However, going by the desperate manner with which the politicians conduct their political affairs, it looks as if party politics is a new phenomenon in the society. Nevertheless, twenty-six political parties were authorized to contest the 1959 elections leading to the First Republic. Some of the parties were Democratic Party of Nigeria and Cameroon (DPNC), Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU), United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC) Borno Youth Movement (BYM), and United National Independent Party (UNIP). 2 However, three main political parties dominated the political landscape during the period. They are the Northern People's Congress (NPC), the Action Group (AG), and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroon's (later called the National Council of Nigerian Citizens, (NCNC) (Dike, 1999 & 2001).

The 1964 general elections witnessed the alliance of parties, which produced two big political parties: the Nigerian National Alliance (NNA) and the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA). 3 The NNA was made up of the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC), Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), Midwest Democratic Front (MDF), Dynamic Party, Republic Party, Niger Delta Congress, and State United Front. The UPGA was an amalgam of National Convention of Nigeria Citizens (NCNC), Action Group (AG), Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU), United

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 3 of 27

Middle Belt Congress (UMBC) and Northern Progressive Front (NPF). However, this alliance eventually disintegrated (Andrain 1975). The elections, like the preceding elections were riddled with crises.

For instance, there were intimidation and killings of politicians and the destruction of properties was rampant. In November 1962 Chief was jailed for treasonable felony. The controversies surrounding the 1963 census raised the temperature in the polity. The crises the emanated from the political process (unreasonable partisan politics and ethnic animosities) apparently caused the military to take over power, and political activities were suspended.

The 1979 general elections, which came after 13 yeas of military rule, saw the creation of new political parties in the polity. The major parties during the period in review are, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP), and the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP). These parties, like the previous ones, were more or less controlled by particular (but major) ethnic groups. 4

During the 1983 general elections, the Nigerian Advance Party (NAP) joined the main parties in the race. But its impact was not much, as the party could not control any State. However, three months into the 2nd administration, Major General Buhari (who became a born again democrat during the 2003 elections), struck with his boys in the military and sent Shagari and the politicians packing. Worse still, many of them spent some time in jail.

The 1989 and 1993 elections came after many years of military misrule. And as before, new parities were created. However, political parties were not established by the people -General Ibrahim B. Babangida put them together for the people. The newly created parties were the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC). Chief Moshood Abiola (presidential candidate) of the SDP, who was believed to have won the 1993 presidential elections, received 4.3 million of the 6.6 million votes counted, against 2.3 million for Bashir Tofa (presidential candidate) of the NRC. The final official result was halted by the military government of General , leading to the historic election annulment of June 12, 1993 (Suberu, 1994).

By August 27, 1993 General toppled the Interim National Government (ING) set up (after General Babangida had stepped aside apparently due to public pressure) and headed by . During General Sani Abacha’s bogus transitional program to democracy five political parties ( later branded them ‘five leprosy fingers’) were established. They were, Congress for National Consensus (CNC), Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN), Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM), National Centre Party of Nigeria (NCPN), and the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP). Contrary to democratic tenets, the five political parties in the elections adopted General Sani Abacha as their sole presidential candidate (Suleiman, July 22-28, 1998).

The late Chief Bola Ige (he was murdered in Dec 2001) adopted the principle of aloofness -'Siddon look' during the transitional programs of General Ibrahim Babangida and General Sani Abacha, as he predicted (and rightly, one might add) that the transitions would not lead Nigeria anywhere. The death of General Sani Abacha (June 1998) brought the end of these parties. General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who was appointed by the military to lead the country, supervised the 1999 transitional program.

The 1999 general elections (for the Fourth Republic) witnessed the creation of many other new political parties. However, Nine (9) parties were given provisional registration to contest the 1999 elections, but only three of them (PDP, AD, and the APP (which is now ANPP), had the political wherewithal to contest the general elections.

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 4 of 27

The journey back into the political memory lane of Nigeria, which traced how far the society has come, could enable the political elite to map out strategies to make the nation’s chaotic politics issues-based, and take the society into the ‘Promised Land’ of true democracy. Sadly, political activities in Nigeria are still colored by political assassinations, irrational decampments (carpet crossing), and electoral frauds. These were rampant during the 2003 elections.

The 2003 elections: Assassinations and Decampments

As mentioned earlier, the pattern of politics with bitterness, which has long characterized Nigerian politics, continued into the 2003 elections. But the incidence was more horrifying during the period. For instance, from the beginning of the 2003 electoral process there were intra-party squabbles, protests, complaints of intimidation, and the influence of ‘ethnicity’ and ‘corruption’ in the 2003 primaries. And this occurred mostly in the major political parties (PDP and ANPP; AD did not field any presidential candidate) (The Guardian, Jan 17, 2003). In particular, political assassinations and decampments (see table) were on the increase during the period in review (Reuters: Sept 23, 2002; ThisDay: Feb 19, 2003). However, the more terrifying aspect of the episode was that the Nigerian police are ill equipped to track down the murderers. In fact, the ‘police appeared helpless and hapless’ (see Table A) (ThisDay, February 22, 2003; Weekly Trust, March 8, 2003; Daily Trust, March 36, 2003; Reuters: Dec 24, 2001).

Table A: The 2003 elections: Assassinations and Assassination attempts**

Name State (Party) Name State/Party

Chief Ajibola Oyo (AD) Attor Dr. Julius Kpaduwa Imo (ANPP) (Bola) Ige Gen/Min of Justice (Gov. Asp)**

Odunayo Olagbaju Ile-Ife - Dele Arojo (Gov Asp) Lagos (PDP) (St Rep) (AD)

Barnabas Igwe % Anambra Isyaku Mohammed (UNPP) %% (Chair)

Ahmad Ahman Akpan H. Ekpo (Univ of Cross River Chairman (PDP) Uyo)

Alhaji Yusuf Plateau John Oyom Okap(Dep Cross River Doma* Gov)** (PDP)

Aliyu Maigari* Plateau Prophet Eddie Okeke Anambra

Uche Ogbonnaya Imo (ANPP) Ezeodumegwu G. Anambra (OGB) Okonkwu (LGA Chair)

Victor Nwankwo Ifeany Ibegbu (Anambra Anambra Ass.)***

Mr. Emenike Imo (ANPP) 4 PDP Stalwarts Killed****

Anthony Imo (ANPP) J.C. Amadi (Owelle Imo (ANPP) Onyearugbulem Atta)

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 5 of 27

Prof. Chimere Enugu Alhaji Isiaku Kano (UNPP) Ikoku Mohammed

Bukola Saraki Kwara (PDP)** 7 killed in PDP/ANPP Jato-Aka Clash++ LGA, Benue

Sunday Ugwu Enugu 14 persons died in a Enugu church?

Many killed in Ogbia & Kolukuma Theodore Emeka Imo (PDP) party primaries (PDP) Bayelsa Agwatu

Emmanuel Okocha Asaba, Delta Satae Alhaji Inuwa Musa (PAC)**** (a) Kubo** (Speaker)

Mrs. Emily Ado Ekiti, Ekiti Harry Marshall (Rivers Killed in Omope** (AD) State) Abuja (ANPP)

Monday Ndor (St Ezendu Megwo Nnew-South Rep) Rivers Okonkwo (ANPP)

Schnapps Ughelli-North Abel Chukwu (St Rep) Enugu (PDP) Omuvwiebese **

Yan Doma (PDP) Joshua Boro ** Ughelli-South (Senator)** (PDP)

Alhaji Isa Kwara State INEC Alhaji Adamu Waziri** Ojibara** ()

Mrs. Jumoke Ondo St. Attry Momoh Lawal Okene -Kogi Anifowoshe** General State

Janet Oladape PDP leader (Odigbo 3 killed in an Yoba State, LGA) ANPP/PDP clash++ Jan 18’ 03

Chief Chekwas Abuja (APGA) Uche Nwole** Owerri –Imo Okorie** State

Alhaji Umaru "Buhari’s convoy Adamawa Shinkafi** attacked…."**

The convoy of 200 houses burnt in Gani attacked** PDP, ANPP clash**

Moshood Gidado Ilorin (Kwara) Alhaji Issa (House Kwara St (two others) ANPP of Assely Cand) (ANPP)

Sources: Compiled by the author from: The Guardian: "Police arrest seven suspects Over Ige’s murder" Dec 27, 2001. AP: "Government critic killed in Nigeria" Sept. 3, 2002; AP: "Gunmen kill Nigerian ruling party official" Aug. 17, 2002; The Guardian: "Governor’s aide, Beheaded in Plateau, six feared dead in Ondo" Nov 6, 2002; ThisDay: "Gunmen Kill ANPP Senatorial Candidate" Feb 11, 2003; The Guardian "Political assassination" Nov 21, 2002. Daily Independent: "Fresh facts emerge over Uche’s murder," Feb 18, 2003. ThisDay: "In Abuja, Saraki Escapes Assassination," Feb 19, 2003. NAMPA/Reuters: "Gunmen kill outspoken Nigerian politician," Sept 23, 2002. ThisDay: "7 killed in PDP/ANPP Clash," Feb 22, 2003; ThisDay: "April Polls: Are the Police Ready?" Feb 22, 2003; ThisDay: "PAC Flagbearer Survives Acid Bath," Feb 27, 2003; Vanguard: "Ekiti AD women leader dies of acid attack," March 5, 2003. Daily Trust: "Borno

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 6 of 27

Speaker escapes death," March 5, 2003. Reuters: "Nigeria opposition chief killed in run-up to polls," March 5, 2003; Daily Trust: "Political Killings in the present dispensation," March 6, 2003; ThisDay: "The Lucky, The Not So Lucky," March 6, 2003. Vanguard: "ANPP chieftain, Harry Marshal shot dead—IG orders probe," March 6, 2003. Daily Independent: "Okorie, APGA chairman atlers on threat to life," March 7, 2003. Daily Independent: "Gunmen invade Shankafi’s residence," March 11, 2003; BBC: "Nigerian Candidate attacked." March 14, 2003; Daily Trust: "Buhari’s convoy attacked in Adamawa." March 14, 2003; Daily Trust: "200 houses burnt in PDP, ANPP clash." March 17, 2003; Daily Independent: "Lawal’s cousin, two others killed by gunmen in Ilorin" March 21, 2003. Daily Independent: "ANPP chieftain killed in Kwara;" April 18, 2003.

? The stampeed that caused the death was blamed on the agents of the state

****(a) Substance suspected to be an Acid was poured on the Gubernatorial Candidate of PAC in

* Beheaded

** Assassination attempts; Mrs. Emily Omope later died of acid attack;

***Tortured by Bakassi Boys

****As a result of the fuss between Senate President, Anyim and the Governor of Obonyi State, Egwu, in Abakaliki, on August 24, 2001

%%% Local Bar chairman and his wife, Abigal Igwe, killed)

++Violent political clash and killing is common across the country

Nevertheless, shortly after the 2003 primaries, the police uncovered a plot by some party loyalists to print five million copies of fake voter’s cards in Lagos (BBC News: Jan 17, 2003). This discovery was just a sign that many more of such activities were going on in many parts of the country; and it showed during the elections, as fake ballot papers were allegedly used to rig the elections. The desperation in some of the political office holders, who insisted on holding-on to power at all cost, marked a dangerous pattern in ‘the politics of unreason’ in Nigeria (Lipset and Raab, 1970) with corruption, assassinations, and frauds riddling the 2003 elections.

After all the turns and tumbles in the politics of party registration, the INEC approved and certified 30 political parties (see Table B) to contest the 2003 general elections (apparently, due to public pressure). However, this willy-nilly in the political market place makes politics and democracy interesting, to say the least.

Table B: 2003 elections and the 30 political parties

1 Action Renaissance Party 16 New Democrats (ND) (ARP)

2 United Democratic Party 17 Nigeria Advance Party (UDP) (NAP)

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 7 of 27

3 National Conscience Party 18 Nigeria Peoples’ (NCP) Congress (NPCO)

4 All Peoples Liberation 19 Party for Social Party (APLP) Democracy (PSD)

5 Better Nigeria Progressive 20 Peoples Mandate Party Party (BNPP) (PMP)

6 Community Party of 21 Peoples Redemption Nigeria (CPN) Party (PRP)

7 Democratic Alternative 22 Peoples Salvation Party (DA) (PSP)

8 Justice Party (JP) 23 Progressive Action Congress (PAC)

9 Liberal Democratic Party 24 The Green Party of of Nigeria (LDPN) Nigeria (GPN)

10 Masses Movement of 25 Alliance for Democracy Nigeria (MMN) (AD) [*]

11 Movement for Democracy 26 People’s Democratic and Justice (MDJ) Party (PDP) [*]

12 National Action Council 27 All Nigeria Peoples Party (NAC) (ANPP) [*]

13 National Mass Movement 28 United Nigeria Peoples of Nigeria (NMMN) Party (UNPP)

14 National Reformation Party 29 National Democratic (NRP) Party (NDP)

15 New Nigeria Peoples Party 30 United Progressive (NNPP) Grand Alliance (UPGA)

Sources: Compiled by the Author from, The Guardian: "INEC Okays two parties,

new groups get certificates," Dec 18, 2002. The Guardian: "Applause, Criticism Greet New Parties’

Registration," June 23, 2002. Daily Independent Newspaper: "INEC registers 22 new parties," Dec 3, 2002.

ThisDay: "Supreme Court Orders Registration of New Parties," Sept 11, 2002. ThisDay: "Now, to Real Politics,"

June 23, 2002; [*]= AD, APP (now ANPP) and PDP are the 3 old political parties

In spite of the brouhaha over the registration of political parties, only 17 (out of the 30 registered parties for the 2003 elections) submitted their presidential candidates to the INEC on time for the elections (see Table C; and see Table D for parties that did not field presidential candidates). Parties had until Feb 11, 2003 to do so. The plethora of political parties in the society did not make meaningful impact in the out come of the 2003 elections (other than acting as mere oppositions). Most of them, in the opinion of this writer, were formed to tickle or massage the egos of the founders who

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 8 of 27

took delight in being called presidential aspirants. For them to make any meaningful impact in future elections, the leaders of the minor parties should put aside their egos and selfish interests and form a strong coalition of one political party.

Table C: The 17 Parties with Presidential Candidates

Political Parties Presidential Running Mate Candidates

People’s Democratic Party Gen Olusegun (PDP) Obasanjo

All Nigeria Peoples Party Gen Dr. Chuba (ANPP) Muhammadu Okadigbo Buhari

National Conscience Party Chief Gani Jerome Tala (NCP) Fawehimi Topye

All Progressive Grand Gen Odumegwu Alhaji Sani Alliance (APGA) Ojukwu Bayero

National Democratic Party Gen Ike Alhaji Aliyu (NDP) Nwachukwu Habu-Fari

United Nigeria Peoples Alhaji Party (UNPP)

Progressive Action Ms. Sara Jubril Chief Congress (PAC) Mohammed Shittu

Peoples Mandate Party Chief Arthur Otubo Raymond (PMP) Nwankwo

African Alliance Party Alhaji Yahaya Hajiya Asma’u (AAP) Ndu A. Mohammed

National Action Council Dr. Olapade N/A (NAC) Agoro

Peoples Redemption Party Alhaji Balaraba Ngozi Okafor (PRP) Musa

Democratic Alternative Dr. Abayomi Edoibge Ihi (DA) Ferreira Emmanuel

Justice Party (JP) Pastor Chris Hajiya Mairo B. Okotie Habib

Movement for Democracy Alhaji M.D. Emantor Patrick and Justice (MDJ) Yusuf Wales

Liberal Democratic Party Chief Pere N/A of Nigeria (LDPN) Ajunwa

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 9 of 27

Green Party of Nigeria Chief Olisa N/A (GPN) Agbakoba

Sources: Compiled by the author; N/A=Not Available

Table D: The 13 Parties without Presidential Candidates

Alliance for Better Nigeria Progressive Democracy (AD) Party (BNPP)

Nigeria Peoples Masses Movement of Congress (NPC) Nigeria (MMN)

Community Party of National Reformation Party Nigeria (CPN) (NRP)

All Peoples Party for Social Democracy Liberation Party (PSD) (APLP)

Peoples Salvation National Mass Movement Party (PSP) of Nigeria (NMMN)

United Democratic New Nigeria Peoples Party Party (UDP) (NNPP)

New Democrats (ND)

Sources: Compiled by the author

Very few of the political parties in Nigeria (if any) are issues-based. And those that issues-based are only paper tiger, as their philosophies are not reflected in any form of social policy actions. Thus, moneybags mostly control party activities in the society. With this, many believe that political ideology is a missing link in Nigerian politics.

Political ideology: A ‘missing link’ in Nigerian politics

Government of modern societies operates on set coherent principles (ideology), which "a distinct group of beliefs about the social and political world and is a vehicle for the defense or advance of the interests of a social group" (Harris 1986). Every political party (human being or organization) is supposed to be directed by its principle (s). For instance, the United States has the Democrats and Republicans (and minor parties), with each espousing programs based on their principles. In Britain, there are the Labour and Conservatives; and in France, there are the Socialists and Republicans/Gaulists. Ideology, therefore, is "a set of closely related beliefs or ideas, or even attitudes, characteristic of a group or a community" (Plamentaz 1970; Glickman 1987).

The questions are, can a leader run an organization (a nation or a community) effectively function without a philosophical or an ideological base? Is philosophical principle necessary in governance? What role can ideology play in establishing the norms by which power is exercised and policy is made in Nigerian politics today?

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 10 of 27

Nevertheless, the solution to problems in societies often starts, and should start, with an ideological base, from which social and political issues could be worked out. Ideology, like money or numbers, can and does function as a political resource in a truly democratic political setting. Without any doubt, lack of ideology is a missing link in Nigeria’s politics; and this turns the society into a wild and lawless place during elections. Without being grounded in ideology, many of the political parties or politicians pander to ethnic interests to exploit the emotions of the gullible illiterate masses. And without ideology the public cannot hold the parties and politicians accountable for their actions. Therefore, they often make promises they cannot fulfil. Consequently, many people do not pay attention to political campaigns (if they at all campaign) any more in the society.

However, since Nigerian politics are not ideologically based, many of the politicians are opportunists (or crooks who are hovering around looking for public funds to grab). They often join a winning party, even if the philosophy of the party is contrary to their own personal views (if they have any principle). During the 2003 elections (as in previous elections), lack of political principle caused the politicians to shift like ‘Sand Dunes’ and quickly abandon their political parties whenever they fail to achieve their selfish political ambition in the parties (Dike, January 20, 2003); (see Table E).

Table E: The 2003 Elections and Decampments***

Name Old New Name Old New

Alhaji Kwatalo ANPP PDP Emma Bassey PDP ANPP (Dep. Gov.) (Rep)

Ademu ANPP PDP Graham PDP ANPP Argungu (Dep Ipingasi (Rep) Gov.)

Enyinaya PDP ANPP Gbenga AD PDP Aberiba (Dep. Ogunniya Gov.)

John Okpa PDP ANPP Kingsley A. AD PDP (Dep. Gov.) Ogunlewe (Rep)

Bucknor AD NDP Mrs. Dorcas AD PDP Akerele (Dep. Odunjirin (Rep) Gov)

Bucknor NDP UNPP! Leke Kehinde AD PDP Akerele (Rep)

Gbenga Aluko PDP ANPP Roland Owie PDP ANPP (Sen)

Khairat A. PDP ANPP Marshall Harry PDP ANPP Gwadabe **

Danie Saror PDP UNPP John Okpa PDP ANPP (Sen) (Dep. Gov)

Peter Ajuwa ANPP LDP Sergeant PDP ANPP (Aspirant) Awuse**

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 11 of 27

Chuba PDP ANPP Wahab AD PDP Okadigbo (Sen) Dounmu (Sen)

Ike PDP NDP Emmanuel ANPP PDP Nwachukwu Iwuanyanwu* (Sen)

Jim Nwobodo PDP UNPP Iyola Omisore AD PDP (Sen) (Dep. Gov)

Chukwuemeka AD UNPP Jonah Jang PDP ANPP Ezeife

Mohammed PDP UNPP Yemi Brinmo- AD PDP Goni Yusuf

Chris OKotie NDP JP AD PDP

Obinna Uzor PDP NDP Gbolahan AD PDP (Gov. Aspirant) Okuneye (Rep)

Haruna PDP NDP ANPP PDP Abubakar (Gov. Asp)

Nuhu Audu PDP UNPP Laken Balogun AD PDP (Gov. Asp) (Sen)

Mala Kachala ANPP AD Alex Kadiri ANPP PDP (Gov Asp) (Sen)

Mike Mku PDP UNPP Funsho AD PDP (Gov. Asp) Williams

Gbenga PDP NDP Rochas PDP ANPP Olawepo (Gov. Okorocha Asp)

M.T. Mbu (Jnr., PDP ANPP Damishi Sango PDP AD Sen)

Omololu AD PDP * ANPP PDP Meroyi (Sen)

Alli Balogun AD UNPP Alhaji Abdul- ANPP UNPP (Rep) aziz Tonku (Rep)

Appolos Amadi PDP NDP Muhammad PDP ANPP (Rep) Nura Khalie

Alhaji UNPP PDP Mrs. Oluremi PDP AD Mohammed Adiukwu- Koirana-Jada Bakare

Uche PDP ANPP Audu Dansa PDP ANPP Ogbonnaya

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 12 of 27

(OGB)

Ukeje O.J. UNPP AD Dapo Sarumi PDP PAC Nwokeforo

Emmanuel APGA PAC Salisu Matori PDP ANPP Okocha

Adamu PDP ANPP Ibrahim Lame PDP ANPP Bulkachuwa

Kura PDP ANPP Annie PDP ANPP Mohammed Okonkwo

Chief Idowu PDP AD Chief Akin PDP AD Odeyemi**** Akomolafe****

Chief Ade PDP AD Chief (Mrs.) A. PDP AD Akilaya**** Olaye****

Olufemi PDP AD Tunde PDP AD Ojo**** Owolabi****

Kayode PDP AD Ademiluyi PDP AD Oguntoye**** Adelanke****

Emeka ANPP NDP Don Etiebet PDP ANPP Nwajiuba

Florence Ita- ANPP ? Bob Nwanunnu ANPP ? Giwa

James Mako AD PDP Magus Ngie ANPP PDP (States Rep) Abe (St. Rep) Ebonyi Rivers

Fidelis Ogodo AD PDP Prince Ugorji ANPP PDP (St. Rep) Ama Oti (St Ebonyi Rep)

Arinze Egwu ANPP PDP Ben Oke Obasi ANPP PDP (St Rep) (St Rep) Ebonyi Ebonyi

Patrick ANPP PDP Joseph Egwuta ANPP PDP Edediugwu (St (St Rep) Rep) Ebonyi

Ray Akanwa PDP ANPP Linus Okorie PDP ANPP (St Rep) (St Rep) Ebonyi Ebonyi

Bode ANPP PDP Jafar Bio ANPP PDP Olajumoke (St Ibrahim (St Rep) Ondo Rep) Kwara

Hassan Y. PDP ANPP Raheem AD ANPP

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 13 of 27

Bagudu (St Agboola (St Rep) Kwara Rep) Kwara

Ambali Amuda ANPP PDP Uche Nwole (St PDP ANPP (St Rep) Kwara Rep)

Khinde Ayoola AD PDP Peter Adeyemo AD PDP

Alli Balogun AD PDP Ayoka Lawani AD PDP

Peter Oyetunji AD PDP Olubunmi AD PDP (St Rep) Odumbaku (St. Rep)

Ramota AD PDP Prince Elvis PDP AD Okemakinde Jude Agukwe (St Rep)

Nnanna ANPP PDP Effiong NDP PDP Onyenekwu Edunam (St. Rep)

Catherine PDP UNPP Catherine UNPP NDP Acholonu Acholonu

Chinwoke PDP AD Bukar Mai ANPP PDP Mbadinuju Lafiya (Gombe (Anambra Gov) St)

Alhaji Baffa ANPP PDP Col. Magji Deb ANPP PDP Ahmed (rtd) Garkuwa

Abdulmuminu ANPP PDP Alhaji Sa’idu ANPP PDP Abubakar Shehu Awak

Sa’adu ANPP PDP Muhammad ANPP PDP Muhammad Dukku (Rep)

Muhammad ANPP PDP Mr. Lebetek ANPP PDP Abubakar () Umar (St, Rep)

Alhaji Sada ANPP NDP Ademola AD NDP Yakubu Adegoroye (Katsina St) (Ondo St)

George Okpagu UNPP ANPP Ichie Mike UNPP ANPP (Anambra St) Ejezie (Anambra St.)

Alhaji Ibrahim ANPP PRP Emmanuel ANPP PDP Ali Amin Aguariavwodo (Kano St.) (Rep)

Isa Kachako ANPP PDP Toyin NDP JP (Kano St.) Anifowoshe

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 14 of 27

Toyin JP NDP Alhaji Ibrahim ANPP PDP Anifowoshe Apata (AJG group)

Sources: Compiled by the author from: Daily Independent, "The decampment Option" Feb 5, 2003; The Guardian,

"Four PDP Senators Decamp To ANPP, AD Whip Joins PDP," Jan 11, 2003; ThisDay: "Okadigbo Decamps to ANPP," Nov 30, 2002;

ThisDay: "Carpet-crossing: The Fourth Republic Experience," May 26, 2002; New Nigeria: "3 AD Defect To PDP, " May, 17, 2002;

The Guardian: "Saraki was expelled, ANPP insists," July 5, 2002; Weekly Trust: "Nura Khalil deserts PDP, joins ANPP" Nov 15, 2002;

Daily Trust: "Aggrieved legislator defects to UNPP, bids for Senate," Feb 18, 2003; The Guardian: "UNPP adopts Bucknor Akerele as governor-

Ship candidate, Balogun quits AD," Feb 18, 2003; The Guardian: "Adiukwu-Bakare, ex-Lagos PDP governorship aspirant, supporters join AD,"

Feb 21, 2003; ThisDay: "Why I Quit PDP – Sarumi" Feb 27, 2003; ThisDay: "PAC Flagbearer Survives Acid Bath," Feb 27, 2003;

ThisDay: "2 PDP Senators Defect to ANPP," Feb 28, 2003; ThisDay: "Ex-PDP Chieftain Lauds Buhari-Okadigbo Ticket," Feb 28, 2003

ThisDay: "PDP Loses 1,000 Members to AD in Ekiti," March 1, 2003; ThisDay: "2003: Sidelined State Law Makers (1)," March 1, 2003; Daily Trust:

"Another ANPP chieftain shot in Imo." March 7, 2003; The Guardian: "Four Oyo legislators dump AD for PDP." March 11, 2003;

ThiDay: "Udenwa’s Aide Decamp to AD." The Guardian: "Akwa Ibom NDP executive decamp to PDP." March 11, 2003; The Guardian: "Acholonu dumps UNPP,

Joins NDP;" March 10, 2003; Daily Independent: "Mbadinuju to dump PDP for AD;" March 11, 2003. Daily Trust: "Four ex-aides of Gov Hashidu decamp to PDP."

March 10, 2003; ThisDay: "Why I Quit ANPP – Guber Candidate." March 14, 2003; ThiDay: "Why I Quit AD, By Adegoroye," March 16, 2003; ThiDay: "UNPP Decampees Swell Moghalu’s Rank." March 15, 2003; ThisDay: "Amin, ANPP Chieftain Joins PRP." March 17, 2003; The Triumph: "Kachako dumps ANPP for PDP…calls former party ‘a broken calabash’" March 25, 2003; Daily Independent: "Anifowoshe replaces Amure as Lagos NDP candidate" March 25, 2003; Daily Independent: "Kwara: ANPP supporters decamp to PDP;" April 16, 2003.

March 9, 2003

*One of the founding members of APP (now, ANPP)

**One of the founding fathers of PDP

***This is just a sample of those who decamped

****The PDP in suffered a major set back with about 1,000 of its members decamping to AD (see ThisDay, March 1, 2003)

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 15 of 27

! "NDP expels Bucknor-Akerele" Vanguard: Feb 15, 2003

Nevertheless, the failure of the various political parties to control their members made decampment and fraud difficult to control. Poverty also contributes to this phenomenon, because with monetary inducements, political parties and politicians employ the unemployed and poor youths as thugs. This class of people is used to carry out dirty political assassinations, thereby exacerbating the insecurity issue in the society. It is unacceptable that political parties and politicians in the society represent nothing other than bribery and corruption. It is a political jungle out there, a political minefield – a kind of the ‘survival of the fittest.’ Any person who could eliminate his or her political opponents, unfortunately, wins an election. Thus, some of the politicians that run around hiring political mercenaries to kill their political opponents are not the types of political leaders Nigeria wants. As it has been noted, their sole purpose is to eliminate credible political opponents, so as to hold on to power (Dike, Jan 30, 2003). Nigerian politicians should understand that democracy without opposition (or dividends) is tyranny.

Despite its problems to national development ethnicity is important in politics, because all politics starts at the grassroots. The late Tip O'Neil (former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, a Democrat), noted in his memoir that "All politics is local." This means that a candidate aspiring for public office should not take his or her constituency for granted. In other words, the home base should be secured first, for the candidate may not win an election without solid support from the home base. Tip O’Neil lost an election because he took his "own neighborhood for granted" (see O’Neil with Novak, 1987).

This may be true in an advanced, enlightened, and truly democratic society where votes matter. It does not seem to work in the present-day Nigeria where votes do not really matter. In fact, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo won (was selected?) in 1999 elections without significant supports from his Southwest Geo-political zone. However, the story was different during the 2003 elections, as the zone massively supported him and the PDP, leaving the AD that formally controlled the zone barely breathing (ThisDay, April 5, 2003).

After all the disagreement between Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the PDP members in the National Assembly, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo again defeated (rigged out?) Dr. Alex Ekwueme (his main rival and other candidates), during the 2003 PDP primary at Abuja on Jan 5, 2003. (One should recall that Chief Obasanjo defeated (rigged out?) him in the 1999 primary elections in Jos) Chief Olusegun Obasanjo received 2642 votes, while Dr. Alex Ekwueme got a paltry 611 votes. The other of the contestants was Abukakar Rimi, who received 159 votes; and Barnabas Gemade got only 17 votes (BBC News: Jan 6, 2003; ThisDay News: Jan 6, 2003). Dr. Alex Ekwueme tried unsuccessfully in the court to stop President Obasanjo from becoming the PDP flag bearer (Vanguard, March 30, 2003). Others who were defeated in the 2003 primaries complained that the elections were ‘sham.’ In fact, the politics of 'do or die' is a big problem in Nigeria. And the electoral commissioners are often alleged to have received bribed from the politicians.

Electoral commissions and leadership

In every transitional program to democracy in Nigeria, an electoral body has been created to take charge of the process. Therefore, the General Abubakar transitional program established the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with the late Justice Epharim Akpata as chairman, to supervise the transitional program. However, the electoral commissions before the INEC were FEDECO, NECON and the NEC. In addition, the many federal electoral commissions and commissioners (since 1959) have been chaired by equally many electoral chairmen (see Tables F and G).

Table F: Electoral Commissions

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 16 of 27

Electoral Commission (a) 1959

The Electoral Commission of Nigeria 1964- – ECN 1965

The Federal Electoral Commission – 1979- FEDECO 1983

National Electoral Commission – NEC 1987- 1993

National Electoral Commission of 1994- Nigeria –NECON 1998

The Independent National Electoral 1998- Commission –INEC Present

Sources: Compiled by the author

(a) The election that ushered in the First Republic

Table G: Electoral Commissions and Chairmen

Chairman Commission/Year

R.E. Wraith – a Electoral Commission Briton (a) (1959)

Eyo Esua * ECN (1964)

Michael Ani ** FEDECO (1979)

Victor Ovie- FEDECO (1983) Wiskey ***

Eme Awa**** NEC (1987)

Prof Humphrey NEC (replaced Awa) Nwosu +

Okon Uya ++ NEC (1993) (replaced Nwosu)

Sumner Dagogo NECON (came in and Jack +++ out with Abacha)

Justice Epharim INEC (1998) Akpaka ++++

Dr. Abel INEC (May 2000- Guobadia *+ Present)

Sources: Compiled by the author from: Nwokocha, March 1999;

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 17 of 27

The Comet: May 18, 2000; Vanguard: May 30, 2000.

Note:

(a) Mr. R.E. Wraith (senior lecturer in Pub Admin, Univ. College, ) supervised the 1959 general elections

*Eyo Esua, a civil servant, headed the ECN in 1964.

** became the chairman of FEDECO in 1979.

***Justice Victor Ovie-Wiskey took over the chairmanship of FEDECO after Ani and conducted the controversial 1983 elections.

****In 1987 President Babangida appointed Eme Awa, a professor of political science from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as the chairman of NEC.

+Professor replace Prof. Eme Awa, another political science professor from UNN.

++ also another university professor replaced Nwosu when Babangida annulled the 1993 election. Uya's NEC was getting ready to conduct a fresh election when General Abacha struck.

+++Sumner Dagogo Jack: General Abacha set up his own electoral commission – NECON, headed by Sumner Dagogo Jack. The era of NECON ended with the death of Abacha on June 8, 1998.

++++Justice Epharim Akpata: After that, General Abubakar inaugurated the INEC in August 1998, with Justice Epharim Akpata as the chairman. This commission was mandated to complete the transitional democratic program bungled by Babangida and Abacha.

*+Dr. Abel Guobadia became the new chairman of INEC, in May 2000, after the death of Justice Akpata

Sources: The Comet: May 18, 2000; Vanguard: May 30, 2000; Nwokocha, March 1999.

The responsibilities of electoral commissions have been, among other things, the registration of voters, public enlightenment, overseeing the internal affairs of political parties, security, and checking of electoral malpractice. A nation's democracy is judged by how ‘free’ and ‘fair’ the process of choosing their leaders is, and the effectiveness and neutrality of the electoral body charged with conducting the elections. But as mentioned earlier, some of the electoral chairmen have been accused of being corrupt or bought over by the executives or those that have allowed crooks to contest elections (Dr. Abel Guobadia, Sumner Dagogo).

A few names (crooks) that have been allowed to contest elections in the society come to mind: the disgraced House Speaker, Alhaji Ibrahim Salusi Buhari, who forged a university diploma, slipped through and became the speaker of the House of Representatives. Alhaji Ibrahim Salusi Buhari claimed that he cheated in the process because of his ‘zeal to serve’ the nation. But does one need to commit a crime in order to serve his country?

Another person is Senator Arthur Francis Nzeribe (representing Orlu senatorial district), who was suspended from the senate (he was recently allowed by the court to return to the Senate) because of his character, rigged himself back into the senate in the 2003 elections. He confessed in a senate scandal that about 84 senators received N3 million each from the N300 million bribes that was given (apparently by the presidency) to squash the impeachment move against President

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 18 of 27

Olusegun Obasanjo. Was Senator Arthur Nzeribe telling the truth?

The more disturbing development happened in 2003 when Mr. Otunba Omisore, who was the former deputy governor of Osun State, contested an election from jail and won a Senate seat. Mr. Omisore was put in jail for his alleged involvement in the murder of the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige. Mr. Omisore was dismissed from the AD after his alleged implication in the killing of Uncle Bola Ige, but he decamped to the PDP from where he contested in proxy and surprisingly won. It is only a country like Nigeria that somebody who is under trial (and in jail) could win an election. This type of things can only happen in a country like Nigeria (Daily Independent, Nov 28, 2002). Nigeria needs true democracy like air, but its destination is still far off, because the nation’s lawmakers are the lawbreakers! (Dike, Daily Independent, Nov 28, 2002).

Hired thugs, rigging of elections (ranging and purchase of voters’ card characterized the 2003 elections, as in the 1999 process) by politicians, to outright bribing of voters and INEC officials). If the politicians bribed their ways to victory the simple logic is that they are bound to be corrupt and dishonest, because they would try to recoup whatever they spent during the elections, and appease their supporters before thinking of serving the public. This was one of the many reasons the politicians in the 1999 politics could not perform. (The ‘419-scam’ groups that sponsored many of them got in the way). And the trend is likely to repeat itself in the 2003 elections, because many Ghana-Must-Go bags exchanged hands. Therefore, a bad system is bound to produce corrupt leaders.

While it may be unrealistic to expect every election to be totally free of malpractice, the overall result should reflect the will of the electorate, even if some doubts may be raised over the outcome in an "odd constituency" (Wiseman 1990). But there is hardly any constituency in Nigeria that is free from electoral controversies; the odor of corruption and fraud is all over the political landscape. However, many people were not happy to see the ex-military officers’ stages successful come back into politics with their stolen public money. But they did, and participated actively in the 2003 elections, with the public doubting if they are true democrats.

The 2003 Elections and Ex-military Generals

The ex-military generals came back into politics as civilians and took a center stage during the 2003 politics campaigning, and acting like democrats. But if one should ask, are the ex-military generals (and military institutions) truly democratic? Does the military care about democracy? However, four retired Generals participated seriously in the 2003 elections as presidential candidates. They are General Olusegun Obasanjo (PDP), Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ANPP), General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (APGA) and Major General (NDP). Many others participated actively in the 2003 elections in varied political capacity are and (senators), and and (Governors of Bayelsa and Kwara respectively). Others include Augustus Aikhomu, Olabode George, Abdukareem Adisa, , , Jerry Useni, , David Jemibewon, , Aliyu Mohammed Gusua, Col., Elias Nyiam, John Shagaya, and , among others. This is not to mention the almighty General Ibrahim Babangida who has been remotely controlling political affairs in the society (Daily Independent: Jan 14, 2003; ThisDay, Jan 12, 2003 & Jan 26, 2003; The Guardian: Jan 16, 2003).

As noted earlier mentioned, many Nigerians were not pleased about the spectacular involvement of the retired generals military in the 2003 politics (after they had derailed many attempts to hand over power to the civilians). And some voiced out their displeasure: Jato Ibrahim notes, "these generals who are conveniently elbowing politicians out of the political space were architects of whatever woes Nigeria is suffering today, and they ought not be allowed to assume the kind of role they are playing in the polity" (Ibid.) Others believe that the coming back of the military into politics in "starched agbada and barbaringa" instead of "starched military uniform" shows that Nigerian politics and politicians have failed (ThisDay, Jan 1, 2003).

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 19 of 27

However, with all the havoc the military caused in the society, Nigerians have apparently learned that it is much easier to instigate the military to overthrow a bad civilian government than to install a good military regime. The military, as we are aware, do not willingly give up power, unless with serious public pressure. Therefore, many people believe now that it is better for the society to deal with corrupt civilian politicians than ‘messing’ with autocratic military that violates people’s human rights (and does not allow freedom of expression). As Dennis Austin (1993) rightly stated: many African autocrats "who are less keen to become democrats than they appear to be so always conjure up various programs for democracy" which they seek to manipulate. The result is often a kind of 'African masquerade with intent to deceive.'

Two good examples of this 'intent to deceive' in Nigeria are again the General Babangida's June 12, 1993 episode and the General Abacha's 1998 election charades. (And General Muhammadu Buhari faced the same problem during the 2003 elections; few Nigerians trust his credential as a democrat.) Both generals planned and manipulated their transitional programs to democracy (as we have seen above); their elaborate programs for democracy were simply to attract public recognition. Col. Abubakar Umar, in his resignation letter during the General Babangida era stated that, "the military, as represented by our present leadership has become a stumbling block to the development of the nation's democracy" (Suberu 1994).

The incursion of the military into Nigerian politics has contributed to an increasing pathological political ambition among its officers, with the officers either remotely controlling political process or physically and actively involved in the process. With this many ex-military generals are known to have been chairmen of boards of rich corporations. In addition, those who had good connections served as state governors or administrators during the military era. As a result, many of them today live in flamboyant excesses and are boastful owners of multi-billion Naira businesses, including banks and other financial institutions. As a result, many military officers were known to have spent too much time fretting over the spoils of office, with little or no time allocated in doing their duties as professional soldiers (The Economist, Aug 21, 1993; Lawal, Aug 10, 1998).

The money the retired general amassed during the many years in government helped them to come back in swing back into politics during the 2003 elections. They took complete charge of the political process and manipulating elections, while the professional politicians played second fiddles. And they did a good job in manipulating the gullible public with their ill- gotten wealth. But the frauds they perpetrated are not being taken kindly, as there are massive public protests across the land. And this can hardly go away!

The 2003 elections: Frauds, and Public Protests

The major part of the 2003 elections is over, and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (PDP) has been declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) (AP: April 22, 2003; The Guardian, April 22, 2003). However, because of the alleged frauds during the 2003 elections, many people are questioning the integrity of the elections (Dike, Daily Trust, May 15, 2003). However, with the May 29, 2003 inaugural date set, waves of public protests are still re- vibrating (ThisDay, April 17, 2003).

Local and international observers in the 2003 elections acknowledged that the process was far from being fair and free of irregularities. In other words, the politicians manipulated the process to their selfish gains. In particular, the European Union Observer Mission (EU EOM) noted in an unmistakable tone that there were monumental frauds in some parts of the country during the April 12 and 19 elections (ThisDay, April 14, 2003; AP: April 22, 2003). However, as their form of protest, some of the aggrieved parties (and politicians) boycotted the state legislators’ elections in some areas (The Guardian, May 4, 2003). Some political parties that felt aggrieved are still protesting. And General Chukwuemeka Ojukwu (the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance-APGA) and Major General Muhammadu Buhari

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 20 of 27

(presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party-ANPP) are calling for ‘mass action’ (ThisDay, April 17, 2003). They have also threatened not recognize the Chief Obasanjo administration after May 29, 2003, and urged the international community to do the same (ThisDay, April 24, 2003). Furthermore, they went to court to stop the May 29 2003 inaugural, claiming, among other things, "That the elections is invalid by reason of corrupt practices" Daily Trust, May 23, 2003; Vanguard, May 24, 2003). But how far this threat will go is not certain, as Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that an "attitude of hell-let-loose" must be checked and avoided (ThisDay, May 24, 2003). This apparently means that he will not let any individual or group of persons to run down or destabilize the society.

Given the magnitude of fraud and spate of protests, one is compelled to ask, ‘is this any way to run an election?’ The answer is a resounding ‘No!’ Nigerian elections should unfold without intimidation and rigging; this is not what Nigeria wants at this point in time. Perhaps, it is time for political parties to assume responsibility and liability for crimes committed by their members during elections in the society. And it is time for the media in Nigeria to truly play the role of a watchdog in reporting violations on electoral laws. It should also educate the public of their rights and responsibilities as citizens, and not help in perpetrating the act by looking the other way, or being loop-sided in their reporting.

At this juncture we shall discuss some of the methods employed by the unscrupulous politicians (and their collaborators) to manipulate the 2003 elections. Among the methods are:

I) Inflated census count (inflating of census figures of localities for political gain); (ThisDay, May 11, 2003)

2) Voter registration exercise (some politicians use crooked means to register more voters in their constituencies); (Ibid.)

3) Printing of fake electoral materials (crooks print fake ballot papers, after seeing the original ballot paper, to stuff ballot boxes); see The Guardian, April 22, 2003;

4) Party Primaries (manipulation of the political process to select a party’s flag-bearer); this was rampant during the 2003 elections;

5) Colluding with electoral officers (bribing electoral officers, security agents, police officers, and thugs to stuff ballot boxes with fake votes, snatch ballot boxes, and allow multiple voting, under aged voters; stealing of boxes, etc; Vanguard, May 5, 2003);

6) Voter intimidation and political thuggery (to scare away voters by threatening to kill or hurt them; and assassination of political opponents. This was also rampant, as many people were killed in election-related violence (Daily Trust, May 5, 2003);

7) Stuffing of Ballot (indiscriminately thumb-printing of ballot papers and putting them in ballot boxes to ensure the victory of a particular candidate (or a group of candidate); The Guardian, April 22, 2003; Dike: Daily Trust, May 15, 2003,);

8) Multiple Voting (some voters casting more than one vote due to multiple registration and fake papers);

9) Underage Voting (voting by people who are below the stipulated voting age; due to lack of use of ID card this was common during the 2003 elections (ThisDay, May 11, 2003)

10) Inducement of Voters (some politicians buy votes by distributing food items-beans, rice and onions, garri and yam tubers, stock-fish and salt and money to the poor and ignorant population);

11) ECOWAS Voting (mobilizing immigrants from neighboring countries to vote for a particular candidate; (ThisDay, May 11, 2003);

12) Colluding with Gate keepers (gate-keepers in voting and collation center (in alliance with electoral officers), could manipulate election figures); this was a common problem during the period;

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 21 of 27

13) Deliberate counting mistakes (unscrupulous election officers in polling centers could leave out counting the votes of some candidates, and inflate the votes of candidates that bribed them to ensure that they get the required votes to win an election); and

14) Deliberate technical errors (results at polling centers could indicate that a particular candidate is winning or has won, but a wrong result could be posted; the officers could call it technical error if the trick is dictated (ThisDay, May 11, 2003).

The INEC nearly used this ploy to deny Governor Tinubu of of his victory, as it entered a result different from than the official result on its WebSite. But when the ploy was dictated INEC claimed that it was an error.

However, please note that the enumerated methods of election manipulation here are not by any means exhaustive. But having identified the flaws in the system the political parties (and the society at large) should, instead of going back to slumber, or waste their time crying ‘fraud,’ should accept the results, and begin to plan on how to reorganize the system and close the loopholes in the system.

Seeking Solutions

As earlier mentioned, calling for ‘mass action’ or threatening ‘hell-fire’ because one lost an election is not helpful at this point in time. This method of protest cannot move Nigeria forward; it will rather move the nation backward. As we seek solutions to the teething problems, we must realize that Nigeria must go forward, and not backward. However, this does not mean that this writer supports the alleged massive frauds that occurred during the elections. Any victory tinted by corruption must be condemned and the injustice must be redressed. But it must be done in a civilized fashion! Therefore, the society must move, not only resolutely, but also quickly, to address all the frauds that have been substantiated. Elections and their victors come and go, but their problems remain, if they are not re-solved.

The aggrieved parties must look beyond the 2003 elections and begin now to plan on how to restructure the system to avoid the re-occurrence of frauds in future elections (Dike, May 15, 2003). The members of Congress should learn from the frauds that took place during the 2003 elections, and work toward making Nigeria a more united, safer, enlightened, and better society. They should put the people first, rise above partisan politics, and heal the nation’s tribal divide. The people (on their part) should work harder to reclaim Nigeria from the politicians by making proper use of their votes, and avoid being manipulated by the unscrupulous politicians in future elections.

To build a better and progressive Nigeria (anchored on democratic principles) the society should find solutions to the electoral problems that were rampant during the 2003 elections. At this juncture, it is apropos to review some the likely methods to control the occurrence of fraud and elections irregularities in future. Some of the likely solutions to the problems are:

The use of Identity Card (to check under aged voters and weed out illegal immigrants (non-citizens);

Chairman of INEC should not to be appointed by the Presidency or one person;

Check and compare finger prints on the voters card with that at the polling center; people should be denied the right to vote if they don’t tally;

Print only numbers on the voters card issued to voters and leave the voter’s name and number at the polling centers; then match each voter’s number with that at the polling center to make sure that they match);

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 22 of 27

Appoint those of proven integrity to serve on the electoral tribunal; and those on the position should be paid well to avoid them taking bribes from complainants or petitioners;

Check every voter’s card for fake ballot papers; and make ballot papers fraud-proof;

Employ state of the art technology to check for frauds -reject multiple registrations and voting;

Begin voters registration drive on time, so as to have enough time to prepare for elections;

INEC to be have its own Annual Budget, to avoid being manipulated by the presidency;

Discontinue with, or reduce the use of ad-hoc staff in elections;

Use high ranking and reliable police officers (if necessary military officers) and security personnel to guard polling stations during elections;

Set up permanent dates for national elections; this will enable the society to be conscious of the time, and to prevent unnecessary elections postponements;

Make and implement tougher electoral laws; this can discourage political assassination, intimidation, thuggery, violence, electoral and cheats. A wild, corrupt, lawless and chaotic society cannot conduct free and fair elections;

To disqualify political parties that encourage political assassination and violence;

Automatic transmission (or release of results) at polling centers; to discontinue the movement of ballots boxes to other locations after elections, etc.

Improve the standards of living of the people- poverty makes individuals to be corrupt easily;

Redress the injustices strewn all over the society; injustice breeds violence and anger;

Install surveillance cameras at each polling station to track activities during elections; and this should be controlled by people of integrity;

Fasten ballot boxes to poles or rods to avoid crooks and thugs from snatching them from polling officers;

Restructuring and nurturing the nation’s essential political institutions. This should include the judiciary, police, INEC, etc.

Society to demand accountability from the politicians, by using their votes wisely;

Reject parties and politicians that are not issues-based; society should demand that politics in Nigeria (now less a matter of issues) should be issues-based. This would make politics to be a game for politicians, and not for ‘area boys and area girls.’ As mentioned earlier, lack of principles caused the political ‘doves and vultures’ to shift from one party to another when they failed to realize their selfish political ambition during the 2003 elections. Again, this list is not by any means exhaustive.

Conclusion

This article rests on the premise that some of the politicians running around in billowing babaringa (fighting for political positions) do not possess the leadership qualities needed to lead and move the country forward. It emphasizes that the sociopolitical and economic problems in the society should be tackled in a democratic and orderly fashion.

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 23 of 27

The injustices in the Niger-Delta should be resolved. And the starting point should be the devolution of more power to the individual states; and every locality should be allowed to control their resources -be it oil, groundnut, cocoa, palm oil, tin, etc. Thus, social injustice and inequity within the society (caused by the concentration of power in the center) has robbed local governments the power and resources for community development programs. This is not acceptable in any truly democratic and federal system. The ability of the leaders to address the issues of social injustices, human rights violations and security problems, and loop-sided distribution of resources, will guarantee the unity of Nigeria. As Dike (Jan 30, 2003) has noted, Nigeria should be re-structured into a new society where freedom, security, justice, fairness, economic opportunity and sociopolitical stability shall become the cornerstone (Daily Independent, January 30, 2003). The leaders should realize that the purpose of political leadership is to provide service to the people and not an avenue for personal enrichment. And the leaders in each ethnic group must understand that the unity of Nigeria takes precedence over sectional aggrandizement.

The politicians (and their cohorts) must change their attitude in their pursuit of political power; and politics should not be a do or die affair in the society. The players should eschew violence (the use of thugs), bribery of electoral officers, and buying of voters' cards to manipulate elections. As the population increases the leaders must make serious efforts to conduct a national census for a reliable population figure (instead of the confusing and confused population estimates) for better national planning. Efforts should be made to enlarge the national ‘economic pie.’ They should also fix the dilapidated social infrastructures and provide the necessary services to the society. The services in dire need are better schools and medical services, portable water, good roads, non-interruptible electricity, better communication system and resources management, and employment opportunities. Without this, the economy will continue to falter and crime, prostitution, and other social vices will continue to rise.

Therefore, barriers to economic growth should be removed, and people-oriented policies should be undertaken to arrest the devastating effects of poverty in the society. Special attention should be directed to education and agriculture, as they are responsible for the gap between the developed, developing, and underdeveloped nations (as reflects on the people’s standards of living). Thus, without adequate funding for schools to ensure healthy learning environment, the development of any society would be very difficult, if not impossible.

More importantly, with better funding for schools (and support for teachers in the form of good remuneration) the society would experience a dearth of good-trained doctors, nurses, engineers, architects, lawyers, economists, accountants, teachers, scientists, politicians, social thinkers and enlightened citizenry. Worse still, the educational institutions in Nigeria would continue to lag behind in information technology, and the society could witness many more years of rigged elections, which means the elusion of true democracy in Nigeria. So, the society should find a lasting solution to the lingering face-off between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government, which has resulted in the closure of the nation’s tertiary institutions for many months now (Vanguard, May 22, 2003; Obasi, Daily Trust, May 22, 2003). And the welfare of the workers in the other sectors of the economy should be addressed to avoid the rampant labor disputes that disrupt economic activities in the society.

However, all this will be impossible to achieve without electing (and appointing) individuals of proven integrity to manage the affairs of the society. This is because, good services, as they say, begin with good people!

Notes and References

1. The first Nigerian political party was the Nigerian Democratic Party. Herbert Macaulay led the party, founded in 1922, and it won the three seats for the Lagos Legislative Council, while the Improvement League won the only seat for Calabar. But those who could vote, or be voted for, during that period were only British citizens living in the cities and

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 24 of 27

British Protected Persons with a minimum gross income of 100 Pounds a year. Consequently, many Nigerians were not allowed to vote.based. See ThisDay: "1922 to 2002: Evolution of Political Parties in Nigeria." Dec 12, 2002; see also Online:www.nigeriafirst.org: "The Nigerian Electoral Process in perspective." Accessed on March 5, 2003.

2. (Ibid.)

3. See also Online:www.nigeriafirst.org: "The Nigerian Electoral Process in perspective." Accessed on March 5, 2003; also see The Guardian: "Zik, NCNC and political evolution," June 13, 2002. Also see Perspectives on Nigeria’s Fledging Fourth Republic (ed.), M. Adejugbe. Malthouse Press, Lagos, Nigeria, 2002.; ThisDay: "2003: The Usual Suspects." March 3, 2002

4. See ThisDay: "1922 to 2002: Evolution of Political Parties in Nigeria." Dec 12, 2002; ThisDay: "2003: The Usual Suspects." March 3, 2002

Andrain, Charles F. Political Life and Social Change: An Introduction to Political Science. (2nd ed.) [Belmont: California, Duxbury Press, 1975].

Anele, Douglas. "The democratization process in Nigeria: A critical notice." Vanguard: Jan. 24, 1999.

AP: "Government critic killed in Nigeria," Sept. 3, 2002

AP: "Gunmen kill Nigerian ruling party official," Aug. 17, 2002

AP: Obasanjo Wins Re-Election in Nigeria;" April 22, 2003

AP-Africa: "Obasanjo Wins Re-Election in Nigeria;" April 22, 2003

Austin, Dennis. "Reflections on African Politics: Prospero." Ariel and Caliban, International Affairs; Vol. 69, No. 2., 1993

BBC News (on the fake voter’s cards): January 17, 2003

BBC News: "Nigerian Candidate Attacked." March 14, 2003

BBC News: "Nigerian party backs Obasanjo," January 6, 2003

Brett, E. A. "Neutralizing the Use of Force in Uganda: the Role of the Military in Politics," The Journal of Modern African Studies, 33, 1, 1995

Daily Independent: "INEC registers 22 new parties," Dec 3, 2002

Daily Independent: "Omisore and his shaky seat" (a letter); May 5, 2003

Daily Independent: "The decampment Option," Feb 5, 2003

Daily Independent: "The year of the generals." Jan 14, 2003

Daily Trust: "Buhari’s convoy attacked in Adamawa." March 14, 2003

Daily Trust: "Commissioner, 4 others killed in Nassrawa poll violence;" May 5, 2003

Daily Trust: "Political Killings in the present dispensation;" March 6, 2003

Daily Trust: "Stop Obasanjo’s Inauguration –Buhari asked court;" May 23, 2003

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 25 of 27

Dike, Victor E. "Lawmakers and Lawbreakers;" Daily Independent, November 28, 2002

Dike, Victor E. "Looking Beyond the 2003 elections;" Daily Trust, May 15, 2003

Dike, Victor E. "To sustain the unity of Nigeria;" Daily Independent, January 30, 2003

Dike, Victor E. Democracy and Political Life in Nigeria; [Zaria, Nigeria: ABU Press, 2001]

Dike, Victor E. Leadership, Democracy, and the Nigerian Economy: Lessons from the Past and Directions for the Future. [Sacramento, California: The Lightning Press, 1999]

Ekwowusi, Sonnie; "Redressing the Electoral Fraud;" ThisDay, May 14, 2003

Feb 21, 2003

French, Howard W. "Nigeria, a Proud Nation in a Free Fall, Seethes under a General’s Grip." New York Times, April 4, 1998

Glickman, Harvey. "Reflections on the State-Centrism as Ideology in Africa," in Zaki Ergas (editor), The African State in Transition; St. Martin’s Press, New York, 1987

Harris, Nigel. The End of the Third World. Penguin Books, 1986

Lawal, Sola. "Beating the Military in Their Own Game." Post Express, Aug. 10, 1998.

Lipset, Seymour Martin and Earl Raab; The Politics of Unreason (2nd Ed.); The Univ. of Chicago Press, Chicago, London, 1978

NAMPA/Reuters: "Gunmen kill outspoken Nigerian politician," Sept 23, 2002

Nas, Wada (March 8, 2003); "Corruption on parade;" Weekly Trust, March 8, 2003

New Nigeria: "3 AD Defect To PDP, " May, 17, 2002

Nnanna, Ochereome; "Lessons from elections 2003;" Vanguard, May 5, 2003

Obasi, Isaac N. "Higher Education This Week;" Daily Trust, May 22, 2003

O’Neil, Tip. Man of the House: The Life and Political Memoirs of Speaker Tip O’Neil (with William Novak). St. Martin’s Press, New York, 1987

Otteh, Joseph. "Demanding Accountability for Abuse." Post Express, Oct 10, 1998.

Plamenatz, John. Ideology. London: Pall Mall Press, 1970

Reuters: "Nigeria Fears Reprisals After Minister Shot Dead;" Dec 24, 2001

Saffell, David. The American National Government (4th ed.); [Mass: Winthrop Pub. Company Cambridge, 1975]

Skidmore, Thomas E. & Peter H. Smith; Modern Latin America; [New York, Oxford: Oxford Uni. Press, 1984]

Suberu, Rotimi T. "The Democratic Recession in Nigeria." Current History, May, 1994

The Economist-Online: www.economist.com/countries/Nigeria/ (accessed 2/27/03)

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 26 of 27

The Economist: (August 21, 1993); Survey, p.10

The Guardian: "Saraki was expelled, ANPP insists," July 5, 2002

The Guardian: "2003: The battle of the Generals and their plot to conquer Nigeria." Jan 16, 2003

The Guardian: "Adiukwu-Bakare, ex-Lagos PDP governor ship aspirant, supporters join AD,"

The Guardian: "Applause, Criticism Greet New Parties’ Registration," June 23, 2002

The Guardian: "Four PDP Senators Decamp To ANPP, AD Whip Joins PDP," Jan 11, 2003

The Guardian: "Governor’s aide, Beheaded in Plateau, six feared dead in Ondo," Nov 6, 2002

The Guardian: "INEC Okays two parties, new groups get certificates," Dec 18, 2002

The Guardian: "Low Turn-out As Nigerians Elect State Legislator;" May 4, 2003

The Guardian: "Obasanjo meets target to be named winner;" April 22, 2003

The Guardian: "Police arrest seven suspects Over Ige’s murder," Dec 27, 2001

The Guardian: "Political assassination" Nov 21, 2002

The Guardian: "The party primaries: matters arising," January 17, 2003

ThisDay: "Assembly Polls: PDP Confirms S/West Supremacy;" April 5, 2003

ThisDay: "April Polls: Are the Police Ready?" February 22, 2003

ThisDay: "Buhari, Ojukwu, Others Threaten ‘Mass Action;’ April 17, 2003

ThisDay: "Buhari: Don’t Recognise Obasanjo After May 29;" April 24, 2003

ThisDay: "Carpet-Crossing: The Fourth Republic Experience," May 26, 2002

ThisDay: "Gunmen Kill ANPP Senatorial Candidate," Feb 11, 2003

ThisDay: "How the Polls Were Rigged;" May 11, 2003

ThisDay: "In Abuja, Saraki Escapes Assassination," Feb 19, 2003

ThisDay: "Now, to Real Politics," June 23, 2002.

ThisDay: "Obasanjo Wins by Landslide," January 6, 2003

ThisDay: "Okadigbo Decamps to ANPP," Nov 30, 2002

ThisDay: "PAC Flag bearer Survives Acid Bath," Feb 27, 2003

ThisDay: "PDP Loses 1,000 Members to AD in Ekiti," March 1, 2003

ThisDay: "Redressing the Electoral Fraud;" May 14, 2003

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008 Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason Page 27 of 27

ThisDay: "Resolving the Electoral Crisis;" April 27, 2003

ThisDay: "Return of the Generals." January 12, 2003

ThisDay: "Supreme Court Orders Registration of New Parties," Sept 11, 2002

ThisDay: "The Generals’ New Symphony." Jan 26, 2003

ThisDay: "Why I Quit ANPP – Guber Candidate." March 14, 2003

Thisday: "Why I Quit PDP – Sarumi," Feb 27, 2003

ThisDay: "Mass Action: Obasanjo Threatens Buhari, Ojukwu, others;" May 24, 2003

Vanguard: "Buhari ask court to void Obasanjo’s re-election-Obasanjo can’t threaten us, says Ojukwu;" May 24, 2003

Vanguard: "Education: ASUU’s armour cracks; 11 varsities out of strike;" May 22, 2003

Vanguard: "How to get a credible electoral body –Ebri;" May 10, 2003

Vanguard: "Obasanjo, Ekwueme: The gulf widens;" March 30, 2003

Vanguard: "Our agenda for Mr. President – Nas, Akande, Udoma, others;" April 26, 2003

Weekly Trust: "Harry’s murder was one among many –ANPP;" March 8, 2003

Weekly Trust: "Nura Khalil deserts PDP, joins ANPP," Nov 15, 2002

Wiseman, John; Democracy in Black Africa: Survival and Revival [New York: Paragon House Pub Company, 1990]

======

Victor E. Dike is Chief Executive Officer, Center for Social Justice and Human Development (CSJHD), in Sacramento, California. He is also an adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Business and Information Technology, National University (Sacramento Campus), and an adjunct Assistant Professor, Computer and Information Systems, Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento, California.

Victor E. Dike is the author of Nigeria and the Politics of Unreason: Assassinations, Decampments, and Moneybags (Forthcoming, December 2003). For comments, please e-mail: [email protected]

June 2003

http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_politics_of_unre.htm 7/21/2008