(SAN) Mr Jibrin Okutepa
* Says No One Put On Patriotic Political Cap For The Good Of
All
*Stresses On Why Political Parties
Do Not Want To Spend Money To Get Well Trained And Well Motivated
Party Agents
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, J.S. Okutepa, has said that the
postponement of the elections fixed for today and next weekend is
not only a failure of INEC but collective failure of both INEC and
political actors.
According to the learned silk, for the past years, it does
appears we as a people have preoccupied ourselves with divisive
primordial partisan interest that we seem to forget that what we do
and say in the name of freedom does not advance the interest of
democracy. He recounted many of the things that have gone wrong,
and wondered by government have not been able to bring the
perpetrators to book.
“I think preparations for elections beginning from parties
primaries to the actual elections are so crucial and fundamental
that it must be taken seriously if smooth democratic process and
norms must be allowed to thrive. For the past years, it does
appears we as a people have preoccupied ourselves with divisive
primordial partisan interest that we seem to forget that what we do
and say in the name of freedom does not advance the interest of
democracy.
“It was not quiet long ago that budget for INEC was presented to
NASS for approval. The scrutiny and approval of the budget was
haphazard done. This is because those who were saddled with the
legislative oversight to do the job had to hurriedly do it so as to
abandon legislative duties for partisan selfish interest. Then
close to the date fixed for elections we saw fire gutting INEC
offices where electoral materials were destroyed. When all these
criminal destruction of electoral materials were going on security
operatives seem to have gone on leave. The saboteurs went Scot
free. Political parties and party leaders went their separate ways.
No one was thinking for free and fair polls. All were planning how
to out manipulate the processes for selfish political advantage. No
one put on patriotic political cap for the good of all.
“Electoral processes were subverted and were being subverted for
personal gains. Nigerians watched their leaders do wrong and keep
quiet. Those who shout on top of their voices did not have access
to national treasury to loot. Those looting see nothing wrong with
our political process. Those who care to speak the truth were not
listened to. The political parties that should have played
significant roles in political enlightenment and education went to
sleep. Political rallies became dancing arena. Name callings became
our political manifestos and agenda. Issues were left unattended
to. Preparation for election cannot just be done for months or so
to elections,” he said.
Speaking further, he also said that INEC has no years of
enforceable strategic and development plans for our elections,
adding that our elections have always been conducted and done on
adhoc basis. He also stressed that political parties and party
leaders do not want to spend money to get well trained and well
motivated party agents and staff, and that today we are seeing what
were put in place for our dear country. Concluding, he said that
Nigerians are indeed the enemies of Nigeria. He, therefore asked
Nigerians to blame not INEC alone as we all must share in the
blame.