INEC had many operational failures —EU observe | Nairalaw

The European Union Election Observation Mission to Nigeria says
the Independent National Electoral Commission had many operational
shortcomings on last Saturday’s elections.

The observers also lamented the killing of almost 35 persons on
election day as well as the late arrival of election materials at
many polling units.

The EU Chief Observer, Maria Arena, who is also a member of the
EU Parliament, gave the verdict in Abuja on Monday while presenting
a preliminary report on the elections.

She said INEC worked in a very difficult environment and made
various improvements, however, “its serious operational
shortcomings reduced confidence in the process and put undue burden
on voters.”

Arena added that 14 per cent of some essential materials were
missing from polling units.

The chief observer said, “The majority of polling units opened
extremely late, leaving voters waiting for hours uncertain of when
voting would begin. This was compounded by a general lack of public
information from INEC.

“As a result, there was confusion and tension, and voters were
likely deterred from participating. In nearly 90 per cent of 190 EU
observations, agents of the two main political parties were both
present. However, important polling procedures were insufficiently
followed, and in 14 per cent some essential materials were
missing.

“On four occasions, voting continued even when smart card
readers malfunctioned. There were evident problems in completing
results forms and they were not publicly displayed in half the
counts observed, weakening transparency. Positively, in almost all
cases party agents received copies.

“Reports from security forces and in the media indicated that
between approximately 20 and 35 people were killed on polling day
in election-related incidents.”

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Observer Group has expressed
disappointment with the cases of violence which marred the exercise
in Rivers, Lagos and a few other places.

The group also lamented the late arrival of election materials
which led to delay in the commencement of voting in some areas.

The Chairperson of the group, Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, who is also a
former President of Tanzania, said this while reading out a
preliminary report of the Saturday polls.

Kikwete said the observers visited Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja,
Kano, Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Benin, Enugu and Kaduna

He said, “Election related violence and loss of life, which
occurred in a number of places, is deeply troubling. Those
responsible should be held accountable. We encourage all political
parties to honour their commitments in the national peace accord
and reject violence.”

Kikwete added, “Notwithstanding further assurances provided by
INEC, there were delays in the distribution of materials, resulting
in late opening of polling units.

“Although INEC subsequently authorised extended voting hours for
those polling units that had open late, this information was not
communicated effectively and not followed by all staff.”

He commended youths especially members of the National Youth
Service Corps which served as ad hoc staff of INEC.

Kikwete said notwithstanding the high number of political
parties, it was only the Peoples Democratic Party and the All
Progressives Congress that were really in the race.

The observer commended the manner in which persons with
disabilities were able to vote.

He said they did not witness any cases of underage voting or
vote buying.

Kikwete, however, lamented the arrangements of some polling
units which made the voting process to open thereby comprising the
secrecy of the ballot.

The observer hailed the passage of the ‘Not Too Young to Run’
bill.

He, however, noted that there was a need for youths to be better
integrated into the system.

Letter to my grandfather, by Bello Bala
Shagari

Dear Mallam, I was beginning to entertain the thought of you
being immortal after the several encounters and escapes you had
with death, but its eventual inevitability proved me wrong.

Announcing your death was a great honour to me, after working
relentlessly to be not just a grandchild, but an active actor in
your Life and story.

I couldn’t hold back the tears when it dawned on me that you
have departed this world to never return, but remembering that it
was on a Friday cushioned my pain, bringing a forced smile on my
face.

Mallam, hope you are resting well? I wonder how wonderful your
eternal rest is turning out after completing the holy Qur’an more
than 200 times during your 34 years of retirement.

The other side of you which do not get the media attention
slightly got revealed the day I brought out the paper you were
using to track your progress with Tilawatul Qur’an (the recitation
of the holy book), it was a joyful moment as I could see the
astounding amazement on people’s face.

So many amazing things about you did not make to the public, but
the legacies you have left is a story am eager to tell very
soon.

Praises and condolences rained on you when you departed, whether
they are true or just mere words, only time will tell.

It was unfortunate that your death came at a period of an
intense political campaign as there were a lot of politicizing
around your death.

Meanwhile, there was so much controversy over what President
Muhammadu Buhari wrote in the condolence book which sparked outrage
among the public.

Some family members were also quite furious about it, but
President Buhari actually lowered the flags for you for 3 days and
promised to immortalize you but we have no idea when.

There was also an argument about the location of your burial
when the Sultan offered you the privilege of being buried close to
your role model, Shehu Usman Danfodio at Hubare, the sacred
cemetery but your son, my father, Bala, Sarkin Mafara insisted that
you must be buried according to your wish. Uncle Aminu was quite
emotional about it because he believed that you wouldn’t have
rejected such an honour.

I actually wish you could intervene at that point, but it was
the intervention of your son-in-law Prof. Shehu Galadanci that
resolved the argument when he also supported the move that your
wish should be respected as required by Islamic rights and he led
your burial prayer respectively.

The turnout was extremely massive, the whole Shagari town and
beyond was present to witness the burial rites, I must mention the
presence of your adopted son from Yenagoa, Prof. Steven Azaiki who
managed to travel all the way.

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal led every high delegation to your house
for condolence and Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko too was always around
to receive guests. It was a home for all political leaders in
Sokoto state. Goodluck Jonathan came thereafter and shed some tears
while Gen. Babangida called severally because he was abroad. Many
countless dignitaries came too.

But did you know that your best friend Gen Yakubu Gowon is yet
to come? I wonder what you must have told him? Well, both of you
will sort that out because no one comes between the two of you and
even your very own distant son Adamu Mu’azu!

Well, the world is full of wonders. Meanwhile, I’m sure it is
not that they didn’t want to come, you know them well, they must
have some very important excuses. I also learnt that your very own
pal Shehu Malami Sarkin Sudan has been dealing with his health
issues during that period!

I am not mincing any word because that is what you have taught
me, to say the truth no matter what it will cost me.

Many do not know what the truth has cost you, which makes me
break into laughter when some people talk about integrity.

I have been asking them “what is integrity”? Integrity is when a
former Minister of finance for 6 years cannot afford to transport
his family back to his hometown immediately after leaving
office.

Integrity is when a seven-time Minister will retire to run for a
local government councillor.

Integrity is when you’ll be the President of the oil-rich
Nigeria during the oil boom and leave office having not less than
N67,000 in your bank account and have no domestic or foreign
investment.

Even though I know you despise praise, but today that you cannot
stop me, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Turakin Sokoto, uban Ahmadu da
Ibrahim, you are the embodiment of integrity.

People have always said to me that you ran one of the most
corrupt government in Nigeria’s history and I agree with them.

But they have forgotten that it is credit that despite being
surrounded by such corruption which you did not create either did
you help create, you still remained incorruptible amidst Jackals
and Hyenas.

But during that time you took giant strides that could not be
matched today. Which government in Nigeria hasn’t been accused of
corruption anyway?

Your only sin was that you were not ruthless with those who were
corrupt! but what was the end of those who were ruthless with
them?

It takes wisdom in leadership not ruthlessness, hence your
Initiative of ethical revolution which also gave birth to War
against Indiscipline.

People have no knowledge that it was your idea and you never
claimed it throughout your lifetime.

What have you ever claimed anyway? Not even Abuja that you have
started from the scratch, of which you never had even a single plot
of land until when the Obasanjo government deemed it fit to raise a
simple house for you in Maitama.

Well, I have vouched to claim and defend your legacies, your
friends will support me and your enemies will hunt me.

Sincerely, Dantayi.

Happy 94th!

Mr Bala-Shagari is the President of the National Youth Council
of Nigeria, NYCN.