The just-ended but inconclusive governorship election in Anambra State is arguably the most newsworthy event in Nigeria today and has dominated the landscape in the last quarter. The buildup was particularly captivating despite its many features of intra- and inter-party petty squabbles. As enthralling, too, was the field of competitors, so variegated that the voters must have had a hard time making up their minds on whom to root for. It was really a drama-fest which lived up to its billing, as would be expected of any political contestation in the storied state. It was little surprise then that the theatre continued after what was a largely peaceful voting process, with doubts still lingering long after similar processes elsewhere would have produced a clear winner.
There is hardly a national consensus on what to make of Anambra State, elections and all; nor can there be, considering the range of events that have shaped it among the comity of states in Nigeria. The impressions that easily come to mind do the state and its people no favours, sometimes because critics lose sight of its essentially cosmopolitan disposition: a melting-pot of cultures and a potpourri of unregulated socio-economic ventures.
Despite a few distinguishing sharp practices in the business landscape, however, no one can argue about the endowments of this south east state in human and material resources. It will be impossible to find any polity that has contributed as much as Anambra State in the Nigerian project, especially in earning the nation plaudits before the international community in politics, sports, academics or entrepreneurship.
The generation of the great Zik of Africa dominated politics. Emmanuel Ifeajuna, Okalla, Onyali, Mikel Obi, among many others, illuminated sports. Kenneth Dike, Chike Obi, Emeagwali and others set the pace in academics. Sir Odumegwu Ojukwu was the first Nigerian millionaire. Today there are dollar-billionaires in Cosmas Maduka, Prince Arthur Eze, Cletus Ibeto, Obianodo, Innoson Chukwuma to talk about as leaders in corporate Nigeria.
Enter INEC, the Independent Electoral Commission, with its embarrassing spasms of inefficiency. As always, the electoral umpire brought discomfiting mixes of their own in avoidable controversies. If the body could not acquit itself well in a single election in a single state, the expectations for 2015 should be left to the imagination, for now.
That INEC disappointed most observers by its shoddy performance in what could have been a hitch-free electoral exercise is not the news. No amount of casuistry or rationalizations could detract from the legendary underwhelming performance the commission has willingly imposed on itself. The surprise is that anyone expected any form of improvement, based on the Electoral Commission’s gladly earned labels – compromised, mischievous, subpar, name it. Their performance in the election was the low point. On that score it would be appropriate to declare that INEC was the only loser!
As a contestant in that election, I was elated that public issues for once became relevant. It is unheralded that candidates were literally compelled to canvass practicable solutions to social problems. Copious social contracts became articles of faith, debated with fervor and condour. Everyone in rallies and the multiple debates based their request for public acceptability and the electorates’ votes on their blueprints. Quite frankly, every attempt to bring the core needs of society to the fore became a celebration of the electorate, now wooed with a superfluity of road maps and manifestos. It is amazing that action plans and deliverables could be bandied with such seriousness in Anambra State of all places. For me that represented a significant departure from the past. A quantum leap, looking back on this democratic journey!
By and large, the almighty INEC failed, woefully in some cases, when it was easier to succeed. The claims of disenfranchisement of many eligible voters are real and offered opportunities for bitter losers to lay their claims for a rejection of the entire process. But, even then, that is not enough reason not to notice other subtle details that swung it for the runaway leader All Peoples’ Grand Alliance, APGA.
No one bothered to take a cue from what happened the last time around. Experience counted for much of the outcome of this election, as for the last one won by Peter Obi. While other parties were busy squabbling over candidacy, lofty programs, recruitment of campaign managers etc., APGA invested rigour in the basics: motivating (perhaps inducing) their supporters to verify and secure their voting eligibility. Newly eligible voters were encouraged to register and enlist their willingness to vote. It was a superiority of strategy that caught everyone napping. Only eligible voters could exercise their franchise, anyway!In combat parlance, APGA secured its position!
Credit goes to Governor Peter Obi and his foxy think tank. They may not have had the most impressive debates or even campaign sallies; but they sure knew their way around the electoral business, including its legalities. And legalistic brawls! Against this background it appears increasingly futile in my view for any sensible candidate to seek to multiply their losses by engaging APGA or its candidate to post-election contests. Victory has been won, Pyrrhic or not. It is time for us to count our losses and get on with life. There will definitely be another day, if only people will learn to be patient! This, I reckon, is not going to be easy, not after all the toil, wastages, hope, adulations, endorsements, titles, prophesies and affirmations. Yet this is the path of honour!
More germane for now is for society to be on its guards in demanding its rights to good governance. It is pointless erecting obstacles or living in denial, or spattering bad blood. All who lost like me should congratulate the winner, line up behind him to move things forward. There is a great difference between losing and losing out. If Anambra State benefits from all the great milestones projected in the buildup, then everyone has won. The winner too should be magnanimous in victory. The problem is always with the entrenched winner-takes-all mentality. There is nothing wrong in asking fellow contestants over to contribute ideas on how to help society master its many problems. A post-election dinner with candidates will be another pleasant novelty!
Failure of any kind leaves a lump in the throat, especially when expectations are lofted so high. But even in the colossal failure such as we just had lessons abound which, if cerebrally analyzed will stand us all in good stead. With all modesty I quote myself in my publication of October 11, 2013 in the Nation Newspaper: “for the avoidance of doubt, the due diligence process preceding successful gubernatorial candidature is no stroll in the park. Anyone who has scaled the many hurdles en route: packaging oneself; surviving intraparty intrigues, funding self-projection with so much to dust up; winning primaries; passing fastidious INEC and security scrutiny, deserves respect and should be accorded recognition…Finally, the rigours of voter endorsement, genuine qualifications, certificates and CVs to plead, affidavits sworn to, declarations to be made, and the logistics of voter romance and several intangibles, are not everyday events and should not be dismissed with a sleight of hand…”.
Every candidate, therefore, deserves respect and recognition. Beyond “ the fawning, mealy-mouthed ‘supporters’ or the hubbub of illegal sirens, the culture of ‘rice and kerosene politics’, Anambra State has won, andshould be given a chance to move on from INEC’s mea culpa, despite personal feelings.
INEC was INEPT, but life goes on.
Mazi Austin Nwangwu is a candidate of CPP in Anambra State 2013 governorship election
