Nigeria has always held general elections since its first general election in 1959 so what is different about this election that has generated so much tension? Simple: there are two major candidates who are in the race – each with clear cut chances of winning- the incumbent, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan (PDP) and major opposition, General Muhammadu Buhari (APC).
Key Points:A chance for the Nigerian people to either stay with the incumbent or select a new one:
Once again, Nigerians are faced with the choice of determining who would lead them for the next 4 years, and as such are keen to demonstrate their democratic obligation by either voting out the incumbent President or retaining him at the expense of a retired General.
A chance to benefit from stomach infrastructure:
Also for many, the periods of elections are always that of a situation when a few people get to benefit truly from the various groups of politicians either politically, financially or materially and to others “a chance to benefit from the stomach infrastructure” because of politicians’ quest to get rural and lower class support for election or re-election. The 2015 election has not been left behind in this trend of vote buying, with political parties customizing food items such as rice bags, oil tins, bread, garri, beans etc. with the logo of the political parties and their candidates; in other situations, books, bags, sandals and other school equipment have been given to school children in an effort to induce their parents to vote in favour of the said party; in some quarters, political thugs have been hired to attend political rallies, campaigns etc. to cause mayhem. In February, the National Human Rights Commission noted that over 56 people had been killed in 25 different pre-election attacks with Lagos State and Rivers State recording the highest number of casualties.
Innovation of Card Reader and PVCs:
The recent innovation of the INEC which introduces the use of card reading devices and Permanent Voters Card otherwise known as PVC is one which seeks to eliminate election irregularities like multiple voting and voters card verification. The introduction of this advanced technology gives the electoral process a level of credibility hence, there is so much anxiety about the upcoming election, However, with the electoral management body giving assurances of 70% card reader effectiveness, how effective this will be on election day is to be seen come Saturday, March 28th and Saturday April 11th.
Performance of the Incumbent:
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the incumbent, will have the Nigerian people’s satisfaction with his government policies tested come March 28, as many questions still remain unanswered, with corruption crippling the activities of the current government in the oil sector especially with the decline in crude oil prices in the world market and oil still being a major contributor to both domestic and foreign exchange revenue. This has led to the collapse of the Nigerian currency which now exchanges for 220 naira against the dollar from 162 naira last year, leading to a decline of trade in the capital market due to uncertainty.
Diversification of the Economy is also a question yet to be efficiently answered – despite the progress made by the present administration in terms of revamping the Agricultural sector and the introduction of various youth and entrepreneurship programmes like the YouWin, YEAP, NAGROPRENEURS etc.
Nigeria has been named the number one economy in Africa after the re-basing of the economy,but many economists have argued that re-basing the economy differs from economy growth and development which has not necessarily translated to the improvement of the lives of the ordinary citizen through more job creation, increase in the standard of living and prospects for a better future for youths of the society who are now being used as tools of political violence.
Why the tension?
On March 28th and April 11th, 2015, Nigerians will be faced with the options of selecting the President, Federal Legislators, Governors and State Assembly members, with the International community keeping a watch on the exercise to see if Nigerians can get it right this time around. Tensions have been elevated within the country with so many politicians and groups making provocative statements that are capable of heating up the country’s polity. One is forced to inquire if we were headed for an ELECTION or WAR?
In conclusion, Nigerians must look and should look forward to an election that could be a turning point in the nation’s history but then at what cost would it come? It most certainly shouldn’t come as a result of the loss of human lives; for after the elections, we should be able to come together and design a road map for ourselves as Nigerians on where we intend to head towards as a nation not as a bunch of broomsticks struggling to stay together or two magnets of the same pole fighting to stay together. We must prove to ourselves first and then to the international community that Nigerians can get it right – not for their sake but for the sake of our country.
About the Writer: Salam Amdi is a passionate Nigerian who aims to create positive change in Nigeria through his writing. He is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University.
