For the second time in three weeks, Nigerians will be going out, today, to perform one of the most important responsibilities they hold in a democratic society — the election of their leaders. For this round, Nigerians in twenty-eight states will elect who they will want to serve them as Governors. While many of the Governors will be seeking re-election, others will be electing brand new governors after the incumbents have completed the two term limit established by the constitution. In eight other states: Anambra, Imo, Edo, Osun,Ondo, Bayelsa, Kogi, and Ekiti, there will be no governorship elections. This is because these states have held theirs on different staggered dates.
However, there will be elections for the over one thousand state assembly seats in the thirty-six states of the federation. In Anambra state, thirty state seats are in contest. They include: Aguata one and two, Ihiala one and two, Nnewi North, Nnewi South one and two, Orumba South, Orumba North, Ekwusigo, Awka South one and two, Awka North, Dunukofia, Njikoka one and two, Anaocha one and two, Idemili North, Idemili South, Onitsha South one and two, Onitsha North one and two, Ogbaru one and two, Oyi, Ayamelum, Anambra East and Anambra West.
Only the Federal Capital Territory will not be having any elections today. This is because the FCT is directly administered by the President through the Minister of the FCT and the National Assembly directly makes law that are used to administer the territory. As such, there is no governor or state assembly for the Federal Capital Territory.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and in fact, all Nigerians are going into today’s polls, expectedly in a better position than they were three weeks ago. INEC recorded many logistics challenges in the first lap of the exercise – the Presidential and National Assembly elections, where days after the polls closed and collation of results ended, the commission was still battling with the
upload of polling unit results on the INEC Result Viewing portal, IREV. There were nationwide delays in the distribution of electoral materials to the different polling units, making the voters to sit for hours, in most situations, aggressively, waiting for the arrival of INEC officials. INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners, Electoral Officers, and Registration Area Supervisory Presiding Officers must ensure that all the polling units open at 8.30am. Keeping to the schedule will help reduce tension and engender smooth conduct of the election. The hierarchy of the commission must ensure minute by minute monitoring of the process to be sure that the right things are done at the right time. INEC must be the aware of the trust deficit going into today’s poll and must do every thing to ensure justice is done and is perceived to have been done.
The citizens nay the voters have a more important role to play. As you participate in today’s exercise, ensure to do the right things at the right time. Try as much as possible to make the voting environment as friendly and peaceful as possible. There could be reasons for tempers to flare in the voting process, but a calm approach to address all grievances will help to see the polls to a successful end. Remember, a little spark of fire could lead to an unfathomable conflagration. The only difference will be the effort and the approach to quench it.
Security agencies led by the Nigerian Police Force must lead by example. It is in their purview to provide security and reassure residents of their safety. They should avoid any attempt to increase fear and tension as much as possible. Unnecessary release of gun shots must be discouraged. Voters must be made to vote without fear or any form of rancour. The security agencies must ensure that there are no records of violence, ballot box snatching, intimidation of voters or attacks in polling units. All necessary intelligence must be acted on. No hoof should be left behind, no stone left unturned. The population must be made to trust our electoral process once again.
The political class must try to play by the rules of the game. The wishes of the people must be left to stand. A leader with the full backing of his people will do wonders.
It is another appointment with destiny. Another time for Nigerians to choose their leaders, this time those that will be nearest to them. Every necessary thing must be done- all hands on deck to elect legitimate governments that will enjoy the support of the people. No compromise should be accepted.
ABS EDITORIAL
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