Promoting youth participation in the democratic process is one of the cardinal objectives pursued by Spaces for Change (S4C). The world watched with admiration as America went to the polls which saw Barack Obama re-elected in a keenly-contested presidential election. The issue-based political campaigns, the robust intellectual engagements involving both contestants and voters alike during that election, was a far cry from the ballot-box snatching, thuggery, rigging, sectarian violence and political intimidation characterizing elections in Africa.
Disappearing voter apathy, especially among the youth populations and racial minorities is the single most important factor responsible for the enthusiastic levels of citizen participation and mobilization in the American electoral process. Notably too, nonprofit initiatives played an unprecedentedly large role in helping America engage communities with a history of non-voting, including those communities least likely to be reached by traditional voter outreach methods. Drawing important lessons from that trend, S4C believes that Africa’s giant, Nigeria, is capable of reinvigorating its electoral process in a way that matches the enviably high electioneering standards witnessed in America. To effectively reform the electoral process, concerted efforts must be made to overturn voter apathy, particularly by stimulating public interest and participation in the entire electioneering developments: from the selection/emergence of candidates; formulation of political party manifestoes; election campaigns; voting at elections up to the declaration of results. The north see the women as no more than the paper you write on and trash and so, most unlikely to vote for a woman-presidential candidate. The behaviour down south still largely, relegate the women to the secondary level in power games by way of anointing, which is highly noticeable in the south-west; and might, someday, be elevated to the substantive capacities as governors, having gone through the ‘pupilage’ or “grooming”, that Tony Akabogu mentioned.
Madunagu EmekaIn 1999, one of the greatest mistakes made by the civil society was not pushing its members into government. After fighting for democracy, civil society sat back and allowed criminals and murderers to take the stage. That is why civil society keeps returning to the trenches to fight. Imagine if Gani had gone to the Senate. If Oshiomhole had become Edo governor or gone to the Senate. Things would be different today. So, civil society must go beyond campaigning and fighting and take the bull by the horns.
Donald Duke has done so much. Its a lot to enumerate, but he is a very driven man; ruthless to an extent, but very proud about quality. As for beautification, the government led by example; they keep public spaces and government areas clean and planted. So citizens in turn, plant flowers or whatever because they want to, not because there’s a fine or punishment. The clean-up of the town is also extremely cheap in comparison to results because he was able to choose competent hands and get the buy in of the people. Cross Rivers State is clean because people choose to join in…. not compelled!
…Now, the issue is: If you were a part and parcel of a criminal conduct but kept quiet because you and your party benefited from it; why should we now rest hope on you to come near any position of responsibility that may allow you, an even more deadly opportunity, to wreak more havoc on the polity, by possible ‘allocation’ of positions while the people will be deceived into participating in a charade called elections?
I listened to and watched Donald Duke, explain the clinical details of how INEC RECS would pay “courtesy visits” to governors and “ask for support”, which were then “promptly provided”, with State Commissioners of Police factored in to deliver a Total Knock Out on political opponents, in sexed-up results, and the emergence of impostors.
The qualification for the Office of the Nigerian President should only get better; its beyond being a ‘fine boy’ or some other mundane reasons. You must be above board in almost all ramifications and untainted.
Its about time we held our leaders to the highest standards of probity and accountability. We’ve been trampled upon for too long in this clime. .. David Petraeus; the immediate past CIA Director, just resigned over marital infidelity, which, some argued, was his private affair; and should not have affected his run-away credentials in his military and intelligence service career in the United States. …Our own Barth Nnaji, good and great guy in his area of specialization; had to go for “conflict of interest”!
One thing however, is that, I admire his courage to come clean of the unacceptable conduct that came to his knowledge; its part of integrity to own up to one’s mistakes. He has my respect for that.
…But to entrust him with the responsibility of the highest office in the land after such indiscretion and behaviour not synonymous with good conscience and public good, will just not cut! ..Donald Duke? …No please!!!
However, my concern is: Given the manner of his emergence against his party’s zoning arrangement, which GEJ also benefited from; am afraid that two major challenges may arise:
• The interest of the incumbent GEJ …with lots of money and the behind-the-scene intimidation of other contestants by the all-powerful presidency;
• OBJ’s unending belief in the ‘policy of allocation’ than election. …Pls let us not underestimate the power that OBJ wields, which may have to be factored in, in any strategy of promoting Aminu Tambuwal. I therefore, can forsee the ‘payback time’ for Aminu Tambuwal on the Speakership arrangement originally meant for Lola Akande, who is now the House Majority Leader, that was jettisoned.
