Ekiti must hold free, fair elections

The ordered gubernatorial rerun election in ten local government areas of Ekiti State took place on 25 April 2009, except in Oye local government area where the election was postponed due to alleged threatened violence. According to different media and eyewitness accounts, the election was not without violence, intimidation and malpractices. There are reported cases of arson, maiming, ballot stuffing, ballot hijacking, and shooting. All these are barbaric acts, which should not be happening in the 21st century. We condemn it in strongest terms.

Out of the nine local governments where the election was conducted, only five local government results have been formally released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); other results are still been held on to, without any justifiable reason, in a manner that is reminiscent of the process that led to the infamous annulment of the 12 June 1993 election by the military dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida.

The rumour making the rounds is that, in connivance with the high hierarchy of INEC, a bogus election result, particularly, for the Ido/Osi local government, is to be substituted for the valid one to give an advantage to one of the parties in the election, a plot which reportedly did not go down well with Mrs Ayoka Adebayo, the Resident INEC Commissioner for Ekiti who was quoted as saying, ‘I can't do anything against my conscience. I am a Christian. They want me to announce fake results. I can't at my age; for how much?’ The quoted statement clearly suggests that pressure is being mounted on the INEC resident commissioner to announce election results different from the valid votes made by the electorates. Hence, it could be deduced that the current impasse in Ekiti is as a result of deliberate effort of some people to impose their wishes and pervert the course of justice.

This development has heightened tension in Ekiti State, with pockets of protest and skirmishes that pose a threat to the peace of Ekitiland. As a peace loving and non partisan group of Ekiti indigenes, we are saddened and ashamed of the conduct of those Ekiti brothers, who colluded with outsiders to cause mayhem and unleash violence on fellow Ekiti people, and who would stop at nothing to trample on the collective wish of Ekiti people in order to satisfy their selfish and inordinate ambition; Isedale Ekiti a da won lojo (the spirit of Ekiti will judge them). We are also disappointed in those, across all walks of life, who know the truth and what is right, but failed to do what is just. Their retribution will come – it is a matter of time.

Through this medium, we call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the Ekiti INEC resident commissioner to announce the remaining true and valid election results. This is important for the image and integrity of the commission, particularly, in the light of the criticism that has been trailing it since the conduct of the 2007 election. This is a good opportunity for INEC to prove to the whole world that it is credible and capable of conducting a free and fair election. Nonetheless, it is doubtful if Ekiti people will settle for anything short of their valid votes.

We equally call on President Sheu Musa Yaradua to rise to the occasion as a true democrat and statesman to ensure that the votes of common citizens count. This is the foundation of true democracy, upon which an egalitarian society can be built. All eyes are on Nigeria; it will be a big disgrace and big disservice if Nigeria, the self acclaimed giant of Africa, finds it difficult to conduct a successful and credible election in just ten local government areas of a state, while elections have been successfully conducted in lesser African countries.

Furthermore, this is a golden opportunity for the president to demonstrate his avowed commitment to the rule of law that is one of the cardinal principles of his government. It is also a test of the seriousness of the president's re- branding initiative. A re-branding initiative without fairness and justice, which comprises free, fair and transparent elections, is just like whitewashing a dilapidating building with a faulty foundation, without making necessary correction. Such an endeavour will be an exercise in futility.

Most importantly, whatever action the president takes on the rerun election in Ekiti State will become part of history. We therefore call on him to be on the right side of history by ensuring that justice is not perverted. The true result of the election should be released without further delay to forestall break down of law and order, and the remaining one conducted without further delay.

The safety of all Ekiti people is of paramount importance to us, hence we implore all the aggrieved parties not to resolve to violence and wanton destruction of properties, in making their demands. This time calls for great circumspection on the part of the law enforcement agencies. They should not make themselves a willing tool that suppresses the legitimate wishes of the people, and should be fair to all parties while carrying out their constitutional duty of protecting and properties.

As a group and organisation committed to good governance and development of Ekiti State, our resolves are:

-The release of the true and valid votes of the remaining election results
- Conduct of the rerun election in Oye local government in a free and fair manner
- Prosecution of all the perpetrators of violence and electoral crime, no matter how highly placed
- Adequate security for life and property of all Ekiti people.
- No declaration of state of emergency in Ekiti.

Where there is justice and fairness, there will be peace.

Signed:
Adebanji Dada (Secretary)
Samuel Ayodele Ogunbanwo (Chairman)

* The Ekiti Focus Group North America is the US-based chapter of the Ekiti Focus Group, which campaigns on socio-political issues in Ekiti State, Nigeria.
* Please send comments to [email protected] or comment online at http://www.pambazuka.org/.