Political Party Campaigns: Nigerians Bemoan Absence Of Concrete Issues, Discourse

[NewsCaster]

(The Guardian) - CONCERNED stakeholders are wondering why ongoing political campaigns seem drab; devoid of concrete issues and failing to relate to the critical conditions of majority of the people since the inception of the subsisting democratic rule in 1999.

The people are in a hurry to overcome decades of infrastructural decay, staggering unemployment, and miserable state of services in the health, education and security sectors.

Yet, nothing new and inspiring appears to come from the campaign podiums.

Even with the multi-media approach to campaigns, citizens are still not impressed, perhaps, because campaigns in recent times did not make budgets work and they also did not sway votes, especially when segments had made up their minds not based on serious issues like unemployment, lack or low electricity supply, fallen standard of education, taxation, social and physical security, and climate change.

Rather, politicians and the elite have focused on unquantifiable issues like zoning or no zoning.

Roughly five weeks to the April general elections, many candidates are yet to know their status, whether they would make it to the ballot papers or not, leaving very little or no chance for interaction with constituents.

Clement Nwankwo, lawyer and civil rights campaigner, is not surprised that people can no longer go to campaign rallies to get inspired.

According to him, campaigns had long ceased to matter, since promises made at such gatherings or in other avenues to reach the electorate were never fulfilled.

Hence on the 2011 polls, Nwankwo said: "Unfortunately, the election process is looking rushed again. Meaning that the discussion with just about six weeks to the first elections is still focused on who is or is not a candidate.

"The idea of carrying out electoral reforms was to have the laws and the umpire all sorted out well ahead of the date set for the holding of elections. Sadly, it took a long while for the government, including the National Assembly, to come up with the legal framework that addresses the reforms articulated by Nigerians.

"Even so, the reforms have not been as far- reaching as Nigerians had hoped."

Nwankwo said a myriad of problems and challenges confront Nigerians, chief among which is economic crisis.

"Unemployment is in crisis proportion," he said. "There is no electricity throughout the country and yet billions of naira and dollars are budgeted and spent without commensurate returns."

He said corruption remains at dizzying heights "and nobody in government seems to think that Nigerians deserve answers for the huge levels of corruption that pervade the land. Insecurity and lawlessness continues to prevail."

He said all these problems are issues that should occupy the minds of candidates and form the basis of an issue-based campaign and elections.

"It worries me and I think all Nigerians should be concerned and ask the question whether those campaigning are actually intent on getting into positions through the votes of the people or by manipulating the electoral process," he said.

Prof. Bayo Okunade, head of the Department of Political Science, says today's political parties are colourless and distracted by litigation arising from their primaries for them to squarely address issues of campaigns.

He is bothered that parties have been unable to articulate on behalf of the people at a critical time such as this.

He said: "There are so many cases in court, complicated political process and internal dynamics of parties. There is no certainty in the political climate.

"The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not sure of the candidates, and parties that should start rigorous campaign have to wait."

Okunade traced the problems to lack of internal democracy in the political party, which he described as "destructive and has a negative effect for democracy."

Tijani Abubakar, former Chief Judge of Jigawa State, is amused at the rash of electoral laws and the uncertainty pervading the polity in an election year.

To him, nobody is sure of the new laws because they are yet to gazette the amended Electoral Law for the public to access.

He said: "Previously, the parties were the alpha and omega, but now, the courts and INEC are playing some roles. Who has the final say — the party or INEC? Nobody is even sure. The major problem is because of ill preparation."

He noted that everybody was happy and elated when the current INEC chairman was appointed because he is very honest and hardworking, because of his integrity and his disposition to do the right thing.

"But the chairman cannot do it alone, even with the members of the commission. So, I will not blame INEC," he said.

Source: Party Campaigns:Nigerians Bemoan Absence Of Concrete Issues, Discourse