23rd September, 2014
By Raymond Oise-Oghaede
The Osun State governorship election has come and gone and to a large extent, it was adjudged to be a right step in the right direction. Though, a petition has already been filed at the Tribunal by the opposition challenging its outcome, the status quo will remain until it is proved otherwise. Before the election, many have expressed divergent concerns about the preparedness of the participants in making it a worthwhile exercise or otherwise. Now that it is all over and considerable improvements were achieved, it would not be out of place to commend all those that partook in its success for a job well done. This is an indication that the future is still bright for our democracy if we continue to get it right.
Some of us had earlier raised concerns about the deployment of soldiers for the exercise, hinging our fear on a number of reasons. Good a thing, Mr. President came out boldly recently and reiterated that the deployment of soldiers will continue even in subsequent elections. He said it is a necessity because he is obliged to protect the lives and properties of the people. He made references to past elections in some states in which lives and properties were destroyed. He also played down our fears and assured Nigerians that he is not in anyway using the soldiers to curry political advantages for his party. He drew the attention of Nigerians to the fact that his administration has conducted governorship elections in Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states and his party won in just one of them. With these positions, I am of the opinion that Mr. President deserves to be commended and also be given the benefit of doubt with more support from the people because of his ‘good intentions’ of protecting their lives and properties. Should we then blame him for using what in his belief and consideration is the most effective means of achieving the desired results? I am sure you will also agree with me that the paramount thing to do in such circumstance is to safeguard the electorate and this he has done as it were. However, in whichever way we look at it, the fact remains that the deployment of soldiers for elections in a democratic setting is unwarranted and uncalled for under normal and peaceful circumstances because it could pose danger for our hard earned democracy in the nearest future.
If that be the case, our leaders should commend and not condemn those that show concerns about the development because they are also interested in protecting our democracy and by extension, the lives and properties of the people that will be put at risk if we undermine and lose it. This is in view of the fact that Nigerians made a lot of sacrifices to return the country to democratic rule. Looking at it closely and as it were, the government and the critics are saying the same thing differently (that is safeguarding the lives and properties of the people). The critics should, therefore, be seen as partners in progress and not enemies of the government, notwithstanding those who play to the gallery and are quick to condemn every action of the government without giving it a second thought. Now that the government has succeeded in conducting violence-free elections with the strategy, that does not mean that it is the conventional or right way to doing it. We should not wait until things go awry before looking for solutions to the imminent problems that we innocently created for ourselves. Fortunately for us as a nation, the actions have worked well to date. However, considering the fact that what is wrong is wrong and, can never be right no matter the efforts we put-in to making it look right, it means that the government and all well meaning people should put machineries in motion towards getting it right. That is the reason some of us will continue to write until we get things right.
As we all know, soldiers are professional fighters who are trained to protect our territorial integrity from external forces and or insurgents. They should be accorded all due respect and not distracted from their primary responsibilities. In Western countries, the military men are so respected and kept away from the public in a way that in some parts, there are teenagers who have never come into contact with a soldier dressed in uniform. In situations like ours, where they are always called upon to perform civil functions, then, there are more to it than meet the eye. It simply means that there are fundamental issues that need urgent attention. In fact, the leadership of the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other relevant agencies responsible for the maintenance of law and order cum security of lives and properties should be more concerned about the development because the functions fall under their purview. As a result, there is need to reappraise the situation with a view to determining what should be done to enable them fully take charge and carry out their duties effectively and as required by law.
Now that we are marching towards the 2015 general elections and beyond, you will agree with me that we still have ample time to put a lot of things in order in readiness for the task ahead. The government should provide the Police Force, the NSCDC and other relevant agencies with all necessary logistics that will enhance the performance of their functions. Also, the leadership of these organizations should draw up relevant trainings and courses for their officers and men to complement the efforts of the government; even if it means liaising with their military counterparts to assist in this regard. As the saying goes “No knowledge is lost”.
On the part of other well meaning Nigerians, if truly, we do not want further deployment of soldiers in future elections, then, the time is ‘NOW’ when we should start to educate and make our people realize that politics must not be seen and practiced as a do-or-die affair. It is a game where there are no permanent friends or foes but, permanent interest. If we allow this saying to be our guiding principle then all hands will be on deck to move the country forward in all parameters. It is very worrisome at this time and age for people to still be engaging in violence and malpractices in the name of supporting one political party or candidate(s) against the others. In the recent past, some political heavyweights crossed carpets from one party to the other to actualize their desires and expectations and that is the beauty and essence of playing politics with decorum and without bitterness. If they had earlier been killed or maimed by their erstwhile opponents, would they have the opportunity to cross carpet to fraternize and join forces with them eventually? Politics is a ‘FAMILY GAME’ in which your opponents today could be your supporters tomorrow. The most important thing is to play it with the permanent interest of delivering the dividends to the people and moving the country forward.
If truly, our politicians have the interest of the country and the people at heart and they are against deployment of soldiers in future elections, then, leaders of all political parties should come out boldly to campaign against violence and malpractices in our polity. Enlightenment programmes should be organized to continuously disabuse the minds of their members from engaging in such violent acts. It is some unpatriotic, selfish and over zealous politicians that usually capitalize on the poor economic conditions of the majority of our youths to instigate them to committing these criminal actions with the use of money. So, these politicians have a lot of work to do in putting a stop to the menace by desisting forthwith from their bad influence. As posited in my article titled ‘Calling the Youths to Order’, this is the time when our youths should also take a positive resolve to shun all societal vices in order to move the country forward.
Journalists, public policy commentators, social media users and bloggers as well as other reviewers of national issues should also draw the attention of our leaders to the imminent dangers associated with the frequent deployment of soldiers to carry out civil duties vis-a-vis the government position on the issue.
Also, all relevant agencies of government like the National Orientation Agency (NOA) should join in the enlightenment campaign to educate the youths on the issue. Film makers, producers, directors and marketers should produce works to support the project due to their far reaching capacity to the people. In the same vein, religious leaders should preach against the menace during services. It is the responsibility of all well meaning Nigerians to come together and say ‘NO’ to violence and other vices in our society. We cannot continue to fold our arms and look the other way while expecting the government to do everything for us.
•Oise-Oghaede wrote from Lagos. e-mail: [email protected]