NIGERIA AND TRANSACTIONAL POLITICS
The manner politics is conducted is a threat to democracy, contends
Transactional politics is not new. But its scope in the run-up to Nigeria’s make or mar 2023 elections is not just worrisome; it threatens to derail democracy in Africa’s most populous nation.
Impunity has been weaponized; honour, integrity, decency and good conscience have
WDNHQ ÁLJKW 0RQH\ FDQ QRZ EX\ DQ\WKLQJ and everything in politics in the country, or so it seems.
Political parties are usually associated with ideologies or policy goals, and their role in mobilizing members to compete for elections. But in Nigeria, they have become loose associations captured and subjugated by political God-fathers and deep pockets.
The feeling that politics and elections are about “buying and selling,” is dangerous. It can also render elections meaningless as politicians perfect their pseudo-democratic machinations, all in the name of democracy.
The operationalization of the 2022 Electoral Act, particularly the introduction of electronic transmission of poll results and other reforms introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Nigeria, are expected to reduce rigging and other malpractices substantially.
But election is not only about activities on the polling day. It is a three-stage process of collective responsibility - before, during and post-election period. For INEC to deliver elections with integrity, all stakeholders must play by the rules across the electoral cycle. Regrettably, the reverse has primarily been the case, with politicians and political parties pre-occupied with the circumvention and undermining of the Federal Constitution, Electoral Laws, political party constitutions and other regulations.
Drafters of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), were probably blindsided to the loopholes, or perhaps, expected politicians to be persons with conscience, capable of obeying the law/rules, and guided by international best practices. Yet, going by their statements, body language and acts of commission and omission ahead of the 2023 elections, the politicians do not inspire much hope for democracy.
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Public hospitals at home are abandoned for medical trips abroad by the few who can DͿRUG LW 6WXGHQWV RI XQGHUIXQGHG XQLYHUVLWLHV are roaming the streets because their teachers have been on strike for months over poor service conditions. But the politicians, LQFOXGLQJ VHUYLQJ JRYHUQPHQW RFLDOV DUH now doling out money in millions as deposits WR VHHN KLJKHU SXEOLF RFHV DQG IRU SROLWLFDO campaigns. This is under the watch of a government that came to power promising WR ÀJKW FRUUXSWLRQ DQG LPSURYH WKH OLYHV RI citizens.
The 1999 Federal Constitution that ushered in civilian rule after prolonged episodes of military dictatorships, the Electoral Act 2022 and the constitutions of the political parties, all have provisions for the conduct of political party primaries, congresses or conventions.
These are platforms for the selection of candidates seeking elective positions, directly by duly registered party members or indirectly by party delegates. Yet, not even the parties can vouch for the authenticity of their voters register.
The requirements for the conduct of credible party primaries covering the 1,491 )HGHUDO DQG 6WDWH FRQVWLWXHQFLHV H[FOXGLQJ in the Federal Capital, Abuja, are outlined in various relevant legal instruments. But while the Federal Constitution and the Electoral Act agree on the use of direct, indirect or “consensus” options, the composition of “statutory” party delegates, who must join their “ad-hoc” counterparts in electing/ choosing party candidates, is now subject of a legal dispute, with the possibility that statutory delegates could be excluded from voting during the primaries.
INEC has released the national timetable and schedule of 14 activities for the 2023 general elections. These include the conduct of party primaries, the nomination of candidates and other activities leading to the Presidential and National Assembly elections on 25th February, 2023, followed by the Governorship DQG 6WDWH $VVHPEO\ HOHFWLRQV RQ WK 0DUFK 2023.
However, apart from the obvious uncertainty over insecurity, the politicians and political parties’ commercialisation/ monetization of politics has raised serious doubts even among die-hard optimists whether the pre-election activities can support the conduct of credible and transparent general elections in 2023.
The ease with which politicians change political parties has prompted analysts to question the philosophy or principle behind VXFK VHOÀVK PRYHV ,Q $PHULFD ZKHUH 1LJHULD copied the executive presidential system, the policy/ideological dichotomy between the Democratic and Republican parties is distinguishable. But it is a case of six and half a dozen between Nigeria’s two major political parties - the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Indeed, observers believe there is nothing to choose between both parties, which have alternated power control since 1999.