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NIGERIA’S POLITICAL LANDSCAPE  VIS A VIS THE 2015 GENERAL ELECTION POLLS

As Nigerians prepare for the 2015 general elections, the political landscape is rife with uncertainty, jingoism, scandalous accusations, blatant lies and unachievable promises among others. While stalwarts of the two top political parties’ war against each other, the Nigerian populace watches, dismayed at the obvious lack of decorum and decency expressed by politicians.

Many factors will determine a successful conduct and acceptable results of the general elections. This includes, objectivity and neutrality in the presentation of national matters as well as the perceived positive influence that each party hopes to bring to the benefit of Nigerians. Not forgetting the matter of tackling insecurity to allow for a successful electoral round.

To say there is a total lack of objectivity and neutrality is saying the least. It is no longer a hidden matter that both the PDP and the APC are aiming for each other’s jugular as they strive to convince Nigerians that they are better off giving their votes to them. Their warring has exposed to media watchers the disregard politicians have for the art of true democracy. And the media reporters, columnist and pundits aren’t much different from the politicians. Though it is expected that the media are to remain objective between two warring parties, it is obvious that the Nigerian media have taken partisan sides to the ongoing verbal contest between the PDP and the APC.

Though that should be expected as most Nigerian media proprietors have shown and expressed their political views in the past, it is not hard to imagine that their faithful employees seek to report stories that will gain them favour in the eyes of their principals. Not forgetting the huge geographical dichotomy of their readership and the flowing of adverts from those most favored. It is therefore not hard to see that papers such as DailyTrust, Vanguard and Leadership show sympathy to the course of the Arewa people in general and to the All Progressive Congress (APC) political party in particular. Whereas papers like Thisday and Businessday though attempt vigorously to display objectivity, still come off as supporters of the ruling PDP, probably unbeknownst to them.

The adverts that run in the media are appalling representations of the levels that politicking causes people to stoop to. Bringing to fore the belief that indeed “politics is a dirty game”. The name calling, backstabbing, allegiance switching, embittered antics pulled by those who have lost in the primaries, those just generally disenchanted with the government of President Goodluck Jonathan and the stoic supporters of the PDP who reject the APC and all it stands for. This makes it hard for any media watcher to determine what party expresses more bitterness against the other.

While I am wont to say the PDP have said and portrayed some rather derogatory and pejorative views against the opposition party and against its presidential candidate- General Muhammadu Buhari; the APC can’t be fully absolved of blame either.

Where the PDP keep hammering on the educational qualification or lack of as the case may be of the APC Presidential candidate, as well as dragging his dictatorial and familial history into murky waters, the APC have taken to destroying the administrative achievements of the PDP through President GEJ.

The positions of the Elder statesmen, Council of State and other respected Opinion Leaders have further caused more disruption than good in this election period.  With people like IBB constantly contradicting himself in whom he pledges allegiance to. Or Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a supposed leader in the ruling PDP and expected godfather of President Jonathan, is seen to now be pitching his tent with the opposition. While also brandishing the GEJ led government with unflattering comments in the media.

While I am in no doubt that these politicians raise some pertinent issues in their campaigns, about the economy, social, cultural and political developments, it is clear to me that neither party shows a full and clear determination to attend to the issues that concerns the common man.

The PDP enjoy showcasing the vast infrastructural developments it has recorded in the length and breadth of the nation, such as the road, rail and airports creation, schools and hospitals established as well as its attempt at job creations and the power sector. The APC, on the other hand is apt and with good reason at denigrating such efforts, while expounding on the corruption and looting and incompetency that trail the GEJ led political party. 

While the APC is eager to point to Nigerians the shortcomings of the present government, they haven’t clearly expressed their plans towards steering the country in the right direction. That change is good and should be embraced; one must stop to ask what sort of wind of change they are bringing with them, after all it is said that ‘not every change is good’. Especially with the alluded "Extremism" that seems to dog the APC presidential candidate and try as he may, it seems he can't shake the suspicions loose.

While these are viable points to be raised at such a  time when Nigerians are more informed and have better understanding of how much their votes are worth, another important point begs to be mentioned; the violence that this election and its outcome portends for the country. With the ever increasing activities of the Boko Haram in the North East, especially their concerted efforts to take Maiduguri, the state capital of Borno and the only town in Borno that seems to be enjoying military presence. This therefore means that the military stationed in such volatile areas cannot be redeployed to polling stations else the insurgents may find an entrance into the town and capture it.

Not forgetting the finger pointing of the APC against the PDP, accusing them- all be it indirectly- of orchestrating the insurgency or at least displaying a lackluster effort at overcoming the menace. Then there are the inciting statements politicians and their overzealous supporters have made concerning their acceptance or lack of for the results of the elections. With Niger Delta ex-militants promising to raise hell if GEJ is voted out, and Northerners promising to defend themselves if such a war was to be launched.

Besides the issue of insecurity, there is the matter of the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and its availability to all registered voters in the country. Though with the elections shifted 6 weeks farther hither, there still abounds many an outcry as to the true capability of the INEC staff to deliver true to their responsibilities. Their responsibility being to distribute PVCs accordingly and without bias to all registered voters, to provide for the timely delivery of all sensitive and non-sensitive election materials and to provide professionalism in the discharge of their duties throughout the election period and beyond.

Though INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega and his staff assure Nigerians of their readiness, many are doubtful of such promise and think Jega just might be in over his head with this gargantuan idea of the PVC system of balloting.

With the international community and media watching keenly at this year’s polls, it has proved to be the tightest and most highly competitive election this nation has experienced in a long time. And while we too look on, we hope that whoever ascends to the Presidential villa, come May 29^th 2015, comes ready to fold up his sleeves, dig into the grime cut out for him and work hard to deliver on the mandate of the Nigerian people.