NGF Election: A 2015 Epicedium!

The recently held Nigerian Governors’ Forum election and the subsequent recognition given to a faction of the NGF by the President has shown that the country’s democracy is on the brink. Though President Goodluck Jonathan’s aides have stated that he had no vested interest in the election, not many Nigerians are convinced.

The whole exercise, which has started playing out like a tragicomedy might just reach a crescendo in 2015. By then,

Nigerians may find Asari Dokubo to be a prophet as his words might eventually come to pass then.

Two candidates claimed victory in an election where 35 people voted! Rotimi Amaechi who is obviously out of favour with the President and members of his party and Jonah Jang whose state erupts in violence are already leading different factions. Sadly enough, the President has showed where he stands by allowing his vice to go ahead and commission the secretariat of the Jang faction.

The will to retain power at all cost is the main issue in the matter. The persecution did not deter Amaechi from the race. The scheme for his ouster started after his picture was sighted on campaign posters as the running mate for the “Sule Lamido for President” project. Like Amaechi, Lamido has refused to be quietened by his son’s case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. On May 29, his ambition got what seemed to be a boost with the presence of Chief Obasanjo at the Jigawa State Economic Summit.

Sparing ourselves some unnecessary details, we ought to ask ourselves if it is not disappointing that some of the 36 democratically elected Governors in Nigeria do not believe in democracy.

An election and a consensus have suddenly become the same. The Chairman of the PDP Governor’s Forum, Chief Akpabio tried to clear the air and do some damage control. According to him, the Governors’ Forum had arrived at a decision that there should be a rotation every 2 years, as such if a Chairman emerges from the South, his successor should come from the North. Perhaps His Excellency needs to be reminded that leaders of his party told Nigerians not too long ago that zoning was dead in their party. If it was dead in their party, why foist it on other people?

And now to the 19-16 issue, how come both candidates won the consensus and the election by the same margin? Some Governors apparently signed the consensus statement and voted against it at the ballot, an indication that there might have been inducements or coercion before the signing of the document.

With the claim to victory by both candidates and the subsequent recognition of the Jang faction by the President, Nigerians should expect the same when the 2015 elections come. The situation could become tense if things do not go the way of some elements who have already made it clear that there will not be peace if their candidate does not win.

The drums of war are already being beaten… God help Nigeria.