Issued: Abuja, 10:30am
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) is raising concern about the State of the Nation and some actions leading up to the 2023 General Elections in Nigeria. Situation Room is worried that these pockets of tension could cause aggrieved parties to act against the best interest of the country if these issues are not immediately resolved.
HIGH COSTS OF EXPRESSION OF INTEREST AND NOMINATION FORMS AS A MEANS OF DISCRIMINATION:
The high cost of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) especially for Presidential and Governorship seats have been a subject of controversy that have stirred public outcry. It is on record that the APC Presidential forms cost 100 Million Naira and the Governorship forms cost 50 Million Naira while the PDP Presidential forms cost 40 Million Naira and the Governorship forms cost 21 Million Naira respectively. Although both parties have given some form of waivers to Women, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Youth, Situation Room notes that the cost of these forms are still exorbitant considering the economic realities in Nigeria and the financial state of most Nigerians.
The steady increase in the price of these forms cannot be overlooked. A comparison of the difference in prices between the 2015 and 2023 election cycle shows about 81% increase in the price of these forms. Situation Room recalls the concerns President Muhammadu Buhari expressed in 2015 when APC’s Nomination Form was pegged at 27 Million Naira. Situation Room further notes that these high costs will ironically affirm the exclusion of women, PWDs and youth who are already marginalised in the country’s electoral clime and may not have the financial capacity to contest for an elective position. Indeed, this further widens the inequality gap which is quite discriminatory as we have seen people from humble backgrounds attain leadership positions in Nigeria. This puts the marginalised groups at a great disadvantage and does not open up the space for new players as necessary in a democracy.
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS:
Another key concern for Situation Room borders on Section 84 (12) of the new Electoral Act 2022 which is on political appointees’ ineligibility to be a voting delegate or aspirant. It states that, “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the Convention or Congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for an election”. Situation Room recalls the efforts of the President to expunge this clause, a move that was rejected by the National Assembly. Although the President has called for the resignation of his cabinet members vying for an elective position, it is not clear if this applies to other appointments that are not ministerial.
Nigerians are deeply concerned by the controversy surrounding the presidential ambition of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele. His action is a direct contravention of Section 9 of the CBN Act 2007 which states that the apex bank governor must not venture into any other vocation while in office and must resign in writing to the President if he nurses such intention. Of utmost concern, is the role the CBN plays in safeguarding and delivering election materials as part of INEC’s efforts to guarantee the safety of materials. The whole aim of relying on the neutrality of the CBN to carry out this task has been defeated if the person at the helm of affairs is a member of a political party. It is equally in bad taste that he approached the court to declare him eligible to run for President. Going by this, Situation Room calls for the resignation of the CBN Governor and others vying for positions but still holding ministerial and political appointments to resign without further delay.
STATE OF THE NATION:
It is disappointing that there are clear lapses in the areas of security, economy, transportation and education in Nigeria. Notably, the Abuja – Kaduna bound train incident where passengers were abducted and yet to regain freedom, Academic Staff Union of Universities’ (ASUU) strike that has lasted for more than three months and the Naira’s continuous plummeting against the dollar. Yet, the political appointees in these sectors appear focused on their future political ambitions thereby neglecting their key responsibilities which scorecards reveal that they have not performed maximally; a great disservice to Nigeria. These issues raise questions, yet nomination forms are being purchased while the nation and Nigerians suffer.
CONCLUSION:
It is pertinent to state that these actions can have a direct negative effect on the 2023 General Elections and result in low voter turnout because young people and others making up the marginalised groups, did not have a chance at nominations and their state of mind due to the present situation of things in the country had been befouled. This could also create a tensed political atmosphere created by disgruntled groups who are underrepresented.
Situation Room therefore calls on the Federal Government to address these concerns and create a democratic environment to ensure a free, fair credible and inclusive 2023 General Elections. We equally hope that the Government will enforce the May 16, 2022 deadline given to Ministers vying for elective office to resign. Violations to the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 are already ongoing. Situation Room notes that the belated directive for political appointees to resign contravenes Sections 66 (1)(f), 107 (1)(f), 137 (1)(g), 182 (1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution which stipulates that elected public officers, which include civil servants, who want to contest an election must have resigned their position at least 30 days to the date of the election. Political party primaries elections begin the electoral process for any candidate.
Lastly, Situation Room urges Nigerians not to be weary and perform their civic duty to vote, and call on all who are of legal age, to register and obtain a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC). The time to hold the Government accountable starts with the voting process. Apart from giving legitimacy to the Government of the day, voting is a way to express the opinion of any citizen in a democratic nation and crucial to activating the democratic process.
SIGNED:
Ene Obi
Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
Asma’u Joda
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
James Ugochukwu
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
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The Situation Room is made up of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working in support of credible and transparent elections in Nigeria numbering more than seventy. The Steering Committee is made up of: Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, Action Aid Nigeria, Centre for Women and Adolescent Empowerment, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), African Centre for Entrepreneurship and Information Development (ACEIDEV), Justice Development and Peace Commission (JPDC) Nnewi, ASPILOS Foundation, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Mac-Jim Foundation, Kimpact Development Initiative, Democratic Action Group (DAG), Women’s Rights to Education Programme, EDO CSOs, Young Innovators and Vocational Training Initiative (YVITI), New Initiative for Social Development (NISD). Other groups are Centre LSD, CISLAC, WARD-C, Proactive Gender Initiative (PGI), Enough is Enough Nigeria, WANGONET, JDPC, YIAGA Africa, Development Dynamics, Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), Stakeholder Democracy Network, Human Rights Monitor, Reclaim Naija, CITAD, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR,) Nigerian Women Trust Fund, The Albino Foundation, Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE), Electoral Hub etc
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