“Seeking Or Stealing The Peoples Mandate”
It is no gain saying the fact that ahead 2015, political activities have begun in earnest across the 36 states of the federation including the federal capital territory, perhaps in disguise of several forms probably to diffuse the wrath of the law as enshrined in the electoral law and the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) laws.
The Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC) under the leadership of Prof. Atahiru Jega has been given pat on the back for an adjudged peaceful, free and fair elections in Ekiti and Osun State respectively between July and September, 2014. it is also on record that the Anambra gubernatorial election in 2013 as well as the general elections conducted by the commission in 2011 were the litmus test that turns the serial electoral misfortunes of the nation into great fortunes and joy even as expressed by the so revered international observers who monitored the elections.
To the glory of God, Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan (GCFR), Governor Kayode Fayose of Ekiti and Aregbosola of Osun States have little or no case of stolen anyone’s mandate which was usually the label in the recent past. This is the handiwork of God who placed a listening and active president over the affairs of the once battered country by selecting a sound, active, productive and round chairman into the round hole of the electoral body (INEC).
2015 is speedily drawing closer and any moment from now the electoral umpire may blow the whistle for the commencement of proper electoral activities, and the question is how prepared is Nigerians to maintain the tempo of Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States?
As said above on one was accused and justified of stealing the people mandate since the elected were not only tested but proved by the people themselves through their performances in government prior to their re-election.
Those who ascends power or political positions through the people or electorate mandate are always thoughtful of them while others who emerges through stealing are caseless, thoughless and undermining the existence of the populace, hence earned politicians the name of a dog in other to be hanged.
As 2015 general elections draws closer, it is the reserve of the electorate to access themselves if they are ready to allow candidates or political parties steals their mandate or actually seek their votes and in the same vain decides should their votes be counted.
If the electorate understand their right in the society as well as acknowledging their roles in ensuring that their votes counts, then there maybe no room for any manipulation.
Some of the ways electorates ensure status of the process is to make sure that votes counts by knowing whom they want, what they want by interacting with the aspirants who approached them for support and be steadfast that vote casts are counted on the spot.
Electorate who are informed should muster the courage to ensure their votes are counted in their presence immediately after vote cast. It is then that the people would know how and what their support really represent in the polity, as such becomes co-decision and policy makers in the society.
A people without information remains deformed therefore electorate should understand that their individual votes means so much for aspirants before and after the party primaries and as well during the main contest.
Money, it is written answers all things but it is the root of all evil. Money is powerful enough to change certain individual’s direction but it is difficult to upturn decisions. It is at this end that the electorate arte advised against selling their conscience, direction and ofcourse integrity, when money bags will certainly flows in, rather be fervent in their decision, since a look at the money bags automatically mortgages the conscience and amounts to destruction of one’s personality and future chances.
Stealing of mandate signifies that the original status are tampered with, that is to portray that what is suspected to be a declared result at a poling unit is being tampered with against the people’s decision.
A unit result suspected to have been manipulated means that such result was not declared at the polling unit otherwise no specific evidence to justify such claims, therefore, the need for electorate to know their rights and limitations.
A situation where a preferred candidate who was massively vote for was not declared winner, then it could be said to be stealing of votes if evidence abound.
But the issue is that where the electorate are ignorant of their roles, rights and the knowledge of the exercise, anything is bound to be done, hence it is the time for the citizenry to know what they truly wants and ho to protect it.
It is one thing for the voters or citizenry to acknowledge their mandate or know that they have power or mandate and another thing to steal it. It is difficult for the people mandate to be stolen by a political party if at all the people are conscious of their votes and whom they casted it for.
Issues Abattoir in this episode is concerned with the citizenry’s right to acknowledge that they have a mandate to issue out to aspirants and candidates, and knowing whom they issue or delegated their mandate to; then if such mandate is being manipulated, all perhaps may fight for it reinstatement.
It is the reserve of the people to decide whom their votes is casted for, and anything outside such decision is viewed as an infringement on the people’s right.
Again, to those who intends running for an elective position, it is advised that the era of converting other people sweet was over, hence the need to reach out to the people or voters, seeking their acceptance for a support, acknowledging the fact that winning is an exercise of simple majority of not less than two third (2/3) votes casts.
Aspirants as well as candidates are to recognized that winning the peoples heart is worth more than money but, having genuine conversation, presentation of a generally acceptable blue print of administration, issues base policies and above all selfless strategic developmental plans for the people anchored o proper implementation ability other than undue influence against the people.
Mandate hijackers are non-performing officials arsonists and trouble makers, having their conscience cease with hot iron to perpetrate evils, instigating communal and chieftaincy crisis, because they have no experience of campaign rigours and pains of mobilizing voters to cast their votes.
Those who won election on the platter of gold are never serious leaders but format troubles at the least opportunity they create or have against neighbours.
However, it is the thrust of this episode of issues Abbatoir to call on all aspirants or interested person in the forthcoming general elections as well as local government polls and would be candidates of the respective political parties to sheathe their ego of manipulation, subjecting themselves to reaching out to the people who reserve the power and mandate if they are to succeed.
The time to seek for the peoples mandate is now and never to steal it in whatever guise.
Seek and ye shall find. Thanks you. ###
With James Mgboineme
Jamesprojectgodwin@yahoo.com.
