When on the 22nd August 2010, the result of the by-election for the senate seat from the Bauchi South Senatorial District if Bauchi State, North East Nigeria was anounced, only two other political parties were present at the district collation centre. Both of them 'refused' to sign the collation sheet claiming they individually had problems with 'the way the election was conducted' and 'the outcome of the election'. That they had the right to petition and prove their claims was not sufficient to make them leave the premises quitely. The noise that ensued was quite disturbing and clearly reflects the attitude of Nigerian politicians to the outcome of elections. Yet, the clear definition for a credible election appears to be missing in the Nigerian polity.
Very few Nigerians accept they understand, let alone appreciate that election outcomes cannot always be the yardstick for determining the credibility of an election. If it was so, public sentiments will be the determining factor in elections and not the number of votes scored by candidtaes in contested elections. No Nigerian politician has yet said elections in Nigeria are not contested. It is probably the way in which the contest eventually runs that becomes an issue after the elections. Credibility is attained for whoever wins. It is not for all those who loose.
The time for a determination of the real definition of credible election within the Nigerian context is now. Otherwise, Professor Jega, the INEC Chairman may be disappointed.
Very few Nigerians accept they understand, let alone appreciate that election outcomes cannot always be the yardstick for determining the credibility of an election. If it was so, public sentiments will be the determining factor in elections and not the number of votes scored by candidtaes in contested elections. No Nigerian politician has yet said elections in Nigeria are not contested. It is probably the way in which the contest eventually runs that becomes an issue after the elections. Credibility is attained for whoever wins. It is not for all those who loose.
The time for a determination of the real definition of credible election within the Nigerian context is now. Otherwise, Professor Jega, the INEC Chairman may be disappointed.
