05 May 2009 |
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The Ekiti Re-Run Elections: What I Saw and Observed When I got the invitation to be an observer in the Ekiti re-run election, I took my time before replying and when I responded my positive inclination to come, I did not tell my family members about my intention. I knew I was heading for a war zone where other people prefer not to stay. What was at the back of my mind was that I have never actually been in a war zone before. I was too young to know anything about the Nigeria civil war (and besides the war didn’t make it to Lagos before it became steamed out) and even in my adult life and throughout the span of my career thus far, I had never been inside a war zone beyond what I witnessed during the political impasse of the June 12 crisis and the anti-Abacha struggles. So I wanted to experience Ekiti and I was hoping to wise up afterwards. I was scared; I was tensed and not really optimistic of a pleasant journey and return. I had nightmare nights before but each time I woke up, I was reminded of my motivation; the experience would enhance my career and make me more of a man than a grown up boy! I dragged a very close friend of mine who was equally motivated with me. We drove to Ekiti not speaking about our fears at all. We got drunk but not too much to drive. We made sure we went only with a couple of shirts and jeans. We did not include any other thing in our car that might attract police. The butt was totally empty. I even had to hide the Soyinka’s memoir book “You Must Set Forth At Dawn” which I was reading then. I didn’t want anyone to see it and rope me into series of questioning. In the memoir, W.S was full of praise of Kayode Fayemi (the AC gubernatorial candidate in the Ekiti re-run) who was also part of the anti-Abacha struggle outside Nigeria. We expected the worse; we did not think we would see any bad but the raw worse experiences. Against our fear, we entered Ekiti without a single problem. Once at the point of entry, the police stopped us and asked us to open our butt and then waved us on. The driveway to the state capital was filled with “godo-godo” mobile police. But these rough and dread characters conducted themselves very decently. They did not stop us not intimidate us. We arrived at the capital and went in search of pounded yam! My friend and I were shocked at the “controlled” peace of Ado- Ekiti. We were not expecting things to be so peaceful (even if it was a pretended peace). We even went drinking at the local popular bar with ladies and students jumping high and low to the disco music provided! We kept on marveling at what we were experiencing in the city. It was then we both started calling our relatives and friends back in Abuja assuring them that we were not crazy that indeed Ekiti was peaceful. No, there was no military presence in the state. We saw the military trucks leaving the state on our way in. We kept reassuring people of ce nes pas problem. On the morning of the election, we all got dressed in the INEC “International” Observers’ uniform and drove into the farthest end of Ekiti from where we started driving back observing each polling station as we drove. From the beginning of the re-run election to the end, I witnessed an election that was adequately well planned. My conclusions and that of my colleagues were the following; 1. The people of Ekiti turned out rather cautiously to cast their votes; 2. The mood of the day was more of caution, compliance and dedication; 3. INEC meant well with this election; 4. INEC deplored very few polling officials to the polling stations; 5. The few officials at the polling stations were fairly well trained (or have had similar re-run experiences elsewhere); 6. The Nigerian Police deplored well trained officers to each of the polling booths; 7. In all the polling booths that I visited, the Police conducted themselves in accordance with the law and electoral guide. They; a. Behaved very orderly in ALL the polling booths we visited; b. Subjected themselves under the leadership of the INEC officials in each of the booth; c. Were very well trained in electoral principles and responsibilities; d. They played complementary roles to the inadequate INEC officials; 8. The elections went very well during the day; 9. The problems came with the collations; 10. There were elements which were bent on truncating the electoral processes; and 11. It is my candid opinion that things would have gone perfectly well if not for the element of “do or die’ of PDP’s gross intimidation! When we returned to our operational base which was a Christian quest house situated directly opposite the Police Operational Base in Ado Ekiti, the erstwhile governor, the famous Ayo Fayose was standing under the shadow over looking the Police Station, the only distance separating him from the police was the two lane road. As he stood still quietly talking to one aid, wearing a T-Shirt with Number 1 writing boldly at the back, fans, Okada riders and motorists started parking to observe him. Before too long, over 3,000 people had gathered to watch Fayose and his demonstration. The Mobile Police men came out and totally confused of what to do. Public gathering was not legal, here is a character that came in front of their office standing still and crowd had gathered to listen to him speak. They were confused, how do you arrest someone who is standing alone. Fayose created a huge embarrassment for the police as they were unsure how to handle his effrontery. When he was satisfied, he addressed the crowds and ordered them to follow him to the collation center. Like a magic wand, the crowd moved in the direction of Fayose’s wave and followed his jeep with Okada riders making nuisance of their horns! Ekiti is a volatile place. They are very few but complicated. There are so many forces in that state. My thinking was to share my observation with everyone. I am hugely convinced that INEC had intended well with Ekiti, the problem remain that of PDP which is afraid of the consequences of losing that election and yet another Western State!
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