FRANK UKONGA LECTURE -13-: EDO-JULY 14,
2012 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION, BEST ELECTION IN NIGERIAN/AFRICAN HISTORY; A NEW
PERSPECTIVE AND MODEL RECOMMENDED TO OTHER EMERGING DEMOCRACIES OF THE WORLD.
EDO GOVERNORSHIP POLLS 2012- BEST ELECTION
IN NIGERIAN/AFRICA HISTORY, AN OVERVIEW: The Edo governorship election of
July 2012 has been adjudged the best election in Nigeria and African History.
This was the final verdict of opinion polls conducted by National Peoples News,
a registered and well respected Newspaper Organization in Nigeria and Sub
Saharan Africa. The research was conducted on a world wide basis.
EDO JULY 14, VS JUNE 12 ELECTION: The
only other election compared to the Edo giant strides in the entire Nigerian
History was the June 12 election conducted by the Babangida administration
which many respondents see as a great election but was not conclusive, the winner
Basorun MKO Abiola, was never declared nor was he allowed to assume office but
ended up in jail and subsequent grief and death. This cannot be called the best
election in Nigerian history because for something to be best and rectitude in philosophy,
both the necessity premises of reason de entre and its sufficiency premises
must be good, rectitude and teleological. The Edo election of July 14 satisfied
these teleological conditions while the June 12 did not but rather ended up
been deontological. Whence, the respondents concluded that the Edo election of
July 14, 2012, was the best election, in Nigerian history. FINAL ,Q.E.D.
THE
GREAT LEGACY OF PROF. ATAHIRU JEGA AND H.E. PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN: This
great achievement is a big credit to the government of H.E. President Goodluck
Jonathan, the PDP which is the ruling party, to INEC, and to all political
parties and the observers, security agents of Police, Army, Civil Defense Corp,
SSS, Edo peoples, and, stakeholders in the Nigerian Project. It is also a big
credit to the contenders in the election
namely Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of ACN, Major
General Charles Airhiabvere of PDP, Prince Frank Ukonga of SDMP, Chief Solomon Edebiri of ANPP, Comrade
Andrew Igwemoh of LP, Chief Paul Orunwese of NCP, and Chief Roland Izebuwa of
CPC, who all insisted that Edo State must make history by conducting the best
election in Nigerian History by the decorum, mannerism, conducts and
intellectualism, plus maturity, that all the contenders displayed during and
after the election.
THE MAKING OF THE EDO SUCCESS STORY: The Edo state governorship polls
of July 14,2012, the best election in Nigerian history was made possible by
advance planning by all the stakeholders and observers that participated in the
election and above all the President of the Nigerian Federation H.E. President
Goodluck Jonathan, also wanted to make history by insisting on due process, no rigging,
no stuffing and snatching of ballot boxes, tight security, no hooliganism, no
media sensationalism, but intellectual
and debate oriented election. Much
credits also goes to the candidates who were carefully selected as the best
crops of gentlemen that ware eligible for such a ground breaking and radical
departure from the past mundane irredentism.
THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF INEC TO THE SUCCESS OF
EDO JULY 14, 2012 POLLS: Right from the onset INEC were particular that all
political parties that will participate in the Edo elections must as a matter
of fact display a certain standard of internal democracy . They insisted that
all candidates must be elected in Party primaries that were monitored by INEC
officials from both State and Federal INEC offices and at Local Government
levels. Also those that observed the party primaries included the SSS, the
Nigerian Police, and the Civil defense corps and in some case other security
agencies. In advance the candidates were scrutinized and vetted by all the
organizations concerned to make sure that they conform to the international standard
practice of the post being contested which is the governorship position and it
is not just a small position in any country.
ABUJA MEETINGS AT INEC HEADQUARTERS AND
BENIN MEETINGS: After a proper screening, those who qualified to contest
were invited to the first stakeholders meeting with INEC officials in Abuja,
chaired by Prof. Atahiru Jega and monitored by all stakeholders in the Nigerian
Project including the presidency. All the political parties involved were invited
including the governorship candidates, the state and National chairmen and
secretaries of the political parties. It was a close door meeting were all the
stakeholder were asked to say what and how the election should be conducted and
what problems envisaged. Every stakeholder was allowed to speak his mind in the
presence of Prof. Atahiru Jega, the presidency, and in presence of the entire
country. And all the problems itemized were resolved on that day. They gave us
refreshments and all the contenders embraced each other as brothers and
friends. And you know that it is not easy to bring contenders, gladiators, and
Generals, contesting for same position, together as friends, and that was the
giant secret and success of Prof. Jega. From that day when we came back to Edo
state we began to cooperate with one another as one big family, despite the
fact that we are chasing aggressively the same office.
INEC’S STRATAGEMS: INEC, which means the
Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria is the institution vested
with the powers to conduct elections in Nigeria. The new Chairman of INEC was
carefully selected to be a man of impeccable integrity that every body in the
Nigeria polity and politics agreed that he was a good choice of the presidency.
Every body knows Prof. Atahiru Jega as a man of unquestionable, unblemished integrity.
And this was the most important success of the Nigerian Democratic
dispensation. All other stratagems fall behind this first primordial victory.
Resident electoral commissioner of great
integrity: And that was what Prof. Atahiru Jega did in the case of Edo
election as well. He brought the best men of INEC to come and conduct the Edo
election. The new Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State was Alhaji
Gaidan a great intelligent INEC top brass, a great democrat and a fine
gentleman of the male gender and a great pride to Nigeria. He organized several
meetings in Benin among the stakeholders and had a good fore sight of problems
anticipated and quickly he regroups the stakeholders in meetings to resolve
problems before they emerged. The same thing he did at the 18 Local Government
Areas of Edo state.
THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
OF POLICE ALHAJI MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR AND OTHER SECURITY AGENCIES TO THE SUCCESS
OF EDO ELECTIONS: The Inspector General of Police Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar
invited all the stakeholders to a meeting in INEC’S office in Abuja which we
all honored and the meeting was co chaired by DIG Akoyinbo a top police brass
in charge of the Southern Nigeria Command of the Nigeria Police and Prof
Atahiru Jega of INEC. In the close door meeting all the envisaged security
problems were discussed no hold barred. All stakeholders opened up and all
problems envisaged were immediately nibbled in the bud. We were served
refreshments and a second meeting was scheduled in Benin City.
The Benin Security Meeting between the Edo
Police Commissioner, INEC Commissioner, Customs, immigration, Army, Air force,
Civil Defense and SSS ETC and stakeholders: The first security meeting held
in Benin was held at the invitation and sponsorship of the Edo state
commissioner of Police Commissioner Mr Balogun. The meeting was held in the
Police officers mess in Benin and all stakeholders in the election including
candidates, chairmen and secretaries of political parties. Here was when the
real action took place. All the political parties were asked to contribute to
evolve enabling guidelines on how the election will be conducted and in black
and white on conducts expected during and after the elections. We all sat down
and agreed in black and white on the dos and don’ts on the Election Day and
after. It was now written out and typed by the Police PRO and we all signed the
document and each party/ candidate knew exactly what is expected of him and
what is not expected. This was very important. And we all have copies of the
document.
PRESIDENCY SPONSORED SECURITY /STAKEHOLDERS
MEETING CHAIRED BY REAR ADMIRAL NDUBUSI KANU- FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA:,THE
IGP ALHAJI ABUBAKAR AND INEC- PROF ATAHIRU JEGA: The President of the Nigerian
Federation called a stakeholders meeting which all the top echelon of the
Nigerian federation attended. The entire shakers and movers of Nigeria were
there. The special adviser to the President on inter party affair, Senator Ben
Obi organized the meeting in Benin, and it was a tough meeting that was opened to the media and other top government
functionaries of the Nigerian Federation. All candidates and stakeholders were
allowed to talk. The IGP Alhaji Abubakar was represented in the meeting, DIG
Akoyinbo, AIG Argungu, the Customs’, SSS, Military top brass, top brass, Navy, Air
force, Prisons, Civil Defense etal, the entire hall was full of dignitaries from
all works of life. It was one of the greatest meetings I ever attended in my life.
The former Vice President of Nigeria, Rear Admiral Ndubusi Kanu and also a
great NADECO Chieftains, Chaired the meeting. Prof. Atahiru Jega was there, Mrs
Omo Agege the Director General of INEC and top brass of INEC were all in the meeting.
All the media gurus including Dr Raymond Dokpesi, Dr Soni Irabo, etc were there
life. So you can see that to organize best election in Nigeria and Africa is
not a tea party. After the meeting a communique was issued where I Frank Ukonga,
a governorship candidate in the election advised the Federal Government to fund
candidates and political parties addressed to have an even level playing field
in the context of war chest of political parties and candidates which is mostly
uneven. And that view was widely published by all the media of Nigeria and the
entire world.
THE FINAL STAKEHOLDERS MEETING IN BENIN
CHAIRED BY THE IGP ALHAJI MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR: The final stakeholders meeting
was held in Benin a few days to the election chaired by the IGP Alhaji Mohammed
Abubakar, Prof Jega INEC Chairman and all the top brass of the Nigerian
federation were also in the meeting. The top brass of Customs, Civil Defense,
Military, Air force ,Army, SSS, Prisons, Navy were all present, retired Generals,
big personalities, all contesting candidates, all chairmen of political parties,
all secretaries of political parties, the mass media, all accredited observers
etc. It was a great meeting and all candidates, and chairmen and secretaries of
political parties were allowed to speak out their minds. All the problems were promptly
solved and they served us refreshments and then gave us telephone numbers to
call in case of any trouble. The Police and INEC left no stone unturned in the
Edo polls of July 14, 2012. It was well planned and executed expertly.
SECURITY DETAILS FOR CANDIDATES: The police
gave the entire candidates security personals to guard them during and after
the elections period and they are entitled to security details for the period
of the mandate of 2012- 2016.
LANGUAGE OF ADDRESSING GOVERNORSHIP
CANDIDATES: All the candidates were addressed as Excellencies throughout
the election and after the election periods and were given equal treatments
like the incumbent Governor. There was no preferential treatment.
VOTERS AND CANDIDATES SENSITIZATION: The
next level funded by INEC and many election observers like IRI, IFES etc was
the voter sensitization meetings. INEC and the observers organized several
meetings in Benin and all the Local Government Areas to sensitize the voters
and the agents and candidates on how to go about the election. Even video tapes,
hand books, booklets, posters where printed and given to all parties to share
to the electorates. Many pasted all over the state on what and what is
expected. And mock elections were held by these organizations to sensitize the
entire electorate and peoples of Edo state on how to conduct the best election
in Benin and all Local Govt Areas. That the Edo election was the best in
Nigeria and African history was not an accidental occurrence. I believe it was
carefully planned and executed by all the stakeholders to be that way as a role
model of the present and the future.
TRAINING OF PARTY POLLING AGENTS AND
POLITICAL CAMPAIGM MANAGERS::Next INEC and the international Observers took
on the great task to training party poling Agents and campaign managers on how
to win election and what and what to do in elections. Usually in many elections
the trouble starts from the clash of party agents and political thugs. So the
Edo election went into being with well trained party agents, campaign managers
that were thought on the nitty gritty of elections; and all of them now know
the rules of the game. So it was well planned. In fact the IRI –International
Republican Institute of the United States of America, Trained all SDMP Polling
agents and campaign managers and officials to international standard. And I
will for ever be indebted to them for great support.
INEC’S POLICY THRUST OF ERADICATING
OVERBEARING MONEY POLITICS IN NIGERIA: In the first Abuja stakeholder
meeting I Prince Frank Ukonga complained to INEC in the meeting that something
must be done to eradicate totally the overbearing monetization of politics and
campaigns in Nigeria due mainly to my portable war chest and I suggested that
debates and intellectual exposures to the electorates via debates, lectures,
Meetings and symposiums would alleviate this as the electorates will have the
opportunity to access through television, radio and newspapers the quality and
manifestos of candidates and make up
their minds on whom to vote for. Prof. Atahiru Jega , an erudite seasoned top
egg head and a former Vice Chancellor of Adobayero University agreed with my
suggestion and made the Edo polls, debate based/ intellectual based election
and this worked like magic for all the candidates, political parties and even
for INECC as it save us all moneys to spend in reaching out to the electorate.
A very great strategy and it was the first time in Nigerian History that
debates were introduced in governorship elections.
THE DEBATES: THE AIT/NDG DEBATE, ITV
DEBATE, THE NTA DEBATE, THE NUJ DEBATE, THE EDO YOUTH COUNCIL LECTURE SERIES,
THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN LECTURE SERIES ETC: The mass media played a most
invaluable role to the success of the Edo elections as they all group up to
organize debates, interviews, and lectures for the candidates which was one of
the most brilliant introduction into the governorships elections in Nigeria by
INEC.
Here the
electorate were able to access a candidate and his political manifesto and
decides on whom to vote for. This saved a lot of cash in reaching out through
over bloated monetary campaign and saved cash for all the candidates. Some
candidates missed some of the debates while some arrived late but in general
the electorates by my investigation were looking up to the debates and really
loved to see their would be Governors slogging it out face to face on
Television debates. It was a great invention and really very interesting. The
candidates themselves and the political parties looked up to it and prepared
towards it earnestly. So this cut away all room of hooliganism, thuggery, and the
fighting of supporters in unnecessary campaign rallies etc..
In fact most
candidates were busy preparing how to face the debate than have time to groom
thugs and many thugs, hooligans, and peoples of nuisance value were kept out of
commissions. Right now all political parties in Nigeria are in search of new
members that are vibrant, who can debate publicly and hold their ground. Not
like in the past when dull unimpressive candidate will be presented because he
has money to throw around. That is not possible anymore in Nigerian politics.
You have to be sound, intelligent, well groomed, polished and articulate before
a party can accept to field you as their candidate.
FLAG UP CAMPAIGNS AND ROAD CAMPAIGNS:
PRESIDENT JONATHAN AND VICE PRESIDENT NAMADI SAMBO, ASIWAJU BOLA TINUBU, CHIEF
OLU FALAE VISITED EDO STATE: There were lots of campaign groups as all the
parties were doing their best to attract public attention. The PDP candidate of
General Charles Airhiabvere brought into Benin at the Ogbemudia stadium
President Jonathan to flag him up while Comrade Adams Oshiomhole brought in
Asiwaju Biola Tunubu to flag him up in font of mammoth crowd at the stadium in
Benin. In the case of SDMP our flag up was held in Igarra in the Edo North and
Chief Olu Falae the SDMP Chairman sent a powerful delegation of top dignitaries
to come and flag me up Frank Ukonga, in Igarra in the Northern aspects of Edo
State. While the ANPP Solomon Edebiri, LP Andrew Igwemoh, NCP –Paul Orunwese
all flagged off in their own chosen locations.
VISIT TO TRADITIONAL RULERS AND GETTING
THEIR BLESSINGS: President Jonathan
accompanied PDP Candidate General Charles Airhiabvere to the Palace of the Oba
of Benin Omo Oba Erediawa and was warmly received. Also Solomon Edebiri and
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole visited the Oba of Benin for his blessings. In the
case of SDMP governorship candidate Frank Ukonga, we chose to visit the Otaru
of Igarra, who is one of the most respected Edo King of the entire Igarra lands
of Edo North, as our paramount ruler and he blessed me abundantly.
PROPAGANDA, POSTERS, BILL BOARDS, AUTOMOBILE,
PAMFLETS, LEAFLETS, GIFT ITEMS, AND RADIO JINGLES AND NEWSPAPER ADVERTS:
All the candidates did their best to attract the electorates and voters through
radio and television jingles, posters, propaganda, leaflets, pamphlets, bill
boards, Newspaper adverts, branded automobiles, gift items road shows and it was done peacefully as the
eyes of all the security agencies were at alert for any problem and when such
clash occur ware quickly solved. Though some thugs still choose to deface and
remove the posters of other candidates but then it was quickly resolved.
TRAINING OF THE INEC POLLING STAFF: INEC
trained their staffs recruited from educated members of the National Youth
Service corps and they conducted themselves with discipline.
THE ELECTION MATERIALS: The election
material were flown into Benin and all candidates and political parties were
mandated to come to the airport under tight security to accompany it to the
safe keeping in the vaults of the Central Bank of Nigeria in Benin. So we all
saw the materials sealed and were safely kept till the Election Day.
The Election Day July 14, 2012: In the
same way we were invited to witness the transfer of the materials to INEC office
for distribution to all the polling booths and all the LGAs in the state. The accreditation
was done between 8 O’clock in the morning and 12 noon and as from 12 noon it
was voting time. All the candidates were out to vote but no more campaign, nor
should you were a party dress and many other rules earlier agreed upon. After
the voting, all the voters stood and witness the counting of the votes and
entered into the required forms and taken to the zonal headquarters for further
tallying with other results and finally all results came to Benin for final collation.
And the great thing was that the result announced by INEC tallied with all the
other results of the returning agents of all other political parties calculated
separately. And this was the first time in Nigerian and African history such a
feat was achieved. So there was no room for arguments as the results were
announced.
The security was
good and the joint patrol team patrolled all the nook and cranny of the state
making sure peace and tranquility was observed and it was one of the most
peaceful elections ever held in Benin and Nigeria. Also an ingenious way to
cage rigging was the material used in one local Govt area will be different from
the other local government Area. Each LGA had its own unique materials.
THE ANNOUCEMENT OF RESULTS: The next
day of the 15thof July 2012, INEC has finished tallying the results and the
final result was announced by the Chief Returning officer Mr Oshodin and Adams
Oshiomole the ACN candidate was declared the winner.
ACCEPTANCE OF VICTORY BY OTHER CANDIDATES
AND TRASFER OF DE FACTO RECOGNITION: Appropriately the President of the
Nigerian Federation H.E. Goodluck Jonathan congratulated Comrade Adams
Oshiomhole for his victory in the polls accepting the result and subsequently a
certificate of return was granted to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for another 4
years term as Governor of Edo state from 2012- 2016. Other candidates congratulated
Adams Oshiomhole . And I congratulated him accepting his victory and offering
to work with him to move Edo state forward. Later I, Prince Frank Ukonga and
other candidates paid a courtesy visit to the winner, H.E. Comrade Adams
Oshiomhole, in the state house and he received us warmly.
SETTING UP OF ELECTION TRIBUNAL: Also
an election tribunal was set up, for any aggrieve party, or persons, to go and
lay his complain. All the other candidates and political parties accepted the
results save for the candidate of PDP Major General Charles Airhiabvere who
complained about some certain issues and it is being addressed by the election
tribunal.
CONCLUSION: JULY 14, 2012 EDO ELECTION AS A
ROLE MODEL FOR ALL DEMOCRACIES OF THE WORLD: I, Prince Frank Onaivi Ukonga
Participated in the best election in Nigerian/ African history as a
governorship candidate in the EDO ELECTIONS OF July 14, 2012; and I am
recommending it as a role model to all countries of Africa as well as to all
emerging democracies of the world. For further enquiries about a more detailed
blue print on the polls you have to consult the INEC Chairman of the Nigerian
Federation Prof. Atahiru Jega who would be able to acquaint you further about
the great success of the Edo Election and how your country can be assisted by
Nigeria to organize such successful elections.
Sign
Prince Frank Onaivi Ukonga
Governorship Candidate of Edo state 2012
polls
