THE ELECTORAL LAWS REFORMATION IS PARAMOUNT TO PROFESSOR IWU’S REMOVAL

PHOTO: L-R: FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MINISTERIAL NOMINEE ADETOKUNBO KAYODE, SAN WITH INEC CHAIRMAN PROFESSOR MAURICE IWU.

It is no longer a theory that what determines a free, fair, credible and generally accepted election in Nigeria is the Head of the Electoral Umpire i.e. the Chairman of NEC, INEC etc.

Whereas in other parts of the world it is the Electoral Umpire itself that determines the fate of any election.

This is simply because of the existence of a sound Electoral Laws that regulates both the conduct and aftermath (post-election) of an election.

As the 2011 general election draw near, there has being a lot of public outcry for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent (but solely dependent) National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the person of Professor Maurice Iwu, who is believed to be a Professor of Botany in Nigeria.

He was supposedly offered such a heavily tasking job as the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) because of his antecedent of professorship, which is the highest rank in the academia all over the world.

By his position as INEC Chairman he is expected to be the determinant factor to the future of democracy in Nigeria or in any other nascent democracy in the world.

Most Nigerians including me believed that Professor Iwu was given the top brass job based on trust, respect for the academia and the Doctrine of Utmost Good Faith.

Rather than maintaining the dignity of the distinguished rank in the academia. He (Maurice Iwu) has dragged the name of the highly respected academia into a black mud by acting on the scripts of his Masters, thereby conducting what is not only believed to be, but also seeing as the worse election ever in the history of the world.

Iwu’s act of betrayal confirms the old popular saying that "he who pays the piper dictates the tunes." And this is act has inflicted unimaginable damage on Nigerians.

After such a devastating damage on his person, family, community and most embarrassingly the academia and our dear country Nigeria.

He (Iwu) as a recalcitrant professor of national betrayal and disgrace has always shamelessly and without any atom of remorse used various media to fight his critics over a failed election under his leadership.

Now that another "2011" general election is near. What then is the fate of the electorate who has being in recent past fooled like an infant by Maurice Iwu and his instructors without minding the pains and setbacks this has brought to Nigerians.

To some sect "Apathy" to the 2011 general election is a viable option.

While others believe a "ceaseless outcry" for the sack of Professor Maurice Iwu is the way forward.

But in realism none of the two options answers the question to a free, fair, credible and generally accepted election in Nigeria.

Those who believe that the removal of Professor Maurice Iwu would guarantee a free, fair, credible and generally accepted election in Nigeria may still be living in a fool's paradise.

This is because Iwu and those desperate politicians (who can never win an election in a democracy where the people vote counts) are no fools as they take Nigerians to be. They also have a new generation plan B. This is evident in the recently conducted February 6^th Anambra Guber election. In which they employed the use of massive disenfranchisement as a veritable tool to rigging that election.

What else haven’t we seen as Nigerians, we are aforetime known to be suffering and smiling.

What in your opinion made the February 6^th Anambra Guber election a free, fair and credible election?

Is it because it was at least violence-free?

Is it because it was at least ballot stuffing-free?

Is it because it was at least ballot snatching-free?

Worst still it is adjudged another of INEC’s failed election because of the large degree of deliberate disenfranchisement. I think this is the latest strategy to be used in rigging the 2011 elections.

As a stakeholder in Nigeria, I have painstakingly pondered on the Nigerian electoral system, its attendant problems and solutions.

My findings are:

Professor Maurice Iwu is not the only problem with the electoral system.

Bulk of the challenges lies within the electoral laws.

If we stress so much on Iwu’s removal, some ignorant citizens may be surprise to see Professor Maurice Iwu II emerge as the new INEC chairman. This would be more devastating and grievous and could be likened to "a new bottle with old wine."

As a matter of national importance the public outcry must be for a reformed electoral law that will meet international standard along side the removal of Iwu as INEC Chairman.

However, am optimistic that the much desired kind of electoral success can be achieved if the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Committee recommendations are wholly and unconditionally implemented. Then, Iwu can go somewhere and hide forever in shame.

If the Nigerian Electoral Laws are reformed based on the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Committee recommendation, all of us well-meaning Nigerian firmly believe that, there shall be no much bottle necks to conducting a free, fair, credible and generally accepted election in Nigeria, where only the electorates will decide who represents or rule over them.

Once the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Committee recommendation is implemented I can assure you that a primary school pupil can be appointed to head the INEC and he will be able to conduct a free, fair, credible and generally accepted election which Iwu as a professor has not been able to conduct. The type of election, which Nigerians do not only desire but highly, deserve as a true giant of Africa.

Cotterell Richard is Secretary General, Thinkers Forum and resides in Rivers State.