Last Wednesday, September 28, 2022 marked the opening of the window for the Presidential/National Assembly Election campaigns and as the process for engaging the public kicks off, the stage is set for fireworks and various stakeholders have reminded politicians, their supporters and the media of the rule guiding their activities.
Such a reminder will be better appreciated if one realises that the country is already charged and there is a tense atmosphere. Deeply polarised nation along ethnic and religious lines, Nigeria is currently battling insecurity on all fronts and severe economic challenges. Thus, it is expected that the drums for the elections may sound louder than witnessed in previous polls as Nigerians are more conscious of the events in their political environment.
It is also not unexpected that the frills, the thrills, jabs and counter jabs, among other political gimmicks, will increase and the political atmosphere will be enveloped with lots of apprehension as the major political parties try to position themselves before the electorate and struggle to gather more supporters either by conviction or enticement.
Parties Signed Peace Accord
As a way of ensuring peaceful campaign and election, the 18 registered political parties vying for elective positions in the forthcoming general election had last Thursday signed an agreement for a peaceful conduct before, during and after the 2023 elections.
The peace accord, which was put together by the National Peace Committee (NPC) co-led by former Head of State, General Abudulsami Abubakar; Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar II; Cardinal John Onayeikan; Bishop Hassan Kukah and other eminent statesmen has the sole objective of supporting efforts at ensuring free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
All chairmen and presidential candidates of the registered 18 political parties signed the peace accord under the guidance of officials of the NPC at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Delivering his goodwill message at the event, President Muhammadu Buhari was clearly worried about a possible recourse to personal attacks, insults and incitement by politicians in the build-up to their respective campaigns.
He enjoined all Nigerians, political parties, politicians, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria was placed first above regional and sectional claims.
Buhari cautioned against shifting of focus from issue-based campaigns to engagement in personal attacks, insults and incitement by politicians.
He said: “As the President, I have always reiterated my commitment to a peaceful, credible and transparent election, and what the Peace Committee has been doing over the years, aligns with my belief that Nigeria needs peace in order to achieve credible elections.
“However, the rise of fake news and misinformation continues to pose a significant threat to the pattern of democracy in Nigeria. It has shifted focus away from issue-based campaigns to amplifying the potential for personal attacks, insults, and incitement. It has also significantly diminished the civility and decency in public discourse and debate.
According to Buhari, the initiatives undertaken by the National Peace Committee to commit all political actors to issue-based campaigns devoid of incitement, personal insults and attacks are a welcome development.
“The 2023 general election is more than an election; it is an opportunity to serve Nigeria, to defend Nigeria and to uphold her unity and progress.
“Therefore, I call on all Nigerians, political parties, politicians, security agencies, the election management body (Independent National Electoral Commission – INEC), and all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria is placed first above regional and sectional claims,” he said.
While speaking, former President Goodluck Jonathan revealed his personal experiences while monitoring elections held in some African countries where significant improvement in the electoral process was recorded.
He expressed the hope that Nigerians will use the 2023 general election to try and ensure a free, fair and transparent election to prove that the country is on the part of sustainable progress and development.
Head of European Union Delegation, Samuels Isopi said that Nigeria should be seen as taking a decisive step towards delivering transparent and credible elections in 2023.
She said that INEC must be allowed to operate independently as provided by the constitution, in respect of the organisation of the election.
Ensure Issue-Based Campaign, Compliance with Electoral Act – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has also reminded the political parties and their members of the need to play the games according to the rules as the campaign for the 2023 general elections begin.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said the 2023 general election would take place against the background of the new Electoral Act, adding that, political actors, the broadcast media and other critical stakeholders must familiarise themselves with the laws.
He assured that, it will monitor compliance with the limits on campaign spending by political parties under the Electoral Act.
Yakubu said INEC will monitor compliance to ensure that parties shun abusive language likely to provoke a breach of the peace during the electioneering campaigns.
He has noted that commitment to peaceful and issue-based electioneering campaigns should resonate beyond the 18 Party Chairmen and Presidential candidates.
Yakubu commended the effort of the National Peace Committee which has engaged the 18 presidential candidates and the National Chairmen of the 18 registered political parties to sign a peace accord and urged the political parties to abide by the letter and spirit of the Peace Accord.
He also urged the parties to convey the message of peace to their candidates, members and supporters across the country for compliance.
“This is important considering the connection between peaceful campaigns on the one hand and peaceful and credible elections on the other. The Commission appreciates the positive role of the NPC in the progressive improvement of our elections in Nigeria.
He said, “The Electoral Act 2022 provides for campaigns in public by political parties to commence not earlier than 150 days before polling day. Accordingly, a campaign by political parties for the 2023 General Election officially commenced on Wednesday, 28th September 2022. This will continue until 24 hours before polling day i.e. 23rd February 2023 for national elections (Presidential and National Assembly) and 9th March 2023 for State elections (Governorship and Houses of Assembly).
“The implication is that for the next 148 days, political parties, candidates and their supporters are free to traverse the country holding meetings, rallies, processions and door-to-door campaigns. They will grant interviews, sponsor indoor and outdoor advertisements and publish other campaign materials. This is often a delicate period characterized by excitement and anxiety.
“In line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and in our determination to play our role as a regulator, the Commission will vigorously monitor compliance to ensure that parties shun abusive, intemperate or slanderous language as well as insinuations or innuendoes likely to provoke a breach of the peace during the electioneering campaigns. Similarly, the Commission will also closely monitor compliance with the limits on campaign spending under the Electoral Act. There are sanctions provided by law. Political parties and candidates should study and familiarise themselves with the electoral legal framework to avoid any infraction of the law and the unhappy consequences that will follow any act of misdemeanor.
“The 2023 General Election will be conducted for 1,491 constituencies nationwide made up of one Presidential constituency, 28 Governorship elections, 109 Senatorial Districts, 360 Federal constituencies, and 993 State Assembly constituencies. Every constituency is important. Every election is important. Therefore, the commitment to a peaceful and issue-based electioneering campaign should resonate beyond the 18 Party Chairmen and Presidential candidates present here today.
It is not enough to simply sign the Peace Accord. What is more important is to abide by its letter and spirit. You should similarly pass the message to all your candidates, members, and supporters across the country for compliance. This will be your own way of showing appreciation for the work of the NPC and an affirmation of your contribution to electoral peace in Nigeria.”
Yakubu, assured of his firm commitment to delivering a free, fair and credible election, saying his ultimate goal was electoral justice, which would allow every Nigerian to experience electoral fulfillment.
On the expected role of the media during the campaign and the election proper, Yakubu said the media will play an undisputable role in ensuring a more effective public enlightenment in the coming 2023 general elections, urging the media and other political actors to act within the confines of the law.
He said, “Political party candidates and their supporters, as well as the media have a responsibility to operate within the confines of the law and the provisions of the commission’s regulations and guidelines.
“Issue based campaigns are essential for safe electioneering. In turn, this will create the atmosphere for the successful deployment and conduct of all electoral activities.
“Using the power of incumbency to deny opposition parties access to public facilities is outrightly illegal.”
Avoid Hate Speech, Fake News – NBC
The Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has also reiterated the need for operators in Nigeria’s broadcast industry to stay off activities that could jeopardise the peace of the nation during the campaign and the election next year.
The NBC’s Director-General, Mr Balarabe Ilelah, urged operators of the broadcast industry to make sure that their reportage is made within the ambit of the law, warning that the commission would not hesitate to sanction any individual and organisation that breached the broadcasting codes.
He said, ‘’The stations will, therefore, assume and accept editorial responsibility. I will also use this opportunity to remind broadcasters not to allow any form of hate speech, fake news, use of derogatory or divisive remarks and any incendiary broadcast on their platforms.NBC is not going to take it lightly with any station. If you want to remain after the end of the election, you must make sure you operate within the law. And if you want to end your broadcast before the election, okay, you can go ahead and break the law. NBC will not fold its arms to see things are done in a wrong way.
“The broadcaster is not allowed to deny any group access to airtime, any form of denial of access is prohibited. However, if your political content is indecent and hateful, then a station is allowed to turn it down and give reasons it cannot be taken.”
On his part, the president, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chris Isiguzo, has also advised the NBC and other regulatory bodies not to see the media as competitors but partners in delivering the Nigerian project.
Abide by Electoral Act, Shun Violence – Police
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, as part of the effort to ensure peace before and during the forthcoming general election, has urged the leadership of the political parties and their presidential candidates to abide by the provisions and dictates of the Electoral Act 2022.
He listed all the prohibitive acts which politicians and their supporters were expected to avoid in order not to run afoul of the electoral law.
Baba was of the opinion that two major provisions of the Electoral Act that were very critical to the election had to do with complying with the aspect that prohibits raising of campaign funds from outside the country and that of donations and spending limits for parties.
He also spoke of Section 225 of the Electoral Act which highlighted issues relating to the falsification of documents submitted for elections.
The Police IG warned against using of thugs or armed security by politicians and non-state actors to execute partisan objectives, adding that the Police will not tolerate any such acts ahead of the elections.
Also, the IGP read the riot act to personnel ahead of the 2023 election campaign season. Baba charged the senior officers to ensure a crime-free and enabling environment for campaigns as the public space will become very active and susceptible to politically related offences.
The IGP advised them to observe the dictates of the Electoral Act 2022, and the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for Security Personnel on Election Duty issued in 2020 by the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
He stressed that security outfits established by state governments and local communities, operating under different nomenclatures and structures, have no roles under the Electoral Act and in the electoral process.
The police chief warned police personnel against working for political or community actors in any role during the campaigns as such would amount to illegality and a threat to national security and democracy, Baba added.
The IGP urged all AIGs and Commissioners to engage in an all-inclusive approach by liaising with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), leadership of parties, and other relevant stakeholders.
Baba further directed increased intelligence gathering and deployments to ensure that the security agency maintains law and order across Nigeria.
About the Author
AYO ESAN, has been actively reporting and analyzing political events for different newspapers for over 18 years. He has also successfully covered national and state elections in Nigeria since the inception of this democracy in 1999.
