Dancing To The Song of Travesty: The Nigerian 2023 Presidential Elections
Democracy? Dictatorship? Democra-tatorship? ahhh, yes Demo-tatorship?
I do not make it a habit of openly expressing strong opinions on the political matters of my Country -NigeriađłđŹ- but maybe I should. Nonetheless, this time, this time, it is quite detrimental to sit on the fence or worse be a bystander. I have a lot to say but letâs try to keep it short.
Elections have always and will always be rigged, especially in countries where the systems are innately corrupt. Now, there are different ways of rigging an election, in plain example, itâs like cheating in an exam. And we understand that the goal of the cheater is to get a good grade without getting caught, right? Right. So, the cheater should be smart enough (have common sense), to know that he has to outsmart the exam supervisor by being creative in the way he cheats. If heâs able to pull it off without any suspicion or careless discrepancies, then everyone will congratulate him on his exam success, Regardless. Yes, regardless of the means he took to achieve it, and this is predominantly because he wasnât caught.
However the exam supervisor or teacher who knows the abilities of this student, could have their reservations, doubts even. But they cannot prove anything, because there is a lack of evidence. Now, Iâm not encouraging cheating by any means, but believe me, it is how most systems in the world work. As long as you are not caught, you are considered as morally upright as any other person. Okay, back on topic.
Here is the second scenario.
This time, a different student decides to cheat during the exams. However, the exam supervisor -who has had enough of such examination malpractices- is much more alert and observant of all the students actions. So, the situation is a bit different than what the first student had encountered. But, this second student underestimates how strict the supervision will be, and he tries to use the same cheap method of cheating as the previous student did. Therefore, it is not surprising that he is sloppy, and he gets caught with incriminating materials on camera. Even classmates around him were active witnesses to his deceit. The supervisor also confiscated various items from him that were prohibited in the exam hall. There was so much varying forms of evidence that proves, that this student engaged in examination malpractice.
Point is, there was no way -in a morally upright, and an amoral or in an extremely corrupt- education institution would this second student be able to cover his tracks or even get a good grade. There were too many witnesses, too much evidence, both on paper and video. But lo and behold! The set of people in charge of grading the exams gave this student an excellent score. Not only that, but also a recognition as number one, as the best student in the entire school.
Everyone was clearly shocked, confused and utterly utterly left speechless. They could not wrap their head around how this had happened. They had turned in the proof, there were mass witnesses, there was actual credible credible evidence to reinforce the accusation of this student cheating. With the amount of evidence they had, it could no longer be called an accusation. Because, It was NOT just an accusation, it was a Fact. The student was a cheater and did not deserve the grades nor the number one position in the school.
So, these two scenarios are explicit examples of how elections can and are rigged. But these examples are more related to the current 2023 Nigerian presidential elections. In my limited knowledge of politics, since Nigeriaâs independence in 1960. Democracy has never been implemented in Nigeria, and call me skeptic or what not, but this system will never be properly implemented nor effectively work in Nigeria. (A topic to be discussed another day).
Although, I would infer that everything began going downhill when it was the political party (APC) in power, that appointed the current Head of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC). First things first, shouldnât the electoral body be independent of any and especially the current ruling political party?
Well that aside, the most heart wrenching and disappointing part of the exam cheater story, is that as time progresses, the cheater is being invited as best student representative for the school. AND, allowed to participate in international events, held by organizations that are solely against cheating. Despite all. Despite the exam supervisor trying to right what was clearly A wrong in the school justice system. Despite the classmates stepping forward as active witnesses. Despite it being against every rule/regulation of the school. Despite the numerous proof. And, Despite it being in public eye. These organizations are acknowledging what they solely stand against. What theyâve sworn to fight against.
Now, not to mince words, this part of the story is alluding to the Nigerian president-elect being congratulated by an official from the African Union(AU), alongside some high ranking personnels from other African, Western, and European countries. Countries like Ghana, Gambia, US, UK, Ukraine among others. Majority of these countries are considered to be at the forefront of the United Nations (UN). The United Nations with its code of ethics; âimpartiality, integrity, justice for all, human rights, etcâ.
Now, donât get me wrong, I donât expect or want personnels from these countries to get involved or sort of âsave usâ or anything. But the least, that could have been done -especially being from countries/organizations that mostly believe and run on democracy/upholding justice- is to wait until the court investigations, and case is resolved before deciding to congratulate anyone.
In substance, the 2023 Nigerian presidential election results are being investigated in court, although the electoral body has announced a President elect that no Nigerian acknowledges (okay, perhaps a few, I mean, like 60 people out of 200+ million Nigerians). Point is, the situation is still undetermined, and with the judicial systemsâ involvement, the rule of law is to be given room to prevail. Therefore, it is best to tread the situation lightly especially with the ongoing court case backed with multiple real evidence.
Past Nigerian Politicians have cheated or rather rigged the elections for their gain, but Nigerians previously reacted to this as the supervisor did with the first student. We say, âwe know youâve cheated but we have no tangible proof of thisâ, then we swallow our objections and accept the results. In most cases, if not all, we even go as far as making memes about it. This cycle has been going on for years, that it has almost become the norm. And maybe thatâs why our international counterparts view this election and its results as just another one of those situations. For this, they cannot be blamed, however, a benefit of doubt would really go a long way this time.
The people who voted, trusted the electoral body, and are still trusting the justice system are a majority of young Nigerians, educated enough to know what kind of future they envision. I am part of this, I was there in Nigeria during this time, I could see -I could feel- the unrelenting hope and resilience of Nigerian youths to take charge, to choose their future through politics. To put faith in the voting system, hoping upon hope, it doesnât fail them.
People who were not present or actively following the Nigerian elections would not understand that this time, it IS different. This 2023 Nigerian elections is one of the most pivotal events that -when rectified- will be one of the greatest historical change/moments in Nigeria. Thus, can we maybe have the opportunity to see it to the end?
Supplementary Note: Iâd recommend a thorough reading of Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie article âNigeriaâs Hollow Democracyâ for more data and a wider range of information on the current situation of the Nigerian Election.
