INEC FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR THE 14 FEBUARY 2015 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS IN IMO STATE- THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> With the mandatory close of fielding of candidates and substitution window by reason of effluxion of time, INEC has mandatorily released a final list of names of candidates, their particulars and their sponsoring political parties in the oncoming National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives) elections. The published names of candidates, their particulars and the respective political parties sponsoring them in the three Senatorial Zones and ten House of Representatives constituencies in Imo State have provoked a lot of concern and regret among the citizenry. It serves as a sad reminder that the real damage the “delegates” caused during the primaries or the high handed party official who corruptly sold party tickets to money bags is beginning to manifest. The evils of stomach infrastructure politics are here with us at last like Ebola Virus Disease. Reflecting soberly on that list, a number of grave concerns have crystalised and must come to light. First is that aside from the regular and openly visible parties like PDP, APGA, APC, UPP, other minnows or obscure parties which were hitherto unknown parties in the State have sponsored candidates less than one month to the general elections. We need not mention them here as it might be unfair or prejudicial to do so but we will not fail to ask at least two salient questions- (a) when will these laughably insignificant parties sell their manifesto and or candidate(s) to the electorate? We insist that the party manifesto remains the bond or social contract between the party/party candidate and the electorate. (b) What time do these “late comer” parties have to embark on the all important voter education of getting the registered voter know their party logo between now and 14 February 2015? Needless to say that the average voter recognizes “the umbrella” as PDP logo whether they will vote the umbrella or not but this is key. The ballot paper must contain the authorized and recognized party logo among other security features the almighty INEC may choose to have embossed on the ballot paper. Sorry if the voter does not know your party logo! A critical observation is that it would appear that these obscure parties are not in the race for real or are they testing the waters/gambling or satisfying the desperate or lawful ambitions of politicians to be on the ballot at all cost? Notice however that a number of aspirants who were shortchanged under the anachronistic “my people my people” hand picking/selection method of APC Imo State or the highly flawed and or rigged PDP primaries in Imo State including “the cash and carry or money for hand back for ground” anointing procedure in APGA Imo State have taken refuge in these smaller parties to prosecute their respective lawful ambitions. These gallivanting politicians or escapees are too many that we need not mention them here. Wait a minute, will you blame them for hopping to another party in safety in the face of obvious political injustice, unmitigated corruption and lack of internal party democracy in the so called big parties? Do you wish them luck? Will they be lucky? Valentine’s Day or 14 February 2015 will decide! Some alternative view may contend that it is the right of registered parties to field candidates whether they will win or not. We agree with this view because somehow there is joy in participation. We hope the ploy or plot is not to see if their party logo will be wittingly or unwittingly missing from the ballot paper leading to an election petition on unlawful exclusion and the resultant arm twisting corrupt negotiations to withdraw the petition. Every serious political party must write INEC on the need to reflect on the ballot papers the list of candidates/parties based on their approved inventory of parties and their candidates. INEC chairman and leadership must watch out for corrupt INEC officials on likelihood of this dangerous script. Another worrisome development is that a cursory or perfunctory look at the advertised particulars/qualifications and credential of the prospective NASS members from Imo State (a state that is touted to have education as “its only industry” with “the Commander of Free Education as its helmsman” [give it to Rochas/APC every serious party must campaign on allowing free education in Imo State]) will show that we are threatened as a people by the false principle of Garbage in Garbage Out (GIGO). “Yeye dey smell” apologies to Fela Anikulapo Kuti! Honestly speaking, these INEC’s lists come across as an assemblage of political gamblers looking for their party logo to be missing or WASC attempted holders looking for recruitment into the lowest cadre of our Imo Orientation Agency. The advertised particulars of the candidates are to say the least pedestrian, empty and not good for our state’s image at all. It is a clear of the good, the bad and the ugly. Our worry is that the bad and ugly are in the majority. Commenting on this satanic list, one Ofoegbu Cajetan angrily reacted on the facebook wall of Ifeanyi Cy-Njoku as follows: “QUALIFICATION TO GET ANY JOB IN NIGERIA… M.SC, B.SC, EVEN Ph.D BUT TO BE A LAW MAKER OR PRESIDENT JUST YOUR COMMON ENTRANCE EXAM RESULT…ARA GBAWAKWA HA ONU THERE”. On his own right and in his characteristic candour, Emmanuel Madumere commented “Chai…lmo of all States…Am highly disappointed @ the level of certificates I saw here.” We can only say that the Imo NASS list of candidates published by INEC is nothing but a national shame on parade…”Oluwole and Toronto Certificates agbala kasaaa! Who will be happy when we recall the SALISU BUHARI saga- a former speaker of the House of Representatives in Nigeria who was disgraced and impeached from office in 1999 after it was discovered that he forged his University certificate from Toronto University. We cannot afford another TORONTO saga. It is obvious many of the candidates on that list have been living a lie. Some returning or ranking members on that list who claimed chains and chains of earned Degrees before now have downgraded to their real academic status of mere WASC holders or GCE attempted. The national minimum qualification is WASC or its equivalent but why deal with minimum when above minimum or maximum is commonly available in Imo State..If you ask us na who we go ask? We pray that these candidates will be able to present the originals or Certified True Copies of these Certificates promptly on demand as mandatorily required by our laws. We hope the originals of the Certificates are not with one “Military Board” or the other. Don’t mind our drift but we will insist on what is lawful and proper. A few good men and women are on that list. Just a few of them will fit into those Fortee Chukwuemeka Nnadozie beautifully described as men and women with sharpened ideas, crystallized thoughts, and life well molded. We need men and women in the NASS who are knowledgeable, deep, sound and strategically equipped to respond to the challenges of contemporary legislative business and representation. Ladies and Gentlemen we implore you to take time off and see the advertised particulars of the candidates and raise alarm NOW over any bogus, false or unfounded claims about age/certificates/tax status/nationality/voting status etc of the candidates. We encourage ourselves to see something, say something and do something timeously. This is also the most opportune time for candidates and or rival political parties to take conscientious and informed objection by way of pre-election suits in courts of competent jurisdiction. After now it becomes awfully late. As Imolites, men, women and youth of enlightened conscience, we must not allow criminals into the hallow chambers...RED or GREEN! Remember that on 14 February 2015 and beyond, GOD WILLING, we must not allow godfather/godmother anointed candidates, delegate vote thieves or automatic ticket usurpers to win. HAPPY VAL’S DAY IN ADVANCE...A new normal is possible!
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 04:25:57 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015