Nigerians In South Africa Score INEC High

Nigerians across South Africa yesterday largely scored the conduct of the parliamentary elections back home high, saying even early results indicated a new path in the nation’s democracy.

Mr. Gbenga Odusanya, General Manager, Africa Hay Group based in Johannesburg, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the conduct of the elections showed that Nigeria seemed to be putting the days of election rigging behind.

“We seem to be entering a new phase and politicians will begin to come to terms that the days of rigging elections in Nigeria are being done away with.

“It is a hard pill for them to swallow but that is what the conduct of the parliamentary elections point to,” he said.

Odusanya said that INEC’s adoption of the modified Option A4 showed it was determined to ensure transparency and this seemed to be paying off.

He said INEC’s initial problem which caused postponement was due to the fact that it did not test run the system which was the normal thing for any novel system.

Odusanya, however, said that the parliamentary elections would serve as a test run for the presidential elections, saying he did not envisage much problems during its conduct.

He also lauded the electorate, saying their voting pattern showed signs of maturity as the former pattern of voting had been altered.

“It seems there is some maturity showing with the electorate. There is no given pattern of votes and it looks like it is the candidate or party that can canvass for peoples’ votes that is likely to get it.

“Early results showed that there is no given path or birthright like before,” he said.

Prof. Vincent Nmehielle, Head, WITS Programme in Law, Justice and Development in Africa School at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, also commended INEC on the conduct of the election.

“From what we read, it seems to have been largely peaceful even though marred by one or two events,” he said.

“I will, however, want to wait for full results and all elections before scoring them, but it seems it will be something Nigerians will be proud of,” he added, while urging INEC not to rest on its oars as some people may come up and become desperate to thwart the system during the next elections.

Nmehielle said the turn out of people was impressive and said the postponement was justified.

“I know Jega very well personally, as a very careful person and I think the postponement has been justified,” he said.

He also spoke on early results, saying it showed a mix that will lead to great debates, checks and balances in the system.

Mr. Olalekan Olaitan, an educator with the Eastern Cape Education Department, said Jega scored high marks in the conduct of the elections and Nigerians, by their turn out, showed they were ready to choose their own leaders.

“It shows Nigerians are waking up and determined to choose their leaders,” he said, noting that the nation seems to be on the right path of making the votes of people to count.

He charged INEC to sustain it in remaining elections, saying the results in the parliamentary elections will prompt even a higher turn out in next elections as those who were skeptical can now see results to inspire them.

Olaitan urged those involved in bombings to shun such acts and resort to the ballot box since the elections were being conducted better and votes were likely to count.

“I pray God will give us the right leaders at all levels this time around and those of us in the diaspora can also come home to play our part,” he said.

Mr. Austin Okeke, a legal practitioner based in Johannesburg, said the parliamentary elections should be seen as a pilot project which should be allowed to mature.

“It is the first and I believe it will be better next time,” he said.

He said that early results gave an indication that Nigerians have choices now.

“Democracy is maturing and people seem to want fresh blood in the system,” he said.

Mr. Ken Ayere, President, Nigerians in Diaspora (South Africa), said from what people are saying, it was rated high except for pockets of violence here and there.

He lauded the people for turning out in high numbers, saying Nigeria was on the path to credible elections.