The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the former Secretary General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Anthony Sani have taken the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Yakubu Mahmoud to task over his comment on the election in Ghana.
Without mincing words, they told him to replicate in Nigeria what he observed in Ghana presidential election without asking losers to “go to court.”
While reacting to the outcome of the polls, Yakubu had said Ghana learnt the management of election results from Nigeria, noting amongst others, that the declaration of the presidential election results was faster than what obtained in the past.
“In Nigeria, this is what we have done and they borrowed a leaf from us, and this is the second time they are implementing that. That is why, as you can see, the declaration of the presidential election result was a lot faster than it used to be in the past.”
He expressed his admiration for the political tradition in Ghana where he said politicians hardly defect to another party every general election, a practice that is common in Nigeria. He commended Ghana’s electoral process, especially its innovations and political stability as key factors in the smooth conduct of its 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.
However, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, told newsmen, in a telephone interview, that Ghana took 24 hours to conduct its elections without hiccups, unlike what obtains in Nigeria.
Ologunagba noted that INEC, under Professor Yakubu, declared the results of the last presidential election, in the dead of the night, when Nigerians were asleep. “I don’t believe he said that. But if he said that, that would be consistent with the character of INEC in duplicitousness. If he said INEC taught Ghana, how come we cannot have a credible election in Edo State?”
“Almost 80 percent of the elections conducted by him were challenged in court. And that speaks to the integrity of the institution under him.
“In the (2023) presidential election, he declared results under the cover of the night, when Nigerians were sleeping. Ghana took 24 hours to do an election. In the elections conducted in Ghana, there was no corruption in BVAS. There were no back-end challenges. If INEC had taught them anything, they have untaught themselves what he (Yakubu) taught them.”
Also reacting, the Secretary General of the Northern States and FCT chapter of CAN, Elder Sunday Oibe said: “When I read the comment by the Nigerian electoral umpire on the outcome of Ghana election, I couldn’t help but laugh at him. It is like a case of a man who’s incapable of impregnating his own wives but has the courage to comment on a newly wedded wife who is yet to see any sign of pregnancy or otherwise. If I were him, I would rather seal my mouth rather than praising what he couldn’t achieve in his country but chooses to praise those who allowed the wishes of the people to speak in an election.
“When an electoral umpire discharges his duty dutifully devoid of compromises, even the loser will accept the results, congratulate the winner and the electorate will jubilate like what is being demonstrated in Ghana. The question to ask the electoral umpire in Nigeria would be this, is he capable of bringing innovation to the Nigeria electioneering process that can bring political stability? Will he ever conduct any election that both the winner and losers will shake hands, hug each other and joyfully accept the outcome? Until he is able to do that, I don’t think his comment means anything to Nigerians.
“Did he hear the electoral umpire in Ghana changing from the rules and guidelines set by the agency itself? Did he hear them telling the aggrieved to go to court? Rather than commending Ghanaian electoral umpire, he should replicate the same back at home.”
When asked to comment, the former Secretary General of ACF, Anthony Sani, replied angrily: “What is in the statement that should be reacted to beyond saying the obvious. In Nigeria, there is the impression that all victors in elections do so by rigging.That is to suggest all elections are rigged. In Nigeria, we are happy to demonise democratic institutions like INEC instead of supporting it to improve by the day for enhanced performance.
“See how our oppositions applaud the court whenever they win their cases, and condemn the court when they lose. I am sure if Nigerians respect and help promote democratic tenets and the institutions, our democracy would improve and be stable like in Ghana.It is a question of ethos.”
