The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
in Kaduna State on Thursday issued certificates of return to the re-elected Governor
of the state, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; the Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Hadiza
Balarabe, and 34 members-elect of the state
House of Assembly.
Speaking at the occasion which was held at the state INEC
headquarters, the National Commissioner supervising Niger, Kaduna and Kaduna States
and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Prof. Antonia Okoosi-Simbine,
attributed the growing phenomenon of inconclusive elections in the country to
deepening democracy and improving the integrity of the electoral system.
She, however, decried the attitude of some political parties
and candidates who engaged in violent behaviour, including the manhandling of
election officials, intimidation of voters as well as Collation and Returning
Officers during the 2019 elections.
According to her, “Nigerian democracy was deepening
incrementally having conducted sixth successive elections without an interregnum,
so there is improved integrity in the electoral system.
“Elections in Nigeria are becoming more competitive,
and the margin between winners and runners-up are decreasing to the extent that
in many instances, elections into the executive and legislature are increasingly
becoming inconclusive.
”This explains why the phenomenon of inconclusive
elections appears to have increased.
“To be sure, this existed prior to the existence of
the present commission. We cannot expect less when a few big parties are
contesting for power at every level.”
She said the situation was further compounded by lack of
internal democracy and the desperate quest for power by politicians and their
supporters.
”The pathetic crisis of lack of internal democracy
in the parties and the desperation of the candidates and their supporters,
driven by the fear of losing all, tend to compound the problem.
”Let me particularly mention the negative role of
violence in our elections. Democratic elections are rule-based and those
parties, candidates and supporters who resort to self-help by taking the path
of violence undermine the virtues of democratic elections which include choice
in absolute freedom and peace.
“Unfortunately, the 2019 elections marked a new trend in which
some parties and candidates engaged in violent behaviour, including manhandling
election duty officials and intimidation of voters, collation and returning officers,”
the INEC National commissioner said.
Okoosi-Simbine said the commission viewed the trend with
grave concerns and would continue to work on greater voter enlightenment for
mandate protection as well as with the security agencies to curtail the ugly
trend.
She advised individuals and political parties not
satisfied with the outcome of the elections to seek judicial remedy where they
believe they have genuine case(s) to pursue.
According to National Commissioner, “Indeed, seeking
judicial remedy is not only a part and parcel of the electoral process in
Nigeria, it is consistent with the culture of democracy as opposed to resorting
to self-help.”
She congratulated the people of Kaduna State and
stakeholders for their conduct during the elections and commended security
agencies for their “extraordinary”
performance.
While congratulating el-Rufai for his re-election, Okoosi-Simbine
said: “I believe that your re-election is a referendum in which the people of
Kaduna State have passed a vote of confidence.
“I encourage you to deliver more material benefits
to the diversity of the people in the state in order to meet their governance
expectations.
“I also congratulate the elected state assembly
members, including those who are returning. I hope that you will provide the
necessary oversight for the executive and put the state in a good stead to
deliver the benefits of democracy.”
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