Professor Benson Osadolor is a public affairs analyst and of the Department of History & International Studies, University of Benin. He spoke to ALEMMA-OZIORUVA ALIU in Benin City on the essence of electoral reforms. 

How do you view the appointment of Amina Zakari as Acting Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission? I DOUBT if President Muhammadu Buhari was well advised on the appointment of Mrs Amina Zakari as the acting chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

Not until Professor Attahiru Jega handed over to the most senior officer, upon the completion of five-year term as Chairman of INEC that the Presidency woke up from its slumber. The circumstances that led to the appointment of Zakari also relates to her closeness to the President and some top members of the ruling party.

Her appointment was influenced, not necessarily, on the assessment of competency and integrity, but her relationship with the leadership of APC, and which erodes other confidence-building measures of the independence of INEC. Her activities with the PTDF, the Afri-Project Consortium, and FCT Administration readily come to mind as issues are raised about her appointment.

President Muhammadu Buhari should avoid recycling in political appointments and political replacements. The country has witnessed a successful democratic transition on the promise of change. That change should strengthen and deepen our evolving political culture.

In Nigeria today, we do not need presidential fiat for such appointments. The whole idea of change in politics and in the conduct of public affairs is to build strong and viable democratic institutions vis-a-vis selfless qualities of leadership. The political arrangements of the state are not and cannot be symbolised by a single person.

Rather, the concern should be on the structure and guiding principles of state that will guarantee national survival and security, economic growth and power and development. What is your opinion of the Justice Uwais Report on electoral reform? The Justice Uwais Report has become the blueprint to anchor the reform of Nigeria’s electoral system, to enable us conduct free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

The system, as it is now, has its distinctive features and cannot be adjudged as non-performing. However, what is required is simply its reform for optimum performance in determining election procedures and overseeing the conduct of elections. It is disappointing that the National Assembly has not taken steps in ensuring that the recommendations of the Justice Uwais Report on Electoral Reform are implemented.

This actually borders on the question of patriotism and nationalism. The Justice Uwais Report is very clear on reform of the electoral system, and this includes, INEC as the election management board. INEC cannot remain as it is particularly in its structure, administration and funding.

The expectations of Nigerians are many and varied, but in plain language, the expectations concern the re-orientation of the society along the path of honesty, probity and service to our fatherland, rather than self-seeking messiahs, who manipulate the electoral system for primitive accumulation of our common wealth.

Nigerians should receive election results with satisfaction. This is because the essence of democracy is for everyone to respect the wish of the majority as expressed through the ballot. Hence, the integrity and independence of the electoral body will ensure that every vote counts.

Where this happens, democracy can develop and impact on the well-being of all Nigerians. For this reason, INEC should enjoy both financial and administrative autonomy from government.

This is why I agree with the recommendations of the National Conference 2014, that the funds/ allocations of INEC shall be made a first charge from the consolidated Revenue Fund for both its recurrent and capital expenditures. This will guarantee the independence of INEC. Once independence is ensured, transparency and accountability will be guaranteed in the conduct of elections.