Progress or a sign of failings?
The blogger who writes at Grandiose Parlor explained some details behind a recent Nigerian court decision involving elections. It offers some insight into what seems to be an important development in the rule of law. It also suggests there's a long way to go.Oshiomole vs. Osunbor: Annulment isn’t Enough Deterrent for Electoral Fraud
"When Adams Oshiomole (Action Congress candidate, left) decided to run for office as the Governor of Edo State, he didn’t know that it would take him 19 months to actualize his mandate. During those long and troubling months, the state and the people of Edo sat helplessly under the reign of Oserheimen Osunbor of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, whose 'mandate' came via the manipulation of a weak electoral system."On November 11 2008, The Appeal Court affirmed Oshiomole the duly elected governor of Edo State after the April 14, 2007 gubernatorial elections. While this can be seen as a major step in a democratic Nigeria, the fact that Oshiomole has his mandate back is just half of the victory; it is also necessary to address what led to the events during those 19 months...
"Osunbor dictated the affairs of a state he had no business managing, got paid for a job he did not qualify, and enjoyed the trappings of power he did not deserve. And all Osunbor got for usurping power was an order to vacate office within 24 hours after the Appeal court verdict!
"As it is, the Nigerian electoral system permits fraudulent ascension to power and encourages political contestants to bend the rules to the extent possible and with every ounce of impunity they can muster...
"Should the Nigerian electoral system reward fraud and injustice? No it shouldn’t; this is why electoral violations must carry stiffer penalties; annulments aren’t enough deterrent."
Oshiomhole's Victory - Ruling Was an Epoch - Osagie
"Hon. Samson Osagie, a member of PDP representing Uhunwonde/ Orhionwon Local Constituency at the Federal House of Representative, has described as an epoch the ruling of the Appeal Court last Tuesday in Edo Governorship Election petition, which declared Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress (AC) winner of the 2007 Governorship election.
"In an exclusive interview with Leadership, Hon. Osagie said the ruling was fair and just, and has rekindled the confidence of the people in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man...
"'This is the era of the rule of law, we believe that its courses should be respected for an orderly society to exist, I cannot but congratulate the AC and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole' the honourable said.
"He attributed the PDP's loss in Edo to what he termed 'very serious intra-party acrimony' that was perpetrated by the outgoing Governor and his cohorts immediately after he took over the mantle of leadership..."
See also:
- The Guardian (Lagos) article about the decision: Oshiomhole is Edo governor
- Jail terms for electoral violations, an earlier Grandiose Parlor entry about this case
Labels: elections, judiciary, Nigeria, rule-of-law
posted by Ken Wedding @ 5:53 AM
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