Pic.12. A nursing mother voters during Ondo 2020 Governorship Election on Saturday (10/10/20).
05678/10/10/2020/Olayinka Bode-Are/BJO/NAN
The aftermath of the 2023 Nigerian general elections has been anything but straightforward, with a number of court cases questioning the validity of results from various races.
The latest case involves the Plateau State governorship election, which was initially won by Governor Caleb Mutfwang of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
However, in a recent ruling, the Court of Appeal overturned this decision, declaring Nentawe Goshwe of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the true winner.
This marks the third time a court has overturned an initial result of the general elections, and one election was even deemed inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
As the dust continues to settle from the elections, it is clear that there is much to be sorted out in the Nigerian court system.
The challenges to the results raise serious questions about the legitimacy of the electoral process, and it is hoped that all involved parties will work to ensure a fair and transparent outcome.
It’s a cause for concern when the courts rather than the electorate are called upon to determine the outcome of an election. While the courts can play an important role in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process, their involvement should be the exception, not the rule.
If judicial intervention is becoming the norm, it raises questions about the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.
One issue at play is the frequent withdrawal and reissuing of certificates of return. Almost like we experienced post 2019, the Independent National Electoral Commission has stated that 64 certificates of return were withdrawn and reissued following the 2019 general elections.
This means that nearly 6% of all certificates of return were withdrawn and reissued, a high percentage that calls into question the integrity of the elections.
While some of these withdrawals and reissuances may have been warranted, the sheer number is cause for concern.
It suggests that the elections were not conducted in a fair and transparent manner, and that the results were not truly reflective of the will of the electorate.
This trend has serious implications for Nigeria’s democracy. When the results of elections are not seen as legitimate, it can lead to public disillusionment and political instability.
It is therefore vital that the electoral process is strengthened to ensure that the will of the people is truly reflected in the outcome.
Steps that can be taken to achieve this include improving the transparency of the electoral process, strengthening electoral institutions, and increasing public confidence in the integrity of the system.
Unless these steps are taken, Nigeria risks a downward spiral of electoral disputes and political instability.
In the long term, it’s important to remember that democracy is a process, not a destination. The strength of a democracy is not measured by the outcome of a single election, but by the ability of the people to hold their leaders accountable and to peacefully transition between governments.
This requires a robust and transparent electoral system that truly reflects the will of the people. It is the only way to ensure that democracy in Nigeria can truly thrive.
The future of the country depends on it. Only when the electoral process is seen as fair and transparent can the people of Nigeria feel confident that their voices are being heard and their votes counted. Anything less undermines the very foundations of democracy.
