Nigeria’s 2019 polls: The good, the bad and the ugly vanguardngr.com vanguardnews
AHEAD of this year’s general elections, I wrote a piece in this column, entitled “Nigeria must pass seven basic tests of credible polls” . Drawing on Denis and Ian Derbyshire’s work in, I stated that, to be truly free and democratic, elections must not involve voter intimidation, vote-buying, vote-miscounting or the abuse of incumbency, such as the militarisation of the polls or the intimidation of opponents.
Aisha Buhari voting at the Governorship and State Assembly Elections at Kofar Baru Polling Unit 003 in Daura Katsina State on 9th Mar 2019 Without a doubt, the most positive aspect of this year’s elections was the resurgence of “people power” and the death of godfatherism in some states. In Nigeria, politicians who gained their relevance from the people always behave as if they are their masters, not their servants. But in this year’s elections, the people began to fight back, what with the collapse of political dynasties and the humbling of inflated political egos.
But if the resurgence of people’s power and the bursting of political egos were “the good” of this year’s elections, “the bad” was the prevalence of vote-buying, which shows that Nigerian politicians still prey on the ignorance and poverty of the people. The worst emblematic image was the sight during the presidential election of bullion vans in the house of Bola Tinubu, the APC national leader.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2019 POLLS : How INEC rode the storm in South-South - Vanguard News NigeriaTHE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, came under overpowering pressure in the March 9 Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the South-South with armed security personnel and thugs in military uniforms working for politicians taking some of its officials hostage, but the Commission rose above the dictates of heavyweight politicians and their parties that wanted to arm-twist it.
Read more »
SDP scores 2019 polls low, calls for comprehensive electoral reforms - Vanguard News NigeriaTHE Abia State chapter of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, said it was disappointed over the conduct and outcome of the 2019 general elections with a verdict that it left much to be desired. The party therefore called for urgent electoral reforms to clean up the nation’s electoral process.
Read more »
2019 polls: INEC setting dangerous precedence under Yakubu- Dogara - Vanguard News NigeriaSpeaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was setting a dangerous and evil precedence in the political history of Nigeria under the watch of Professor Mammod Yakubu.
Read more »
Nigerians deserve better than the 2019 elections - Vanguard News NigeriaIf Mahmood Yakubu is given to introspection he should be asking himself what went wrong with the 2019 elections. The free, fair and credible polls the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, chairman promised Nigerians did not happen on February 23 and March 9.
Read more »
2019 poll: Surprises, unanswered questions and the battle to come - Vanguard News NigeriaIn every contest, there is always a winner and a loser. Penultimate Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections across the country were not an exception.The polls left surprises and unanswered questions.
Read more »
Abia 2019: Why Ikpeazu won with a landslide - Vanguard News NigeriaThe March 9 governorship poll has come and gone in Abia, and the people have since moved into post-election mood and activities. They have also since resumed their normal businesses after the rigours of what was an intense campaign period for some and simply a test of popularity for others.
Read more »
Hajj 2019: Lagos set April 15 deadline for full payment - Vanguard News NigeriaIntending pilgrims from Lagos State have been urged to complete their hajj fare on or before April 15th to enable the State Board make necessary arrangements in the holy land for the 2019 Hajj exercise.
Read more »
2019 Elections: For the Common Good - Vanguard News NigeriaAt the end of the day, there will be only one winner. For the first time in Nigeria’s electioneering history, 73 individuals vied for the country’s presidency. For the first time also, Nigerians had to vote not with their thumbs but with any finger; to prevent “ink spilling into the box meant for another party”, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Read more »
Militarisation of 2019 elections - Vanguard News NigeriaALTHOUGH the 2019 general elections have come and gone, the jury is still out on the question of whether the entire process was credible based on how those assigned different roles by law and the relevant authorities conducted themselves. On the dock are the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC; the different political parties that took part in the elections, the security agencies, including the Police, the military and others.
Read more »
2019 GTBank Lagos Polo: Derby duels highlight start of final week - Vanguard News NigeriaThe final week of the 2019 GTBank Lagos International Polo Tournament galloped off yesterday with 10 teams in action for the day in the Low and Majekodunmi Cups.
Read more »