Which Election Order’ll Ensure Good Governance?

The issue of the order of general elections come 2019 has recently generated heat between the Legislature and the Executive, with both arms seemingly seeking to protect and extend their tenures in the general polls. However, opinions differ on this and an analyst even wants all the general elections to be held on the same week-day! Since the focus of elections is to elect sincere leaders who will deliver good governance into public office, which order of elections can truly ensure good governance in Nigeria?

ABIMBOLA AKOSILE

* The order is not the problem. Good governance comes from within the individual as a person first, then as a leader which in turn defines governance. We are tired of all these childishness in the name of ‘leadership’. When will Nigeria get up from the ground? People are “already migrating to the moon, please”.

Ms. Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State

* Presidential election order will ensure good governance if it comes last. The National Assembly want to see their members elected based on their integrity and not on the influence of a President. So any election could come first or even second but presidential election must come last. As PMB is said to be popular, then does it matter if he comes last in the election order?

Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna State

* The bandwagon effect that brought them to office is no longer acceptable; therefore I subscribe to the order proposed by National Assembly so that we can judge them based on individual merit.

Mr. Paul A. Jideofor. Dept. of Languages, FCT COE, Zuba, Abuja

* Since when does election ordering affect service delivery or good governance in a democracy? Once the will exists on the part of the elected officials, the order of election cannot serve a barrier in the delivery of good governance. We should be asking whose interest election reordering will serve as it’s more of an unworthy distraction.

Mr. Oluwapelumi Oyeniyi, Osogbo, Osun State

* No election ensures good governance. Once government is formed, it’s political will on the part of political office holders to do right and concerted effort by the citizenry to stand government on its toes and insist on the right thing being done that ensure good governance. The way Nigeria is presently structured, sharply polarised along political divides, good governance can never be attained.

Mr. Tunde Okoli, Illinois, USA

* The elections should be held on different days and weekly in my election order beginning with state Houses of Assembly; considering our geographical terrain, bandwagon effect and other logistics. A repeat of the 1979 or 1983 election pattern could serve as model.

Mr. Kingsley Oparah, Lagos State

* The National Assembly members have succeeded in the amendment of the Electoral Act to follow this sequence (i) State House of Assembly (ii) National Assembly (iii) Governorship, and (iv), President. All these will deliver good governance in Nigeria compared to the INEC time-table in which the Presidential and National Assembly elections are to be held first.

Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder, Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

* The existing order of elections should remain, since the reason of elections is to elect upright and focused leaders.

Mr. Yusuf, Muh’dBashir Omotayo, Nda-Aliu, Kwara State

* I support the 1998 order which started with local government – to state houses- to governors- to house of Reps – to the senate and finally president. But to save cost, instead of five days, it will be four days starting with state assembly, governorship, national assembly and then the president. This will enable the people to vote the candidates of their choice. Lumping up elections causes bandwagon effects.

Mr. Egbuna Don Nduanya, Enugu State

* All the elections should hold in one day, after all its electronically collated and easy to compute. Alternatively presidential election can come last to avoid pretentious voting and bandwagon effects. Manipulations must be avoided. God bless Nigeria.

Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State

* The order of elections that can truly ensure good governance in Nigeria is having all the elections in one day and on a working day as this is the global practice. If the focus is to elect sincere leaders who can deliver good governance in public office, then elections should hold in one day. This will save cost, time and create a level field for all political parties. It will also eliminate bandwagon effect. God bless Nigeria.

Mr. Odey Ochicha, Leadership Specialist, Abuja

* We have tried different election sequence since 1979. Order of election does not determine whether or not there will be good governance. What I can say is that our elections are too combative. Presidential election puts too much pressure on the process. Taking it backwards will reduce the tension and relax the tempo.

Mr. Anonymous, Lagos State

* The order of elections can never ensure good governance anywhere in the world. Good governance is a product of a society that produces good leaders. Bad governance is a product of the society that produces bad leaders. Only going back to strict adherence to the provisions of the constitution regarding federal character can reverse this ugly state of affairs. God bless Nigeria.

Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State

* The election order, in which Mr. President refused to assent to the law, is the best for the country. It is better not to hide or take cover under the President to win election as was the case in 2015.

Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna State

* Sequence of election does not ensure good governance; not even democracy does. Adherence to process and procedures and respect for institutional limits will help. The conversation about sequence has been domiciled in the arena of politics. There should be adherence to process, procedures, and that constitutionally determined as INEC role.

Mr. Eze Nwangwu, Convener, Say No Campaign, Abuja

* Well, 2019 general election is going to fetch good leaders that will make things work for our good come 2019 and beyond. It is the electorate’s duty to ensure that they elect credible people in governance.

Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State

* The matter of election chronology or order and good governance fills me with shame as a Nigerian residing in Nigeria. Nigerians can decipher who has done what – performed or not performed – and will vote accordingly. Enough of the childishness! INEC should kindly remain impeccable.

Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, Apo, Abuja

* Although election order may not directly ensure good governance, the presidential election should be held last, to avoid bandwagon effect and undue pressure on candidates who may sincerely want to serve.

Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State

THE RESPONSE

INEC order: 2

N’Assembly order: 4

Neither order: 3

Others: 9

Radical tip: One day for all!

Total no of respondents: 18

Male: 17

Female: 1

Highest location: Lagos & Abuja (5 each)

Next Week: Is Nigeria’s Unity, Devt in Danger?

Although, Nigeria, as earlier predicted by a foreign super-power, didn’t break up in 2015, some analysts believe the rising poverty, insecurity, killings, increasing inequality, unending corruption and public anger are real threats to this country’s continued existence as an entity and to her development process. To you, is Nigeria’s unity and development in danger? What should be done to avert this?

Please make your response direct, short and simple, and state your full name, title, organisation, and location. Responses should be sent between today (March 29 & Monday, April 2) to abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.com, AND abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.com. Respondents can also send a short text message to 08023117639 and/or 08188361766 and/or 08114495306. Collated responses will be published on Thursday, April 5

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