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By Dada Ahmed.
All things being equal, over 1.9 million eligible voters, spread across the 21 local government areas of Kogi state,north central Nigeria,will be at more than 20,000 polling booths on November 11, 2023, to vote for the candidate of their choice to govern the state for the next four years. Eighteen political parties filed candidates for the contest.
No doubt the day remains crucial as the world beams its searchlight on the Kogi political climate, to see how members of the political class, the political holders, and the electorate will conduct elections and put cynics to shame.
At the end of the exercise, a candidate will emerge as governor to take over the mantle of leadership from Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello who will end his two terms in office on January 27, 2024.
Without any oita of prejudice to the candidates, it is instructive to note that, from experience emanating from the candidates’ preparation for the election, four candidates stand out strong in the eyes of the electorate to test their political value and sagacity at the poll out of who one will emerge victorious at the poll. They are: Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo of APC,a leading candidate in the campaign, Sen.Dino Melay of PDP, Alhaji Murtala Ajaka of SDP, and Mr.Leke Abejide of ADC.
Governor Bello, the fourth democratically elected governor of Kogi state since its creation by the regime of Gen. Sani Abacha on August 27, 1991, is from the Central senatorial district of the state, the only extraction of the district to ever govern the state through the electoral process and procedure coming in 32 years of the birth of kogi state.
The first democratically elected governor of the state was Prince Abubakar Audu of the blessed memory, followed by Alhaji Ibrahim Idris(Ibro) and Capt Idris Ichalla Wada, the last three governors are from the Eastern senatorial district of the state. The West senatorial has so far produced an acting governor in person of Chief Clarence Olafemi.
As kogites warm to decide the fate of the 18 contestants in the governorship race through election, sone political pundits have predicted a surprise result from the poll, based on the political analysis reflective on the plus and minus of the four governorship candidates among otter contestants.
However, all eyes are on some critical stakeholders for their role in ensuring, transparent, fair, credible, and above all peaceful election as the candidates continue to cross the length, breadth, nooks, and crannies of the state, wooing the electorate for votes as the poll gathers momentum.
Political analysts and other discerning minds, in and outside the shores of the state, have expressed concern over pockets of uneasiness that characterized the campaigns,leading to the destruction of properties and in some cases, loss of lives with some apprehensions.
The first point of call in this patriotic course to ensure a peaceful election is the media.
Unarguably, the media, a very strategic segment of the information sector of the economy that plays a significant role in information dissemination and public enlightenment, before, during, and after any election.
Obvious of the fundamental role of journalists in any given election, a veteran journalist, Mr. Stanley Ajileye, acknowledges,during a public function in Lokoja that the media play an unquantifiable function in mitigating pre and post-election violence in Nigeria.
Leveraging on the agenda-setting theory of the media, Ajileye, who worked with one of the fearless magazines in Nigeria notes that the media has the power to set the agenda for political discussions.
“The more emphasis the media places on a particular issue, the more the electorate perceives it as significant. Therefore, the media must provide non-partisan political news coverage and equal opportunities for all political parties, he urged.
“The media is more than just a messenger; it is also a watchdog. “It ensures transparency in the political process and provides a platform for candidates and voters to discuss crucial issues,”he reminded journalists.
Therefore,he called on media practitioners, especially journalists, to be mindful of the need to raise awareness and promote civic education.
According to him, in the pre-election phase, media channels are vital for raising awareness and educating citizens about democratic ideals, voter rights, and responsibilities.
He said through various platforms; such as radio, television, newspapers, and social media, the media can disseminate unbiased information about candidates,their party manifestos, and the importance of peaceful participation in election in shaping the nation’s future.
“Public debates and interviews can spotlight election-related issues, fostering an informed electorate,” he addedm
Ajileye also urged his colleagues to ensure fact-checking of political information at their disposal before going to the press to avoid misleading the public and hitting the polity.
“Misinformation is a major challenge during pre and post-election periods. The media can combat this by engaging in rigorous fact-checking and debunking false claims. Dedicated fact-checking units within news organizations can play a crucial role in promoting factual reporting and safeguarding against the spread of harmful rumors that may incite violence,” he said.
On monitoring and reporting elections, the veteran journalist also reminded his colleagues that,
during the election period, the media plays a critical role in monitoring and reporting on electoral processes and feed the public with such development.
Journalists, he said, act as watchdogs, ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process,adding that they independently observe voting stations, report irregularities, and highlight potential triggers for violence. This early warning system, according to will go a way in helping to check problematic situations and nip them in the bud before they escalate.
On peace and advocacy, the guest lecturer at Projector newspaper’s annual award ceremony in Lokoja said media platforms could also act as powerful voices for peace advocacy. This he urged they could do by dedicating airtime to peace messages, promoting dialogue, and engaging with community leaders to diffuse tension and promote a culture of peaceful resolution.
“Local radio stations, in particular, can reach remote areas with limited access to other forms of media, making them invaluable tools for disseminating messages of unity and understanding,” he further urged.
Ajileye observed that the use of media in controlling pre and post-election violence in Nigeria could significantly contribute to the creation of a peaceful and inclusive democratic society.
“By embracing their roles as educators, fact-checkers, watchdogs, and peace advocates, media organizations can play a transformative role in mitigating electoral violence.
“However, it is imperative to ensure that media professionals adhere to principles of ethical reporting and avoid propagating hate speech or biased information that may fuel division.
“Ultimately, the media’s commitment to responsible and unbiased reporting will be crucial in instilling confidence in the electoral process and fostering national unity,” he concludes.
The general overview of the role of the media regarding ensuring a peaceful election, notwithstanding, political scientists and some media practitioners in Lokoja believe strongly that such roles bear relevance to the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
Speaking in a similar vein, the Executive Chairman, of Kogi State Security Trust Fund, Alhaji Samari Abdulmalik, called on the citizens of the state to ensure that the November 11, Governorship election is conducted peacefully to ensure credible election.
He made the call during the unveiling of the Ododo EBIGO Connect Campaign Office in Lokoja while speaking with journalists on the sideline of the event.
The executive chairman, who disclosed that the Security Trust Fund had put everything in place to ensure a security-free election in the state, however, called on the indigenes to see security as a collective responsibility.
This he said they could do by cautioning themselves against violence and preaching to the youth to shun acts capable of igniting crises that could lead to the destruction of lives and property.
Abdulmalik said: “The citizens of Kogi state should be conscious of security of life and property, before, during, and after the election.
He said: “If you sacrifice yourself during the forthcoming election, it will not stop the state from moving. “All the voters need do is for them to go and cast their votes and go back to their houses, rather than engaging in any action that will spark crises.”
Abdulmalik said that though politics is mostly about individual or group interests, the people should know that apart from interest, there is a geo-political expression called kogi state whose interest also remain crucial to the development of the state.
According to him, the Kogi state binds all its citizens together in the collective efforts to move the state to greater heights.
Besides the word of advice by the Fund’s boss,media and security practitioners, associations, traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, and parents equally have a no mean role to play for Kogi state to conduct a peaceful election, come November 11.
Besides these segments of the population,members of the traditional institution have crucial role to play in enlightening their followers to toe the line of peace during election and even after the civic exercise.
In fact in any organized society, particularly in Africa, traditional rulers are regarded as the custodians of the people’s culture and tradition and they exert much influence on their subjects in many spheres of human endeavor.
The same goes for law enforcement agencies, police in particular,parents, political gladiators, and community leaders whose influence on youths, children, and other members of society cannot be overstressed towards the maintenance of peace and ensure positive development in the scheme of things in the state.
Kogi Central Elders Council has also joined the vanguard for peace by appealing for the right approach to the forthcoming Governorship election.
The Council also canvassed for the much-needed unity of the entire state needed for the much-desired peace, progress, and development of the state.
This is contained in a statement reflecting the meeting members of the council held in Okene recently.
The statement was signed by its Chairman, Adai Steven Yakubu.
Adai Yakubu,in his 80s, praised well-meaning individuals and organizations for calming nerves and preaching peace and politics of non-violence in the Ebira Community and the state at large.
He continued:” Appreciation also. goes to the State Government for high-level security, amidst other developments being enjoyed in the area.
“We are appealing for the right approach to the forthcoming State Governorship election in the state,” he said.
The Council, Adai Steven added, deemed it fit and proper to give credit to the youths of the Central for their peaceful conduct so far exhibited in the current electioneering process and the political journey towards November when kogi will speak, and urged them to do more in that regard.
The Council also urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and Onobas in the district to continue to ensure strict vigilance for the continued prevalence of peace and security in the Central Senatorial district of the state.
In all, it becomes apt to appeal to all those in leadership positions to lead those under them right before, during, and after the November 11 election. This is because purposeful leadership in this crucial assignment cannot be dispensed with if kogi must with peaceful poll in less two weeks from now.
After all, as the Kogi Central Elders Council put it, “What we all need, for happy and safe living, revolves around peace, unity, and progress of our dear Kogi state.”
Politics is not an end itself but a means of achieving lofty ideas, fulfilling dreams to boost social,economic and political development of any society,kogi state inclusive.
Therefore,concerted efforts must be made to achieve peace and accomplish a fair and credible election, come November 11.
The Independent National Electoral Commissioner in Kogi State, Dr. Hale Gabriel Longpet also appealed to political actors in the forthcoming November Governorship Election in the state to make the forthcoming contest “a battle of the ballot and not that of bullets.”
Dr. Hale, who cautioned against a do or die politics, urged the political parties to convince the people with what they want to do for them differently,if their governorship candidate is voted into office.
He urged the media to help hold political parties and actors accountable in their reports.
The Media, the REC says has a greater responsibility in triggering change in the forthcoming election in the State and called on the journalists to ensure balanced and professional report that would make the election credible and peaceful.
Dr. Hale made the remarks at an interaction with the media at a media training organized for journalists from Kogi State at a media roundtable engagement on Kogi governorship election in Abuja.
The INEC REC,who disclosed that the development of good democratic system is usually triggered by the media, solicited the support of journalists in making the November
11 poll in Kogi credible as well.
Dr. Longpet further urged the media to bring to the knowledge of the political parties and electorate what is required of them for a peaceful and credible election.
Ahmed is the Publisher of The Reporters, an online publication.
ahmeddada008@gmail.com.
