One of the far reaching resolutions taken by both chambers of the National Assembly, albeit, separately on constitution and Electoral Act amendments was the introduction of independent candidacy into the electoral system. Committees set up by both chambers to look at the report of Justice Mohammed Uwais Committee on electoral reform had earlier adopted its recommendations on the need to introduce independent candidacy into the electoral process.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekeremadu, presided over the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, [SCRC] while Honourable Usman Nafada, Deputy Speaker , House of Representatives, was the Chairman of the Special ad hoc Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution set up by lower legislative chamber.
Just like the separate committees were unanimous on the need to maintain the status quo on who should appoint the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, by retaining it in the Presidency, the two committees whose positions were adopted by the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively affirmed that giving room to independent candidacy would liberalize the nation `s political space.
But it also placed hurdles on the path of the would be independent candidates. In its own recommendations, the House stipulated that for a candidate in a presidential election to qualify for election as an independent candidate, he must be nominated by at least, 50 percent voters in two thirds of all the electoral wards in the country.
In the case of governorship candidates, an independent candidate must be nominated by at least, 100 registered voters and 150 registered for senatorial election; his House of Representatives counterpart needs 200 registered voters, while it stipulates 250 and 300 registered voters for state assembly and council chairman contenders, respectively.
While some see this as a tough hurdle, others see it as a non issue, believing that an average Nigerian politician can always improvise, or find his way around any perceived obstacle.
The latter group also submitted that the Uwai`s recommendation on independent candidacy was adopted by the nation `s federal lawmakers in their enlightened self -interest. .
In the past, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which is the dominant party in the national assembly had been at the receiving end of `garrison democracy`. Candidates who won the party primaries had lost their tickets in the past to an overbearing president who instructed the party executives to retrieve such tickets. The incumbent Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi lost his PDP gubernatorial ticket to Celestine Omehia, but got it restored along with his party victory after a rigorous litigations which took him to the nations apex court ,the Supreme Court.
Ifeanyi Ararume would not forget in a hurry the raw deal he had in Imo state . In Taraba, Danladi Baido is still fighting to have his ticket restored, few months to the 2011 election. The former Finance Commissioner under the immediate past governor of Taraba, Jolly Nyame had won the PDP gubernatorial ticket for 2007 election, but was arm twisted to give it to the incumbent ,Governor Suntai by President Obasanjo.
The incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimmiko was discerning enough to know that he would not make it in PDP, given Segun Agagu stranglehold on the part in the state and had to defect to Labor Party to contest the 2007 gubernatorial election, in spite of open threats from the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo that he would set the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC after the Labor Party candidate.
PDP federal lawmakers believe, entrenching independent candidacy in the Electoral Act would afford popular candidates, the opportunity to contest election.
Given the present impasse in PDP and the raging battle to control the party between the PDP governors and the PDP Reform Forum, allegedly backed by the President, Goodluck Jonathan, it would be difficult to dismiss the argument that self preservation played a role in the federal lawmakers decision to adopt Uwai`s recommendation on independent candidacy.
In Oyo State for instance, Governor, Alao-Akala had made a public vow that the senator representing the Oyo central senatorial district, who is the current Senate Majority leader, Teslim Folarin would not get the PDP ticket to return to the Senate.
There are also some of them who have an axe to grind with their respective state governors; there are also those who are kicking against the zoning formula in their states, where aspirants, waiting in the wings are saying the zoning formula should be observed for senatorial and House of Representatives slots.
Sun Summit also observed that some of the federal lawmakers were swayed by the argument that since we have adopted the presidential system of government, it would not be out of place, if we give room to independent candidates, as it is being done in civilized democracy, like the United States.
Sun Summit investigations revealed that some Nigerians have reservations over the adoption, while some lauded the initiative.
The financial hurdle leaves a sour taste in the mouth. For instance, any candidate who is contesting as an independent candidate is expected to pay a refundable cash deposit of 10 percent of his electoral expenses to INEC—- the deposit will only be refunded to such a candidate, if he or she makes one third of the total vote cast during the election.
It also specifies that to contest as an independent candidate, a maximum of N1 billion is recommended as electoral expenses, for the presidential election, a hundred percent rise above the present expenditure level of N500 million.
Otunba Tunde Odanye, a PDP gubernatorial aspirant in Osun State is of the view that the federal lawmakers are trying to take back through the backdoor, what they claimed to have offered through the front door.
He argued that they might have deliberately created the disadvantage because they are wary of the chances of other popular candidates out there smarting to unseat them in the national assembly.
``They have an advantage already as lawmakers, so they want to create obstacles for those who might challenge them in 2011. I think it is a stupid provision and should be removed. We have heard people in this country who didn’t have a dime, but they were loved by their people and they won elections. Remember the late Aminu Kano,`` Odanye noted.
A PDP chieftain in the south west, who does not want his name in print told Sun Summit that such a requirement is scary as it has serious security implication for the nation.
`` Do we have a tidy arrangement that can sieve the source of money for election purpose in this country ? What stops fundamentalists from the Middle East from sponsoring their ilk for election in the northern part of Nigeria? How do you contain a dangerous group like Al-Queda which could eagerly funnel fund to a fundamentalist who parades himself as an independent candidate for our presidential election?. The whole thing looks scary to me,`` the PDP stalwart submitted.
Former gubernatorial candidate of the ADC, Ralph Nwosu is however of the opinion that there is no basis for independent candidacy in the country, considering the number of political parties we already have .
``I have a problem with that, because I think we have enough in terms of political parties. With that, you still give room to independent candidate; that is a bogey. It doesn’t make sense.
We aren’t tackling our major problems. We shouldn’t be looking at that for now . Where our legislators can focus on for now has to do with: how do we face corruption and how do we seek to make public office appears not to be a settlement ?. The moment we get that, every other thing will fall in place. We don’t even need some of the 50 parties we have now.
We should face reality ; legislation for independent candidates is a latter day legislation, not for today . May be 20 years time when the democratic space would have become very relevant and vibrant`` Nwosu submitted.
Odanye however disagrees with Nwosu He told Sun Summit that Nigeria is not new to independent candidacy.
``Remember that the late Afenifere scion, Chief Abraham Adesanya, once contested as an independent candidate, against the Action Group of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the 60s` and won, because he was very popular in Ijegbu Igbo, his town. Awolowo had to woo Adesanya to the Action Group. I think, having independent candidates would strengthen our politics.``
Speaking further, the PDP gubernatorial aspirant disclosed further that independent candidacy would save us from the existing mush room parties, who now relish INEC grant.
``It is because the laws to encourage independent candidacy wasn’t there that’s why you have mushroom parties; once the laws are put in place, they would be removed as there would be no more INEC grant. If there is deficiency in party management, I don’t think the remedy is in denying us independent candidates. It saves people from the encumbrances of party rules and imposition,`` Odanye told Sun Summit.
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