The Eagle is Perched on the Vintage Once Again

A few months ago when Chief Anthony Enahoro who as a young man made what was then considered quite a radical and move the motion for Nigeria’s independence from Britain in the federal parliament, announced that his political party, the National Reformation Party, NRP would not participate in the general elections slated for this month, not many of the other political parties found the need to lend their support to him and the NRP. When Chief Enahoro made that announcement, he was unequivocal that every indication is that Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo and his PDP are highly determined to remain in power. He called the country’s attention to Mr. Obasanjo’s misuse of the EFCC and the INEC in their bid to accomplish that.

What happened Saturday, April 14 in the elections for state governors and legislatures have largely vindicated Chief Enahoro and the NRP. Saturday’s exercise finally gave the leaders of all the political parties except the PDP cause to strongly proclaim their lack of faith in the INEC in the conduct of the presidential and National Assembly polls this Saturday. As the party leaders wrangle amongst themselves on how best to proceed, they must be reminded that once again, the most reasonable option available now for them is to embark on a process that will achieve the reconstitution of the INEC, and make it capable of conducting free and fair elections. The present INEC is highly contaminated by Mr. Obasanjo. How the parties will accomplish this is something that will require commitment and selflessness on their part. But if they summon the courage and dedication to embark on that process, one way will be to trigger the relevant sections of the flawed military imposed 1999 Constitution to devolve power in the interim to the Senate President and have him over-see an impartial transition process within six months. Such transition process must address all the thorny issues that lie at the heart of state building amongst the nationalities that were made to constitute Nigeria. There’s already a blue print that will guide that process. It was produced by the Pronational Conference Organizations, PRONACO, which was co-chaired by Chief Enahoro and Wole Soyinka. PRONACO, which was constituted of several organizations and stakeholders were able to produce a comprehensive document that details the way forward for the peoples that constitute Nigeria. The choice before the nationalities today is clear: Do they want to sustain the sterile status quo, or do they want to dig themselves out of it? Once again, Mr. Obasanjo has offered the nationalities another opportunity to sort their affairs out. The eagle has perched on the vintage canopy once again. But will the hunter take an accurate aim?