Nosike Ogbuenyi
4 December 2008
Lagos — Last Sunday, a thanksgiving mass and a reception were held in honour of the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu at Okigwe in Imo State. Nosike Ogbuenyi, who was there, writes that the event was essentially geared to showcase the brighter side of the controversial chief electoral officer of the nation
The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu has for the past two years remained a fertile topic for political debate. To many he is a villain that conducted one of the country's most controversial elections. To others he is a hero who through courage, uncommon determination and resilience narrowly took Nigeria through one of its most trying historical periods.
Till date, Iwu remains different person to different people. The approach to the April 2007 general elections can be described as tension-soaked. As the nation's chief electoral officer, Iwu got all the barbs for the foibles and incongruence of that period. It is incontrovertible that the approach and actual conduct of the elections were dodged by horrendous apprehensions, bickering, confusions and protests.
Those who hold him solely accountable for the sundry imperfections of the polls dismiss his frequent stunts as mere petulance and theatrical delusion. To them, the only rationale option left for him is to resign his seat with ignominy and bury his head in shame.
But the above is not the complete account. There is the other side to it. Indeed, there are a good number of people who insist that the 2007 elections though far from being perfect, were trail-blazing in some respects. To them, the INEC Chairman deserves praises and not condemnation for breaking the greatest jinx that had stunted Nigeria's democratic growth for over 40 years- the inability to transit from one democratically elected central government to another democratic civilian government. The crux of their argument is that if not for Iwu's doggedness and bravery, the 2007 elections would have been aborted and the country plunged into anarchy and possible dismemberment.
The proponents of this theorem feel so indebted to the professor of pharmacology that they decided to stage a national reception and thanksgiving mass in his honour at Okigwe, the headquarters of his senatorial district in Imo State last Sunday, November 30, 2008. The serene town played host to a variegation of dignitaries that day. It was organised by a National Committee made up of well wishers who believe that Prof. Iwu has served the nation diligently with steadfastness and so deserves an honour.
It was a grand event that attracted several dignitaries including Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, many governors, senators, honourable members of the House of Representatives, ministers, former governors, other top-profile politicians, traditional rulers, the clergy and a host of others. Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu who delivered the keynote address at the ceremony was among state chief executives that graced the occasion. The Talba of Minna is one outstanding governor from the North whose intellectual flair is gradually rubbing in across the nation. His speech at the event was quite revealing about the country's democratic progress
Others included the host governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, his Sokoto State counterpart, Alhaji Magartada Wammakko, Abia State governor, Dr. Theodore Orji, Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu and Governor Timipre Sylva Bayelsa State.
Also in attendance were the deputy governors of Kaduna, Rivers, Borno and Ebonyi states as well as top industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Champion Newspaper publisher, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, former Ebonyi State governor, Dr. Sam Egwu, former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori, Chief Andy Uba who served briefly as Anambra State governor last year and Chief Rochas Okorocha. The Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole was represented by the Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha. The reception held at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Okigwe was equally attended by thousands of ordinary citizens from Imo State and across the country. It was preceded by the thanksgiving mass for Iwu and his family members. The building of the gigantic cathedral which is still in its foundation stage is being passionately pursued by Prof. Iwu who is also a Knight of the Catholic Church. Donations were solicited from guests for the multi-million naira project during the reception. Iwu said his commitment to the project was an expression of his gratitude to God for blessings on him over the years.
Vice President Jonathan who chaired the ceremony was full of praises for Iwu for guiding the country through one of its most difficult periods. He carpeted those calling for the INEC Chairman's neck saying there can never a perfect election anywhere in the world. He enjoined various State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to emulate INEC's example in conduct of elections saying that if not for the resilience and determination of Iwu and his team, the 2007 elections would not have taken place and Nigeria probably would have been plunged into crisis.
Jonathan rated the ability of SIECs to conduct hitch-free elections low, insisting that, the INEC under the leadership of Iwu, would have conducted better elections at the local government level if that responsibility were to be undertaken by the central electoral body. "Let people go and examine the local elections that have been conducted by the various state electoral bodies (SIECs), including the states that are controlled by PDP, ANPP, and other parties. If you compare those elections with those conducted by INEC, I believe you will still put INEC over and above any other electoral commission" he argued.
According to the Vice President, INEC has been successfully shouldering the huge responsibility of conducting elections at state and federal levels while most SIECs have failed to manage the small responsibility of overseeing local government elections. He said: "We have 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and one commission, headed by one person to conduct elections to the State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, the Senate, the Governorship and the Presidential."
The number two citizen called on Nigerians to begin to appreciate the type of efforts and sacrifices made by the INEC boss, the National and State Electoral Commissioners and other staff of the commission in successfully and conclusively conducting the 2007 elections. He said his judgment was in no way influenced by the fact he is a member of the ruling PDP and the Vice President but the desire to stand by the truth.
Vice President Jonathan further used the forum to give assurance that the recommendations of the National Electoral Reform Committee headed by former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, would be thoroughly considered and appropriate measures taken to ensure that future elections fare better than the previous ones. "Elections are very challenging and serious business. That is why the Federal Government set up a committee to look into the complaints made by the people," he stated.
Delivering the keynote address, Governor Babangida Aliyu said Iwu deserves honour for managing the electoral process that led to a smooth transition from one democratically elected administration to another despite the numerous challenges he faced. He said he was proud to be associated with Iwu while describing him as "a man who will go down in history as the one who organised the most successful general election ever, which was not annulled despite numerous handicaps, orchestrated problems and calculated impediments in 2007".
Aliyu declared that by his performance, the INEC Chairman "has debunked the widely held notion that only political scientists or professors of political science can conduct successful elections". He noted that in spite of the numerous challenges inherent in the operating environment, especially of heading an institution like INEC with many structural defects, he refused to be cowed, discouraged or intimidated because he was "engaged diligently and honestly to make things better for Nigeria and Nigerians".
The Niger governor extolled Iwu as follows at the occasion: "I salute you for your principles, values, ideas and beliefs which we share in common in many areas. I respect you for the positive things you have been involved in during your lifetime. Of particular interest to me is the fact that, like me, you have been involved in responsible professional, trade and student union activities. I am also impressed with your prolific writings, your eloquent presentations of over 200 academic papers, your publication of more than 100 research articles, as well as your authorship of four books.
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