On Saturday, the people of Ondo State will elect the man to pilot their affairs for the next four years. Perhaps stung by the widespread criticism of its performance in previous elections, the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has committed to using the election to address the infelicities experienced in previous elections, particularly in Edo State. The INEC national chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made this promise while speaking to journalists in Akure, the state capital. Said the INEC boss: “We have learnt valuable lessons not only from the last election but also from previous ones. Essentially, there are two main challenges: first, the logistics of ensuring polling units open promptly on election day; and second, managing results effectively. My assurance to voters in Ondo State is that they will see significant improvements in both processes.”

Again, the INEC boss has been keen to warn staffers of the commission against dereliction of duty during the election. Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting on the election in Akure, he noted that the November 16th off-cycle governorship election in the state was not just a national election, but an exercise which was of global interest. He urged political parties to restrain their supporters from any disruptive behaviour. Hear him: “We have warned our staff that there will be consequences for dereliction of duty in any way or form. Tomorrow afternoon, I am going to address the staff, including the Electoral Officers from the 18 local government areas. ” On his part, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipupo, has indicated that the state police command is well prepared for the election on Saturday. Oladipupo made this statement as the command commenced training for its officers and men in preparation for the election. Speaking at the event held at the Officers’ Mess in Akure, Oladipupo explaied that the training was an initiative of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as part of the police force’s efforts to ensure professionalism among officers during the off-cycle poll.

Usually, the campaign period in the country’s elections is characterised by violence, mudslinging, accusations and counter-accusations by the candidates of the leading political parties and their supporters, and some of these unsavoury practices were experienced in the build up to Saturday’s election in Ondo State. It is fair to note, however, that in comparison to the general practice in the country, and in particular the governorship election in Edo State, the political campaigns in Ondo State have been less acrimonious, even if that is not to say that the candidates and political parties have been able to put up a lofty, inspiring exercise. Indeed, whatever has been gained in the relatively civil tone of the campaign by the leading political parties has been evidently and significantly undercut by the brazen voter inducement they have carried out with gusto.

A week to the election, the same political class responsible for the deep immiseration of the populace, has resorted to its accustomed corrupt practices, inducing voters with staple food such as rice, gari and maize. Politicians have been literally buying the loyalty of the electorate, with none of the major parties exempt from these devious practices. In its pre-election assessment report during the signing of the peace accord by the political parties participating in the election, a civil society organisation, Yiaga Africa, deplored this terrible practice. The head of Knowledge, Management and Learning, Yiaga Africa, Safiya Bichi, said the organisation’s long-term observers noted cases of voter inducement in Akure South, Ese-Odo, Ifedore, Irele, Ondo East, Ose and Owo local government areas during campaign activities. According to her, leaders of one of the major political parties distributed fertilizers, rice, garri and maize to community leaders who were assigned to distribute the items within their areas of influence. She added: “As the election approaches, tensions between political parties are escalating, with different sides trading accusations and warnings. The situation underscores the need for vigilance and peaceful conduct from all stakeholders involved. Security agencies should take proactive measures to mitigate these risks. Ensuring the safety of voters, election officials, and all other participants is paramount to upholding the integrity of the electoral process. Preventive measures must be prioritised to avert violence and ensure a peaceful election.”

None of this is, of course, surprising. The politicians know that the people need foodstuff and cash to tide them over in these economically dire and desperate times, but they did not give them these “lifelines” until now. Given that the people should ideally be empowered to be able to fend for themselves, this is a contemptuous, cynical strategy, but the politicians are enabled by the people’s adverse conditions from which they profit and without which they could hardly assume office. It is a tragedy of epic proportions, particularly because of the years of suffering to which the people are subjected after such tokenism. At polling units, party agents tell voters to “vote and cook soup,” ready to give then (voters) a sum once it has been ascertained they voted as instructed. It’s an absolute charade.

The security agencies and the electoral empire have spoken lofty words, but the rhetoric is merely routine: the country has to wait and see if they will match words with action. In particular, INEC, which has promised to make Nigerians proud through the Ondo State election, has the opportunity to demonstrate the seriousness of its public resolve.If the security agencies demonstrate deep professionalism and impartiality and the people exercise their franchise in a climate of calm, it will be a much needed elixir for the country.

We wish the people of Ondo State Godspeed as they elect their next governor. (Nigerian Tribune Editorial)