In this Interview with TheElectionNetwork, social activist and convener of the #NotTooYoungToRun movement, Samson Itodo strongly advocates for the compulsory use of Permanent Voters Cards in polling stations across the country. Mr. Itodo proposed that the electoral commission cancels elections in areas where people without the PVCs are allowed to vote. Itodo spoke to Mercy Abang concerning the 2019 polls including the institutional preparedness of INEC and the Nigerian security agencies involved in process and the initiatives of his organisation, the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) around the polls.
You have been critical and wary of the role of security agencies especially following the last elections in Ekiti and Osun States. Are you concerned about 2019?
Every patriotic Nigerian should be concerned about the election security for the 2019 elections. Our security agencies have exhibited acts that questions that neutrality and non-partisanship. This is a threat to the 2019 elections. Nigerians must rise to the occasion to hold our security agencies to account. the present status-quo cannot remain. Security agencies have a responsibility to protect all citizens irrespective of religion, political affiliation, tribe or gender. This is a national service they must provide. Our democracy begins to die the day security agencies avail themselves to be used by politicians as instruments of election rigging, voter suppression and intimidation. INEC requires maximum cooperation from security agencies especially the police to conduct elections. The administration of elections occurs within a tensed and fully charged political context making it near impossible to conduct election without adequate security.
As someone who is highly engaged with the electoral management body, INEC, do you believe that the commission is prepared for the elections?
The commission appears prepared for the elections. Several milestones have been achieved on the election timetable. In our recent pre-election observation report, we observed a high-level preparation by INEC in 84% of LGAs across the country. This is indicative of INEC’s preparations for the election.
But don’t you think that INEC is limited in its capabilities to deliver a successful election by itself especially in a situation where politicians are hell bent on subverting the process?
INEC is a constitutional body with inherent regulatory powers. Upholding the rule of law is central to democratization. As a democratic institution, INEC shouldn’t subject itself to the whims and caprices of politicians. This is the reason why we adopted a constitutional design that confers autonomy to the electoral commission. The commission needs to assert its independence by upholding the law at all times. Secondly, ensure consistency in its decision no matter the pressure from politicians. Most Nigerian politicians are more preoccupied about securing power and will go to any extent just to secure political power. INEC needs to maintain a strong relationship with citizens, media and civil society to resist the shenanigans and desperation of politicians to subvert the will of the people at all cost. Additionally, as a Nation we need a frank conversation on whether this model of politics and public leadership is sustainable in the fast-changing world.
Do you fear that more Nigerians will be allowed to vote without their Permanent Voters Cards like it occurred during the 2015 general elections?
It will be treacherous and criminal to allow persons without their PVC to cast their ballot in the 2019 elections. The integrity of the election will be compromised if that happens. Once the integrity of an election is undermined it diminishes the legitimacy of the electoral outcome. Being an electoral offence, I would expect the security agencies to reprimand anyone who violates the electoral guidelines and permits people without PVCs to vote. INEC should be proactive to cancel elections in polling stations where people without PVCs are allowed to vote. Due to our vast voting population and land mass, It is crucial to emphasize the need for vigilance on the electoral process. Vigilance is the price we must pay to protect our votes in the 2019 elections.
What is the level of your organisation, YIAGA’s readiness for the 2019 polls and what should we expect?
YIAGA AFRICA, through the Watching The Vote is fully prepared for the 2019 elections. YIAGA AFRICA deploys observers to observe electoral activities throughout the electoral cycle. With this in mind, we began observing the elections with the observation of the voter registration process, display of voter register and claims and objections, party primaries and pre-election environment building up to the general elections in 2019. For the 2019 election, YIAGA AFRICA will deploy 3034 polling unit observers, 822 Long Term Observers across the 774 LGAs.
Vote buying is one of the most pressing issues of this electoral cycle. How are you assisting the efforts to curb this threat to the elections?
After the Ekiti governorship election, YIAGA AFRICA conducted a post-election study on the extent of vote buying in the election. Our finding was articulated in a report tagged ‘Duly Elected or Duly Purchased?’ Since the release of the report, we have vigorously campaigned against vote buying and selling using traditional and new media tools. Our organizers in the states are hosting community town hall meetings to mobilize citizens against vote buying and selling. We are also working with other partners to promote message aimed at eliminating vote buying and selling from our electoral process. More importantly, we’ve not relented in our advocacy that the police must prosecute all persons arrested for vote buying in recent elections.
Your organisation has been working with young political candidates through a vehicle called ReadytoRun. Can you tell me about this?
Ready To Runis an offshoot of the #NotTooYoungToRun campaign. It seeks to support youth candidates running for office in the 2019 elections with skills, knowledge and visibility. We have created platforms to enable youth candidates to access technical resources on elections and campaigns. With the support of our partners, we are providing media platforms on TV and radio in all 36 states for youth candidates to promote their campaigns and manifestoes. YIAGA AFRICA links youth candidates with other organizations providing support to young people running in the 2019 elections. Recently, we hosted the largest gathering of youth candidates in Nigeria called The Convergence. 435 youth candidates from 91 political parties were supported to attend the conference in Abuja. As from January 6, 2019, YIAGA AFRICA, Channels Television and European Union will commence the hosting of a live tv show tagged Ready To Runfor youth candidates. The live show will air every Sunday by 6:15pm – 7pm.
