The thinking behind conferring National Honours on individuals is that citizens and residents who contribute to national development deserve to be encouraged and appreciated.
According to the National Honours Act CAP.N43 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, some of the criteria to be eligible for a national honour include: “consistent and meaningful participation in community and/or national development; rendering unsolicited, selfless and philanthropic services to humanity; outstanding sacrifice in the defence of a cause popularly adjudged to be positive, relevant and beneficial to the nation and community.’’
Other criteria are: “distinct act of bravery in the protection and/or defence of national interest, public peace, safety of life and property; remarkable achievement in any field of expertise where the person’s activities in that field have made significant contributions to the attainment of national goals and objectives; immense contributions towards the uplift of community, state, nation and/or humanity through achievements by way of inventions and bringing outstanding honour and glory to the state through personal dedication and patriotic commitment.”
Service with integrity, historically is also a basis for the selection process.
The odds that patriotic INEC officials brace to deliver elections under the current do or die attitude of the average Nigerian politician involve a lot of sacrifice and they deserve to be encouraged and appreciated.
It is incontrovertible that some INEC officials have distinguished themselves in various ways: some endangering their lives by insisting the rule of law must prevail.
The death of Minkaila Abdullahi, Kano state resident electoral commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), along with his wife and two children in the early hours of Friday April 3, 2015, allegedly from outbreak of fire at his official residence on Kashim Road, Nasarawa GRA in Kano comes to mind.
The circumstances surrounding his death is even more worrisome bearing in mind his role in preventing the most banal tendencies of some politicians days before his demise. Balarabe Kabara, the Kano state director of fire service at the time said his men received distress call from the neighbours of the deceased around 4.30 am on Friday.
He said the commissioner, his wife and two children died owing to injuries they sustained during the incident.
Magaji Musa Majia, an assistant superintendent of police and public relations officer of the Kano state police command at the time, also confirmed the incident.
“Today at about 0430hrs, the policemen on guard duty at the official residence of the Resident Electoral Commissioner Kano state, Alh. Munkaila Abdullahi located at No. 2 Sir Kashim Road Nassarawa GRA Kano observed a fire emanating from split A/C in the sitting room,” he said.
“They made several attempts to get in touch with him, including banging the doors and breaking some of the toilets windows, but he was not responding.
“The policemen and local guards broke the door leading to the sitting room and discovered the sitting room was engulf by fire and smoke. They then went to the side door leading to the masters bedroom, broke the door and entered.
“They were not inside the bedroom and the policemen then went to bathroom inside the master bedroom and found the REC, his wife and his two (2) daughters unconscious on the floor.
“They quickly removed them to Murtala Mohd Specialist Hospital where the doctor confirmed them dead. The doctor confirmed the family died from inhalation of hot and black smoke.”
Majia added that detectives attached to SCID sealed the scene and together with the fire service men, they have commenced thorough investigation of the fire incident. No conclusive findings is in the public nine years after.
To understand the dilemma of electoral umpires in Nigeria, a successful conduct of an election does not necessarily guarantee stability. And this has happened to the past chairmen of the Nigeria’s electoral body. These past chairmen included Eyo Esua (1964–1966), Michael Ani (1976–1979), Victor Ovie-Whiskey (1980–1983), Eme Awa (1987–1989), Humphrey Nwosu (1989–1993), Okon Uya (1993, June-November), Sumner Dagogo-Jack (1994–1998), Ephraim Akpata (1998–2000), Abel Guobadia (2000–2005), Maurice Iwu (2005–2010), Attahiru Jega (2010–2015) and Mahmood Yakubu (2015-present).
For instance the celebrated June 12, 1993 Presidential election was conducted by Professor Humphrey Nwosu and he did all he could in ensuring a successful Presidential election.
He wrote in his memo titled “Laying The Foundation For Nigeria’s Democracy”: “Given the peculiar position of the Chief electoral officer in Nigeria, which includes being an impartial arbiter in electoral competitions, it became clear to me that whatever major decisions and actions the chief electoral officer decides to take, must serve the best interest of Nigerian State and nation. My actions and decisions throughout my tenure were directed to serve the corporate existence of Nigeria, It is the duty of the chief national electoral commissioner of the federation to advise the Nigerian Government on actions and measures that will not only enhance the existence of a credible electoral system but which will result in the conduct of “Free and Fair Elections”.
"I devoted my four and half years as the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission in erecting basic logistics, infrastructure and creating congenial social environment within and outside the commission for the conduct of free and fair elections. Towards achieving these goals, I remained accountable and responsible to President Babangida, who in turn supported my efforts. He generally accepted my reforms and innovations up to the conduct of June 12, 1993 presidential election.
"As I stated earlier, any action that is not in accordance with the dictates of ones conscience inflicts a permanent psychological wound on the person. Conscience and family honour were two steady companions that strengthened me throughout the difficult days of June 10 and 11, 12 and 23, 1993. Above all, whoever believes in God will be rightly guided in all his endeavours in good conscience done in the service of humanity”.
No doubt, a Chief National Electoral Commissioner worth his calling would own accountability and responsibility to his conscience and his family. Professor Nwosu and his team did all they could to ensure a successful 1993 Presidential elections.
At the eleventh hour of announcing Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola GCFR (24 August 1937 – 7 July 1998) from Abeokuta in Ogun state as the winner of that election, the Armed Forces Ruling Council of General Ibrahim Babangida (81) GCFR, issued the following statement : “In view of the spirit of litigation pending in various courts, the federal government is compelled to take appropriate steps in order to rescue the judiciary from intra-voyaging. Those steps are taken so as to protect our legal system and the judiciary from being ridiculed and politicised, both naturally and internationally.
"In an attempt to end this ridiculous charade which may culminate in judicial anarchy, the Federal Military Government has decided to stop forthwith, all court proceedings pending or to be instituted and appeals thereon in respect of any matter touching, relating or concerning the presidential election held on June 12, 1993.
"The Transition to Civil Rule Political Programme (Amendment November 3), Decree Number 32 of 1992 and the Presidential Election (Basic Constitutional and Transitional Provisions) Decree Number 13 of 1993 are hereby repealed. All acts or omission done or purported to have been done by any person, authority etc, under the above named decrees are hereby declared invalid.
"The National Electoral Commission is hereby suspended. All acts or omissions done or purported to have been done by itself, its officers or agents under the repealed Decree number 13, 1993 are hereby nullified”.
The rest is history.
Despite the perceived rot in INEC across the country, the institution over the years boasts of men and women of integrity who have and continue to hazard their lives.
The holy writ alluded to this contrast in Matthew 13:57 that: "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house."
The immediate past INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega had hardly exited office when he was recognized by US-based International Foundation for Electoral Systems, IFES, as the winner of 2015 edition of the Charles T. Mannat Democracy award.
According to the CEO and President of IFES, Bill Sweeney, “Chairman Jega’s leadership was instrumental to Nigeria’s successful general elections in 2015.
“He deserves full credit for his efforts to increase the credibility and transparency of the electoral process under extreme logistical challenges, such as terrorist threats from Boko Haram, where failure could prove the catalyst for predicted election violence”.
Same for the incumbent, Prof Mahmood Yakubu has continued to receive global acclaim serving as president of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC); and receiving honorary tribute in Liberia for his positive impact on Liberia’s electoral process.
Like all Nigerians of good conscience, I had cause to question the rationale for honouring late Chief MKO Abiola and former SGF, Baba Gana Kingibe while excluding the electoral czar, Professor Humphrey Nwosu who presided over what was dubbed the freest and fairest election in our history.
The investiture of Professor Humphrey Nwosu like Abiola and Kingibe must be carried out to right the wrong. This in my opinion is the just thing now and in the future for the sanctity of the electoral process and our democracy.
Are there bad eggs in INEC? Definitely! The electoral commission is an extension of the decaying lofty ideals in our society and the shameful role of individuals like the suspended Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barr Hudu Yunusa-Ari comes to mind. Yunusa-Ari ingloriously declared Binani winner of the governorship election with results in only 10 out of the 21 local government areas of the state collated by the commission.
Though INEC voided the controversial declaration and President Buhari directed an investigation of his actions following his suspension.
Yunusa-Ari is currently facing a six-count charge concerning false declaration of election results, breaching oath of neutrality, disorderly conduct during the election, inciting disturbance, and impersonating a public servant. My hope is that the judiciary will make a scapegoat out of him if found guilty.
INEC has suffered all the diatribes, scorned as a villain after every electoral cycle for the heinous sins against humanity perpetrated primarily by politicians. Sadly, the perpetrators are greeted with national honours while the electoral umpire who is caught in between the crossfire of vicious bile is condemned into ignominy.
The President in the next edition must celebrate deserving past and serving Chairman of INEC, National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners and across other cadres for their dignity and strong strength of character by conferring National Honours on them. That would serve as a shining example to our younger generation that patriotic zeal is not a waste.
• 'Seun Ibukun-Oni, an Abuja based journalists can be reached by email: seunoni@gatepolls.com
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