Soyinka spoke on Channels Television’s ‘Nigeria 2015′ live from his Abeokuta residence.
“I think I agree with the generality of people that its been slightly
above average success. The organisation is not fully to blame for the
lapses because in certain states people have just refused to learn to
behave democratically,” he said.
He refereed to the election as “one of the best we have had so far”.
Asked to share his view on the campaign style of politicians towards
the elections, Soyinka said, “The campaign has been intense, sometimes
rather distastefully so, but there’s no question at all about the will
of the people to make their voices heard and to make sure that democracy
is given a fair chance of survival in Nigeria.”
Professor Wole Soyinka also made reference to the violence recorded
in Rivers State, and called on INEC and security agencies to move
against those who have attempted to spoil their efforts.
He said that this is an example of what a democratic campaign should
not be about. “We are talking about a state where from all reports,
about 56 people have been killed so far. That is unacceptable, that is
barbaric, and the miscreants have got to be absolutely pursued and
punished.”
He cited reports of missing result sheets at polling units as one
that must not be condoned by INEC as it is disrespectful to citizens who
have “queued up in the rain printing their fingers”.
He condemned a situation where voters queue all day, in the rain and
under the sun, to get accredited and vote, only for some people to sit
down somewhere and complete the result sheets in their favour.
“They are telling us we are stupid for queuing up.
“INEC has the responsibility to cancel the result from any polling boot where the documentation is incomplete,” he added.
The Nobel Laureate commended the peace accord signed by the main
presidential candidates, saying it was a an excellent example. He also
gave a pass mark to INEC in the conduct of the 2015 elections.
However, he took a swipe at the players in the other levels of
leadership where they have made a mess of the peace accord and to whom
the pact reached by the President Goodluck Jonathan and General
Muhammadu Buhari, are mere piece of paper.
Soyinka On Alleged Ekiti Rigging Saga
He cited the example of those who played various roles in the alleged
rigging of the governorship election in Ekiti State in 2014, saying it
was a display of utter brigandage by those who are supposed to lead
Nigerians in their various capacities.
He also condemned the seeming silence by the relevant authorities
over the allegations made against the respective government officials
who took part in what he termed the conspiratorial meeting to rig the
Ekiti elections.
Prof. Soyinka demanded an investigation into the Ekiti saga and that
those found culpable should be dealt with according to law as a way of
making Nigerians believe that the system works for them.
On voter awareness, Prof. Soyinka said while the media has been doing
a lot in terms of getting Nigerians involved in the electoral and
democratic process, INEC should tap the opportunity afforded by the
creative industry to get this message to the entire populace.
On the President-elect’s Priority
Prof. Soyinka listed power, security, unemployment, as some of the
crucial areas that the incoming administration of General Buhari should
address.
In his words, “We need an infrastructural revolution”. He suggested
that the General Buhari should be given one year before being assessed
on his performance.
2 comments:
wow! that was swift, I just saw this news live on Channels TV. Good job Joy....keep it up
Easier said than done
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