Nigerians have been advised to turn out in large numbers to exercise their civic rights as 2019 general elections kickoff today with the presidential, and national assembly polls. Making this appeal in this interview with TUNDE THOMAS, pioneer President, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu urged Nigerians to see the elections as part of the nation building process.
He also spoke on other national issues.Excerpts:
What’s your take on the general elections starting off today with the Presidential and National Assembly elections
Our democracy is on track. It is also a good development for Nigeria as a nation.I see the election as part of our nation-building process. My appeal to all the parties involved, and other stakeholders is that everything should be peaceful.The election should not only be peaceful but also transparent and credible. We must all say no to violence, thuggery and any other act capable of jeopardising or threatening peaceful conduct of the polls. We should do everything to sustain our democracy. There is no other form of government that is more people-oriented than democracy, and this is why we should nurture and sustain it.
Some Nigerians have expressed concerns about the state of insecurity in some parts of the country……
Yes, agreed that there have been some security challenges in some parts of the country but thank God, the Federal Government has been up to the task. Our security forces have been on the alert, and security has been strengthened across the country. So the elections should go on as scheduled today. Insecurity should not be used as an excuse to cause delay or postponement. Nigerians all over the country should go out to exercise their franchise.The exercise taking place today represents another milestone in Nigeria’s history. Although some Nigerians have expressed fears and concerns about the election but I don’t harbour any fear. Let those involved do what is right, then there will be no cause for alarm. At 58, there should be no cause for concern if we are holding election. A person that is 58 years old can’t be described as a kid or toddler. Such a person is considered to be an adult,and is expected to behave in a mature manner. So I expect all the candidates, political parties, INEC, and others that are going to be involved to act with maturity. They should remember that we have no other place to call our home other than Nigeria.
Although many presidential candidates are in the race today but many Nigerians believe that the battle is mainly between President Muhammadu Buhari of APC and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of PDP, what’s your advice to the candidates, especially supporters of Buhari and Atiku?
My advice to them especially supporters of Buhari and Atiku is that they should not see this election as a do-or die affair. They should tell their supporters to go and cast their votes peacefully. In any race just like in any competition, there will always be a winner and so also must there be a loser. Wherever the pendulum swings, these presidential candidates including Buhari and Atiku must respect the will of the electorate.They must imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship. They should realise that winning and losing elections is not the end of life. Either you win or lose, life must continue. If you win, be magnanimous in victory and if you lose, accept your fate and wait till another time. Nigeria is bigger than Buhari and Atiku. The nation is bigger than any individual, so whatever the contestants do, they must have it at the back of their mind that the peace and unity of Nigeria is very important. That unity and peace must not be threatened or jeopardised. Candidates and their parties should not resort to self-help in order to win elections. But let me emphasise again, INEC should strife to provide a level playing ground for all the parties.The election must be free and fair, this is very important.
How do you view the signing of peace pact among the parties because some Nigerians have expressed reservations about it?
There is nothing wrong with signing peace pact. It is in order.The practice is not peculiar to Nigeria only. What is however important is for all the political parties and their candidates to respect the terms of the peace pact whether they win or lose the election.Those that are behind the peace pact are credible and eminent Nigerians who meant well for the nation. On the eve of 2015 general elections, a similar peace pact was signed by the candidates and their parties. It is a good development but candidates and their parties must keep to terms of the pact they signed. Whether they win or lose, they are under mutual obligation to respect the peace pact. I’m also using this opportunity to make a special appeal to INEC .
Why the special appeal to INEC?
The 2019 general elections are mainly an INEC show. But the point is that the whole world is watching how the whole exercise will go and this is why INEC can’t afford to fail. I must however say that I’m comforted by the assurances given by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu that there is no cause for alarm. I’m happy by the assurances that he has given that 2019 general elections will be better than that of 2015. I’m also appealing to Nigerians to allow INEC to do its job without interference or pressure. I want to use this forum to appeal to Nigerians not to take over INEC’s job by declaring results. It is only INEC that is saddled with that responsibility. Individuals, organizations and social media platforms should not hijack INEC’s duty by declaring results. Declaration of results via illegal platforms can trigger crisis. It can precipitate violence. We should learn from the past. We should not be poor students of history. Social media platforms should not set Nigeria on fire through any irrational act or behavior. Any misinformation can trigger serious problems. We should all strive to engage in patriotic acts in this period of nation’s history.
On the issue of international observers coming to monitor the poll which has become controversial….
For me there is nothing controversial about foreign observers coming here to monitor the election. It is a normal practice the world over to have international observers monitoring elections. I have monitored elections in Sudan, Guinea, and Tanzania on behalf of the African Union, AU.The world has become a global village, so you see observers all over the globe going to countries where elections are taking place to monitor, and this does not amount to interference in our internal affairs. So, we should welcome international observers with open arms. There is nothing secret in what we are doing. International observers are not going to take over INEC job, so we should feel comfortable having them in our midst. We should receive them warmly and play the role of good host to them.
Voters apathy has been described as one of the major problems during election period in Nigeria, what’s your advice to the electorate?
Nigerians should realise that elections play an important role in the sustenance of democracy and one of the ways through which democracy can be strengthened is through voting. Voting is an important exercise but it is unfortunate that many Nigerians don’t realise this. You can only have a leader of your choice by voting. You can’t sit in the corner of your room and be complaining that this is what you want or this is the type of leader or representative that you want without voting. Your vote is your power to have your choice. Voters’ apathy is a big challenge that must be addressed. Members of the civil societies need to embark on enlightenment campaigns to educate Nigerians about the importance of voting. It is only through voting that you can have a leader of your choice, this is what the electorate should understand.
Being the man in the saddle as the President of Nigeria when this general elections are holding, do you have words of advice for President Muhammadu Buhari?
My advice is not only for President Buhari but for all the contestants and their supporters; election will come and go but Nigeria must remain. Everybody involved including security agencies must put Nigeria first. There should be no parochialism.What I expect from all is a high sense of patriotism, and if this can be done, there won’t be any problem. My prayers for Nigeria is for us to become a great nation. I pray that the dreams of our founding fathers that Nigeria will become great will come to fulfilment in due course.