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REPORT OF THE THREE-DAY RETREAT ON THE 2007 GENERAL ELECTIONS ACTION PLAN.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently organized a three-day retreat in Calabar, the Cross Rivers State Capital, from May 22-24 2006. The purpose of the retreat was to assess the implementation of the 2004-2007 strategic plans towards the upcoming elections, and also to review its implementation plans for the final phase of the 2007 election cycle.

In his key note address, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu stated that the objectives of the strategic plan of action as proposed for 2004-2007 general elections was to improve the electoral process generally and to attain an efficient, effective and sustainable administration of elections in the Country.

Professor Iwu went on to say that “EVERY PLAN was only an intended programme of action, and it should therefore, be open to periodic review and evaluation to ensure that intended goals and objectives are achieved”.
He expressed satisfaction on the assessment of the Commission’s implementation of strategic plans so far, by outlining some of its activities towards the success of the 2007 general elections.

The INEC boss further said that the Commission had submitted the Draft Electoral Bill in 2004 to the National Assembly within the time stipulated. The Commission had also been restructured into a knowledge-based organization capable of conducting elections in the 21st century. Also as part of the Commission’s efforts, the Electoral Institute first of its kind in Africa, was established in 2005.

He stated also, that the confidence-building strategy which was adopted by the Commission has yielded positive results as demonstrated by the unrestrained inputs and tremendous support which INEC had received from people across the length and breadth of the Country.

His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, who declared the meeting opened commended the Commission for introducing the Electronic Voting System. He said that the EVS has tremendous capacity for preventing all forms of electoral malpractices. However, he urged INEC to allay the fears of Nigerians through sustained public enlightenment and Voter education programmes especially on the suitability of the system to the peculiarities of the Nigerian situation.

Several papers were presented by scholars from various Universities in the Country. Dr. Festus Iyayi of the department of Business Administration, University of Benin, Edo State, presented a paper titled “Election Mindsets and the Survival of Democracy in Nigeria”, in which he stated that Election mindsets are particularly consequential for democracy. Mindsets, he says, shape political behaviors before, during and after elections. To identify election mindsets, he noted that there is a need to specify the crucial election mindset THEMES and the Groups involved. He went on to say that there are two dimensions of Election Mindsets which are crucial for INEC. One dimension, according to Dr. Iyayi, relates to the election mindsets about INEC, while the second dimension relates to the mindsets of INEC officials.

Professor Mohammed Jega the Vice- Chancellor, Bayero University Kano, who spoke on “Violence and Security in Elections: Imperatives in Nigerian Election Process.”, gave an insight on the following-
. Violence as related to Elections
. Imperatives of curbing Violence and Securing Elections.
. Strategies for Securing Elections and Democratization

He further highlighted some factors that facilitate violence during elections which included …..
. Negative Perception of Politics and Public Service.
. “Do-or-Die “disposition of contestants.
. Conduct of Police, Security and Election Officials.
. Lack of Enforcement of Rules and Regulations.
. Youth Unemployment and Poverty.
. Excessive Monetization of Politics etc.

In his paper, Professor Epiphany Azinge of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Abuja, who presented a paper titled “Money and Politics: Proposals for the Reform of Campaign Finance”, gave a comparative analysis of Campaign Financing in African Countries and Europe. He said most African Countries prohibit donations and gifts from foreign groups and individuals. According to him, Ghana allows foreign funding, but only from the

government and NGOs and not from foreign individual or Corporations. Benin Republic allows foreign contributions not exceeding 20% of total Party income. In Britain, before the enforcement of the Political Parties Election Referendum Act 2002 (PPER), there was no direct public funding of extra- Parliamentary Party Organizations.
Prof. Epiphany Azinge therefore advised that in order to limit election expenses in Nigeria, it must be restricted to specific goods and services. Also, Parties and Candidates must be prohibited from spending more than a stipulated amount.

Another scholar, Professor (Mrs) Ebele Eko of the University of Calabar, spoke on Gender issues in Nigeria Politics”. She emphasized the need for women empowerment in the Nigerian Polity. Stating that the Nigerian society had produced women with giant strides in Academics, Business, Trade and Industry.
Professor Ebele identified some of the Challenges confronting the Nigerian women which includes lack of interest, financial constraints, fear of male intimidation and violence, family life factor, and women against women myth .She reiterated that it is evident that very few Nigerian women have participated and emerged in Nigeria’s Political landscape, inspite of the pioneering efforts of women like Funmilayo Ransome Kuti and Margaret Ekpo since the 1950s.

Other papers presented during the retreat were……
- “an overview of the implementation of the INEC strategic plan 2004 - 2007”, by INEC National Electoral Commissioner, Hon. Chief (Mrs) Olukemi Odebiyi.

- Technology in Electoral Process by Engineer A.E. Uchola

- Electoral Reforms and the 2007 general Elections. A critical Appraisal, by INEC National Commissioner M.A. Abubakar Esq.

- Effective Publicity and the Electoral Process by INEC National Commissioner Setley Daze

- The Electoral Institute by Dr. Ishmael Jikiri Igbani, also an INEC National Commissioner.

FIVE RESIDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSIONERS BAG AWARD

The highlights of the three-day retreat was the presentation of award Certificates to five (5) Resident Electoral Commissioners, who according to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu had distinguished themselves for prudent management of the Commission’s finance and assets. The Resident Electoral Commissioners presented with the awards are

- Hon. Dan Etukudo, Resident Electoral Commissioner Bauchi.
- Chief Jacob Nwakpa, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ogun State.
- Alhaji Hassan Suleiman, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Borno State
- Alhaji Ismaila Abdulkareem, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Delta State.
- Mr. Moses Ogbe, Resident Electoral Commissioner Adamawa State.

It is worthy of note that these awards are the first in the history of INEC

Finally, after an interactive session, participants at the retreat broke into five syndicate groups. The retreat was attended by all Directors, National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners, and some senior staff of the Commission.

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