₦airaland Forum

http://wizz-poll.com/2017/08/11/the-dangers-of-anambra-election-boycott/

So I have variously followed the debate championed by IPOB leaders about election boycott in Anambra come November 18th and I have struggled to see the benefits. But first before I go on to present my argument about why the people of Anambra must go to the polls I will like to weigh in on some points:

1. Referendum vs election
The key basis of the debate so far from IPOB has been that a referendum must be granted or there will be no more elections in the South East. Some even say because our elections are usually prone to rigging hence there should be no election instead they want a referendum. I just think it is important to make the point that referendum is in itself essentially an election albeit with binary choices/options, that is “IN / OUT” or “YES or NO”? The referendum will still be conducted by a nominated electoral team, the voters and the organisers will still be Nigerians or Biafrans and the process could still be subject to the same suspicions of rigging as every other election in the country.

2. Boycott will lead to violence
Now this is absolutely NOT TRUE. Boycott in the true sense of the word means people choosing on their own accord to not take part in the process as a way of protest. So I don’t see how Anambra people sitting in their homes eating their preferred dishes on election day will lead to violence. Eventhough I feel that this is a self defeating strategy it is important to call a spade a spade. There are only two ways this could lead to violence; either if the Police is planning to go House-To-House to force people to come out and vote or if IPOB is planning to flood the streets on election day to force people away from the polling boots. If IPOB or the Police are not planning to force anything on the people of Anambra then I don’t foresee any violence from boycott. It must be re-iterated that Anambra people must be allowed to make their own political choices without any intimidation or siege from either IPOB or the Police.

3. What would Ojukwu have done?
IPOB and their leaders have been brave and courageous in their peaceful pursuit for self determination. I think they will however do well to learn from history and what it teaches us. Ojukwu on his return from exile after the civil war encouraged Igbos to take part in multi-party democracy, he formed political party, took part in the political process, stood for election at both Senatorial and Presidential levels at various times. I don’t think Ojukwu did this out of naiveté that the Federal Government will be civilised enough to let the will of the people count even at Senatorial level among his own people. It seems to me that Ojukwu took part in this process anyway knowing that “suffarage” or “right to vote” is one of the oldest civil rights that Igbos can not deny themselves at this age. A people seeking freedom can not do so by taking a backward step on Freedom.
Nnamdi Kanu has even alluded to the point that Ojukwu for all his legend was lured into the political process just so they can rig him out. Once again while this is a genuine concern, encouraging voter apathy is not the solution, for it is true that fewer voter participation is a fertile ground for rigging.

4. Section 305 and State of emergency
Within Section 305 subsection 3 (c),(d), (e), (f) the language with which the constitution is written is broad enough for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergence in the event that election does not hold at all. So if hypothetically 100% of Anambra people don’t show up on November 18th to vote; chances are that what is likely to happen is declaration of a state of emergency and the Federal Government will send in Administrators who may not even be from Anambra state and this will deny Anambra people the right to be governed by a leader they choose who is also one of their own no matter how imperfect that leader might be. Now some IPOB leaders have argued that because election boycott is not explicitly mentioned in this section of the constitution then it does not apply. Sorry to bust your bubble but the potential situation will be successfully interpreted in any law court in the world that this is a situation at risk of leading to breakdown of public order and safety and hence section 305 subsection 3 applies here.

5. Voter apathy as a fertile ground for rigging
Donald Duke in that 2010 write up on how Governors rig election lectured us on the dangers of voter apathy and how low voter turnout encourages rigging. The truth is IPOB will not succeed in grounding Anambra State on that election day because some of the politicians with vested interest will definitely rally their loyalists to the polls. In effect the objective of the boycott will be defeated! what will however be the real risk is a free for all, winner takes it all rigging due to very very low voter turn out. Once again if this were to happen Anambra people would have been denied the opportunity to elect their own leader freely and this does not in any way advance any freedom cause.

Of all the above points though, I guess the most important is point number 5 because this is the most likely scenario on election day. Nigerians are naturally apathetic to voting and some of the reasons for this attitude are genuine. So to now give Nigerians a further reason to not show up on election day is even more bonus. However IPOB is going about this the wrong way, IPOB I believe will advance its views better by tapping into the emotions they are already generating to elect candidates sympathetic to the IPOB views to positions like Governors, Senators, Representatives, Local Government Chairmen, Councillors etc. This will at least allow incremental progress in the South East  towards encouraging capitalism, devolution and self reliance. For example SNP in Scotland are pursuing Scottish independence but they have MSPs and MPs in Scottish Parliament and Westminister respectively within the UK set up in the meantime. Why cant IPOB organise themselves and do same? Nigeria has failed and there is enough frustration to go round, may be referendum is the answer, but if Independence comes the South East needs a government ready in waiting. IPOB needs to join the political process, form regional leaderships and show the Igbos how they will govern. If Nnamdi Kanu becomes the Governor of Abia today nobody knows if anything will change. IPOB is asking Igbos to take a leap of faith into the UNKNOWN. I believe that if IPOB can engage in the political process, they can encourage more voter registration, encourage their loyalists to the polls on election day and this will make the regional leaders more accountable to the people. In this situation you can achieve anything. In this situation Igbos can demand restructuring or referendum not just on the streets but also at the NASS. IPOB can at least demonstrate how their policies and leadership will be better than that of PDP or APC in Nigeria. At this moment no one knows!

Anambra should go to the polls and vote on November 18th! Voter apathy will not get anyone closer to freedom!

If you are from Anambra go and vote on that day , nobody dey tell deaf man say war don start. But if you are not from Anambra you can shove your advice up your behind we don't need your advice.

You should be worried about the skull mining business in Afonja land, leave IPOB matter for IPOB.

NO ELECTION..WE WANT BIAFRA

True talk bro. I wish everyone read dis objectively. Bt dat can't be the case, at least not here on Nairaland, Before the day goes by, you will be given a lot of names nd insults 4 raising ur opinion, by people who think they know all.

asfrank:
True talk bro. I wish everyone read dis objectively. Bt dat can't be the case, at least not here on Nairaland, Before the day goes by, you will be given a lot of names nd insults 4 raising ur opinion, by people who think they know all.

Please don't be stupid. Go and vote if you want. But after voting pack your bags and go to kano.

all I need is Biafra. Thunder strike naliejerià supporter

.

asfrank:
True talk bro. I wish everyone read dis objectively. Bt dat can't be the case, at least not here on Nairaland, Before the day goes by, you will be given a lot of names nd insults 4 raising ur opinion, by people who think they know all.

Dont mind those pigs of perdition, they've started calling the OP names without even reading what he wrote. Non of them can even give any counter narrative to that of the OP, just insults.

dudebuck:
Please don't be stupid. Go and vote if you want. But after voting pack your bags and go to kano.

Y is it that everyone is either assumed to be Igbo or yuroba or Hausa here. Did u even bother to know where I come from before saying that. Bro, I der Benue. Frm what u hv said, u guys r ready to kill ur own brothers provided they don't buy ur idea. Bunch of Vikings, nonsense. Guy no provoke me dis morning Ohh. By the way I don't think I will hv time to reply u again, cus I hv productive things to do during the day, so for all I care u can quote nd write all rubbish u hv been learning.

asfrank:
Y is it that everyone is either assumed to be Igbo or yuroba or Hausa here. Did u even bother to know where I come from before saying that. Bro, I der Benue. Frm what u hv said, u guys r ready to kill ur own brothers provided they don't buy ur idea. Bunch of Vikings, nonsense. Guy no provoke me dis morning Ohh. By the way I don't think I will hv time to reply u again, cus I hv productive things to do during the day, so for all I care u can quote nd write all rubbish u hv been learning.

Seems you are new on here, those miscreants full of hate will always ascribe any tribe to anyone, all you need to do is to ascribe another to them to shut them up.

The reason why IPOB cannot do what SNP did in Scotland is that Nigeria is structured differently from Britain.

Britain practices full fiscal federalism with devolution of powers to the 4 Region of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

So the Scottish National Party (SNP) only had to fight to win enough seats in the Scottish parliament for them to use their majority position to pass a motion for a referendum which was granted to them in 2014


But in Nigeria, we run a unitary system. Even if IPOB became a political party and won every political position in the SS/SE area, it still would not be able to secede because it would have to go to Abuja and move a motion at the National Assembly which will be voted down by the other 4 zones who would want Nigeria to reman one.

Nigeria will never be restructured, the North will never allow it.

So IPOB is left with no choice but to use pressure tactics such as demonstrations, election boycott and civil disobedience to get Nigeria to grant referendum

LasGidiOwner:
Hopeless fool. What you need is a job and you can't live in imo state and not be poor. Get out from that state if you want to be successful.


[s][/s]

If we(igbos) all clamour for biafra,civil disobedience is the only tool that will facilitate it...NO REFERENDUM OR NO RESTRUCTURING NO ELECTION

Chike Okonkwo go and look for something to do with your hopeless life. If you were busy with something meaningful, you wouldn't have time to be yapping "referendum and no election".

Anambra election shall hold. Get lost with your "no election" chanting.


[s][right]

Kingsley1000:
If we(igbos) all clamour for biafra,civil disobedience is the only tool that will facilitate it...NO REFERENDUM OR NO RESTRUCTURING NO ELECTION

[/s]

[s]

WizzPoll:
http://wizz-poll.com/2017/08/11/the-dangers-of-anambra-election-boycott/

So I have variously followed the debate championed by IPOB leaders about election boycott in Anambra come November 18th and I have struggled to see the benefits. But first before I go on to present my argument about why the people of Anambra must go to the polls I will like to weigh in on some points:

1. Referendum vs election
The key basis of the debate so far from IPOB has been that a referendum must be granted or there will be no more elections in the South East. Some even say because our elections are usually prone to rigging hence there should be no election instead they want a referendum. I just think it is important to make the point that referendum is in itself essentially an election albeit with binary choices/options, that is “IN / OUT” or “YES or NO”? The referendum will still be conducted by a nominated electoral team, the voters and the organisers will still be Nigerians or Biafrans and the process could still be subject to the same suspicions of rigging as every other election in the country.

2. Boycott will lead to violence
Now this is absolutely NOT TRUE. Boycott in the true sense of the word means people choosing on their own accord to not take part in the process as a way of protest. So I don’t see how Anambra people sitting in their homes eating their preferred dishes on election day will lead to violence. Eventhough I feel that this is a self defeating strategy it is important to call a spade a spade. There are only two ways this could lead to violence; either if the Police is planning to go House-To-House to force people to come out and vote or if IPOB is planning to flood the streets on election day to force people away from the polling boots. If IPOB or the Police are not planning to force anything on the people of Anambra then I don’t foresee any violence from boycott. It must be re-iterated that Anambra people must be allowed to make their own political choices without any intimidation or siege from either IPOB or the Police.

3. What would Ojukwu have done?
IPOB and their leaders have been brave and courageous in their peaceful pursuit for self determination. I think they will however do well to learn from history and what it teaches us. Ojukwu on his return from exile after the civil war encouraged Igbos to take part in multi-party democracy, he formed political party, took part in the political process, stood for election at both Senatorial and Presidential levels at various times. I don’t think Ojukwu did this out of naiveté that the Federal Government will be civilised enough to let the will of the people count even at Senatorial level among his own people. It seems to me that Ojukwu took part in this process anyway knowing that “suffarage” or “right to vote” is one of the oldest civil rights that Igbos can not deny themselves at this age. A people seeking freedom can not do so by taking a backward step on Freedom.
Nnamdi Kanu has even alluded to the point that Ojukwu for all his legend was lured into the political process just so they can rig him out. Once again while this is a genuine concern, encouraging voter apathy is not the solution, for it is true that fewer voter participation is a fertile ground for rigging.

4. Section 305 and State of emergency
Within Section 305 subsection 3 (c),(d), (e), (f) the language with which the constitution is written is broad enough for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergence in the event that election does not hold at all. So if hypothetically 100% of Anambra people don’t show up on November 18th to vote; chances are that what is likely to happen is declaration of a state of emergency and the Federal Government will send in Administrators who may not even be from Anambra state and this will deny Anambra people the right to be governed by a leader they choose who is also one of their own no matter how imperfect that leader might be. Now some IPOB leaders have argued that because election boycott is not explicitly mentioned in this section of the constitution then it does not apply. Sorry to bust your bubble but the potential situation will be successfully interpreted in any law court in the world that this is a situation at risk of leading to breakdown of public order and safety and hence section 305 subsection 3 applies here.

5. Voter apathy as a fertile ground for rigging
Donald Duke in that 2010 write up on how Governors rig election lectured us on the dangers of voter apathy and how low voter turnout encourages rigging. The truth is IPOB will not succeed in grounding Anambra State on that election day because some of the politicians with vested interest will definitely rally their loyalists to the polls. In effect the objective of the boycott will be defeated! what will however be the real risk is a free for all, winner takes it all rigging due to very very low voter turn out. Once again if this were to happen Anambra people would have been denied the opportunity to elect their own leader freely and this does not in any way advance any freedom cause.

Of all the above points though, I guess the most important is point number 5 because this is the most likely scenario on election day. Nigerians are naturally apathetic to voting and some of the reasons for this attitude are genuine. So to now give Nigerians a further reason to not show up on election day is even more bonus. However IPOB is going about this the wrong way, IPOB I believe will advance its views better by tapping into the emotions they are already generating to elect candidates sympathetic to the IPOB views to positions like Governors, Senators, Representatives, Local Government Chairmen, Councillors etc. This will at least allow incremental progress in the South East  towards encouraging capitalism, devolution and self reliance. For example SNP in Scotland are pursuing Scottish independence but they have MSPs and MPs in Scottish Parliament and Westminister respectively within the UK set up in the meantime. Why cant IPOB organise themselves and do same? Nigeria has failed and there is enough frustration to go round, may be referendum is the answer, but if Independence comes the South East needs a government ready in waiting. IPOB needs to join the political process, form regional leaderships and show the Igbos how they will govern. If Nnamdi Kanu becomes the Governor of Abia today nobody knows if anything will change. IPOB is asking Igbos to take a leap of faith into the UNKNOWN. I believe that if IPOB can engage in the political process, they can encourage more voter registration, encourage their loyalists to the polls on election day and this will make the regional leaders more accountable to the people. In this situation you can achieve anything. In this situation Igbos can demand restructuring or referendum not just on the streets but also at the NASS. IPOB can at least demonstrate how their policies and leadership will be better than that of PDP or APC in Nigeria. At this moment no one knows!

Anambra should go to the polls and vote on November 18th! Voter apathy will not get anyone closer to freedom!

[/s]

Trash.

after the Hausa vs Yoruba clash at ife,only yorubas were arrested including an oba,they're still unjustly detained till today plus many other problems affecting the yorubas but you hardly see them agitate or discuss their problems rather they would be moving from one igbo thread to another spewing hatred over what is not their concern. a famous sage said that "an unexamined life is not worth living"

Onye tuo vote ola wa ugwu awusa.

asfrank:
Y is it that everyone is either assumed to be Igbo or yuroba or Hausa here. Did u even bother to know where I come from before saying that. Bro, I der Benue. Frm what u hv said, u guys r ready to kill ur own brothers provided they don't buy ur idea. Bunch of Vikings, nonsense. Guy no provoke me dis morning Ohh. By the way I don't think I will hv time to reply u again, cus I hv productive things to do during the day, so for all I care u can quote nd write all rubbish u hv been learning.

egbe elubgnagbuo gi, did I say you are Yoruba? But a real Igbo man will not hear about Biafra and be behaving like you just did, you like awusa people, go and live with them, leave Biafrans alone

keep fighting

OBIANO GO DEPLOY ARMY TO SHOOT ALL IPOBS IF U DONT VOTE FOR HIM

I wonder why all these IPOB pigs and idiots are busy masturbating over November election when October 1st ultimatum is in some weeks time, is it that the lifes of their members in the north no longer matter to them. All they talk about everyday is November election.

WizzPoll:
http://wizz-poll.com/2017/08/11/the-dangers-of-anambra-election-boycott/

So I have variously followed the debate championed by IPOB leaders about election boycott in Anambra come November 18th and I have struggled to see the benefits. But first before I go on to present my argument about why the people of Anambra must go to the polls I will like to weigh in on some points:

1. Referendum vs election
The key basis of the debate so far from IPOB has been that a referendum must be granted or there will be no more elections in the South East. Some even say because our elections are usually prone to rigging hence there should be no election instead they want a referendum. I just think it is important to make the point that referendum is in itself essentially an election albeit with binary choices/options, that is “IN / OUT” or “YES or NO”? The referendum will still be conducted by a nominated electoral team, the voters and the organisers will still be Nigerians or Biafrans and the process could still be subject to the same suspicions of rigging as every other election in the country.

2. Boycott will lead to violence
Now this is absolutely NOT TRUE. Boycott in the true sense of the word means people choosing on their own accord to not take part in the process as a way of protest. So I don’t see how Anambra people sitting in their homes eating their preferred dishes on election day will lead to violence. Eventhough I feel that this is a self defeating strategy it is important to call a spade a spade. There are only two ways this could lead to violence; either if the Police is planning to go House-To-House to force people to come out and vote or if IPOB is planning to flood the streets on election day to force people away from the polling boots. If IPOB or the Police are not planning to force anything on the people of Anambra then I don’t foresee any violence from boycott. It must be re-iterated that Anambra people must be allowed to make their own political choices without any intimidation or siege from either IPOB or the Police.

3. What would Ojukwu have done?
IPOB and their leaders have been brave and courageous in their peaceful pursuit for self determination. I think they will however do well to learn from history and what it teaches us. Ojukwu on his return from exile after the civil war encouraged Igbos to take part in multi-party democracy, he formed political party, took part in the political process, stood for election at both Senatorial and Presidential levels at various times. I don’t think Ojukwu did this out of naiveté that the Federal Government will be civilised enough to let the will of the people count even at Senatorial level among his own people. It seems to me that Ojukwu took part in this process anyway knowing that “suffarage” or “right to vote” is one of the oldest civil rights that Igbos can not deny themselves at this age. A people seeking freedom can not do so by taking a backward step on Freedom.
Nnamdi Kanu has even alluded to the point that Ojukwu for all his legend was lured into the political process just so they can rig him out. Once again while this is a genuine concern, encouraging voter apathy is not the solution, for it is true that fewer voter participation is a fertile ground for rigging.

4. Section 305 and State of emergency
Within Section 305 subsection 3 (c),(d), (e), (f) the language with which the constitution is written is broad enough for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergence in the event that election does not hold at all. So if hypothetically 100% of Anambra people don’t show up on November 18th to vote; chances are that what is likely to happen is declaration of a state of emergency and the Federal Government will send in Administrators who may not even be from Anambra state and this will deny Anambra people the right to be governed by a leader they choose who is also one of their own no matter how imperfect that leader might be. Now some IPOB leaders have argued that because election boycott is not explicitly mentioned in this section of the constitution then it does not apply. Sorry to bust your bubble but the potential situation will be successfully interpreted in any law court in the world that this is a situation at risk of leading to breakdown of public order and safety and hence section 305 subsection 3 applies here.

5. Voter apathy as a fertile ground for rigging
Donald Duke in that 2010 write up on how Governors rig election lectured us on the dangers of voter apathy and how low voter turnout encourages rigging. The truth is IPOB will not succeed in grounding Anambra State on that election day because some of the politicians with vested interest will definitely rally their loyalists to the polls. In effect the objective of the boycott will be defeated! what will however be the real risk is a free for all, winner takes it all rigging due to very very low voter turn out. Once again if this were to happen Anambra people would have been denied the opportunity to elect their own leader freely and this does not in any way advance any freedom cause.

Of all the above points though, I guess the most important is point number 5 because this is the most likely scenario on election day. Nigerians are naturally apathetic to voting and some of the reasons for this attitude are genuine. So to now give Nigerians a further reason to not show up on election day is even more bonus. However IPOB is going about this the wrong way, IPOB I believe will advance its views better by tapping into the emotions they are already generating to elect candidates sympathetic to the IPOB views to positions like Governors, Senators, Representatives, Local Government Chairmen, Councillors etc. This will at least allow incremental progress in the South East  towards encouraging capitalism, devolution and self reliance. For example SNP in Scotland are pursuing Scottish independence but they have MSPs and MPs in Scottish Parliament and Westminister respectively within the UK set up in the meantime. Why cant IPOB organise themselves and do same? Nigeria has failed and there is enough frustration to go round, may be referendum is the answer, but if Independence comes the South East needs a government ready in waiting. IPOB needs to join the political process, form regional leaderships and show the Igbos how they will govern. If Nnamdi Kanu becomes the Governor of Abia today nobody knows if anything will change. IPOB is asking Igbos to take a leap of faith into the UNKNOWN. I believe that if IPOB can engage in the political process, they can encourage more voter registration, encourage their loyalists to the polls on election day and this will make the regional leaders more accountable to the people. In this situation you can achieve anything. In this situation Igbos can demand restructuring or referendum not just on the streets but also at the NASS. IPOB can at least demonstrate how their policies and leadership will be better than that of PDP or APC in Nigeria. At this moment no one knows!

Anambra should go to the polls and vote on November 18th! Voter apathy will not get anyone closer to freedom!

Truck load of bullshit

Election boycott can never never be 100% at best it can record 80% success then 20% dt will vote is enough to produce a Governor so why the senseless write up.

IPOBS say no referendum no election

...

.

Provided there won't be violence on election day, l support civil disobedience led by any group.

,