By: Abdulqadir Isiaq

Dear Baba Okanla,

Of all the known political systems, democracy is the most popular in today’s world. Our country adopted this system since the British acquired the landmass south of the Sahara desert and north of the Limpopo river from William Turbman Goldie’s Royal Niger Company in the late nineteenth century.

Democracy has two cardinal principles that distinguish it from other systems: periodic elections and separation of powers. Without these, no community can effectively call itself a democracy.

However, one thing is certain: no community can advance beyond the quality of its education – that, in my opinion, is our society’s biggest undoing.

Growing up, I was taught that Abraham Lincoln is the father of democracy and defined it as “the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” But this is a blatant lie and a half-truth.

Let’s demystify these popular assertions. The term “Democracy” was coined from Greek words “Demo” and “Kratia.” If the Greeks didn’t have knowledge of democracy, they wouldn’t have had terms for it. The Romans claimed to have practiced democracy too.

But here is the fact: the first democratic government was established in Athens, now the capital of Greece, in 508 BC by Cleisthenes, an Athenian aristocrat. Cleisthenes gave everyone above the age of 18 a say in Athens’ affairs, introducing periodic voting.

They used pots as ballot boxes and white and black pebbles as ballot papers, representing “Aye” and “Nay.” After voting, the pots were turned upside down, and the pebbles counted to decide the majority.

Now, let us talk about the recent Local Government elections in Kwara state. The declaration of the outcomes by KWASIEC’s chairman reads:

“The electoral process, which unfolded across the state’s sixteen local government areas and one hundred and ninety-three wards, witnessed the participation of five political parties… Our electoral officers have filed their results, and I’m pleased to share the outcomes. After meticulous collation and verification, the ALL PROGRESS CONGRESS has emerged victorious in all categories.”

But where are the numbers?

Here is a breakdown of the 2,887 polling units:

  • Asa: 145
  • Baruten: 230
  • Edu: 175
  • Ekiti: 76
  • Ifelodun: 236
  • Ilorin East: 320
  • Ilorin South: 275
  • Ilorin West: 464
  • Irepodun: 158
  • Isin: 80
  • Kaiama: 124
  • Moro: 142
  • Offa: 173
  • Oke Ero: 76
  • Oyun: 108
  • Patigi: 105

Critical questions:

  • How many polling units had elections?
  • How many were cancelled?
  • How many votes were cast?
  • How many votes did each party get?

The people are asking questions within their rights. As the chairman of KWASIEC, it’s your duty to provide answers.

The statement you read had the phrase ”meticulous verification and collation”, if truly you meticulously verified the numbers during even your mysterious collation process, making the numbers public shouldn’t be a problem. The elections was funded from public purse and the votes belong to the people.

Mr. Baba Okanla, the title of KWASIEC chairman will be taken off your nomenclature at some point. I hope you’re proud of what history will remember you for. I hope you’re happy to leave behind this image for your children to bear now and forever.

Sincerely,
Abdulqadir Isiaq from Ilorin.