Those profiting from electioneering and elections in Anambra state might have their best year yet, in this year’s gubernatorial election.
―Ebuka Onyekwelu
As the Anambra governorship election gets closer, political considerations shape nearly every action of government and non-government actors. Politics takes preponderance over governance, as it is exalted to the front, centre, and back rows. Within the government circle, not much happens except schemes on how to get an acceptable candidate into Government House.
Election years are often chaotic and boisterous with a lot of money thrown around, yet no evidence of any form of governance going on as the government of the day is consumed by the politics of who should win, who may win, and who must never be allowed to win. The government will also grapple with defections as many members of Governor Willie Obiano’s cabinet will take a bow and leave for several reasons.
On the side of the citizenry, those making merchandize off elections are already aware of how to form groups and use same to extract money from candidates. Hundreds of groups; some party-based, some non-party based so that they have mass appeal and not be limited by party affiliation. All of them are set to “work hard” and “deliver” every candidate they meet. It goes without saying that aspirants are ever ready to grant them audience. Finally, some of these groups fizzle out; some continue and settle to support the candidate that made the biggest financial donation to them, which they share among them according to stake in the group.
In Anambra state, the coming governorship election expected to hold later in November 2021, will not be anything different. In fact, when we consider the number of aspirants that are jostling to become next governor and the fact that almost all of them have a lot of money to spare in actualizing their ambition of getting into Anambra Government House, then, maybe, the picture will become a bit clearer. Those profiting from electioneering and elections in Anambra state might have their best year yet, in this year’s gubernatorial election.
Some boldly say that after the election, they will change their car or renovate their house or buy property.
Election seasons are one of the most beautiful seasons for political “stakeholders” of all major political parties. Some of these stakeholders after each major election like Governorship, National Assembly and Presidential elections, both at the Primary and General Election, build houses or change cars. They do not hide this fact. Some boldly say that after the election, they will change their car or renovate their house or buy property. They set targets and device means to ensure that they make enough money from the electioneering process to achieve their set goal. For them, it is a very serious business.
Within the party hierarchy, some of these people so conveniently use their established influence as bargaining power to intimidate and force aspirants to meet them or “consult” them and negotiate with them. They make demands for campaign vehicles, different monetary demands as well as employ all manner of tact to exploit aspirants and make them pathways with their money. Yet, these are only but the prelude. Aspirants, who are usually understandably desperate are always so easily manipulated and so effortlessly compelled to do away with huge sums of their money, for purposes they-aspirants- cannot clearly explain, because, in honesty, don’t usually understand some of the make-believe stories and justifications for the money they are giving to these jobbers.
Statutory delegates and other delegates seal their fate and make monetary offers among other offers.
In a few months, many political parties will begin to conduct their primary election to nominate a candidate that will represent their party for the general election, expected to hold in November. What this means for the aspirants is that out of all the contenders in each party, only one person will win. So basically, the very nature of the contest does not permit one to relax believing that his or her good works will stand him or her out. These aspirants, therefore, move to influence both statutory delegates and other delegates who will seal their fate and make monetary offers among other offers.
On the primary election ground, huge sums of money still exchange hands. That is why party men and women who are well informed are desperate about becoming delegates in an important election like governorship. Delegates during primary elections go home with huge sums of money being the money given to them by aspirants of their party who were courting their vote on the primary election ground. For the major political parties in the Anambra gubernatorial race; APGA, PDP and APC, it will not be different this time around.
For officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, especially the Resident Electoral Commissioner- REC and the Electoral Officers-EO- in all the twenty-one local government areas of Anambra state, this is their season as well. Politicians make desperate efforts to influence them with stupendous amounts of money, as bait for important information or one favour or another with regards to winning the election. Several tens of millions and sometimes thousands of dollars are offered to these officials of INEC for information and contact on how the process can be manipulated.
The security personnel provided in each polling centre also receive some amount of money from the parties.
During the general election, the contest is left for those who have been nominated by their parties to represent their parties in the election. All these parties make monetary provisions for INEC, security, vote-buying, among others. Huge sums of money are set aside for INEC adhoc staff. It is a common practice for political parties’ representatives to be seen on voting grounds making monetary offers to INEC adhoc staff working in the field, throughout the entire polling units across the state. The security personnel provided in each polling centre also receive some amount of money from the parties. All the parties have their representatives scattered in each polling centre who canvas for votes and make offers to the voters. They pay between one thousand naira and four thousand naira, for each vote. Most voters go about, delay their votes, waiting for higher offers before they cast their vote to the highest bidder. It is always about money. Nothing much is said about the character or programmes of aspirants and party nominees. This is not all. At the end of the day, a winner emerges and tales of disappointment in government continue.
This year’s governorship election in Anambra state will not be anything different from political merchandizing where individuals and groups who have so positioned to benefit from the “free money” thrown around by politicians are not disappointed. And where the political contest is a contest of financial power and the willingness to spend.
Not surprising though, that governorship election in Anambra state has now become a contest among billionaires. True to it, the most popular question on each Anambra governorship aspirant is if he or she has enough money to prosecute the election. This speaks to the reality that the contest is about one’s financial muscle and willingness to spend. Leadership prowess and governance ability are only secondary considerations.
♦ Ebuka Onyekwelu, strategic governance exponent, is a columnist with the WAP
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