EDITORIAL: In To The Home Stretch
A flurry of activities is predictable with heightened activities as we count down to the final weeks of what could be the most decisive indeed game changing general election since independence. There is that much at stake.
Not all the indications are positive. For example, the collection of the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) has ended controversially with a lot of people feeling disenfranchised. Sadly, there are even hints of voter suppression. This is unacceptable for a country that has been at the forefront of championing democratic rights and was at the forefront of the anti-apartheid struggle.
There is a clear case now for another extension of PVCs collection, in the long term, we must now consider same day registration which worked in Kenya alongside further reforms in voter registration. A review is essential because our current system is outdated to state the least. It is disgraceful that tens of thousands of voter cards are being confiscated from foreigners.
In addition, the Peace Committee has a lot of work to do, so do the security agencies. Some people have to be cautioned about inflammatory speeches and it is desirable to make examples of some people if that is the language they understand. Scenario planning as well as preemptive strategies have to be put in place before Election Day and potential flash points paid attention to. There are anti-democratic forces who do not want the elections to take place and they must be checkmated. Nigeria owes the rest of Africa a duty of care to celebrate and showcase the efficacy of democracy on the twenty fifth of February.
Briefly…….
The confusion must end and the new naira notes must be made available to Nigerians, all logistics impediments must be cleared. The authorities must not allow a new arbitrage framework to be entrenched. Those who have tragically allowed a parallel market to become the norm as we have now unacceptably gotten used to in the foreign exchange market must be reinged in. To allow this to happen will be tragic and distort monetary and macroeconomic policies forever. Those who have made money from currency dealings in the last one month should be happy with their windfall, the authorities on their part must say enough is enough!
