By Emma Obeni
Prior to the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the NYSC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the use of corps members as ad hoc staff for the conduct of elections, the electoral process in Nigeria had always been viewed with cynicism. There were always doubts as to the credibility of the outcome of elections because of the quality and the partisan allegiance of the ad hoc staff recruited and used for such exercises.
This was the case until Professor Attahiru Jega, erstwhile chairman of INEC, came on board as the chief executive of Nigeria’s electoral body. In a bid to satisfy the yearning of Nigerians for a credible electoral system, he latched onto the idea of using as ad hoc staff NYSC members who are educated enough and well suited to handle the ICT based registration and voting process introduced by him. And who also by virtue of the deployment and non partisan policy of the NYSC scheme will not have allegiance to any political group. The commission engaged the members of the service corps in the conduct of bye, re-run and supplementary elections after the 2007 General elections and was satisfied with their performance. This satisfaction, gave birth to the NYSC/INEC partnership for the engagement of corps members in electoral duties
Almost a decade after its commencement, the collaboration between the electoral umpire and the NYSC has become a huge success, as it has attracted a high degree of confidence in elections conducted by INEC. It is on record that corps members have participated and acquitted themselves well in all general elections and bye elections conducted by INEC since then. Complaints and allegations of malpractices at the polling booth which was rife before NYSC members began to man the booths is now nonexistent, except in a situation where corps members are dislodged through violence by partisan groups.
No political group or individual has complained about the conduct of corps members, nor has any solicited their disengagement from this role except for reasons bordering on their safety. The INEC has, through various verbal and written commendations and appreciations, given a vote of confidence on the corps members for their exemplary conduct in discharging their mandate.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the electoral body did not hesitate to leverage once again on its collaboration with the NYSC by seeking the services of corps members for the Anambra state gubernatorial poll. The scheme, always proactive, sensitizes her participants during their orientation course on the roles they are expected to play in the implementation of government’s programmes, projects and polices including electoral duties. This makes it easy for them to be mobilised and trained at short notice as was the case with the Anambra governorship poll. To meet the manpower need of the INEC, additional corps members were mobilised from neighbouring Enugu state and trained.
The training of the corps members was capped with another sensitization session organized by the NYSC Scheme to equip them well for the important assignment. The Director General of the NYSC Brigadier General Suleiman Kazure was in Awka to give the corps members final words of advice. Represented by the Acting Director Corps Welfare and Inspectorate NYSC Directorate Headquarters, Mrs. Josephine Okonghae, the DG advised them to endeavour to adhere to the electoral laws in performing their duties as they are not immune to prosecution for electoral malpractice. Kazaure told the corps members that they were chosen for the assignment based on their neutrality and non-partisanship and enjoined them to discharge their duties with fairness and patriotism.
While assuring them that adequate security has been put in place for their safety, he urged them to be alert and security conscious. General Kazure also assured the corps members that their allowances for training as well as the election duty have been worked out and will be duly paid. The NYSC chief executive also appealed to politicians not to induce or influence the corps members to break the law in the course of discharging their duties. With the training by the INEC and the NYSC, the corps members are ready to contribute to the success and credibility of the exercise.
What the NYSC requests as always is that INEC as well as the relevant agencies concerned should provide adequate security and logistics for the corps members to discharge their responsibilities. It is unfortunate that the Scheme has in the past lost some corps members to electoral violence. Though it is very important to deepen democracy and enthrone good leadership in Nigeria through building a credible electoral system, using our children, often touted as the leaders of tomorrow, as sacrificial lambs is not acceptable. Therefore, Government, security agencies and all that are involved in the Anambra poll and indeed subsequent elections in the country must ensure that no harm comes to any corps member participating in the exercise.
Obeni writes from Abuja
