2011 - Iwu Opposes Independent Candidacy

The inherent dangers in independent candidacy outweighs its benefits, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu, said yesterday in Abuja, urging that no independent candidate be allowed for the 2011 general elections.

Iwu gave the warning at a one-day workshop on "Independent candidates and democracy in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects" organised by the Research and Documentation Department of The Electoral Institute (TEI).

Though Prof. Iwu acknowledged that independent candidacy would open up the political space and guarantee public policy that reflects people's needs and concern, he observed that "We must not all be politicians. Even as politicians we must not all seek elective posts and elective posts were not meant for all politicians."

He added "Some people have defined democracy as a system of government that must have provision for independent candidates. While I agree that independent candidacy will open political space for men and women who, for one reason or the other, are not accommodated in the established political parties, we should also examine the other side of coin. For instance, we should be able to take a global picture of the concept and imagine what the ballot paper would look like in practice. Some are even saying that what we already have is more than enough for our society. What about the issue of political party financing when we bring in independent candidates and the obvious litigations that may follow and the ability of SIECs to cope with the arrangement?"

According to Iwu who was represented by the commission's Deputy Secretary, Operations, Barrister Abdulrahman Madaki,,"there is no doubt that the opening up of political space is a hallmark of a healthy democracy and indeed would guarantee that public policy will reflect people's need and concern. But I do not want you to lose sight of good sense (positive mindset) and patriotic of the people," Iwu said

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