FLORIDA ELECTION MAGIC AND THE CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRACY

FLORIDA ELECTION MAGIC AND THE CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRACY:

The presidential election in Florida has generated so much anxiety, controversy and speculations that who eventually is certified as the winner, will have to contend with historical surname of BUSHGATE or GOREGATE. This is indeed the most spectacular events of the Y2K and does deserve a copious attention in the millenium yearbook. Besides the issue of electoral victory and defeat, the salient point and lesson for democracy in the impasse, is the underlying scenario and pre-election predictions by both the pro Republicans and Pro Democrats over who will win the state 25 electoral votes. For the Republican, it was A –MUST WIN state to enhance their march to the White House. On the contrary, it was calculated by the Democrats, the even though, they are likely to win in Florida, it was not a necessity to assure them glorious match to occupy the white house, consequently, analyst and political pundits quickly classified Florida as one of those toss up states for the democrats.

But since human beings cannot be so accurately predicted, the reality now, shows the fatal error in all the calculations made. They have proved bookmakers wrong at least going by the current electoral certified results in Florida. If only the late Nostradamus who would see the future was alive, they world would have run to him to predict the result of this ongoing political imbroglio. When the first result of victory in Florida was given to Democrats, it seemed that it would be an easy sail for Gore, but with subsequent withdrawal and re-announcement, giving victory to Bush over the same Florida, political astrologers on both sides have been having sleepless nights to live up to their predictions.

The controversy over the actual wishes of the people of Florida lead to series of recount and manual recounts in some selected counties. At all stages of process, several litigations were added to spice up the frenzied atmosphere. While Republican are agreed that, they won this election regardless of the fact that the democrats have the most popular votes across the US, they contend further that, all irregularities associated with this election should or could be corrected before the next election .The democrats contents that they feel if all votes are counted honestly, they would accept the outcome of the election results. The bottom line of their summation leaves one with the rhetorical question of who is afraid to allow for the counting of all voters vote?

The political drama in Florida aptly demonstrates the operation of the workability of the concept of federalism, respect for rule of law and the distinct beauty of democracy with all its paradox. I have canvassed the views elsewhere that even though there existed no model of ideal Federalism in the world, nor neither does democracy and federalism provide an error proof remedy or system rather, the system solves it own peculiar problems given honest and sincere understanding to its workability. Simply stated, the US federation is providing a classic example of how democracy solves it constitutional crisis without a threat to breakdown of law and other or overthrow of existing government machinery. There are a plethora of lessons to be learned and mastered by the Florida example, not only by Nigerians or Africans but also by Americans themselves. No one would have expected the US with all it near perfection to be besieged with a myriad of electoral woes in this nature. Given the unique and peculiar background of Florida state, with it’s now Republican trappings but with large democratic voters, and incidentally with one of the candidates brother being at the helm of affairs in the "troubled beautiful bride" state, the events as they present themselves right now is open to subjective conjectures depending on what divide the opinions emanates from

Notwithstanding this, the judiciary in Florida and the US should be commended for living up to expectation in the preservation of liberty and democracy. The Supreme Court in Florida have showed an impartial fearlessness and have threaded on a path where even angel fear to thread. Also worthy of praise here is the two principal actors in the scene for their calmness and restraint from inciting their supporters to violence in their pursuit of electoral victory. They have shown implicit confidence in the system and the people of America have too!

The press in the US despite some relative subjectivity has tried to show balance coverage and reporting. The average American has the opportunity of watching events in Florida live on their screen. All these are clear indication that if politics is played as a game, as it ought to be, them it is such a friendly and interesting game .It also portent that democracy must work with democratic temperament, and if people are willing to be governed as a federation, the basic ingredient of clear cut separation of power must be well understood and accepted by all the component tiers of government to avoid conflict of duties. States must have their own legislation, and autonomy so also is the local government areas and cities too as well as the central government without one encroaching on the areas of responsibilities of the other. I will reiterate once again my avowed belief that, for democracy and federalism to survive and endure, it must be tasked without compromise. It is only cases like this Florida’s issues that fine tunes the system and challenges the constitution.

The lesson to African countries suffices here. The military have not interloped into the imbroglio and I can with certainty predict like Nostra demos would, that the US military will never intrude. Secondly, there has been no overnight decamping or denial of mandate and support by Gore’s supporters or party chieftains to the Gore in his legitimate fight for electoral litigation. Or to join the winning bandwagon team. More significant is the fact that, there has been no recorded cases of violent protest or police arrest of protesters over the election or even the use of thugs etc, every one obeys and looks forward to the due process of the law without any iota of partiality inferred or implied by conduct or pronouncement.

The above is significant and need be underscore as it relates to Nigeria for a number of reasons Twice, Nigeria had come close to these and the result evokes bitter memories of "cry beloved country".

The first was in 1979 when late Awolowo of the then united peoples party challenged the election of Alhaji Shagari based on the 1979 constitutional requirement for a president to have scored at least 1/3 of the votes cast in 2/3 of the then 19 states. By mathematical equation, the late Awolowo understood that provision to be 13 states, but by whatever standard, the then supreme court justices upheld that 2/3 of 19 states was 12 1/3.A frustrated Awolowo in his now popular saying after the judgement said "My appeal now goes to God"…Similarly, the recent may e1999 election also produced an abandoned and disappointed Chief Falae, who was made to bear his cross soon as the election results which he alleged was massively rigged was announced, his party officials abandoned him quickly like a piece of garbage or bad habit, he was scolded , ridiculed for undertaking the course of peaceful and legitimate challenge of electoral redress .

Curiously, the preponderant of opportunist opinion against Falae was his efforts was an unrewarding gyration and was capable of retaining the military in government think Falae must have had in mind where the direction of his electoral judgement would lead to, the election of may was simply a compromise and not democracy in itself. This view was and has been re-echoed by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka that the May 1999 election was mere transitional election for civilian officials and not the enthronement of democracy in itself. Rather it was a compromise to keep the military away from power

For democracy to be enshrined in Africa and Nigeria there must be an acceptable electoral system with and independent and fearless judiciary working without any unseen pressure from any arms of the government. Secondly, the constitution must be tasked. The sharia issue should now provide a forum for it. A Nigerian needs not live or be an indigene of those sharia-loving states to institute an action against the adoption of sharia in some states. But our dear countrymen like to play compromise, "sitdon look" approach so that by not doing, the military will find no excuse for coming back! Until democracy and constitution is tasked and the fear of military intervention is wiped out from our psychic, Nigerians will continue in a long time to play double standard democracy.

Unless African sees election as part of a game process, the Winners take it all syndromes will forever continue. Many of our so-called political leaders are opportunist and have refused to leave the comfort zone of being in power; hence opposition is viewed and treated as a taboo in African politics. This is why the winning party becomes an octopus that finally envelops the opposition before the next re-election.

While the whole world watch with keen interest the Florida magic, the lesson to be learnt should not escape our sight. It shows how important every vote is, it pinpoint the need for an independent electoral body and a brave judiciary. It calls for a transparent administration from every one involved, it also shows the need for respect of the law and understanding of the limitation and separation of autonomy between the various component parts. Lastly, every party, and candidates receive impartial funding from the government and proper campaign fund reporting to the appropriate authority in addition to impartial airtime coverage by the mass media.

These are the lesson t be learnt from Florida magic. Democracy is a system that must be tasked to fine tune rather than compromised. TO ALL PATRIOTS IN THE STRUGGLE TO MAKE NIGERIA AND THE REST OF AFRICA A STABLE DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY, I SALUTE YOUR EFFORTS.

the writer is a seasoned commentator on national and international affairs