IT has been observed that for there to be a credible, free, fair and acceptable elections in 2019, the main actors in the conduct of the elections – the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security operatives must go extra mile in the discharge of their respective duties before, during and after the exercise.The observation was made by the National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Musa Gabam while chatting with newsmen in his Tilden Fulani country home in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi state on Monday.
The SDP National Scribe also called on politicians to play the game of politics in accordance to the rules and regulations because according to him, “it is by doing so that all other actors in the political scene will be able to discharge their duties with minimal and negligible mistakes.”
Musa Gabam who chided politicians for still struggling to organise a credible election declared that “since the advent of democratic rule in this country in 1999, we have been struggling with how to conduct and deliver a credible election. As at today, the only credible elections in the country remains the 1993 general elections conducted and delivered by the military.”
The politician added that “officials of INEC must have it in mind that they are the cynosure of eyes in the conduct of credible elections. The security operatives must also see it as a national duty to the just to all participants in the election while the politicians must know that they will provide quality leadership when elected into office.”
He further said that “the SDP, for now, remains the only alternative to the other political parties in the country. The SDP has a wonderful manifesto that is people driven and development oriented. If you look carefully at the composition of the party, you will discover that it is well structured and articulate and have people of proven integrity as members.”
On the presidential and other primaries of the party, Shehu Musa Gabam boasted that “just take a census of the conduct of the primaries by other political parties and you will discover that ours remains the freest and fairest. We have been able to manage our internal politicking.”
Shehu Musa Gabam then assured that if the 2019 general elections were conducted in a free and fair atmosphere, his political party will emerge victorious saying that, “you can see that politicians are now trooping to join the party because we are the best political bride in the country for now.”
While reacting to his political ambition for 2019 particularly the agitation for him to contest the Bauchi governorship seat, he said, “I am a man who believes in destiny but for now I am doing national service as the National Secretary of the SDP but if destiny beacons on me to do something else, I will definitely succumb.”
and then