Institutions to Shape 2007
By Ike Abonyi
The 2007 general election slated for next April, remains a very important event in the nation’s political calendar.
Many watchers see the exercise as a make or mar event for the nation's democratic journey.
This write up examines some of the political institutions whose actions or inactions are likely to shape events.
In the out- gone year 2006, some political institutions played very significant roles to keep up the tempo. These institutions had constitutional backing in what they did. The activism of the personnel manning of these bodies largely determined their relevance in the national polity in 2006.
Ahead of 2007, with its anticipated political activities, these bodies still remain very strategic in the scheme of things.
Among the institutions that stood out significantly in 2006 and are expected to maintain the same relevance, if not more in 2007 are, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Economic and Financial crime Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police, the law courts, and the National Assembly(NASS).
These bodies were created purposely for specified roles, which if well handled, will deepen democracy in the country.
In 2006 however, the role of these bodies attracted a number of knocks from critics mostly from the opposition who felt that, they often went beyond their orders and even showed some bias in carrying out their functions.
This year, which political watchers have described as watershed, the actions or inactions of these institutions will significantly shape events.
INEC
This is perhaps the most important institution in the nurturing of democracy in this country. If a referee in a football match has the capacity to determine the success of the game base on how he handles the officiating, same applies to the INEC when it comes to democratic development in the country.
The glaring inability of the electoral body to play its role well in the past has contributed largely to the unending nascent characteristics of our democracy.
The immediate past general election in 2003 did not leave the INEC with any better reputation. The outcome of that election rather further dented its image and this is the hurdle before Prof. Maurice Iwu and his team in 2007.
Apparently against the backdrop of the 2003 polls, not a few Nigerians are apprehensive that, the electoral body may not be a good and neutral umpire in 2007.
The opposition has ceaselessly stressed the fact that, INEC does not seem well tuned to conduct a free and fair election. Some activities of INEC in 2006, especially some bye-elections and the on going voters registration exercise have not given much hope to democratic watchers that, the electoral body is indeed ready for a satisfactory poll in 2007. But the INEC chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu, has debunked severally and even put his reputation on line.
“Even if this is the last thing I will do in my life I will do it”, Iwu is on record to have said while assuring Nigerians and indeed the international community that this yearís election will be free and fair. In a further stressing his determination to conduct a credible election, Prof. Iwu also assured politicians who wait on rigging that they will be shocked as the electoral body will not declare non popular candidates who have not impressed their people winner. Certainly, INEC holds the ace for the future of democracy in this country and it stands out as the most strategic democratic institutions that will shape events in 2007.

Law Courts
Another institution, whose action or otherwise will significantly shape events in 2007 is thejudiciary.
This body remains the last point of call. It is the fallback institution that, the constitution provides to give level playing ground to all players in the game. Without the courts, the players have no hope of justice, hence the common saying that, the court is the last hope of the commonman. It is the table of equity where all the aggrieved participants converge in search of justice.
Not a few politicians are expected to visit the courts before and after the election to seek redress and how fair and just the courts handle their matter, will go a long way in deepening our democracy.
In the out-gone year 2006, it was a mixed bag for the courts. In some ways they did well, but some performances at the lower levels raised a lot of questions. The courts handled impeachment cases in Anambra, Oyo, Ekiti and Plateau states did not leave the people with much hope, not until the higher courts came to the rescue.
Already, as we enter the new year, the protracted quarrel between the President Olusegun Obasanjo and his deputy, Atiku Abubakar has shifted from the court of public opinion, where it has been for long to the courts and all eyes are on the judiciary for equity. This institution will not only shape events in 2007, but is capable of ruining the entire process in what it does, how it does it and what it fails to do.

EFCC
For obvious reasons, the EFCC indisputably was the most controversial institution in the countryís political scene in 2006. The body is charged with the task of confronting corruption, the most dreaded problem in the polity. It is expected that, in the New Year, especially ahead of the general elections, the commission will be very relevant. Eventhough, it has received alot of knocks for the often careless and immature way it has carried out its activities, it has successfully established itself as the body to fear. Its sincerity has been very much in doubt, especially as it continues to crusade its war on corruption in what is perceived as biased manner.
Most politicians see EFCC as the biggest hurdle to realising their ambition this year and that underscores its importance in shaping events in 2007. Even those leaving office, especially state governors are already having sleepless nights as to what the commission will do with them by May 29 2007, when they will lose their immunity and be made to give account of their eight years stewardship to their people.
The Police
The other institution that remains very strategic in the events of 2007, is the main civil security organisation, the Nigeria Police.
The role of the Police in 2003, when international election observers reported that, they witnessed in some polling stations policemen stuffing ballot boxes with ballot papers is still green in the memory of the people. In 2003, the police were glaringly biased in favour of the ruling PDP. They were clearly available for the highest bidder and the PDP with all the apparatus of incumbency had all they needed.
Events preceding the 2007 polls in 2006 have not given the people any hope that there will be any change of attitude on their side this year.
The government themselves have not helped matters as the Police remain grossly under funded making them vulnerable to the corrupt politicians. The personnel aside being ill equipped have not been given any reasonable training to prepare them for the task ahead. Most police personnel see election as year of money making rather than time for a vital patriotic duty.
The level of violence that has trailed this yearís election even makes the police more strategic to events of 2007.
NASS
Curiously, another institution whose actions or inactions could shape events this year, is the National Assembly. Under normal circumstances, in an election year, the services of the national parliament is usually skeletal, but since our political situation is not normal, this body may as well determine events.
With the PTDF probe by the parliament plus the questionable sacking of Atiku by Obasanjo among others now before them, the National Assembly indeed has enough to chew this year. The fact that most of the members are not returning to the house having lost their return tickets makes matter even more curious. They have two options, to look at things dispassionately as patriotic citizens with little interest or go all out in anger of a people who lost out. Whichever way they go, their action or other wise on the PTDF and Atiku issue will greatly influence events in 2007.