Political scientists hinge 2015 polls success on ethical behaviour by politicians

By Ahmed Abubakar with agency reports

A cross-section of political scientists have underscored the need for politicians to adhere to the ethics of competitive elections to ensure the credibility of the 2015 general elections in Nigeria.

The political scientists said the National Orientation Agency (NOA) still needed to preach value re-orientation on the importance of observing election ethics by Nigerians.

Prof. Friday Iyoha of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU) in Ekpoma, Edo said the credibility of Nigeria’s 2015 elections depended on politicians playing by the rules.

He said the credibility of the primary elections to choose candidates to contest for the elective positions in the different parties would be a good measure of how the 2015 polls would fare.

“The permutations to select party flag bearers for the available positions at the party level will be the indicator of whether we will have a violence-free polls,’’ the don said.

Similarly, Dr Ferdinard Otto of the University of Lagos said much more sincerity, the consideration for the nation’s development and not being desperate to win at all cost were attributes expected of politicians now.

He said Nigeria’s corporate co-existence would be enhanced if next year’s elections were legitimate.

“Our 2015 elections must be a stimulus to further improve our economy and international image,’’ Otto said.

According to Dr Adewale Yagboyaju of the University of Ibadan, Nigerian politicians should think more like statesmen than party faithful in 2015 and beyond.

“The history of elections in this country is the pastoral story that our politicians must learn from and imbibe the morals that they need not repeat the mistakes of the past,’’ he said.