Nigeria’s 2015 Elections: Funding the Campaigns
The preparations towards the 2015 elections in Nigeria have been fraught with many scandals already. While these are problematic, they are frequent occurrences in our politics which have played out several times between 1999 and 2014. There is however a subtle shift occurring in the preparations for this election rounds. This shift is in the […]
The preparations towards the 2015 elections in Nigeria have been fraught with many scandals already. While these are problematic, they are frequent occurrences in our politics which have played out several times between 1999 and 2014. There is however a subtle shift occurring in the preparations for this election rounds. This shift is in the area of campaign funding.
Prior to 2014, it was near unspeakable to hear of a political aspirant asking for funds from supporters. Yes, such requests were made to “stakeholders”, or what we call political godfathers. But now, it is becoming more open to the masses.
The first occurrence of this which I came across was by Tonye Princewill (@TonyePrincewill), a gubernatorial aspirant in Rivers State. Then young aspirants like Bisi Ogunwale (@BisiOgunwale) & Uche Chuta (@nnabros) also announced their platforms for donations.
A senatorial candidate, Frank Nweke II (@FrankNwekeII) also made a call for donations. Now, there is even a website dedicated to campaign management for political aspirants in Nigeria: Campaign.ng. At the time of writing this article, 38 aspirants had campaigns running on this platform. It is interesting to note that these aspirants cut across party divides.
About a week ago, it was announced that a presidential aspirant, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), would also receive donations towards his campaign. This is the first aspirant to the highest office that will go this route. Channelling the resident PDP chieftain on Twitter (@akaebube), this is good for our democracy. However, I believe we should not get carried away in a seeming new fad that we forget to subject it to proper criticism.
…he who pays the piper dictates the tune…
The old guard of Nigerian politics ask one question when a person indicates interest in a political position: **Who is your Godfather? **In Nigeria, we have a myriad of these godfathers, in every part of the country. These godfathers have constituted a power bloc that have ensured that they rule in perpetuity: either directly or by proxy. Their benefactors dance as they choose because they paid their way.
Politics to me is a pedestal on which one climbs to partake in public service/governance. No matter how good one’s intentions are, s/he cannot serve two masters. S/he would be conflicted between the two; in this case, the sponsor and the public.
How do we change the narrative? You guessed right, by blurring the line between the sponsor and the public. The public now pays the piper and the elected official becomes beholden to a larger group of people.
Going through the comments section of the article on Frank Nweke’s website in which he officially declares and asks for support, I came across the signature Nigerian scepticism. This scepticism is not unfounded, but some comments come off as counter-revolutionary (channelling @cchukudebelu now).
One of such comments stated thus:
“Frank is vibrant he can be a good senator, but to solicit from financial support is deceit. He has acquired much to contest for that position….But money take it off, we even want the one you got to share for us.”
In that comment, we find the reason why our politicians have stolen our commonwealth. When all expenses for election campaigns and elections themselves are borne by a few, that few, feel justified in recouping their investments from government. I have highlighted some ways political parties do this in “Political Party Funding & Nigerians“.
Another comment said:
“…I wish you would tell us how you intend to refund, sorry payback….i meant compensate for donations you receive.”
Elections are a two way affair: either the candidate wins or loses. If the candidate wins, the people know that he will serve their interests. Serving the interests of 50,000 donors instead of 50 is a good deal I think.
It is advised that donors only donate what they can do without. This is as there exists a 50% chance that the candidate loses.
How can candidates/donors make this work?
Making crowd-funding work in our democracy can be summed in one word: ACCOUNTABILITY.
This is one thing most Nigerians fear. We have been unable to hold any of our past governments accountable for anything. Heck, we are unable to hold even our pastors and imams accountable. Thus, distrust is common place.
How can candidates show that they are different? Transparency.
If every kobo donated towards one’s election expenses is accounted for in a transparent manner, the donors, and others, would be at rest as well as open to future crowd-funding campaigns.
An aspirant can choose to structure this in any way they please. For me, a publication of donations received and expenses incurred can be released fortnightly.
In showing accountability in the seemingly little things, the people grow to believe s/he would be accountable when in government.
Thoughts
Campaign funding, and all parts of our politics, stand to benefit the Nigerian people when the people are invested in it. These investments can include time, money and services rendered.
I am thankful that these election rounds are opening up opportunities for the masses to be more involved directly. I’m taking this chance, so should you.