[Enyi]

The on-going saga in Ekiti should arouse mixed feelings in all lovers of democracy. On one hand, it is a national disgrace that we can not conduct credible election in only 10 local government areas. This is coming shortly after South Africa has just successfully conducted national elections. Oddly enough, Nigeria will be represented at the inauguration of Zuma's presidency! On the other hand, it may be sign that rigging with impunity as happened in 2007 will be resisited in future elections. I shall like to comment on a few points raised by Abati.
In the first place, she is too old for the assignment. 74? Why send a 74-year old to such a difficult political terrain as Ekiti state?
I am not sure what age has to do with the assignment. Mandela, Reagan, Mugabe were presidents at that age. John McCain was 72 when he ran a strong presidential campaign. The point is if Mrs Adebayo felt mentally and physically fit for the assignment, she should not be denied the opportunity just because of her age. What makes Ekiti a difficult state? Hope somebody will educate me on this.
In the meantime, the Ekiti PDP is protesting that Mrs Adebayo is no longer an impartial arbiter in the election. The AC insists that she is a heroine of the revolution
This is an interesting development. It may be recalled that while PDP at the onset hailed her appointment, the opposition greeted it with sceptism. Indeed there was a demand that she should be replaced because of her alleged close relationship with Obasanjo. Now the story is different. This shows that the only constant among our politicians is inconsistency. Mrs Adebayo has reaffirmed my belief that there are Nigerians who are prepared to stand up and be counted when the going gets tough. Right now, she is a beacon of light amid an encircling gloom. True democrats must therefore rally around her and ensure that the light is not extinguished. Perhaps she may redeem the battered image of INEC.