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National Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy, Mr. Rafiu Salau

The National Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy, Mr. Rafiu Salau, tells BAYO AKINLOYE that there is no need for politicians seeking public offices to undergo psychiatric tests

Recently, the Nigerian Medical Association called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to make it compulsory for any person seeking a political office in the country to undergo a psychiatric test. How do you as a politician view this?

To start with, the medical doctors making such calls are not politicians. As politicians, we strive to make changes in the society and in the course of seeking for such change, we can come up with different ideas and actions seen by many as strange. That may explain the reason the doctors are making such a suggestion. Politicians, especially those contesting for public offices, do not need to undergo any psychiatric test. Every politician is sound enough to engage in the political affairs of the country. It takes a lot of mental strength to be a politician. To be a politician, you must be able to articulate whatever you have to offer.

But it appears the medical association has received a nod on this suggestion from the Independent National Electoral Commission.

I can confidently tell you that the electoral supervisory body is close to political parties. Whatever it is doing, it will do it with contributions from all parties. We meet every quarter to discuss issues bordering on any electoral process in Nigeria. At this quarterly meetings no political party member or representative has exhibited any sign of mental imbalance to warrant such a test. I dont think the INEC as a body is pushing such idea; maybe an individual in the commission is the one bringing up the idea. INEC is happy with the contributions of all political parties toward ensuring free, fair and credible elections in 2015. We want the best for our democracy. We do not need such a test; Nigerian politicians are stable mentally. It takes someone who is mentally stable to delve into politics.

If you say the democratic processes are improving and political activities are better today than in the past. How will you explain the need for a particular governorship aspirant in Lagos State to wear bullet-proof vest to the venue of his partys primary?

I want to accept it that we are still moving forward with our democracy. What our democracy is today is better than what it was in the past. Thuggery has reduced compared to what obtained in the past. Its rare to see people stealing or stuffing ballot boxes these days. INEC has also made it difficult for any shady politician to present fake ballot boxes. Democracy in Nigeria is improving. I can assure Nigerians that the whole nation will be happy with the conduct of the 2015 elections. No thuggery and manipulations of results will be witnessed and results will be announced accordingly. In the past, there was thuggery; today, things are changing. Take for instance, the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States; especially in Ekiti where the then incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi congratulated his opponent, Ayodele Fayose. That was a clear case of tolerance in politics; it is not a do-or-die affair. Evidently, politics in Nigeria has moved a step further. The nation will see the best of democracy in 2015 beyond what it experienced in the last 100 years. All these point to the fact that politicians dont need the test recommended by the NMA.

But you will agree we still have politicians that behave badly. Wont you?

My position is that until someone exhibits signs of mental sickness, there is no need for such a test. As regards politics in Nigeria today, Ill say there is no more violence; and thuggery. As politicians, we will contribute positively to ensure that elections are credible, free and fair. Once elections are held under peaceful and transparent atmosphere, no one will think negatively about politicians or politics to the end of saying that those seeking political offices should undergo psychiatric tests. We are getting to that level. But I can say we have gone past the stage of violence. Since INEC submitted its time-table, politicians have been engaging in constructive criticisms. What we are concerned with, as politicians, is how to give dividends of democracy to the Nigerians. That is the least we can do for them. Admittedly, what we have now is democracy of the few; government of the few, for the few and by the few. Democracy in Nigeria has not reached the grass roots. Nevertheless, we will get there. Politicians at state and local levels should continue to work and improve on their contributions to their constituencies.

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