The slaughter's slab as metaphor

                            By Bayo Ogunmupe

    The slaughter's slab as a metaphor is the title of a book arising from an inaugural lecture given at the University of Lagos in March by Professor Lai Olurode, a professor of sociology at the university. It was published this year by the University of Lagos Press. It contains 25 chapters, a table of recommendations on election violence reduction strategies in Nigeria. The book is dedicated to five victims of political assassination.

    Those victims are Chief Bola Ige, then Attorney General and minister of Justice, killed on 23 December 2001; Barrister Barnabas Igwe, then the President of the nigerian bar Association, Anambra branch, killed 1st September, 2002; Chief Marshall Harry, former All Nigeria Peoples Party vice chairman-5 March 2003; Chief Funsho Williams, Lagos State governorship aspirant-27 July 2006 and Malam Abdullahi Munkaila, then resident electoral commissioner in Kano state,he, his wife and children were killed on 3 April 2015.

    The title, the metaphor of the slaughter's slab arose from Olurode's efforts to explain to his illiterate mother, the course of study for which he was admitted at the university of Lagos in 1976. Olurode enrolled to study political science. Explaining that to his mother was a herculean task for she was perplexed  that her son would be pursuing a profession whose practitioners are reputed for causing public assault, arson, mayhem and brigandage.

    The memories of the political crisis in Western Region remained indelible for most people of her age. To mama, political scientists and politicians are birds of the same feather that must flock together. That perhaps influenced Olurode from changing his course to sociology in his second year. But mama Olurode's fears have been justified by the appointment of Olurode as an electoral commissioner by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Though his mother wasn't at ease until the end of his tenure. But mama was vindicated by the murder of Abdullahi Munkaila and his family while working as the resident electoral commissioner for kano state in 2015. Munkaila's blood is now haunting his killers. Professor Olurode's autobiographical booklet has 74 pages and six pages of tributes. In his introduction, the author avers that the pursuit of happiness and prosperity as the primary goal of human life. And pursuant to these goals, the Nigerian Constitution avow that Nigeria shall be a state based on democracy and social justice and that security and social welfare shall be the primary purpose of government. 

    Indeed, the thirst for vast territories was not just for fame, glory or nationalism but motivated by the economic objective of prosperity. Accordingly, the sociology of today's world, Olurode finds four sociological explanations for the current crisis in the world. One, the world is in turmoil because of the growing social inequality due to injustice between and within nations. New technology is enlarging inequality.

    Two, the prevalence of insecurity around the globe, acts of terrorism,violence and risky migratory behaviour  which engager lives and freedom. Three, dogma, social prejudice and discrimination are sources of concern for the world. Moreover, we have enthroned money as the ultimate power. The love of money for vanity has eaten deep into the fabric of society. As an expression of inequality- life expectancy in Nigeria is 54 years, the lowest in the world; whereas, it is 80 years in Norway.

    From his experience as a retired electoral commissioner and professor of sociology, Olurode gives the following recommendations to reduce violence during elections. One, Nigeria's rural sector should be activated through poverty reduction. Two, we must make concerted efforts at mobilizing the people through the national orientation education. Three, we must curb acts of impunity: politicians must be punished for flouting party as well as electoral rules. Finally, cost of elections must be reduced. Elections are too expensive in nigeria which is why contests are a do or die affair. The courts and the election commissions should liberalize election regulations.