Dear Alan and all,
I want to add my 'word' to the sentence being made about Nomcom and its selection process.
First, I am happy that this issue is generating the interest and attention it deserves after I raised the query on the rationale behind another 'body' deciding over an above the final choice of a RALO when it comes to the outcome of the Nomcom election. In fact, the last AFRALO Teleconference under Bashir has directed a group of us do a critique on the current practice as it relates to the ALAC Byelaws on Nomcom. I am grateful that ICANN Staff immediately sent me the relevant link for my reference and hopefully, will soon submit a draft for consideration.
Flowing from Tijani's post, I picked the following: ICANN is a bottom-up decision making organization. ALAC and At-Large must be and remain so as well.
In simple words, leaders are bound to listen and follow the desires and demands of their followers because they were voted by these followers. And not the other way around. Which was why in the past, I have had cause to disagree with the style of leadership of the present ALAC Chair, where issues are being debated and without waiting to hear from every side before making her position known, by addressing every concerns-but rather would be deeply involved in the debate from the scratch which in itself would influence the outcome as most people are wont to 'support' her position (even if they secretly disagree), so as not to be in the bad book of the chair, that to me is hypocrisy.
If ALAC rules allow for 'consultation' with every RALO for their chosen representatives to Nomcom, and that 'consultation' is by the elections conducted by every RALO, to produce their CHOICE, that choice must and should be respected-because the RALO are not answerable to ALAC but their members. That is what a bottom-up decision implies.
For a group of 15 ELECTED officials to SIT OVER the decision and choice of a group of MORE than 1 million members -considering you take the 5 RALOs membership together is a misnomer. That is no democracy. That is not moralistic nor logical. That is autocracy.
ALAC members are elected AND NO OTHER "BODY" sits to decide who amongst these 15 wise men and women are experienced or inexperienced! So, who and why was the provision in the Byelaws made for these same 15 to now sit and approve or disapprove the choice of the 5 Ralos?!
And to think that, the same people that put forward their nomcom choice are the same groups and with the same process that put forward the members of the ALAC beats my imagination. The 'provision' being used now by ALAC to refuse or accept an elected member is giving unchecked and undue power to the 15 wise men and women over the entire ICANN stakeholders. That is is not ideal.
To even imagine that the Chair of ALAC has the prerogative to raise the query and others should just follow suit is akin to a dictatorship. Besides the point of the chair raising such query, or even that by the 15 as a whole is unacceptable.
What constitutes EXPERIENCE if I may ask? Experience is gotten from opportunities given to participate over a period and years on practice and its nurtured and developed. Meaning, opportunities MUST BE GIVEN and where this is not given, how do you gain or develop one? I recalled in those days while applying for a visa to the USA for the first time, the young consular officer who interviewed me and rejected my application said " I had no travelling experience' as I have not travelled out of Nigeria in the past! I appealed that decision by asking if I am not given a visa to travel how do I gain that experience? My reason for travelling was not queried, it was legitimate and I have all the other requirements. And I got the visa. The same way I will look at this obnoxious practice that must be reviewed. ANY candidate put forward by ANY RALO that can read and write and have even a tertiary qualification can serve in any capacity within ICAN as long as it is not an appointment but an election. Their job roles and specification are there for them to read and get used to. Besides, ICANN has in place, leadership training programs for all its elected officers. So, what is the big deal about NOMCOM membership?
My position here is not to fight for Abdulkarim but for justice and equity. It could be anyone tomorrow.
Having said that, I do not think, some of the allegations made by Abdulkarim in his protest letter against the Chair of ALAC should be swept under the carpet. They must be investigated to give ALAC and ICANN its deserved respects and avoid undermining the office of the Chair. The investigation should be two-pronged. To verify if the allegations are true and can be proven or if they are false. Whatever its outcome, anyone found wanting must be sanctioned.
If the wishes of the RALOs will not be respected by ALAC or ICANN by extension, then, scrap the electoral process into NOMCOM and make it an appointment where anyone wishing to serve will apply and undergo an interview by the staff of ICANN. If not, then, equity demand that whoever has been so elected by any of the RALOs must be allowed to serve his/her term. The 'carrot' that the RALO concerned produce another candidate to replace the one duly elected is a rape of democratic choice which must not be allowed to stand. ALAC must respect our choice irrespective of the opposition by a few members of its members and go back to the drawing board to cover the present loopholes that led us to this debacle to avoid a similar error in the future. That is if we do not succeed with the review of the byelaws.
I am not going to participate in any voting process to elect a replacement on the ground of principle and fair-play. No one can resit an examination that he passes when there was no cheating.
To my AFRALO members jumping to want to reap from the downfall of another member, I say, pause awhile and let us send a statement to ALAC and ICANN to respect their constituent members. If you allow this to fly, then, we have yet to free ourselves from the slavery and colonial mentality and the divide and rule tendencies of our past colonial masters.
Peace without justice is the peace of the graveyard. I may be standing alone here-but posterity will judge everyone with time. My religion teaches me to stand on the part of the truth. America that as home to ICANN is the world's largest democracy today-so show it.
God bless you all.
PS: Let my sister Nduma and brother Nweke not see my position as opposing their candidatures. I only do not support being used by forces bent on creating undue division within Africa.
Yours truly,
Pastor Peters Osawaru OMORAGBON
Permanent UN Representative
-Financial Secretary, Central Association of Nigerians in the United Kingdom-CANUK