The enthusiasm was unprecedented; the expectation was very high; and at the end, by universal acclaim Nigeria was the winner. The March 28 presidential election in Nigeria was historic in so many ways. It was the day Nigerians turned out in their millions to elect leaders of their choice disregarding religion, ethnicity and sectionalism, almost like was done for the late Chief MKO Abiola on June 12, 1993.
The campaigns were some of the most acrimonious. Voters queued in the sun, rain and cold to exercise their democratic rights. The new card reader and permanent voter’s cards encountered some challenges in some places but it turned out to be the magic formula against rigging that characterised past elections. The voters were patient; electoral officials were vigilant; and the people were expectant that this time their votes would count.
In an uncommon show of magnanimity, President Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat and congratulated the winner, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). It is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria for a ruling party to be defeated by an opposition party; it is also unprecedented for an incumbent to concede victory to another party. Thus, President Jonathan must be commended for this rare show of good sportsmanship and indeed statesmanship. Everyone is happy that the president has not succumbed to chicken-head hawks like Orubebe whose show of shame at INEC collation center was the only anti – climax to this historic event.
From any angle one looks at it, Buhari’s victory at the polls was victory for democracy; victory for patience, perseverance, endurance, resilience and persistence. It has rekindled the hopes of the people in the democratic process since the voters now know that their votes count and that they can vote out any non-performing government. Nigeria’s democracy has now matured, thanks to the patriotic efforts of Professor Attahiru Jega and his team at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who insisted on delivering a relatively credible, free and fair election. Despite the challenges, that task has clearly been accomplished.
By this act, the prestige of Nigeria and the dignity of Nigerians in the whole world is now back. Nigeria is the anchor nation of the black race and this great example Nigeria has shown will blaze the trail for the rest of Africa. Other African nations will now emulate Nigeria by voting out any government that is not performing and achieving peaceful transfer of power from one government to another. It is rare in a continent full of big men with small institutions, presidents for life and one party rule. But Nigeria has shown the way with what President Jonathan and his main opponent President-elect Buhari has done. Thus, this is also a victory for Africa and I feel proud as a Nigerian, as an African.
Political campaigns are coming to an end. Buhari has secured a pan-Nigeria mandate, with jubilation all over when he was declared the newly elected President of Nigeria. Buhari was used by the military to truncate democracy in the second republic when the military overthrew Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s government in 1983. Ironically, by his entry into politics, Buhari is now the instrument used by providence to deepen and consolidate Nigeria’s democracy. He emerged as APC presidential candidate in one of the most transparent primary elections conducted in Nigeria. He got elected as president in the March 28 presidential election in a most competitive and most open manner. Thus, the metamorphosis of General Buhari from full blooded dictator to a blue blooded democrat is now complete. It is the case of the rejected stone becoming the corner stone.
The task of nation building must begin in earnest. Political opponents are not enemies but fellow citizens; political contests are not battles either but games where winners and losers emerge. Like the late South African President Nelson Mandela, Buhari will be a father-figure to the nation, calm frayed nerves and be fair and just to all. Buhari was elected because of his perpendicular integrity and his strict adherence to established procedures. He must try to bring on board men and women of integrity, experience, and hard work, in short the best team possible so as to help him on the difficult tasks ahead.
We have shown the whole world that this is the most resilient nation on earth. Every time the rest of the world holds its breath that we are dancing on the brink of disintegration, a single event takes place that resets the nation anew. It has happened in the 60’s which led to civil war but the nation survived. It happened in the 90’s with the ammulment of the June 12 1993 presidential election and the nation survived it. This year, Nigeria has done it once again. This election was hotly contested with a lot of hate speeches. Every indicator showed that there would be pre and post-election violence that may even lead to the disintegration of Nigeria. Thankfully Nigeria survived it once more.
By the conduct of President Jonathan and his attitude towards the election results, he has shown that he means well for Nigeria; that he has a magnanimous heart; and that he is good but surrounded by terrible people. He has set a very good example in allowing the process to take its course, by not succumbing to the pressure of those who wanted to subvert the will of the people; and by conceding victory to the eventual winner even before the official announcement when it became obvious that his party had lost. Jonathan is also a hero of democracy. By this act, Nigeria has become the eventual winner. Indeed it is a victory for Africa.
We have every reason to congratulate ourselves as Nigerians; to congratulate the current government for ensuring a peaceful transition in spite of all the pressures from a few to do otherwise; congratulate Jega and his team for making us proud and bringing credibility to our electoral process; congratulate Buhari for believing in the democratic process and not giving up for all these years; congratulate the international community for standing by the people; congratulate the security agencies and the armed forces for their support to the democratic process.
May the Almighty God guide our leaders and continue to bless our nation.
LEADERSHIP
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