“All truth passes through three stages: First, it is ridiculed; second, it is violently opposed; third, it is accepted as self-evident.” ? Arthur Schopenhauer
The last couple of days has been a roller coaster ride. And what a ride it was! It was a heart stopping highs and deepening lows with an exhausting and exhilarating finish. From start to finish, many of us were glued to the screens and other social media for updates.
May I say a special thank you to a well organised group of social websites including #Nigeria decides 2015 and many other individuals who were at the epicentre giving many of us live updates? , We thoroughly were kept informed and the commentaries were gold.
With this election, from start to finish, we saw a Nigeria that we wished for, but dared not think it possible. It seems that the will and determination of the average Nigerian was far greater, they wanted change and went out there to make every single vote count. We all bear witness to history and March 28th will be remembered by those who lived it. It will be seen as a seminal point in Nigeria’s history. The hero of the moment is the Nigerian, who took the unprecedented move to shift the political landscape away from politico, tribal, religious and regional alliance lines. The message for all politicians is that; Nigerians would no longer play the divisive game and those who are arrogant and do so will be cast out into the political wilderness.
The hero of the moment is the average Nigerian, from the ailing retired cardiologist flanked by two nurses determined to vote, to the determined individuals who lent their generators to the INEC so that counting could continue when there was no power. Then the brave women and men who in spite of intimidation by the police and the army, stood fast and refused to be moved.
Local and overseas election observers were very impressed and they declared that the poll was by and large free and fair. Many people at home and abroad praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a well-managed election, despite some delays, few technical hitches and random violence, including the torching of INEC’s offices in Rivers State.
Regardless of what a few disgruntled politicians may say, these issues did not overwhelmingly disadvantage any candidate or party.
The level of heroics during this election has been outstanding and inspirational. There has been a fear that there would be violence and threats that BH will scupper the proceedings and mar the election. But generally, it was relatively better outcomes that we had had dared to wished for. This was the best outcome that Nigeria could have hoped for. Muhammadu Buhari won the presidential election by more than 2.5 million votes; and it was apparent before the final votes was officially verified that GEJ got on the phone to concede defeat and congratulate the victor. Muhammadu Buhari praised Goodluck Jonathan after winning Nigerian presidential election. For the first time ever an incumbent Nigerian president has failed to win the popular vote. Nigerians have spoken and it is a landmark for democracy
In his first speech after his victory, Buhari appealed for calm and sober reflection even in celebration of his victory and he assured Nigerian that “I assure you that Boko Haram will soon know the strength of our collective will and commitment to rid this nation of terror and bring back peace. We shall spare no effort until we defeat terrorism. In tackling the insurgency, we have a tough and urgent job to do.”
He offered that his government will be a receptive government “for all Nigerians” that would work to eradicate the “evil” of corruption. And that “there shall no longer be a ruling party again. His tempo was measured when he talked about APC will be a governing party. And that they shall faithfully serve and they shall never rule over the people as if they were subservient to government.
He said “Our long night has past and the daylight of new democratic government has broken across the land.” It was truly inspirational and just tempered for the mood of the nation. That alone is a significant shift in the crystallised mind-set of many Nigerian and it has heralded a new dawn in Nigerian politics and the way that we should proceed as people in terms of nation building.
Messages have been coming thick and fast. One from OBJ congratulating Buhari on his victory and charging him to fight corruption and carry out reforms in different sectors. And not one to shy away from giving advice to GMB, he said the country “is blessed with men and women of goodwill, character and virtue across the board that you can mobilise to join hands with you in the reform, repairs and re-direction that will be imperative to put Nigeria back on the fast lane of good governance, unity, cohesiveness, development and progress.”
From the White House, Obama thanked the president-elect for promoting calm and peaceful voting process and he noted the challenges facing Nigeria, including the threat from Boko Haram and he has promised that the US will continue to support Nigeria as it confronts those challenges. On GEJ, Obama said: “President Jonathan has placed his country’s interests first by conceding the election and congratulating president-elect Buhari on his victory. I look forward to working with President Jonathan throughout the remainder of his term, and I thank him for his many years of service and his statesmanlike conduct at this critical juncture
From the UK, Cameron said: “I send my warmest congratulations to General Buhari on being elected as Nigeria’s next president. This election has been a credit to the Nigerian people and a truly historic moment for Nigerian democracy
And Ban ki Moon, the UN secretary general, who spoke to both Nigerian leaders by phone on Tuesday, said: “The successful outcome of these polls is a testament to the maturity of Nigeria’s democracy.”
I am tempted to give post mortem but this is not the time to do so, I will let the dust to settle in the meantime. I think it is appropriate to give the time to all well-meaning Nigerians who took their future in their hands and spoke loud and clear.
Halls of corrections
There have been disgraceful shenanigans and in particular, by some notable people that cannot go on unmentioned.
First that of the so-called “Elder” Godsday Orubebe, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) agent for the presidential election. Godsday Orubebe shown what is wrong with Nigeria today .His attitude, his showmanship and loutish behaviour lay bare of what is wrong with many of our politicians. They believed in their self -importance and blunt refusal to follow due process.
In full view of national and international media was disgraceful. Although, he has since apologised to Nigerians he has earned a reputation of how not to behave. If we do not know before, he has earned the dubious honour of rude and arrogant diktats. I would advise him to personally apologised to Prof Jega and spend his time repairing his reputation with remorse.
Prof. Jega was highly composed during the confrontation and he earned the peoples’ admiration on how to behave and respond to supercilious behaviour from a supposedly former minister.
VANGUARD
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