 |
|
Democracy Wins Big in Nigeria's Election
Democracy is the biggest winner in the just concluded Nigeria's Presidential election with so many firsts recorded. It is the first time a ruling party has been defeated in a Federal election in Nigeria. It is the first time the loser willingly offered a congratulatory message to the victor. It is the first time Nigeria took steps toward electronic voting with the Fingerprint verification process and plastic voter cards. It is the first time voters jealously guarded their votes using cell phone cameras and social media to record results as they are announced locally, thereby minimizing opportunities for votes manipulation. It seems also the first time Nigeria will experience genuine transition to democracy given that past processes were tainted by disputes and allegations of rigging and votes manipulation.
Overall, however, the presidential election lived up to its billing as the closest fought election in the history of Nigeria. It was also the most transparent and most peaceful even with the pockets of violence that were recorded here and there. Ultimately, the big winner remains Nigeria's fledgling democracy and the people of Nigeria.
It is a new and wonderful dawn for democracy in Nigeria, the most populous African country. The ruling political party PDP lost to the opposition party APC after ruling for 16 years. The election was remarkably transparent and peaceful. Gallant voters and the Nigerian Press formed an alliance to guard their votes and report the election results, one polling booth at a time to defeat result manipulation. Another unheralded and quiet spring revolution made possible by mobile phone cameras.
Despite the discouraging environment, lack of steady electricity power supply, insecurity, poor healthcare delivery system, endemic official corruption, Nigerians rejected the status quo in favor of change and ushered in a new and promising dawn. Power has finally reverted to the people and the people can now work to shape their destiny.
Other winners include:
President Jonathan. By immediately conceding victory and congratulating Buhari, Jonathan has earned a place in history as the most magnanimous leader Nigeria ever had. He immediately trumps Obasanjo's and Abubakar's records as the only civilian leader to hand over power to an opposition party in a democratic process; after an election. That is the mark of statesmanship. Hopefully the transition process remains as peaceful.
Dr. Attahiru Jega and INEC. The introduction of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and biometric verification system was a huge game changer. It ensured that the votes of the people counted this time around and minimized the incidents of rigging. For once, Nigerians basked in the euphoria of actually having a government of the people. It remains to be seen whether the newly elected government will also be for the people. Having survived a conspiracy to be removed at the last moment, Dr. Jega needs to be reappointed to complete the implementation of the PVC card and eliminate the problems/ hiccups discovered during this presidential election.
Pollsters. In Nigeria, there is a saying that nothing is predictable. However, this time around, the polls were largely true and accurate reflection of the voters' mood. Welcome to a new era.
Olusegun Obasanjo. The former president was a torn in the flesh of the ruling political party PDP and the President Goodluck Jonathan. He took on the establishment without batting an eyelid and ripped his party membership card in public. When Buhari's educational qualifications were being queried, Mr. Obasanjo endorsed him as well qualified to lead Nigeria.
Rotimi Amaechi. As the APC Director of Presidential Campaign, the Rivers State governor staked everything he had against President Jonathan and his former party PDP. He became the lightning rod for General Buhari, the presidential candidate for APC. His younger brother was attacked at his university campus and suffered injuries, and Governor Amaechi's convoy was fired on by gun wielding thugs. He lost the battle to deliver his state but won the presidential election.
Anti-corruption Crusade. Civil rights and anti-corruption crusaders just got a boost to their campaign. There will likely be an improvement in Nigeria's standing in the next world ranking for the most corrupt nations which is annually released by Transparency International with General Buhari in power given his known propensity to fight corruption. However, the true gauge of reduction of official corruption will be the ease of transacting official government business without bribing federal and state government employees. Time will tell.
On the losing side of it all, we hope, will be Tribal politics.
Ethnic driven politics was the norm in Nigeria before now. This time around, enlightened Nigerians properly consigned tribal and religious differences to the trash can of history in favor of issues. Security, the economy and corruption became the focus of election discuss. Tribal and religious sentiments have been discovered to be a decoy for corrupt and selfish politicians. The new mantra appears to be how to move the country forward and not the birthplace nor religion of the candidate.
Another Loser, perhaps the biggest, is PDP. Once the people's Democratic Party, it lost whatever allure it has for the people after 16 years in power without transforming the life of the average Nigerian. The party became insensitive to the suffering and plight of Nigerians. It became deeply mired in graft and corruption and neglected the security of lives and property of ordinary citizens. Also, with a faulty internal democratic process the party imploded with wrangling and exodus of dissatisfied members to the opposition party which strengthened APC.
Loser: South East. Nigeria's South East, is a major loser in this dispensation having backed the losing horse. Igbos staked everything on Jonathan, granting Buhari less than 25 percent of total votes in virtually all Eastern states. Hopefully, Buhari is not vindictive. Igbos also lost their traditional vice presidential slot to a Yoruba in the incoming dispensation. As outsiders, they will have to do with whatever crumbs they are thrown.