The phone rang . It was the Editor Weekend observer on the line:” Chief, are you still cynical?’ He asked –obviously referring to my reflection on the eve of the 2015 Elections on this page in which I expressed fear about the possible abortion of the planned elections-relying on rumour mills. ‘ Yes I am still, though I am much better today- a day after the election. The fears are not yet over… mark you the results are yet to be announced. In our clime, violence often visits after the announcement of results so let’s tarry awhile before you sing alleluia all is well’ I replied.
On Monday March 30, 2015, Prof Jega INEC chair man began the tortuous journey of announcement .And midway to heaven something odd happened. Mr Orubebe a former minister decided to interrupt proceedings with inappropriate conduct over which he had apologized. I phoned the editor, but no luck- The network or line was busy. I wanted to tell him that the rude interruption was one of the ploys allegedly lined up to disrupt the election. Thank God -Jega was calm, skillful and in control of the situation. Normalcy returned. The announcement continued. As they say ‘The evil that men do lives after them’. An angry man was heard asking no one in particular whether the protester was not the one who could not complete the East-West road as minister? It points to many lost opportunities of the past.
Later Jega rose for a short break because other reports were not ready. One more announcement and we saw BREAKING NEWS on the TV screen reporting that Mr president had conceded defeat and congratulated Buhari. Though too good to believe, yet it turned out to be true. It was the game or mood changer -an action that would transform the way elections are held in Nigeria. It marks the beginning of a new dawn and new season of reason and optimism, true sense of democracy where peoples’ votes count and the rapid transition from winter abyss of cynicism to summer season of optimism in Nigeria. The last time we had such sigh of relief and strong feeling of optimism and hope was in 1960 when we won our political Independence from Britain.
Generally the election was peaceful, fair and credible. I voted at Uromi. It was a good gathering. The security personnel behaved well. The card readers worked well most of the time to earn an ‘A’ grade. There was touting here and there by youths trying some tricks to get something out of the politicians’ pocket with some restraints. Talking to friends and listening to conversations around I discovered that I was not alone in the fear train. There were fears and apprehensions in the air: Many people expected violence to break. It partly explains the presence of many security men in the street.
Even the next day when I left Uromi for Benin ,the fear of violence was visible The roads were empty as though there was a curfew. No it was self censorship of one’s freedom of movement. It was voting that took me to Edo state and a return journey to Abuja saw an almost empty road from Benin. I observed that the road was deserted, the shops closed including those spots one used to buy yams and other raw food. It was the loneliest I have done on the Benin-Abuja. The Abuja I met on the 30th of March 2015 was ghostly and as silent as the grave yard. The truth is that many expected trouble and decided to abandon the city.
No there was no cause for alarm. With one strategic master stroke in political gesture, President Good luck Jonathan saved the country from impending chaos and a looming disaster , banished the clouds of fear and cynicism and enthroned peace, optimism and hope in the land. Nigeria will never be the same again. Political elite would behave better hence forth, people’s power will prevail and citizens will use their votes to reward or punish politicians as appropriate and install government(s) of their choice.. This should introduce discipline, morality, industry and commitment to good governance. At last Nigeria is getting it right and seems set for the moon. It has never been so good with the country and to God be the GLORY for His mercies and for steering us away from self-destruction after the election as predicted by some prophet of doom.
It may be too soon in the day for wild jubilation but like the agama lizard who jumped down from the top of an Iroko tree, we must praise ourselves for this wonderful feat in our political life. For the first time in our national history an opposition party has defeated a ruling party and the loser congratulated the winner and announced a readiness to handover at the appointed time. On a smaller scale, Governor Fayemi did it when he lost to Fayose last year. On a larger scale President GOODLUCK JONATHAN has done it thereby sending the right message across to the world that Nigeria has come of age and ready to take its due place in global politics. We are blessed and on the right path to progress- Nigeria having won the much dreaded battle for survival.
The patience of the electorate paid off and it showed the world that Nigeria can make it big provided her elites care enough to do the needful. Leadership matters and here the elite’s role is critical. This is one of the reasons I have devoted much of my writing to pricking the conscience of the Nigerian elites to their national obligation in the last two years. We are not yet there really but there are rays of bright light in the dark tunnel. Thus in the final analysis, there is no victor or vanquished in the presidential election but a victorious country that is hungry for quality service, unity and development. We congratulate the President elect Gen M. Buhari for his well merited electoral victory. It is a testimony to tenacity of purpose, patriotism, moral probity, integrity, discipline, courage and faith in fatherland worthy of emulation by all especially the youths. We wish him luck and good health and pray him the support of everyone for a fresh beginning of a new Nigeria.
We salute the wisdom, nationalism, patriotism, deep love for peace and respect for due process of President Jonathan who in defeat emerged as the hero of democracy with exemplary leadership quality by showing the right way forward in a fast emerging new Nigeria of our collective dream. Some have asked why such high praises for Jonathan. Like it or not it takes a higher degree of patriotic statesmanship to place the interest of the nation above self- to avoid bringing down the roof of the house on everybody’s head. There was a king in our ancient history who decided to set the palace on fire and his kingdom in turmoil in moment of exit from power to punish his people. Peace is critical to all human developments. For choosing to follow the peaceful path and save his country the agony of war or crisis reminiscent of the annulled election of JUNE 12 1993, he shall remain green and golden in our hearts not withstanding any other short-coming, A Suicide bomber or attacker does not worry about the rest of the world!!
We salute the visionary, courageous and dogged leadership of Chief John Oyegun- Chairman APC in leading and transforming an opposition political party to a ruling party within so short time. We deeply appreciate the selfless role of Asiwaju A Tinubu, Alhaji A Atiku former vice president, Governor Kwankwanso, Fashola, Fayemi, Oshomhole, Okorocha, Lai Mohammed and others for the formation of a strong opposition new party which offered the voter a real choice during the election and for leading it to victory, INEC chairman Prof A Jega shall never be forgotten as the pillar of democracy for his efforts in deepening democracy through insistence on a clean and transparent electoral process. The Security Agencies did their best in many parts of the country to ensure peace. All said and done the ordinary Nigerian deserves the greatest praise for being so steadfast and determined to see that the right thing was done thereby setting the country on the right path to greatness based on social justice, fair-play and rule of law.
Nigerians voted the APC for a purpose –better quality of life for ALL. And we are happy to hear the President-elect saying that he is president of all Nigerians- those who voted and did not vote for him and would check insecurity, and corruption. This is good music. We urge the new government to concentrate on youth development, empowerment and participation in the development process, infrastructure, rural development, check child abuses, unemployment, plights of the disabled, women and other minorities by which we mean not necessarily ethnic minorities but all Nigerians without easy access to power. It must resist the arrogance of power, party and tribe and seek the integration of all citizens as Nigeria is their only country on earth. The president is the father of all and certainly not the exclusive property of a group of people no matter how close and powerful.
There is still one more river to cross in this season of general elections in Nigeria- the election of governors and members of state house of Assembly billed for today 11th April 2015. As usual, our advice is that you vote wisely and peacefully in the collective higher interest of our country.