With last Saturday’s election into the Senate and the House of Representatives, in which the will of voters was fairly respected and upheld, Nigeria is on the verge of shedding the toga of a land where free and fair polls may never be possible.
The unenviable reputation was foisted on us by the quality of elections conducted in 2003, and 2007. They were believed to have been brazenly manipulated, with the ruling party forcing its will on the citizenry.
International observers particularly decried the 2007 experience, saying it did not meet the minimum requirement of a decently conducted election. The development consigned Nigeria to pariah status in the comity of nations, as far as democratic ethos were concerned.
Tomorrow, we go to the polls with higher hopes, and greater expectations. President Jonathan has repeatedly vowed that the elections will be free and fair, with the principle of one man, one vote upheld. INEC itself is resolved to further redeem the reputation of the organisation, while the electorate is poised and charged to ensure that their votes count. Round the country, voters did not leave last weekend till their ballots had been counted, and results announced at the respective polling units. Eternal vigilance is the name of the game.
As the presidential election holds, we expect an improvement on the level of conduct and comportment displayed last weekend. INEC, voters, security agencies, politicians, indeed, all stakeholders, must raise the bar several notches higher, as the stakes are quite high.
As the electoral commission plugged loopholes of April 2 in last Saturday’s outing, we expect a higher level of performance tomorrow. Electoral materials should be deployed on time, accreditation and voting done transparently, collating and counting executed without any attempt at underhand dealings.
The security agencies should show greater alertness and more neutrality. There were security challenges in certain parts of the country last week, which were promptly curtailed. We do not expect anything less in the presidential poll.
Save for a few black legs, politicians and political parties have acquitted themselves creditably so far. Unlike in the past, there have been fewer attempts to compromise and subvert the system. This should be maintained tomorrow.
Of course, the electorate must receive kudos for their enthusiasm and behaviour so far. Decency and due process have been upheld, and we expect a continuation of the trend. Our next president must emerge without the spectre of violence and anarchy, long feared and foretold about this crucial election.
In any contest, particularly one in which the stakes are as high as this, there must necessarily be a victor. We appeal that events be allowed to take their natural course, and whoever emerges must do so in a manner that cannot be gainsaid by even the closest challenger.
The people are the ultimate decider, sovereignty belongs to them in a true democracy. Through their votes, let the people determine and decide whom they want as president. And whoever emerges must be humble in victory, while those who lose out should be gracious in defeat. There can only be one president at a time, and we charge all those involved to be sportsmanly enough to accept the result, as long as the processes are largely free and fair.
Nigeria must not be thrown into a tailspin, simply because the political ambition of a person has not been realised. The equilibrium and cohesion of the polity is greater than any individual, and we urge all contenders to drum this into the consciousness of their supporters. Nigeria is greater than us all, irrespective of all primordial considerations.
The electioneering period has been quite challenging, right from the primaries in the political parties. All sorts of base sentiments have been whipped up, and the fabric of the country sorely stretched. The time for healing is here. As a new president emerges, it must be time to lay aside all divisive tendencies, and re-discover the things that bind us together. Ethnicity, religious and political affiliations should be laid aside, and the harmony of our country strengthened. It is time to march into the future as one united, indissoluble entity. Nigeria, we must say again, is greater than us all.
Perhaps more than at any other time in our history, the attention of the world is riveted on Nigeria. Will we get it right, just as smaller African countries have done? Or will the country fall flat on its face again? A lot depends on us. Let us join hands to improve on last Saturday’s outing, and make the presidential election a benchmark for all that is noble, decent and inspiring. History beckons, let’s not fluff the invaluable opportunity.
| Posted: at | |
TRENDING GISTS 
Rivers Police Bust Notorious Gangs Who Specialize In Kidnapping & Raping Young Women
Actor Femi Adebayo Wins N25m Suit Over Film Piracy After Three Years Of Battle
40 Year Old Father of 12 Found Dead in a Brothel in Bayelsa State
BREAKING! Most Wanted Oyo State Transport Union Leader, Auxilliary Arrested by DSS
Singer Tuface' Baby Mama Pero Adeniyi Praises Her Lover For Changing Her Life
VIDEO; Singer, Rema Celebrates 24th Birthday In Style In Los Angeles
Celebrities, Fans Celebrate Actor, Junior Pope’s Posthumous Birthday