Nigeria has just gone through a generally acclaimed successful democratic process that were preceded mostly by disturbing hate campaigns. Now that the elections are over, what is expected that those in charge of governance to come together to build a strong, virile nation because it is in unity that any meaningful development can occur.
The elections achieved historic feats in many respects, and Nigerians need to take note of the lessons that were derived from the just concluded exercise. Although one cannot say at this current point in time that the nations has reached its highest points in democracy as there are still many areas to be bridged, the elections have put Nigeria on a pedestal amongst respectable nations in the world where democratic values are upheld.
The problems encountered during voting are not strong enough to disparage the landmark progress the nation has made in her strides toward perfection in the democratic race. The elections were open and less acrimonious and even the international community adjudged them as free, fair and credible. The only major minus recorded which needs to be addressed, was the pattern of voting which was along ethnic and religious lines, but such sentiments are not peculiar to Nigeria.
One could argue that the highlight of these elections was that incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan, after being defeated was magnanimous enough to accept the outcome for the sake of Nigeria’s unity, and also displayed a rare spirit of statesmanship and thus saved Nigeria from the violence which many had predicted.
The founding fathers of Nigeria desired that the country should eternally remain as one, and in his acceptance speech, the president-elect, General Muhammad Buhari, made some reassuring comments geared towards maintaining that unity. In his words “My love and concern for this nation and what I desire for it extends to all, even to those who do not like us or our politics. You are all my people and I shall treat every one of you as my own. I shall work for those who voted for me as well as those who voted against me and even for those who did not vote at all. We all live under one name as one nation: we are all Nigerians. ”
Buhari’s statement has dispelled every secret fear that may be nursed by people outside his camp. It is noted, however, that the elections have produced a myriad of political prostitutes who have refused to learn how to lose gallantly. They fail to realize that defecting indiscriminately to the party at the centre portends danger for the survival of Nigeria’s democracy, as it is indicative of the country’s gradual drift toward a one-party state. An active opposition would forever keep the ruling party on its toes.
The Government in power should not only continually reiterate that Nigeria’s unity is sacrosanct, but it should also show it in its actions by ensuring that every element of divisiveness is erased from the national psyche. Indeed, policies that would ensure equitable distribution of national resources at all levels should be made while strong institutions like anti-graft agencies, security agencies, etc., need to be strengthened to assist in restoring sanity to our socio-economic life.
Leaders should guard their utterances and state governors must promote equality of all citizens in their states. Emphasis should be placed only on people’s state of residence rather than their state of origin, which projects divisive tendencies. Nigerians have the capacity to maintain their unity in diversity and it is expedient that they toe that line because it is in unity that the nation stands.
