Nigeria’s quest for free, fair and
transparent ballot to elect political leaders received a boost
yesterday, when Great Mind President Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat
and congratulated his main rival, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), ahead
of the official declaration of the winner of the March 28 presidential
poll in Africa’s largest democracy.
Most of the previous
elections, prior to the Jonathan presidency, had been marred by serious
irregularities and political violence with notable stakeholders,
including politicians and civil society groups pouring invectives on the
electoral umpire.
To desperate politicians and those within
the political class who believe that power is not transient, Jonathan’s
action may seem naïve and
bespoke of a weak leader incapable of ‘taking it by force or guile’, but
for us, it is a demonstration of uncommon strength and political
maturity.
We consider President Jonathan’s break
with tradition as worthy of commendation because it is the first time in
Nigeria that an opposition party has won a presidential ballot
conducted by a sitting president. Indeed, Jonathan has earned the
reputation of a president who delivered genuine democracy in Nigeria.
We are elated that Jonathan’s prompt
acceptance of defeat signals to the world that Nigeria’s alliance with
democratic governance is gradually taking root as the country searches
for ways to forge the democratic spirit among citizens.
Again, we see Jonathan’s action as a
triumph of genuine democracy and the beginning of Nigeria’s march
towards the much needed democratic growth and development.
Jonathan had before now, made a historic
declaration that the ambition of any politician is not worth the blood
of any Nigerian, which unwittingly, has been strengthened by his latest
action. And we salute his courage and strength of character in all of
this.
Our position flows from a review of the
nation’s experience with democratic transitions, especially state
elections conducted under Jonathan’s watch, such as the ones in Edo,
Ondo State and and Anambra states. These were won by the All
Progressives Congress (APC), the
Labour Party and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
respectively, and the president welcomed the results with candour and
the disposition of a statesman.
Jonathan respected the independence of
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a way never seen
before in Nigeria’s history. It would seem that this is his legacy for
which his positive place in Nigeria’s history will be assured.
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