Nigeria should hold a peaceful election
BY MUSYOKA NGUI
Nigeria goes to the polls this Saturday March 28 after postponing
the elections which were slated for February 14 this year. Prof. Attahiru Jega,
the electoral commission Chairman (Independent National Election Commission) cited
security concerns as a reason for the cancellation of the elections. (Saturday
Nation page 37 March 21, 2015 “Nation holds its breath as Nigerians
prepare to cast votes in tight polls”)
In a recent interview with Al Jazeera English, the president
Goodluck Jonathan told the interviewer Ms Yvonne Ndege, who is a Kenyan, that
he will not lose the election. I would not call it confidence but determination
of an African strongman to stay in power at all costs. Excerpts are in order to
put the point into perspective.
Yvonne: ...So you are not worried about losing the
election
Goodluck: I will not lose the election.
Yvonne: Will the elections be postponed again?
Goodluck: I don’t think so.
Yvonne: You say you are going to win this election,
but if you don’t win the election will you bow out gracefully?
Goodluck: I will win the election.
Yvonne: But if you don’t.....?(Almost inaudible)
wound you step aside?
Goodluck: (Exclaims)Ahhh!...
Yvonne: I said if you don’t win the election will you
bow out gracefully?
Goodluck: (Smiles): If by default somebody wins
the elections, of course... I will go to my village. The country is not my
father’s estate. I want to serve.
While Nigeria has made progress since the times of military
dictatorship, the country has recently found itself held hostage by a wave of
insecurity waged by Boko Haram. The militia abducted over 200 girls without a
trace under the watch of the incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan who is
seeking a second term in office. Before he was elected the president he
completed the term of his boss Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who died in office.
Mr. Jonathan has been accused of being unable to tame Boko Haram
and condoning corruption in Nigeria. These are grave concerns for a president
who is seeking re-election. I hope if he gets re-elected he will contain
insecurity in the West African giant. Nigerian matters to Africa since it is
one of the leading economic powers with colossal deposits of oil and gas plus
an estimated population of over 150 million people which is a great market for
any business.
Whoever wins the weekend polls should also seek to unite the Muslims
and Christians who have fought for far too long in Nigeria. The north and south
ought to live together as brothers and sisters.
Nigeria embodies rich heritage of African culture in its most
authentic form. The kingdoms and clans are still in existence and Nigerians are
proud of their culture unlike some other Africans. If Nollywood is to
develop peace must be maintained in Nigeria before, during and after polls. The
people of Nigeria must benefit from the colossal mineral wealth found in their
soil. The voice of Nigerian actors, musicians and scholars has been muted of
late. The former are the cream of the Nigerian society and should act as the
conscience of the society. Their voices need to be heard and lead in bringing
positive changes to Nigeria.
As Nigeria goes to the polls, I wish them peace and wisdom as they elect
able leaders who will define their destinies in the near future.
The
writer is a blogger at musyokangui.blogspot.com and a Fourth Year Communication
and Media student at Chuka University.
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