Photo Credit: www.nigeriatell.com
When God says it’s time…it is time! Change is here – Ololade Ajekigbe
I type this with so much excitement and joy in my heart. History has been made in Nigeria. We are going into the history books for all the right reasons! For the first time in the history of our dear nation, an opposition candidate defeated a sitting president through the ballot box! Whoever thought that day would come, and soon too! Since, Nigerians cast their votes on Saturday, the country has been on the edge as people earnestly waited with bated breaths to hear the outcome of the polls which saw an unprecedented number of people who were hitherto nonchalant about voting in previous elections turn out en-masse to vote for their preferred candidate. Nigerians had had enough! They were ready to take their destiny into their own hands by not only being patient enough to cast their votes despite the hitches with card readers and other challenges, but also waiting for their votes to be counted in order not to be shortchanged in any way.
It’s been a long, arduous journey to the famous victory of president-elect General Muhammadu Buhari over his rival and the incumbent president Dr Goodluck Jonathan. The people’s general as he is fondly called has been a serial presidential candidate since 2003, contesting in the 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 elections. Once again it seemed like he was going to be fighting a losing battle when he declared his intention to contest in 2015, but this time around he aligned with the right set of people to give his chances the much needed bite by merging his party, the Congress For Progressive Change (CPC) with the Action Congress Of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to take on the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). It has proved to be a spot on decision further strengthened by the choice of the scandal free Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as his running mate.
There are so many heroes of this victory. First of all, It would be criminal not to acknowledge the beautiful man called Prof. Attahiru Jega, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). His commitment to ensuring that the elections were free, fair and credible is worthy of praise. Yes, there were a few skirmishes here and there, but that is almost unavoidable in a growing democracy like ours. Jega’s composure and resolute stance throughout the electoral process even in the face of intimidation and rumors of his impending sack is highly commendable. Not once did we see him looking ruffled, even when he was verbally attacked on international television. I could go on and on about the qualities of this fine gentleman whose calm mien and character I fell in love with, and whom we have to thank for not subverting the will of the people inspite of the pressures he faced, but I need not do that. Posterity will surely remember the man called Attahiru Jega for good.
It must also be acknowledged that General Buhari’s alliance with the maestro of Nigerian politics, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu most certainly played a crucial role in his emergence as the winner in a keenly contested presidential election. Unseating the incumbent government is by no means an easy feat in any part of the world and Buhari needed Tinubu’s midas touch to gain wider acceptance especially in the South West where he won 5 out of the 6 South West States this time around, a fantastic turnaround in a region he had always previously lost. Love him or hate him, one thing is clear – Bola Tinubu is a political genius! The Jagaban is the main man behind building Nigeria’s biggest opposition party into what is now the ruling party. Tinubu may not be a saint but one cannot deny the fact that he knows his onions when it comes to politics and how it should be played. And for the great victory recorded at this time, he is definitely a hero!
For the outgoing president, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, he remains a hero for his magnanimity in defeat and the uncommon grace and nobility exhibited by him by way of conceding that he lost the election and even calling the president-elect to congratulate him on his victory several hours before the final results were announced. This highly commendable gesture has set the stage for a peaceful reaction to the result of the elections. Despite the many criticisms of his government, Mr President will go down in history as the incumbent president who kept his word by willingly giving up power when he lost an election in a democratic process. Perhaps the greatest undoing of Goodluck Jonathan apart from his shoddy handling of the Chibok girls case, is surrounding himself with aides and advisers who worked more against him than for him. Mr President will look back and realize that he was surrounded by people who never had his interest at heart. I would give almost anything to know what the likes of Doyin Okupe, Olisa Metuh, Reno Omokri, Reuben Abati and Femi Fani-Kayode would be saying to him right now.
Ultimately, the Nigerian people are the greatest heroes of this renewed democracy, especially those who voted and braved all odds to protect their votes. The fact that the people’s voice was heard through their votes is such a huge deal given our history and I strongly believe this is the beginning of greater things to come. It has also sounded a note of warning to all politicians, more so the APC that if Nigerians are not satisfied with their performance after 4 years, they will be kicked out! Nigerians have come of age and are now fully aware that they hold the key to their future. In the meantime, we will savor this victory for democracy and hope that the change that we desire truly comes!
… Congratulations Nigeria!
Hmmmm.. I really respect President Jonathan o! His magnanimity is highly impressive as you said. I just pray that Buhari performs better. Anyway,dem no born am well make he no perform!..lol.. Weldone Lolade.
Lol @ “dem no born am well…” Yes, President Jonathan gets full marks for his gracious act. The president-elect certainly has his work cut out for him. Good to have you back dear ID.
**sigh**…. While President Jonathan’s act of conceding defeat and the congratulatory gesture extended to GMB by same is sure commendable, in my opinion, I still will air on the side of caution in celebrating him. No doubt he has made the history books for this noble act (ordinarily, this is the expected act, however the act is regarded significant given the peculiarities of our environment and “darkness of the heart” characterized of African leaders), some of us have not forgotten the underlying factors that necessitated him been voted out and his somewhat desperate attempt at returning to office in spite of the unacceptable standards with which he handled the affairs of the country in the last 6 years.
Personally, President Jonathan’s act of statesmanship is majorly commendable in view of the fact that it doused all possible negative reaction/uprising that may have trailed the outcome of the elections. For this majorly – I salute him! We also still note that his party hawks are not in acceptance of the election results and as such still hold our breath till the actual handover on the 29th of May, 2015 in shaa Allah. Maybe then, we can say it is fully uhuru!
For the identified villains, we hand them over to God for proper reward. I shan’t mince words in particularly fingering the likes of Gov. Ayo Fayose, Dr Doyin Okupe and PDP’s vuvuzela – Femi Fani Kayode aka FFK. These “things” in human flesh do not deserve to live among Nigerians as their actions have not at any time portrayed that they had the interest of the nation at heart. For those that tried to “Orubeberise” the electoral process, they shall also get their deserving reward. God knows best.
For the electorate and the entire Nigerian populace who have contributed in one way or the other to the success of the polls irrespective of candidate voted for, its huge congratulations to us all. We also lost some of our countrymen during the electoral process; May God forgive them of their sins, shower His mercies upon, bless and rest their souls. Their deaths shall by His grace not be in vain. Amen. For Prof Attahiru Jega and other well meaning INEC officials (permanent and adhoc), God bless you all. History shall never forget you.
God bless the new President elect, God bless our great nation – Nigeria, and God bless this blogger. Amen.
Abayomi, I have told you, you really need to explore writing. Back to the matter, there has been an ongoing debate about whether President Jonathan should be considered a hero or not for conceding defeat and congratulating Buhari. Yes, he lost and should accept defeat, but this is Africa! We forget that African leaders never agree that they have lost! Even the president-elect contested the victory of his opponents in the court in the years when he lost, so for Jonathan to be so large hearted as to do what he did against everyone’s expectations is a big enough deal for him to be considered a hero in my own opinion. Had several “lol” moments reading your comment. Thanks bro!
Yes ooo.. Lolo, I do get your drift. I must admit I was quite “spell bound” (borrowing the words of Gen Abdulsallam Abubakar) when I listened to his speech. Infact, I was stunned by two factors; the acceptance of defeat and the volume of votes he got…I expected way lesser figures in his favour. The work of the last 6 weeks is definitely obvious…… “hehehehehehehehehehe!”
As for writing, I often give it a thought. I guess the likes of your articles and the forum provided by platforms such as this will give the much needed encouragement. I may just truncate this stressful banking and join (if the opportunity presents itself) one of the big media outfits such as Punch. . . you know..**winks**. Thanks sis.