By: Sunday Olugbenga Abire
There has never been any time in the history of our nation's democracy where an election threw us off balance like we had in the just 'concluded' Presidential election. I have technically used the word concluded because a winner has been declared and the remaining democratic process known to us is the redress in the court. Surprisingly, even the winner of the election ran to court. That's learning from the sordid history of botched elections. I wish all of them well as they test the law.
Whichever prism with which you have viewed the election of 25th February 2023, one clear statement is that our democracy has been enriched in a keenly contested election that sent jittery to the spines of the mighty. Power has truly returned to the ordinary people who the ruling class contemptuously look down on. We have entered an era where everyone matters. We have seen that the thumb of a prince is not different from that of a slave in a democracy. That's a good thing if you ask me.
Of time, I have noted that Asiwaju was just ahead of others because it's his time. His mistakes confused his opponents. His strength was overblown. He deliberately hid himself in the strength of the people he had consciously raised over the years. Do I need to remind us that Bola Ahmed stopped being a government official in 2007 and he has held unto nothing but his Lagos while reaching out to many across our country? Like a sower, he invested in some and got nothing in return. Even some of those he made turned against him and fiercely battled him.
I say without any form of equivocation that there is no politician in Nigeria, whether dead or alive, who towers above Bola Tinubu when it comes to helping others reach their goals. And he kept sowing his seeds in the North and South of Nigeria. It's hard today to see a successful politician in Nigeria without a touch of Asiwaju's benevolence in one form or the other. If the law of sowing and reaping is anything to go by, those who contested against him need to work hard for two decades to match up with his achievements.
However, the 2023 election didn't just spring up surprises but exposed our differences. Truth be told, Nigeria is badly fragmented. We are divided not just along North and South but also in religious beliefs. Our diversities were spelt out glaringly that we were tempted to go our separate ways. At some points, the political parties made no sense to anyone anymore. President-elect, Bola Tinubu should understand that about 65% Nigerians rejected him. That has never happened in history. Fortunately, the division formed a voting pattern that gave him victory. You could have imagined the combination of Obi, Atiku and Rabiu. 'Emilokan' would have been negatively reduced to 'olule' and a teary appearance on the television would have been imminent.
Is there anyone who still doubts that efforts count in politics? Jagaban patiently wormed his way to the hearts of his lovers. His efforts caused a radical change in the Electoral Act. For a fact, the primary election would have long be won if critical stakeholders had voted within his party. For the first time in many years of political history, we had pre-primary and post-primary tours. Even those who thought he was sick marveled at his boisterous energy. He was everywhere, in and out of the country, looking for votes. One can modestly say that none of his co-contestants surpassed him during the thick days of campaign. It is a fact supported by a number of 'bala blu' engagements geared towards swaying votes and voters to his side.
While I congratulate all contestants, I need reiterate that the winner must not take all but he must win all to ensure that this country doesn't fail. A national rebirth is direly needed. Without doubt, all those who didn't win have one thing or the other to bring on board in order to develop our nation. A Unity Government is the way to go. That will help our nation and her people regain some confidence in the system. It's not a time to be partisan. It's a time to build and all hands must be on deck.
Congratulations to the president-elect. May Nigeria win ultimately.
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