UK Local Government and European Elections: A Lesson for Nigeria – By Akintokunbo A. Adejumo

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Akintokunbo A. Adejumo, Articles, Columnists, NNP Columnists Thursday, May 22nd, 2014

By Akintokunbo A. Adejumo | Ibadan, Nigeria | May 22, 2014 – How many times have we in Nigeria been observing how elections are conducted in other countries we try to emulate or copy, yet we refuse to do the same in our own country for our own progress? I do not believe it cannot be done, but we all know why it is not being done for the past 50 years of our existence as a nation. The problem is mainly with both the leaders and the followers. And it is the reason why our very existence as a union, as a nation, as a people, as a republic is under very serious threat of falling apart today.

In today’s (22 May 2014) UK Local Government and European Elections, officially today, I and other eligible members (age) of my family voted over 2 weeks ago via postal vote. We do not have to go to the Polling Booth. Those who have to go to the polling stations do so without any inconvenience – no long or no queues, no thugs intimidating you, no policemen or soldiers, etc.

The only way you will know there’s an election going on is by seeing Posters directing you to the Polling Station. For the campaigns, there were no huge mass rallies, hence no thuggery. Political candidates and/or their campaigners and representatives go from house to house, neighbourhood to neighbourhood, ward to ward ONLY throwing their leaflets through your post-box and door, or contact you by phone to determine how you will vote, or if you need help filling your postal ballot or if you need help to reach the polling station on the day. They MUST NOT pressure you to vote for them.

In the evening, after the official close of the elections, I will be going to count the votes (including postal, electoral and conventional ballots), absolutely under a relaxed atmosphere.

No rigging, no cheating, no thuggery, no intimidation, no fear, no deceit. This is democracy at its practical and sustained best. And after the results are announced, it is 99.9% certain that the results are true reflections of the voting. No fights, no rejection of results by the losers (because it is not a do-or-die affair for them), no dragging of the winner or electoral commission to court, no bitterness, no name-calling or thuggery, etc.

How I wish we can have something just 50% of this in Nigeria (I always feel sad every time I watch or participate in elections in the UK and remember what happens in my country). I know their system has been perfected (and continue to be improved) over centuries of democracy, but do we have to re-invent the wheel? Wouldn’t life be good for ALL of us?

It is like we are our worst enemy. Why don’t we ever seem to be able to get things or do things right for our own benefit, welfare, progress and betterment? Why do some cliques or cabal of people think that the only way to get power is to rig elections or kill? Why must they be in power if they are not willing and committed to make life better for their weaker people who they want to rule or lead?

When the wind blows, trees are falling, monkeys are laughing; the monkeys don’t realise that it is their own houses that are falling. The chicken lands on a rope; the rope is not comfortable, neither is the chicken.

We simply cannot continue to do thing things the same way we have been doing, which has not led us anywhere better. We have to change to doing things the right way, so that we will get the right result.

Let’s think it out, my people. We cannot continue to exist this way. Or we are doomed.wp_posts