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Author: Okah Ewah Edede
Posted to the web: 5/28/2010 1:13:14 PM

Nurturing Effective and Elective Democracy in NigeriaThe political history of Nigeriaâ's Democratic evolution is one littered with absurdities that have impacted negatively on the Nigerian people. The political rights of Nigerians have been abrogated by a succession of voodoo political orchestrations calibrated by the militarized generation of kleptomaniac elites who have been at the helm of affairs in Nigeria for the past 30 years.This is why the call for an electoral reform that will usher in credible elections is imperative, and in this analysis we believe that Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) has the requisite pedigree to bring about this change and take Nigeria to that elusive political cum economic Eldorado. His mien is one of humility, reflection, intelligence, patience and action, which are the hallmarks and characteristics of a servant-leader who has the welfare of his people at heart.The manner via which president Jonathan ascended into office speaks volume of Godâ's grand design in the affairs of Nigeria and in making His choice of a leader whom He will use in liberating the people of Nigeria and bring about His will in the Nigerian polity. This is why concerned and discerning Nigerians must join hands in calling for President Jonathan and his Vice, Namadi Sambo, to contest the 2011 presidential poll. The warped and mono-dimensional reasoning that President Jonathan can only achieve the herculean task of giving Nigeria a credible election by abstaining from the contest is nonsensical and done in bad faith by Mephistophelian apostles who are the rustic champions of the very pedestrian zoning formula.In other climes, incumbents participate in the electoral process if they so desire and yet oversee credible elections. What matters here are not the individuals but the system, the structures put in place to umpire the process. In 1998/1999, Gen. Abdulsalem Abubakar was the midwife who gave Nigeria its present democracy, but in all fairness and sincerity, the 1998/1999 elections cannot be said to be free and fair neither can we proclaim the umpire an impartial arbiter.Those singing the songs of zoning and also dancing its macabre dance are intellectually deficient tribal Bushmen who do not understand the contemporary concept of nation building and globalization. Our votes must count this time around, and we the beleaguered and politically abolished Nigerian electorate insists on President Jonathan come 2011. We will not allow any stone-aged tribal zoning advocate to disenfranchise us this time around. Even if we consider the zoning formula, nowhere was it stated that a beneficiary must have a two term in office. What if Yar’duah was still alive and lost the 2011 presidential poll to a Southern, would the ethno-centric zoning apologists have asked the southerner to forfeit his presidency for a Northerner?Those who insist that a Northerner must emerge the president come 2011 are merely showing their hands as election riggers because in true democracies, elections are like football matches, no one can say for sure how it will turn out. And, at this juncture itâ's imperative to ask, what happens to the four years of Yar’duahâ's administration (the Jonathan ascendancy is a continuation of it), are we to discard it and not count it for the North? And let assume the alleged zoning agreement was for a two years term (eight years), and working on the democratic premises that the ticket was obtained jointly By Yar’dua and Jonathan, and now Yar’dua is dead. Doesn’t it follow that Jonathan should be allowed – under the zoning – to complete the two terms of their joint ticket? By all ramifications, zoning or no zoning, Jonathan is qualified to contest the 2011 presidential polls. Please, zoning apologists should think of better things to do and stop harassing Nigerians with their shallow insight.By Okah Ewah Edede (Chief Protocol Officer to the President, Coalition of Nigerian Youths) 08063172003