Failure is not an option

In the year 2007, I was invited to a dinner in Washington DC, USA, by the alumni of my college. At the dinner, a Ghanaian diplomat was introduced to me. Knowing that we are both from two friendly countries in Africa, we exchanged pleasantries and engaged ourselves in some topical issues. During our discussion, the diplomat told me that “the whole of Africa is waiting for Nigeria to take leadership of the continent”. I quickly requested to know the reason behind his complimentary remarks. He said with deep sense of respect that Nigeria had all it takes to set the pace in democratic governance in sub-Saharan Africa, but regrettably wondered why greedy politicians were busy brewing a ‘third term’ agenda. With respect to ‘third term’ political agenda, I had no response since I am not a card-carrying member of any political party. It was, however, very heart-warming to know that fellow Africans are looking up to Nigerians to take the lead in political and socio-economic affairs of the continent. It was after the dinner that it occurred to me that we cannot afford to disappoint the world and specifically Africans.

At the John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida, the phrase ‘failure is not an option’ tells the story of about 500 men and women behind America’s space programme Apollo 13 which went to the moon in 1969. These are the men and women of the mission control team who by their distinguished professional calling conceptualized, designed, built, tested and launched the project. They made their country proud as their responsibility also covered the safety of the crew of Apollo 13 manned moon landing mission. It is this worthy background that must compel us to seize the opportunity provided by the 2015 general elections to express Nigeria’s story that failure is not our option in spite of negative predictions earlier made about the nation by global powers.

The world and, indeed, Africans in contemporary times have clamoured for a re-introduction of democracy as a possible solution to the problems of bad governance, instability, economic misery, and insecurity which appears to have become a permanent characteristic of most African countries. As observed, democracy has been a globally accepted system which provides a valued system of government. Additionally, because of libertarian principals which democracy upholds including protection of lives and property, it is expected that there will be security in the country – although democracy is in different forms and could be subjected to conflicting interpretations, such that in modern times ‘it implies majority rule, minority and individual rights, equality of opportunity, equality under the law, and civil rights and liberties’. The democratic ideals, therefore, are deep-rooted in human rights, dignity, and equality. Paradoxically, democracy has been used on several occasions by a few individuals, either singly or collectively, to occasionally deprive Nigerians of peace. At this time in our nation’s history, any form of disorderliness, manipulation and rigging of votes will not endure. This is because we have to set the standard and demonstrate leadership in the continent so that our African brothers and, indeed, the entire world will not be disappointed in us as a people.

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It is very gratifying to see political gladiators sign a peace accord assuring Nigerians that campaigns and elections will not generate violence. Though not a legally binding document, it has made political office aspirants to respect and tolerate their opponents such that they all embrace themselves in public. I would have loved the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all state electoral commissioners to sign an undertaking that they will conduct free and fair elections? After all, it is not only the voting that is democracy; it is the counting. We need assurances that due diligence, transparency, accountability and sincerity will be displayed by INEC and all its officials when counting votes during all elections. We need to remind ourselves about the doctrine of ‘one man, one vote’ which must be adhered to in this year’s elections and subsequent ones.

In spite of all known positives and negatives, the overwhelming body of opinion suggests that we conduct elections in a peaceful and orderly manner devoid of manipulations and violence. I have not seen a man born of a woman who wants his own blessing to be taken away from him through manipulations and falsification of election results. Why should politicians then manipulate election results? Is it because they want to occupy public office at all cost or improve the welfare of the people? Violence will not improve the welfare of people. All our political office seekers are admonished to display the spirit of sportsmanship.

They have sufficient time to go to the electorate as ‘independent marketers’ to sell their products by telling Nigerians what they want to do for the people and how they intend achieving their promises and why they should be voted for. They should neither use abusive words, inciting comments, innuendos and insults during campaigns, nor use the print media as a platform to sow seeds of discord. This does not portray us in a good light before the international community. Are we telling the world that with politics there is no regard for decency and decorum? Those seeking political offices should not forget the maxim that ‘those who live in glass houses do not throw stones’. Nigerians can see through politicians as we know all of them and what they represent. In the spirit of togetherness, political office seekers should remain focused by ‘playing the ball and not the man’.

I love democracy despite its challenges. And one of the ways through which democracy can bring positive change to our dear country is to allow the development of a political culture. Political culture here refers to a portmanteau consisting of values, beliefs, outlooks, and dispositions regarding politics that are held by the people of this great nation irrespective of their religious, tribal and political affiliations. Certain values and beliefs which are considered crucial to a democratic culture include but not limited to: belief in the legitimacy of democracy; tolerance for opposing parties, beliefs and preferences; a willingness to negotiate with political opponents; confidence in the political environment; and collaboration among political opponents. Others include moderation in political positions and partisan identification, civility of political discourse, amongst others. As politicians campaign for votes and citizens prepare to cast their
votes, let us remember that ‘failure in not an option’ for Nigeria in the year 2015. Long Live Nigeria!

 

MA JOHNSON