The announcement on April 3 of Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as winner of the gubernatorial election in Rivers State ended the 2019 general election cycle. There were many “inconclusive” matters with the elections, but finally it is over. Now is the time for Nigeria to draw the line on the elections and act on the lessons therefrom.
One of the significant actions needed to begin the evaluation is an address to the nation by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Many issues require the weight of a presidential address. The 2019 general elections marked 20 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria. It is a significant landmark, and the longest stretch of democracy in our land.
Military intervention, a regular feature of Nigeria’s political history, disrupted our journey to democracy. And the president played a leading role in this process. As the one who put a stop to the Second Republic, Buhari is a major player in Nigeria’s political journey and our failed and successful attempts at democracy.
The December 1983 coup was followedby15 long years of military rule. The nation then tried a military-supervised democracy. The mutation did not live long, understandably.
PMB has been involved in our democratic journey since 2003, after convincing himself that the return to the civilian path in 1999 with the swearing-in of a former military ruler like himself was here to stay.
Nigerians deserve to be acknowledged for keeping faith with democracy for 20 years. It will take effect from May 29 when the president takes the oath for his second term and a new cycle begins to count for most elected officials.
The 2019 general elections was the country’s costliest election ever and the one with the highest number of candidates for many offices. We had the highest number of political parties on the ballot. We also had the highest number of registered voters. Paradoxically, the elections yielded the lowest voter participation at the polls.
The paradox of high registration yet low turnout deserves attention. What went wrong and why? INEC should commence the query by and for itself, but other players in Nigerian democracy need to be part of a thorough going probe into these matters.
The quality and conduct of the elections also need to be addressed. Many citizens suffered violence and trauma in the course of the elections. We lost many lives. Mr President’swords could be the balm to soothe the pains of the many persons who suffered during the elections.
Nigerians need to get a sense of the direction of the government from the man at the helm. Citizens await indications of the what, where, when, why, who and how of the government Mr President will form next month.
Mr President has said things will be tougher in his second term. A clearer explanation of the ramifications of these tougher times will help us prepare for it. The president has to assure of his government’s capacity and capability to tackle the challenges.
Mr President ran the government with same cabinet for four years; despite clear evidences of non-performance and calls for a rejigging. It was either a mark of loyalty to his team or, indolence as many suspect, to refuse to make the required changes.
Similarly, there was a little or no activity when it came to carrying out critical policies. The economic indicators, above all, continue to worry individuals and companies; many firms have left and are leaving Nigeria.
A Presidential address will show empathy and concern for all. Above all, it will bond the populace with the President and prepare grounds for May 29. Speak to Nigerians now, dear Mr President.
