THE AFTERMATH OF THE ELECTION AND A WAY FORWARD:

The 2011 Presidential election in Nigeria has come and gone. It will go down in the country’s chequered history as one of the bloodiest election ever held in Nigeria. Despite the irregularities by some polling stations, the international observers who monitored the election scored Nigeria a pass mark for how the election was conducted compared to the previous elections that were held, at least there was an improvement. The election was marred with sectarian violence in the Northern part of the country, especially in states like Kaduna and Katsina where some houses and churches were burnt down to ashes.  Some people were killed which include; some members of the National Youths Service Corps who were drafted to help for the smooth conduct of the election and some were also left injured.

 It is very regrettably that the country has not learnt its lessons from the previous mistakes, instead those who parade themselves as leaders and scavengers of peace are still the reprobates who perpetrate these evils. The Nigerian youths should be reminded that they are left with no choice other than to salvage the nation from the hands of these bloodsuckers that have made their presence in the country’s political arena since independence. This group formed a click; they belong to a fraternity with a common interest, which the leadership of the country rotates within them.

After, the election record showed that some majority of the youths were used to ferment trouble especially in the North so as to meet up the evil demands of these so-called leaders and their cohorts.

With the current political dispensation; Muhammdu Buhari showed no good leadership quality and has no spirit of sportsmanship with the manner he displayed after losing election, this shows that, he was not ready to lead the country. His failure to stop the angry youths in the North, not to carry out mayhem signifies his weakness as a leader and a true patriot because as the saying goes, that ‘test of pudding is in the eating.’ A true leader must show resilience in time of crisis, a true leader must not be temperamental, a true leader must consider the lives of his citizens and the unity of the country first; as top most priority before taken any irrational decision and above all, should not utter words that will create confusion or bring chaos in the country.

 In a stable democratic society like the United State and Britain; after election, both the winner and the loser, comes together to champion the common course of the country irrespective of each party’s grievances towards the other. It is time Nigerian politicians should learn how to complement each other rather than to despise, especially now that Nigerians have welcome true democracy.  

In as much as Nigerians are basking in euphoria for successful conduct of election; all efforts should be made to sustain the record and improve on it by the next general election. The issues of dichotomy should be erased from the minds of the non critical thinkers, the born to rule, those who believed that the leadership of the Country belongs to them only. It is time they should wake up from their day dream and face realities of time.  Things have changed; they can’t continue to set the country back in this 21^st century. For Nigeria to be a major player in the world economy, it must have stable democracy where all stakeholders should play by the rules of the game.

According to a publication by the Standard Chartered plc; a British Bank, on the February 13, 2011 predicted that Nigeria will lead Africa by 2013 as the continent’s biggest economy. The forecast came on a day the country’s external reserves dropped to $37.8bn, having lost close to $3bn, compared to the $40.30 billon it was at the end of April this year. Nigeria’s reserve position was $42.40 billion by the end of last year. That means Nigeria will overtake South Africa. This will be possible if the country maintain the status quo elements that drive and stimulate economy which includes, Stable power supply, good governance and most importantly; the stability of the country that will attract more investors to the economy. The country cannot afford to lose this opportunity. The federal government should maintain law and order in the country and revamp the educational system, also create employments for the jobless youths so as to reduce the youth’s restiveness.

As the country look forward for reforms in both leadership and policies; it is the duty of every Nigerian to see that the country move on to the next level of development in helping build a strong, reliable and a sustainable economy, where every Nigerian will hold their heads high and be proud to be a Nigerian. The time is now; all hands must be on deck!   

By; Lucas Anuforo