The 2023 elections and the emergence of those elected, especially Mr President is one development on the country’s political scene that places it among the league of emerging democracies. The elections on the domestic scene equally have several implications for the country. The emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the President and Commander-in-Chief and Senator Kashim Shettima as the vice-president are, in particular, developments that have serious implications for the country. The fact that the electorate in the country made fundamental decisions that could alter the political direction of the country is equally of immense importance. Also of serious importance is the fact that the election of the duo could alter the political equation of the country. The election could place the country among the league of democratic nations. Equally significant is the the fact that the elections could be sources of inspiration to other countries in Africa. Nigeria for sometime now has been an example to most West Africa countries.
On the domestic scene, the 2023 elections clearly showed that elections could be held in Nigeria regardless of security challenges. As feared in many quarters, the country’s territorial integrity and commitment to workable democracy cannot be undermined by some. There is also the believe that all forms of political intrigue by some vested interest cannot undermine the leadership that emerged in the wake of recent election.
This however is not to say that the several separatist agitations should not be taken for granted. While one looks at the totality of National Security threats and the level of disaffection in the populace and the possibility of uprising by the populace as the result of the hardship being experienced by the incoming government should be mindful of issues that could impede its ability to smoothly take off. Many observers have also raised concern on the caliber of those who can assist the new leadership to take off. Many concerned observers are of the view that the new leadership should be allowed to choose those who can assist them successfully take off.
The other significant aspect of the 2023 elections is the fact that despite threats to truncate the elections, it was still held. Although there were minor hiccups in few places the elections were held in a relatively peaceful atmosphere. This is why many people have argued that Nigerians are interested in elections despite security challenges in many parts of the country.
Although the elections were generally peaceful, the possibility of some disgruntled persons unleashing disruptive activities should not be taken for granted. This underscores the importance of the government taking very critical look at the demands of the people and the level and sources of political disaffection in the country. The truth is, democracy in the country will be enhanced if the reasons for political apathy and grudges are identified and addressed.
Democracy in the country could be enhanced if the Tinubu government addresses the causes of political agitation in the country. There is the strong belief that democracy in Nigeria could be helped if the reasons that undermined free and fair elections in the past are promptly identified and dealt with. Equally important is giving key stakeholders in the conduct of elections the type of orientation they need to have that will support free and fair elections.
Relatedly, the expectation of majority of Nigerians is those who emerged victorious during the last elections will usher in good governance that will result in the citizenry benefiting from the dividends of democracy. The expectation of nearly all Nigerians in the wake of the last elections is, those who emerged victorious in the last elections have something to show in offices previously held and they should be able to replicate their past performance. This desire is critical because there is suppressed disaffection in the country. The fact is successive governments have not met the aspirations of most Nigerians. This is the reason the Tinubu government should give the interest of the citizenry a national priority.
The other critical implication of the 2023 elections is how the exercise has settled some disturbing developments in the polity. The elections have to some extent settled the raucous politics in parts of the country. It is hoped that politicians will learn to play politics according to the rules of the game. The political parties, the electoral managers and even the security agencies should learn from the many things that transpired during the elections. There were irregularities that were perpetuated by some electoral personnel and individuals. Those who conducted the elections need to sit up.
The other important fact about the country’s political situation that is not well appreciated and is very often suppressed is politics in the country is still substantively about the interest of the rich and powerful. The point widely held is those aspiring to leadership in the unfolding dispensation see politics as a game and preoccupation of only the rich. The 2023 elections have not changed this perception that politics is about the interest of the powerful and those who can afford it. This is the reason many in the country believe that the 2023 elections have not substantially changed the state of things. Without the change envisaged, politics in the country has substantially remained the exclusive preserve of the rich and powerful. Although not openly admitted, the elections in 2023 was in some areas characterised by sundry malpractices and irregularities. In some cases, the elections were overtly manipulated by some powerful interest. Some in government were responsible for manipulating the election. This is the reason the government and the security forces need to be neutral in all elections. It was evident that the exercise was in some areas characterised by malfunction of electoral equipment and misconduct of some electoral personnel. Some of the hitches witnessed were avoidable. The advise is all those to be involved in future elections should prepare early. The conduct of some, unscrupulous electoral personnel clearly left much to be desired. All those to participate in future election should also be thoroughly veiled.
Closely related to the expectation of the electorate is that those who emerged victorious especially in the positions of the president, governors and other higher positions of leadership must pursue issues beyond selfish and narrow interests. Nigerians across board are praying that all parts of the country will witness the type of development achieved in Lagos, Rivers and Borno states. The country definitely cannot afford the stagnation most parts of the country have been subjected to in previous years.
Finally, the success of the 2023 elections has been a source of inspiration to neighbouring countries. The elections are one thing that will have bandwagon effect on some neighbouring countries. Despite isolated hitches, the country has done well by peacefully transiting to democratically elected government. Closely related to the issue of accountability and positively impacting the lives of the citizenry is judiciously making use of all resources voted for the welfare of the citizenry. Those recently elected in the country at all levels of government will definitely endear themselves to the citizenry if all that is provided for the wellbeing of the people are judiciously utilised. This responsibility should be across board and should be a cardinal responsibility of all in the position of leadership in the unfolding political dispensation. The new leaders must convince the citizenry that their expectations and trust are not misplaced.
Equally important is the fact that the ability of emerging political leadership to tackle the security challenges that have besieged the country in the last one decade are critical responsibilities they should take seriously. The ability of the new leaders will endear them to the citizenry if they can mobilise all at their disposal to tackle the challenges of insurgency, armed banditry, hostage taking and kidnapping that have besieged almost all parts of the country. The leadership at all levels should ensure that security is mobilised to deal with all forms of security challenges. The truth is there is not much that those who emerged victorious after the elections could do if the security apparatus is not well equipped and mobilised to tackle the security challenges that have bedeviled the nation in the last one decade.
Gadzama OFR. Mni is
Chairman, Board,
National Institute for Security Studies, Abuja
