Why Politicians Must Accept Defeat In Good Faith

Why Politicians Must Accept Defeat In Good Faith

Ekene Maduagwuna

Llb. Part V, 2003/2004 Session, Delsu, Faculty Of Law,

Oleh Campus, Oleh

Introspective political overview clearly unfolds the “Never give up” attitude usually associated with politicians to either retain their position or aspire with dire despiration to take hold of the political landscape. This attitude is not peculiar to Nigeria alone, as recent history has pointed indicting fingers on African countries, particularly the Eastern African and central African Republic.

Politics as defined by the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (New Edition) states as follows: “The ideas and activities that are concerned with the gaining and using of power in a country, city e.t.c.”. This definition elucidates the grasp of power by individuals in a state.

It is no longer news that elections are characterized with irregularities all over the world. The presidential election in America some years ago (Nov. 7^th 2000) was epitomized with irregularities. This goes to show that every system is prone to election malpratice. Suffice to say however that as long as we have different shades of personality participating in any election process, chances are ripe for irregularities to exist. That is why the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in its section 184 (a) (1) set the ball rolling to address such irregularities, thus empowering the National Assembly to enact laws that would accommodate aggrieved parties. Today, we have the Electoral Act, No. 108 of 2002, which is the current regulator of the electoral process in Nigeria.

Election in its true sense is a process of voting. Al-Gore, American Vice President as he then was stated as follows “A vote is a human voice, a statement of human principle and we must not let those voices be silenced…”.It is factual to state that most of our human voices have persistently been silenced. It’s quite unfortunate that free and fair election has been relegated to the back ground. This is not just done by the ruling party, though theirs is at it’s height, but recent trend reveals that almost all political parties are involved in one act or the other which is antithetical to free and fair election. In Nwachukwu V. Eneogwe (1994) 4 NWLR (pt. 600) 629 @ 635 para. It was observed that “Free and Fair election cannot tolerate thuggery or violence of any kind, corrupt practices, impersonation, threatening and intimidation”. Suffice to say however that these ugly trend exist amongst all political parties, thus overheating the polity as a result of their loss, thereby embracing other acts to seek justice rather than resort to the courts.

Looking at the just concluded 2003 General Elections, one is forced to state that the rigging wind blew through all the political parties as they all had strategies which were anti-free and fair. It is however unfortunate that these same parties that have been involved in rigging but could not succeed are now calling for the electoral head of those who probably had more rigging prowess. In Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party has celebrated itself as the largest party in Africa. I dare to say that it is also the largest party with the largest skill of rigging or to be polite with words, it is the party that is more skilled in doctoring election results. This may be due to their enormous consolidation of power as other political parties might have won similar awards if in same position with the P.D.P. Many opposition parties point accusing fingers on the P.D.P. (Peoples Democratic Party) as though they themselves are political angels sent to salvage Nigeria. It is even saddening when viewed from the angle of hitherto political affinity which existed between the P.D.P. and the so called opposition. Most opposition groups were members of the ruling party. They rigged while they were still members and of course benefited from the harvest of rigging, but due to fall out in allocation from a rigged mandate which is orchestrated by greed, they pull out and join or even lead an opposition with the same rigging skills they have acquired from the ruling party. These skills are put to work in the new party, but due to the fact that a father will always outsmart his son, the opposition parties begin to hail brimstone and fire on the polity, thus almost taking us to the dangerous level of political catacum.

In the case of Ume V. Eneli (1999) 4 NWLR pt 600 @ pg 680-681, Justice pats – Acholonu JCA stated as follows:

“It is most unfortunate, that our people have now formed the ungainly habit of rushing to the court when they are defeated in an election contest. In many cases the parties indulge in rigging, but one who is out-rigged challenges the result of the election. In accusing the other and his minors of distortions he forgets to remove the beam in his eyes”

This judicial acclamation clearly elucidates the points made above, thus political parties must always concede defeat save for a situation where you never rigged, even in the slightest form and you must vent your grievance only through the law courts and not through other means of political instigation. In the case of Okoriji V. Ngwu (1992) 9 NWLR pt 263 p.113 @ 128 it was observed per Ndim Egbo (JCA) that

“It now appears as a matter of general knowledge that defeated candidates in some elections are unwilling to concede defeat. They take the opportunity even on sliding stones to fight on until they drown…”.

Politicians and their parties must accept defeat in good faith, so that our polity is not overheated. Nigeria presently is in dire need of a credible opposition devoid of those who have shared from the largees of the ruling party. As long as we are in want of this credible opposition, the ruling party will always have their way having in mind that even the so called present opposition are their students and they have at a time dinned and wined on the loot of political rigging.

I challenge credible Nigerians who have not been infested with the rigging virus to form parties with members devoid of any rigging coloration and in the near future such parties would be identified with. This was the ideology of those who sacrificed for the emergence of a new and great America which is now a world envy. It may take some time, but like Martin Luther espoused, “Truth crushed to earth will rise again, no lie will live forever.”

Nigerians should also give in to prayer and fasting for the glory of this country to be reflective, within and outside the country.

While politicians have no choice but to accept defeat in the overall interest of our polity, it must be stated that power is transcient, it may take many years before its evolution unfolds, but it must certainly unfold into a new political order. I long for that political order and I know it will come someday. It may take some 20years to unfold ,but it will sure unfold and when it does unfold ,our country Nigeria will soar on the threshold of political success.

MADUAGWUNA EKENE

LLB. Part V, 2003/2004 Session,

DELSU, Oleh Campus, Oleh.

ekenemadu@yahoo.com