HALTING THE VITUPERATIONS OF BUHARIPHOBICS (3) 2015 ELECTION PREDICTIONS AND LESSONS FROM ABROAD (1) The year 2015 has been described in various ways an,d with several predictions to happen. These predictions are anchored on the forthcoming general elections in that year. Political analysts, civil societies and other key players in the political process have expressed concerns and portray the 2015 elections in different pictures. This is necessary in view of the critical role of election in democratic societies and Fox has rightly posited that elections are engine of democratic governance and the primary means of political representation. It has been speculated in some quarters that whichever way the presidency shifts, be it north or south, the election is capable of igniting the country and this may lead to the eventual split-up of the country. This may be true owing to several accusing fingers pointed at the GEJ for being tribalistic, sectarian and clannish. Ministers in the key sectors of the economy are from the South-south/ South-east geo-political divide, unabated spate of insecurity, high level of corruption etc. The same goes for GMB, whose critics believe has an Islamization agenda for nation. The aftermath of the elections will therefore make or mar the fortunes of the country. These predictions are not without orchestrated plans involving “some elements” in the International community. With the combined effects of the 2011 post-election violence, the greed for power along ethno-religious lines, the Terrorism financing, the ruling party unending attitude of rigging (the new approach being the militarization of elections and victimization of the opposition), the recent South Africa arm deals and the promise to make the country ungovernable coming from an ethnic group, then one tends to concur that truly the picture about the predictions are getting clearer. The only solution to avert the looming occurrence of the predictions is to have free, fair and credible elections like the June 12, 1993 elections. There is a popular belief that it is an arduous task to defeat an incumbent in a general election. This belief is true among African leaders. They are known as sit-tight leaders who find it hard to relinquish power to their successors. They tinker with the provisions of the law to stay in power for longer years and in some cases, they run a single-party system. You will recall that OBJ demanded for a third-term. Jomo Kenyatta was in office from 1963 till his death in 1978. His successor, Daniel Arap Moi ruled for twenty four years. President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has been in office since 1985. Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has been the president since the country’s independence in 1981. Muammmar Gaddafi ruled for forty years. The above is not to conclude that incumbents cannot be defeated in Africa although, the consequence of such defeat had always occasion wanton destruction of lives and property coming from the incumbent and his supporters. Three instances in this regard should suffice. To be continued! #Watchout_For_the_next_episode #The_Comrade_has_spoken NOTE: Ive decided to write short articles due to the unimpressive reading attitude among youth. Thus, the articles will remain in piecemeal for greater participation.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 04:26:07 +0000
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