Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - President Jonathan wins Nigeria Presidential election

May I congratulate the President for his victory. Most importantly, may I congratulate Nigerian electorates (of all the political parties) for participating enthusiastically in this very important democratic process. Special kudos are extended to the "youth corpers" for a job well done!

The country belongs to the citizens, not to any particular individual, political godfather, and party. After all, political parties are only groupings through which compatriots express their preferences at the poll. In the end, Nigerians are all one people (sharing a common desire to take care of their family and community within a stable nation-state).

Against the backdrop of my foregoing assumptions, I would suggest that the President and all elected officials practice the "philosophy of magnanimity" in victory. I refer to this philosophy in the Nigerian (and possibly African) context as the "Gowon Doctrine." The invention of such a "catchword" may be "sacrilegious" to some because of the inadequate leadership the country has produced so far.

Nevertheless, my suggestion of this "Doctrine" flows from how good I felt and perhaps other Nigerians, too, when General Gowon proclaimed at the end of the Civil War the dictum "No Victor-No Vanquished." And, at this juncture in African politics, very few Africans would refute the notion that our political elections are (anything short of) civil wars.

To this end, I would plead with Mr. President, elected Governors and other elected politicians to thank their supporters and those of the opposition; more importantly, they should extend an olive branch to their "defeated" opponents; in my opinion, it would take a collaborative effort of all (parties and interest groups) to govern this society effectively, and to move this promising county forward in this century.

I look forward to more peaceful elections to come!

In peace!

Ike Udogu
 

 

On 4/17/2011 6:03 PM, elombah daniel wrote:

President Jonathan wins Nigeria Presidential election @  http://www.elombah.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6267:president-jonathan-wins-nigeria-presidential-election&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=67

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