Wilson Idahosa Aiwuyor
"This (democratic) change would be reinforced by a renewed sense of optimism and confidence, among Nigerians, in the possibility of realizing a better Nigeria through a people-centered participatory democracy. This may not be easy to come by, but patriotic Nigerians will be more than ever willing to transform their optimism into reality and reclaim the country from the stranglehold of those politicians and remnants of the military era who have held the country hostage for so long. This change could usher in a new generation of leaders and technocrats who have a better understanding of how to prioritize the welfare of the people and reposition Nigeria in the global arena in the 21st century." – The Impending Democratic revolution in Nigeria.
The quote above is an excerpt from
my article, “The
Impending Democratic Revolution in Nigeria” written in 2010. Between 2010
and now there have been series of events that cast doubts at the possibility
for democratic revolution in Nigeria. However, amid the ugly news of Boko Haram
serial bombings, kleptocracy, and the many hardships facing millions of
Nigerians, the July 14, 2012 free and fair election which consolidates the
shift in political paradigm in Edo State is a silver lining in the sky.
Confronting
Tribal Politics and Political Godfatherism
Prior to the election, it was
reported that Tony Anenih, Nigeria’s former minister of Works and Housing and
former national chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, had handpicked Maj. Gen.
Charles Airhiavbere as the party’s candidate. Anenih’s main aim was to exploit
tribal divides in order to maintain his influence as a political
godfather/kingmaker in the state. It’s no news that Anenih is a high priest of the
political cabal that has held Nigeria hostage for a long time. His likes have
established themselves as political godfathers by whipping up tribal/ethnic
sentiments among ordinary folks. They are ever gung-ho on using their protégés
to maintain stranglehold on national and local politics. Anenih’s choice of
Airhiavbere as the PDP gubernatorial candidate was thus an attempt to continue
the tradition of political godfatherism and exploitation of tribal sentiments.
Airhiavbere being Bini (Edo), the major tribal group which constitutes 55% of
Edo State’s population, Anenih’s calculation was that the Binis would vote
along tribal lines against Oshiomhole who hails from one of the state’s tribal
minority groups.
Anenih’s manipulation was defeated
as Oshiomhole won overwhelmingly not just in his own “tribal constituency” but
also in Arhiavbere’s. The official election result shows that Governor Oshiomhole
won in all18 local government areas of the state and received 73% of total vote
cast. This defeat not only reinforces the belief that ordinary Nigerians can
effect revolutionary changes through democratic means, it turns tribal politics
and political godfatherism on their heads.
A
Shift in Paradigm through Democratic Means
Prior to the elections, there were what
seemed to be political killings, intimidations, and all sorts of activities
that had threatened to derail the democratic process in the state. These
activities were similar to those of the 2007 elections, in which the PDP candidate
Oserhiemen Osunbor was initially declared winner, but was eventually defeated
in court in 2008 after it was proved that the PDP engaged in massive electoral
malpractices.
Over the past four years, Governor Adams
Oshiomhole has proved his ability to contribute to the transformation of the
state. He has constructed roads, confronted erosion problems, built schools,
and displayed a considerable level of accountability – feats that the PDP could
not achieve in the previous 9 years. The governor’s accomplishments have endeared
him to the people of the state, and have won him the appellation, “Oshio Baba.”
The PDP and their political godfathers saw the love affair between the governor
and the people as a threat to their political stranglehold on the State. As a
result, they declared that the July 14 elections must be won by every means
necessary. But ordinary folks who are bent
on shifting the political paradigm defeated the political machine of the
infamous PDP heavyweights.
This defeat of the seemingly PDP in
Edo State in free and fair elections is
nothing short of a democratic revolution - a consolidated shift in paradigm
through democratic means. It is now up to the people to jealously guide their
democratic gains. They must understand that there is hardly any political
messiah. They must make sure that Governor Oshiomhole does not derail from the high
standard of transparency, accountability, and good governance which he displayed
in his first term – a successful model of democratic revolution in Edo State
has potential national implications.
Whither Nigeria’s
Democratic Revolution?
In tandem with the views I had
expressed in “The
Impending Democratic Revolution in Nigeria,” what we see in Edo State is a
display of optimism, resolute, and confidence by ordinary citizens who believe that
they can revolutionize governance through their votes. This is a silver lining
in a turbulent political environment; a microcosm of what is possible across
the country.
Indeed the political change in
Edo State is a strong indication that despite all the troubles that Nigeria
faces; despite the understandable pessimism expressed by many Nigerians and the
frustrations that have informed the call for bloody revolution in the country, a
democratic revolution capable of setting the country on a better path is still
possible. This democratic revolution is staring at us.
