30 October 2008
opinion
Lagos — The need for Nigeria to learn from the current transition programme in the United States of America, was the highpoint at a recent luncheon held in Lagos in honour of the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Robin Sanders. Omololu Ogunmade, who was at the event, enumerates the lessons identified by participants
With less than one week to the November 4 presidential election of the United States, Nigerians have been reflecting on the possible lessons that can be drawn from the ongoing US electioneering campaign. Most challenging to keen watchers of the event in Nigeria is the perceived cultured and civilized way the US has so far pursued the process.
Both the Democratic Party's candidate, Mr. Barack Obama and his Republican counterpart, John Mccain, have run shoulder to shoulder in the keenly contested process, prompting curious Nigerians to watch the scenario with nolstagic feelings.
It is against this background that a group of Nigerians gathered in Ikoyi recently, to rub minds on the possible lessons that can be learnt from the US electioneering campaign and how such lessons can aptly be incorporated into the seemingly Nigeria's pseudo democratic system.
With the theme: "United States Presidential Election System - Lessons for Nigeria," the event was organized by the United States International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) Alumni Association in Lagos and chaired by former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during the 2007 election, Professor Pat Utomi. The event was packaged in honour of the new US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Robin Renee Sanders. The ambassador was, however, conspicuously absent at the occasion.
The event was graced by the governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel as well as the representative of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State, Mr Afolabi Kofo-Abayomi and former Director-General of the Nigeria Institute for International Affairs (NIIA) and former Nigeria's Ambassador to the United States, Dr. George Obiozor.
In his address, Daniel hailed the event and its organizers, saying there couldn't have been a better time to hold such an epoch programme adding that proceeds from the exercise would assist Nigeria in developing its policies and programmes. He also described the event as a noble enterprise which, according to him, would go a long way in helping Nigeria to build on its strength and as well assist the country in observing laws in "our electoral system." Daniel expressed optimism that the bye-product of the event would foster a better relationship between Nigeria and the United States.
Fashola, in his address, commended organizers of the programme, noting that Sanders, in whose honour the event was held, has been pragramatic in her approach to issues, since she assumed duties as US Ambassador to Nigeria. He expressed hopes that the event would strengthen relations between Lagos and the US, adding that the theme is apt and timely, bearing in mind that Nigerian democracy is patterned after that of the United States.
"We have a lot to share and learn from the US. For over two centuries, the US has been an inspiration to us in this part of the world. US gives values to its citizens. Our bi-cameral legislature is modelled after that of the US. The outcome of this forthcoming election will be a watershed," Fashola remarked.
He also thanked the US government for all its numerous support to Nigeria, recalling that it has not only been supportive to the Nigerian system, but also provides incentives to non governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil groups in the country, adding that there is a large range of American investments in Lagos, which he described as the gateway to Africa.
Also speaking at the occasion, US Consulate General to Nigeria, Donna M. Blair, said the essence of the event was to provide an avenue to rub minds, gain new ideas which, she reasoned, could bring great hopes to Nigeria and likewise strengthen its infrastructural base. She informed the gathering that the US was expected to hold a peaceful, transparent free and fair election, which she boasted would culminate in a smooth transition in the end.
The peaceful conduct of election in the US, as well as the aftermath smooth transition, she observed, would be beneficial to other countries of the world and simultaneously promote stability in such countries. Blair did not mince words to challenge Nigerians that the Unites States was looking forward to the existence of a truly independent electoral commission in Nigeria, disclosing that it is also prepared to provide trainings to relevant institutions in the country such as the National Assembly.
While delivering her address at the occasion, Princess Sarah Suinner, President of IVLP, organizers of the programme, intimated the audience with the agenda of the organization.
According to her, the creation of IVLP was geared towards achieving foreign policy goals, explaining that the US believes firmly in investing in people globally, promoting the acquisition of international knowledge and guaranteeing a lasting relationship with foreign countries.
She argued that the adoption of IVLP by the US, convinces all and sundry that the United States has reasoned far beyond the parochial racial discrimination, a development which she said is further buttressed by its current move to crown a black man, Obama, as the world's most powerful citizen. She advised Nigerian leaders to emulate America by investing in people.
Earlier, Suinner described the IVLP as an American initiative, aimed at enhancing an exchange programme for professionals in other countries of the world. She stated that beneficiaries of this programme, which included former British Minister, Tony Blair, Ghanaian President, John Kuffour, Isreali Prime Minister, Ehud Omert, among others, have maximized the opportunity presented by the agenda to learn about cultural, political and socio-economic diversity of the United States.
This, she added, has strengthened foreign relations between the US and other countries of the world. She also disclosed that no fewer than 2,000 professionals from Nigeria have benefited from this important programme.
Chairman of the event, Utomi, however, reasoned that the ongoing electioneering campaign in the US has caught the imagination of the entire world, regretting that here in Nigeria, "we are struggling to build a democracy." Utomi remarked that the principle of accountability is highly effective in the US, a development which he lamented, is alien to Nigeria's system. He recalled that in the US, citizens reserve the right to hold their representatives accountable for all their deeds either positive or negative.
Utomi insisted that until Nigerians understand the weapon of accountability, hopes of a meaningful democratic practice will continue to elude Nigeria. He revealed that elected representatives in the country are not accountable to the people because they do not feel they possess a sense of responsibility to the people who elected them into their various offices, but rather to some powerful elements, who fielded them, a situation which he stated was a sheer negation of the wishes of the people.
He disclosed that service is all about interest, emphasizing that Nigerian politicians have found no reason to serve the interest of the people. He contrasted the US with Nigeria, affirming that the former is committed to the wellbeing of its people, an act which he said Nigerians must emulate and inculcate into its system.
He noted for instance, that the National Assembly in Nigeria, secures more resources than states, which he viewed as an aberration and charged Nigerian politicians to learn from the way Obama and Mccain respond to issues in the ongoing campaign, which he said was encapsulated in one factor - it is the people that count in democracy.
"No matter what, our voices should be heard. Unless we emulate the way the US handles its electoral processes, Nigeria 'll for long, remain behind," Utomi predicted.
At this juncture, the entire hall was silent. The event had climaxed as the guest speaker at the occasion, Professor Bola Akinteriwa, mounted the platform, to deliver his lecture on the lessons posed to Nigeria by the current electioneering system in the US.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
