Cosmas Ekpunobi
6 November 2008
Abuja — Senators in what looked like self confession yesterday said the election of Senator Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America (USA) was a clear indication that more needed to be done to strengthen Nigeria 's electoral process.
Legislative activities were suspended yesterday in the senate as senators spoke glowingly of the election of Obama which they described as fusion of black and white and possible end to racism in the world,
Senate President David Mark and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, at the special session for Obama yesterday, however, said the way forward was for losers in election to accept defeat rather than embark in a legal tussle that over drag.
They said the lesson for Nigerians from the election of Obama last Tuesday night was that politics should not be a do-or-die affair and that merit and not sentiment should be the guiding principle in the choice of candidates.
Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and Patrick Osakwe, in their separate submissions, said Nigeria should first dump the idea of "compromise" candidate for election and give a level-playing ground for the contestants.
The senate at the session, however, resolved to send a letter of congratulations to Obama and the people of America for the historical victory
The resolution followed a motion by Senator Ayo Arise and more than 20 others who said that the election of Obama would bring about the desired peace in the world .
Ekweremadu in his contribution said: "for the first time in human history, the whole world erupted into jubilation because of the election of Obama. We have come to a point when colour does not matter and the election of Obama was a strong statement by Americans to that effect."
Senator Ndoma-Egba said: "the election of Obama has changed the world in a more refreshing manner and with his election, the world can no longer be the same."
As he put it: "we, Nigeria should say no to compromised candidate for election. Election and nomination of person for election should be by merit and not sentiment. One lesson is that our political culture should shift to allow merit and level playing-ground."
Senator Bukar Ibrahim and Adamu Bello in their submissions, said the only way to develop democracy in Nigeria was to conduct free and fair election.
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