6 January 2009
Following Ghana's last weekend election result announcement, Presidential candidate in the 2007 elections and opposition leader, Prof Pat Utomi while congratulating the people of Ghana and her electoral institution, suggests Nigeria may need technical assistance from the Ghanaian electoral commission.
"I would like to congratulate the Ghanaian people for doing Africa proud by holding credible and fair elections that would help in removing the shame that has been elections in Africa recently."
"As I also congratulate the electoral commission in Ghana for having more than a thing or two to teach their counterparts elsewhere in Africa, especially in Nigeria, I do hope it will not be considered uncharitable to suggest that we may need technical assistance from the Ghanaian Electoral Commission."
"We also hope that whoever is considering the Electoral Reform Committee's report should pay attention to what has happened in Ghana to see what they can learn from it."
"As it is pertinent to note that democracy has finally arrived in Ghana by the fact of change from one political party to the other each election cycle, it helps us with a very important understanding of the nature of multi-party democracy, which is that possibilities are embedded in the nature of the process."
"One of the great lessons of multi-party politics and democratic process is that sometimes, even when an incumbent party is doing well, change may be necessary as this would prevent absolute power from resting in any group because the group may become insensitive to the people."
"As Lord Acton says, I have said often, power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely, but that even more importantly, prolonged absolute power makes mad."
"This is why democracy gives people the opportunity to change governments after a while even if nothing terrible has happened to the government just to ensure those in power know that the people are sovereign and power must be responsive to the people."
"When Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, the PDP Chairman said they would be in power for Sixty years, I did not bother to join the list of those criticizing him because though it was a natural thing to say, it was a comment showing of lack of sophistication and an understanding that democracy of its own tries to change prolonged absolute power."
"I therefore call on all patriotic people of goodwill to join in congratulation the Ghanaian people who show great wisdom in changing leadership from time to time from party to party, as they help expose the retrogression inherent this kind of approach."
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What do we need their help for? The truth here is Nigerians like to trivialise their capability and fail to recognise their own strength. We must congratulate Ghana for a world acclaimed free and fair election. As to their help the answer is No!No!!No!!!. What works in Ghana has never worked in Nigeria also will this theory. Nigerian are never committed to their own things. They don't want to strive to achieve they only prefare ready made things that's why we've been failing in many noble initiatives. We had the grace to conduct a free and fare election long before now in June, 12 what did we do with it? We squandered the opportunity, now when others who prefare to do good and be patriotic are benefiting our roving greedy eyes now likes it. Remember that it has ever been like this that whatsoever thou soweth that youll reap. What a shame to a shameless people who lust after greedy money and corrupt wealth. Do a rethink and trace back where you went wrong my dear Nation there lays your solution. Not looking to countries that ideologically hates Nigeria even inspite of our charity and good neighbourliness to them. Countries such as Ghana, Cameroon and Cote d'voire are in this ingrate categories of culprits.