Chinedu Akuta
6 July 2009
analysis
Leicester, United Kingdom — Nigeria and Iran have come to have one thing in common and that is, both countries have held controversial presidential election on the same date: June 12. Coincidentally, there are many common factors about the two elections and many lessons to be learnt.
Starting with Nigeria, her best presidential election since independence was held on June 12, 1993. It was the freest and fairest presidential election in the country. Cases of rigging, violence, or other forms of electoral malpractice were completely absent. Both local and international observers acknowledged that it was free and fair. It was different from previous ones.
Abiola won the presidential election but the military president at that time, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, annulled it.
Iran held its presidential election on June 12, 2009. The two main contestants were Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hossein Mousavi. The authorities in Iran declared Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner. But the electorate opposition leaders suspected electoral malpractices, which sparked off public demonstrations and riots. The police were consequently called in. As at the time of writing this article, more then 10 people have been reported dead in Iran.
Similar incident happened when the June 12, 1993 presidential election was cancelled in Nigeria. Nigerians protested the cancellation of the election. This development plunged the nation into a deep political crisis from which the country has not recovered.
The lesson to be learnt from the above scenario is the need to conduct free and fair elections. Nigerian leaders should ensure that the 2011 general election is transparent.
Nigerian leaders should conduct free and fair elections come 2011 and save Nigeria any trouble. Option A4 will prevent rigging and hence ensure transparency. Option A4 methods will bring credibility to our electoral system. Another lesson to learn from Iran is the need to respect people's right to demonstrate. Government needs to be sensitive and also listen to the masses. It is also more applicable to the Nigerian authorities. The opinions of the opposition parties must always be respected. Government officials must resist repression. Repression of people is never a part of democracy.
Governments need to be sincere in their dealings with the people. I am sure that Iranian authorities knew very well that the election was not free and fair. There is no smoke without fire. People cannot be protesting when there was no rigging. Nigerian leaders need to learn a big lesson here especially with 2011 elections around the corner. Nigeria has had enough electoral troubles. We need transparent elections. May God bless Nigeria.
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