By Wole Oladipo
There were three categories of dramatis-personae at the collation center for the just concluded presidential election in Abuja- PDP/LP, BABA OBASANJO and the INEC.
The PDP/LP, coming together to walk out at the collation center was, for me, too late- they should have worked together, before the presidential election, as a formidable opposition team. But for Ego, Greediness, Self-interest, ethno-religious sentiment, etc.
At the 2019 general elections, Peter Obi was the vice presidential candidate to Atiku- the same feat ought to have been repeated in 2023!
Secondly, the statesmanship of Baba Obasanjo was slightly bruised by his endorsement of a presidential candidate, hence, Baba’s submission after the elections seemed to be tainted with bias.
Lastly, the INEC gave room for suspicion of collusion, since, before the elections, the issue of electronic transmission of results had been a bone of contention between the ruling party, APC, and the opposition, PDP, with several assurances of its usage from INEC- but for the process to be aborted at the midstream, gave room for suspicion, having successfully used the method elsewhere, like Ekiti and Osun elections.
THE REMEDIAL LESSONS- Since litigation issues arising from the presidential elections are already in court, therefore, if the opposition parties are desirous and genuinely interested in dislodging the ruling party, they need to learn how to do the needful by allowing collective interests override ego, greed and self-interests.
Baba Obasanjo needs to sheathe the sword of political partisanship for statesmanship by resisting having a favourite political contestant or candidate, at any level, for meaningful interpretations of his actions, thereafter!
Lastly, INEC should have, immediately after discovering the anomalies, alerted all the political parties, other stakeholders, and the general public. While, punitive actions should have, immediately been meted against all the culprits- as being done in saner climes, and as assurances of INEC seriousness, non-partisanship, or collusion, instead of first playing the ostrich, in denial of the enviously important issues.
WE LEARN EVERYDAY, INDEED!
