A university don, Mr Hassan Suleiman, says the rancour-free conduct of the United States midterm elections holds useful lessons for Nigeria.
Suleiman,Acting Head, Department of Journalism and Media, Lagos State University (LASU), spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
The don said the exercise, in which the Democratic Party gained control of Congress from the Republican Party, was devoid of violence and post-election rancour.
The NAN reports that the election recorded historic firsts, including the election of Abdul El-Sayed as the first Muslim U.S. Senator in Michigan, James Talarico as the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in Texas since 1988, and Gina Hinojosa as the first Black woman governor of Texas.
Candidates across parties conceded defeat and congratulated winners.
Sulaiman said that the willingness of opponents to accept defeat and congratulate winners was a major lesson for Nigerian politicians ahead of future elections.
“Politics is a game, and every political actor must understand that winning and losing are part of the democratic process.
“Losing an election should not result in bitterness, hostility or attempts to undermine the system,” he said.
Suleiman urged Nigerian politicians to stop treating elections as do-or-die affair and embrace the spirit of sportsmanship.
He said democracy could not thrive in an atmosphere of rancour, bitterness and political hostility.
“Politicians should learn to congratulate their opponents when they win and maintain friendly relationships even when they belong to different political parties,” he said.
The don also advised political office holders to see public office as a call to service, not an avenue for personal enrichment.
“Those elected into public offices should justify the confidence reposed in them by delivering good governance, improving the welfare of citizens and fulfilling their campaign promises,” he said.
He said political power is transient, noting that leaders should demonstrate humility in office.
“Power ultimately belongs to God, who gives it to whoever He chooses.
“Therefore, politicians should not allow the pursuit of political positions to create unnecessary divisions, hatred and animosity among the people,” he said.
Suleiman urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to prioritise national development, peaceful coexistence and strengthening of democratic institutions.
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