EDITORIAL: The Morning After

 

A dramatic weekend full of twists, turns and intriguing sub-plots has peacefully come to an end. An anticlimax in a way it has confounded the doomsday scenario.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deservedly got a pass mark from observers. We had a few glitches here and there but the improvement in logistics coordination was significant most importantly, the BIVAS worked. The application of technology is limiting the space for the miscreants and political merchants specialising in ballot box snatching, gangsterism and so forth. The area of introspection centers on whether the efficacy can be maintained when it is simultaneously in 36 states and the federal capital territory in a general election. There is still a lot of fine-tuning to be done. And in a nationwide election, the undermanned security agencies will be stretched.

The President of the country, Muhammadu Buhari, reflecting the spirit of democracy has swiftly congratulated the winner and so do we.

The spirit of democracy must be entrenched and there is no dissent in the acclamation that the election represents the expressed wish of the people of the State of Osun State.  It is time to move on.

This also presents an opportunity to make the case for a transition law at all levels. Ghana, South Africa, Mexico, the United States, amongst others all have admirable transition laws and processes which kicks in immediately after the declaration of the results by the electoral umpire even if the loser mounts a legal challenge. 

A process guided by a transition law is important if the winner is to ‘ ‘hit the ground running’. In the absence of such, the first few months in office effectively becomes the transition process with the newly inaugurated office holder losing momentum. Disillusionment as a result begins to set in in what should be a ‘honeymoon ‘ period. It is of the utmost importance to consider this proposal. 

For the State of Osun and all the sub-nationals, the prospects are daunting and difficult decisions will have to be taken. It behooves the incoming governor to work out a democratic agreement with all the stakeholders in both civil and political society to carry everybody along. We pray that it all goes well for social cohesion is vital in this difficult period.

As the beneficiary of the failure of party management in Osun State we wish the incoming governor well, ironically his much admired older brother one time Governor Isiaka Adeleke was in the progressive camp. nevertheless this is a time for reflection and rebuilding in the progressive camp.

Progressive politics, ethos, mores and direction in Yorubaland has since the time of the foundation of the Egbe Omo Oduduwa through to the Action Group, UPN and so forth,  been interwoven on community values and inclusiveness. A political party even in a one party state inevitably has factions and tendencies. The key point is always to emphasise inclusiveness. The politics of exclusion played by  intoxicated temporary sojourners cost the progressive camp the election. Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka alluded to this fact at the weekend. Jettisoning the long established operating system of the ‘Big Tent’ is why there is now going to be a PDP government in the state of Osun.

Putting the avoidable  electoral debacle behind us the APC in Osun must now be rebuilt from the base as rejuvenated progress working for the interests of the overwhelming majority and not just a few. The rebuilding must be anchored on INCLUSIVENESS, equity, and justice for all. This is a temporary set back it also presents an opportunity to rebuild in which those with the core progressive values must reclaim the party and be at the helm of affairs. The work must commence immediately.