IVORY COST ELECTION CRISIS, A LESSON TO NIGERIA

The 2011 general election in Nigeria is gradually coming in just a few months time. Necessary arrangements have been put in place by the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a free, fair and acceptable election. There is therefore need for all aspirants both at the federal and state levels to accept the results of the elections in good faith and not to get into power by all means.
The Election crisis in Ivory Coast signaled a warning to Nigeria, especially the INEC and aspirants who are contesting in the 2011general elections to let the development of the country be paramount in their mind and not to cause chaos through election rigging that could lead to underdevelopment of the country.
In Ivory Coast, the country referred to as the world biggest Cocoa producer, the crisis between the winner of the election, Mr. Alassane Ouattara and the constitutional Council proclaimed incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo, had led thousands of Ivorians, mostly women and children, to flee to neighboring Liberia and Guinea. The stalemate has also affected the economy of the country and its International relationship with foreign countries.
Fears are rising that the country may go into civil war as it did in 2002. Before the current crisis in the country, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has been assisting some 13,000 Ivorian refugees who fled the 2002 civil war in their country, while they remain in exile in Liberia, Guinea and Mali.
This crisis in the country shows how desperate African leaders are thirst of power and will always want to remain in power for a long period. Several West African Countries, including Nigeria Liberia, Benin, Cape Verde, Gambia and Niger, will hold elections next year. The crisis in Ivory Coast should however serve as a lesson to them, especially the contestants.
Therefore, there is need for Nigerian leaders to have an open mind and establish a transparent Platform or mechanism for continues dialogue discussion and negotiation so as to carry everybody along.
Nigerians are tired of campaign of calumny, fake promises, character assassinations, by our politicians, especially those that are desperate to be in power come next year. The expectations of Nigerians are for them to fulfill all their electoral campaign promises.
Nigeria should learn from Ghana and South Africa that conducted credible elections. Our leaders should be mindful of the need to sustain the unity of the country.
The Independent National Electoral Commission should create a level playing ground for all aspirants and should not allow itself to be influenced by Government or International bodies and stakeholders.
Our leaders should remember that what they do today, history will recall it tomorrow, just as the people remembers the likes of our founding fathers like, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa, Anthony Enahoro among others.

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The pre-occupation of the Nigerian government has been economic planning to achieve prosperity and quality, at the same time, the emphasis has been on food crops production, industry, transportation, education and health. A characteristic feature of this plan has been the almost dismal failure to alternate the condition of the vast majority of the population.
Various attempts were made to enhance national development and stability, with no real human involvement in the policy formulation. These were encapsulated in the development plans without considering the mechanism for their implementations. The first 1962 to 1968 second 1970 to 1974, third 1975 to 1980 and fourth 1981 to 1985. All these plans failed.
It then became apparent that despite the availability of human and material resources, the desired dream of development was not achieved hence, drastic economic measures, including the introduction of Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) but the measure did not bring the expected development. The introduction of the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) which was aimed at enhancing National development also achieved nothing.
There are some other problems responsible for the slow pace of development and political instability in the country, despite her huge natural and human resources. These ranges from lack of political will to implement policies to involving Nigerian Youths in policy formulation and implementation and over reliance on foreign ideas for national development.
Bad leadership, corruption emphasis on economic planning without systematic implementation of the plans and lack of involvement of vibrant youths have all contributed immensely to under development in the country.
However, Nigerian youths are looking for a fair and just participation and distribution of rewards and services within the Nigerian political system. It is when these demands are not met that they constitute themselves into nuisance and ready materials for desperate politicians to use in truncating the good ideas and concepts of national development.
Nigerian youths must be trained towards self reliance, well oriented towards Nigerian future, rather than immediate results of unplanned political adventure, called thuggery.
Therefore, the youths should constitute themselves into anti corruption crusaders, for national development. If this is done, the society, with lots of resources, will succeed in treating the problems of under development.
Nigeria has a potential to be a great nation but it would require the commitment of all citizens, tomorrow