AFTER the 2012 elections in the United States of America, our politicians bickered over the conduct of American politicians. They accused each other of not following the American tradition of accepting defeat and congratulating the winner.

“The swift manner of congratulations and the graceful conduct of the defeated candidate is a shining example of patriotism and submission to the overall will of the people,” Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said in a statement that recommended similar conduct to the opposition.

Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, now the All Progressives Congress, APC, in separate statements hit back. “There is no lesson to learn except that if elections are free and fair, the losers will be willing to congratulate the winner,” ACN said.

“Indeed, if elections are fair, we shall imbibe the culture of congratulating winners immediately. Can PDP really learn from this?,” CPC asked.
“President Jonathan also hopes that the millions of people across the world, especially those in developing nations who watched the beauty and strength of democracy unfold in the United States presidential elections will come to a greater and better appreciation of democracy as the key to building peaceful, stable and progressive societies,” a presidential statement enthused.

Nigeria passed the “congratulations” threshold last year with the sterling example of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, who, on losing election as incumbent governor, congratulated Peter Fayose on losing the election. His momentous speech in which he referred to Fayose as his brother, and the speed with which they met to commence the transition to another government, are examples we recommend to politicians in the coming elections.

We should not waste the Fayemi example which many admit saved Ekiti State from the type of violence that many dread as we approach next month’s elections. The plaudits awarded the US elections may not be more than a routine of governments and political parties issuing statements to leverage relevance from global matters. We have a home grown example with attributes that address our fears about post-election violence.

American politicians, who we tend to use as examples, understand the importance of the security and welfare of the people. They are the main issues they canvass in their campaigns. Are American politicians perfect? They would be worse than Nigerians, if their laws did not protect their society. American politicians are human with all the foibles, but they strive for a humane society. Our politicians are mostly concerned about power for themselves.

They exhibit their greed in expectations that once opponents concede elections; Nigerian democracy would have attained similar ranking with America’s. They never notice that American governance centre on people’s well-being.