IT is interesting that Nigeria was one of the earliest voices that asked President Laurent Gbagbo to concede victory to Alassane Qattara after the contentious election in Cote d’Ivoire.

The dispute continues and the might of the international community is descending gradually on Gbagbo who the United Nations Security Council does not recognise as Ivorien leader. The European Union has imposed travel sanctions on him.

After smooth transition in neighbouring Ghana, where the parties in opposition have won elections after the other was in office for two terms, Africans were beginning to cherish the possibilities of political spaces for differing views.

Cote d’Ivoire has proven another draw back on that course. There will be no easy resolution of the leadership tussle. The longer it took Gbagbo to accept defeat, the more extraneous matters gained grounds.

In a continent where geography is not just locations and topography, but peoples and their origins, one of the strongest points Ivoriens opposed to Qattara use against him is that he is from Burkina Faso.

The number of years he has lived in Cote d’Ivoire and his contributions no longer account. If they knew he would win the election, the authorities would have used the law to stop him as they did for years.

Confusion is brewing. People are dying while the face off continues, another example of how African politicians cling to power at the expense of their people – their future and their lives.

Gbagbo knows he lost the election. His behaviour is typical. In Africa, politicians do not lose elections, someone out-rigs them.

As Nigeria prepares for elections next year, politicians should watch Cote d’Ivoire with more circumspection. The crass dash for power can leave Nigeria in the same position as Cote d’Ivoire is today. The only difference is that the consequent turmoil will be in manifolds.

Our politicians should curb their selfishness. The country is more important than they are whether individually or collectively. Efforts to win elections at all costs are undemocratic. They result in practices that limit the choices of the electorate and introduction of unhelpful issues like ethnicity and religion.

While Nigeria does not have citizenship squabbles in its elections, threats, intimidations, high costs of involvement in politics and the ceaseless impunity of elected officials tilt electoral contests in favour of the incumbent.

The coming elections will again test the resolve of politicians to save the country from post election trauma and lengthy litigations that have been witnessed in increasing measures since 1999.  Everyone involved in the process must help to save Nigeria from being in the unenviable position Cote d’Ivoire has found itself.