Elections

By Muhammadu Sabiu In a remarkable display of security preparedness, armed personnel have implemented stringent security measures along the path leading to the presidential election petition court in Abuja. 

This heightened security presence is in anticipation of the crucial judgement scheduled for Wednesday, which will decide the fate of election petitions lodged by opposition candidates. 

An extensive security protocol is visibly in effect, featuring three distinct checkpoints spanning the route from the Ministry of Finance Headquarters to the court’s entrance. 

At each checkpoint, individuals, including lawyers, party representatives, staff, and accredited journalists, undergo thorough verification procedures before gaining access.

Following this initial screening, cleared individuals proceed to undergo comprehensive searches to ensure no prohibited items enter the court premises. Inside the court compound, security personnel are diligently scanning strategic locations for potential explosive devices and other dangerous weapons. 

This enhanced security posture underscores the authorities’ unwavering commitment to maintaining a secure environment during this critical phase of the election petition proceedings. 

Presently, access to the courtroom itself is highly restricted, emphasising the gravity and sensitivity of the impending judgment. The presidential election petition court is poised to deliver its verdict on Wednesday, focusing on petitions filed by prominent presidential candidates. 

Among them are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, representing the Peoples Democratic Party, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, both challenging President Bola Tinubu’s election.

The nation is anxiously awaiting the outcome of this judgement. With these extensive security measures in place, it is evident that the authorities are sparing no effort to ensure a peaceful and secure environment as Nigeria anticipates the pivotal verdict in this high-stakes legal battle.

By Hussaini Hussaini

Like any other election, the NBA Elections, 2022 has come and gone with winners and runner-ups (not losers). But, of course, not without some cries.

In every contest, it is incumbent that one contestant must be the victor, and the other will lose that opportunity to be in the winner’s position. It is painful to lose in a sports competition, literally being a contest for gold, silver, and bronze. Hence, the word “sportsmanship” explains the endurance required of a loser in a sports competition.

However, it is different when it comes to a leadership contest in which a person who believes in his capacity to serve certain people or organizations presents himself for election. On the one hand, their election ought to be defined as a win for the organization that now has a servant. But, on the other hand, defeating his co-contestants ought to be described as a relief for those contestants from the burden of service.

Defeat in an election is another opportunity for a defeated contestant to rethink his manifesto and plans for his constituents if he genuinely means service to them. It is also an opportunity to rebuild their personal relationship with voters.

A candidate in an election is presumed to have vied for that office out of love for his constituents. This, therefore, presupposes that the said candidate respects those he is presumed to love and their choices because the election itself determines the choice of those constituents.

An election is not a do-or-die affair. Any candidate who takes it otherwise and creates animosity before or after an election will never make a good leader. This is a religious injunction in my faith of Islam. I have seen similar biblical rulings like Proverbs 28:25, which states: “The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.”

NBADECIDES2022 was an election for the leadership of the noblest profession in Nigeria. But, unfortunately, within less than 24 hours of the conduct/declaration of the results, several, apparently sponsored, persons or those crying more than the bereaved were seen maligning the candidates-elect and the ECNBA, the electoral umpire.

Having said the above, conceding an apparent defeat in an election by a candidate does not depict the candidate as weak. On the contrary, it simply presents the candidate as a hero who meant his words by respecting the choice of the people he sought to lead. The example of former President Jonathan is not far away, and the sad contrary situation could be seen in Ivory Coast.

In short, the fruit of conceding an apparent defeat may provide several opportunities and consideration to a runner-up candidate over and above what his election would have otherwise provided.

I hope this piece will be found worthy.

Hussaini can be reached via hussaini4good@gmail.com.