Ghana's Example, A Lesson for Nigeria

Nigerians, no doubt, watched neighboring Ghana's smooth hand over of power this week and many of us could not help but wonder if our beloved country will ever experience such order.

The significance of the Ghana elections is essentially in its conduct and the fact that the ruling party lost in the end.  Could anyone imagine a ruling party losing in Nigeria?  In 2007 and earlier, the ruling party had  come off with "landslide"  victories in Nigeria's elections.  NPN did it in 1983, Obasanjo's PDP did it in both 2003 and 2007.  It is anathema in Nigeria.  Being an opposition party is an execration, you are condemned to lose.  Evidently, Ghana sees things from a different perspective.

While not saying that Ghana's polls were completely free, it is doubly remarkable that despite Akufo-Addo's lead in the first poll, and the loss in the run-off he, as reports indicate, attended the presidential inauguration and watched as  Atta Mills was sworn in.  This act alone indicates a commendable level of statesmanship.   Nigerian politicians should learn from that.