Keeping a Dream Bigger Than Us All -By Pastor Taiwo Odukoya

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. (1 Corinthians 13:11)

As Nigerians and the rest of the world wait for the announcement of the results of Saturday’s presidential elections, it is important we understand that this is not a zero-sum game. Regardless of the outcome of the elections, there are no losers. It is a victory for democracy and a victory for us all if the will of the people prevail.

Those who have put themselves up for public office in engagement of the democratic process are applauded. There are people from the North to the South who have gone out to vote for you because they believe in you. That is a victory in itself. What we must do now is follow the spirit of the democratic process to the end as we receive the results.

The words of Senator John McCain, in conceding victory to Barack Obama in the contentious 2008 American elections are worthy of note here: “I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences, and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.” McCain’s speech, acknowledged by pundits for its grace is one worthy of emulation in regions where the wrong reaction to election results could mean the lives of many.

A 2005 study by Chaturvedi and Mukherji concludes that developing countries tend to see more election-time violence. And the death of thousands in Kenya (2007), Cote d’ivoire (2010) and Nigeria (2011) clearly attests to this and the reasons for this are wide-ranging from high indebtedness in the course of running a campaign, etc. but be that as it may, Nigeria, in its 16th year as a democracy, has come a long way.

Too much has gone into holding this country together. Millions died in the civil war, thousands more died fighting for democracy, there are 60% desperately poor people, children and generations yet unborn deserving of a worthy future in a worthy land. Nigeria is bigger than the ambitions of any one man, and the succeeding hours and days will test our maturity and resolve to deliver a better country for our children. There must be no bloodshed.

Whoever wins, whoever loses, whatever grievances may result, we must demonstrate our maturity and commitment to the democratic process by following the rule of law and resorting to the judiciary in any event. Nigerians must realize that the fact that their candidate did not win does not equal the death of their tribe, religion, or ideology. We should be gallant losers and generous victors. What we should be ready to do is throw our weight behind whoever wins. This includes full frontal support and constructive criticism. The only valid goal is a united and stronger Nigeria. Nothing else matters.

The world watches Nigeria with bated breath. Let us prove to ourselves and to them that the worst of us is behind us. There is a greater Nigeria ahead of us. We must resist every inclination to the contrary and shun every aggravation that could culminate in violence. We can be civil. We can be mature. We can realize the potential for greatness that is locked within us.

Nigeria Has a Great Future