Nigeria Decides: Imagine All-night Prayer Vigils For Peaceful UK Elections

Does this deliberately chosen headline sound odd? Perhaps it does. Would it be so, if I were to replace UK with Nigeria or another African country?

Considering our firm belief in equality; are those in the UK different from us in Africa? Right here, the demanding question that asserts itself upon our minds is this: Why are we always on tenterhooks when an election comes by? And why do we need all-night prayer vigils to seek the heavens to help us conduct peaceful elections?

In all truth, there is nothing wrong with seeking the face of the Almighty in whatever endeavour we intend to undertake. However, why have we earned a certain unenviable reputation that we will kill to get into power? In fact, our wrong choices are the shame garbs that we parade around.

The febrile feelings that elections bring, betray a known secret. As a core belief, it is the same impetus which actuates our repugnant conduct. In reality, in Africa, it is a perspicuous truth that power offers personal enrichment; it is the driving force. For, a sincere desire to serve cannot predicate our thirst to spill blood to get into office.

It is quite worrying how we dance to the tunes of our detractors, and succeed in confirming negative age-old stereotypes. Perhaps the spirits of chaos and confusion are strongest on the African continent, causing us to beat our usual tracks.

Nevertheless, tomorrow (28 March 2015) offers us a splendid opportunity. Will Nigeria, the most populous country on our shores initiate a glorious tradition by setting a new trend?

The Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) was able to secure a postponement of this election on the grounds of security concerns. Yes, they asked for more time to ensure adequate preparation. As with most things, time flies, and the day has arrived. Despite the tense atmosphere, Nigeria must rise above its past, and embrace a beautiful future.

Past elections have seen the onset of violence and perpetration of electoral fraud.Indeed, anyone watching the scene knows that this campaign has been far from quiescent. In any case, the moment of truth has finally dawned.

Whereas 14 candidates are contesting the election, we know that in all sincerity it is between incumbent Mr Goodluck Jonathan's People's Democratic Party (PDP) and former military ruler Gen. Muhammadu Buhari's All Progressives Congress (APC).

It looks a tightly contested race, and Nigerians must choose a capable leader able to tackle her perennial issues, no less the rising insurgency of Boko Haram. And this pivotal choice, the Nigerian people must wisely make.

It is refreshing that Inec has promised to hold free and fair elections, and the candidates have equally agreed to credible and non-violent elections. The crystal hope has to be that reassuring promises will translate into practical action; and hopefully, vote rigging (which can never be fully eradicated) will be highly mitigated. Moreover, Inec must ensure that the process to use biometric cards for the first time runs smoothly, avoiding some of the bottlenecks that plagued Ghana's elections in 2012.

With the world's sharp eyes fixed on Nigeria, she must endeavour to ensure that this election passes without any loss of lives; it will be cheap deaths. Democracy cannot be displayed by crimson-coloured streets—that will be undesirable mementoes! The goal must be to avoid hitting the warpath and rather allow peace to hold sway.

If elections in the West can proceed without issues, then the time has come for Africa to also show that our demand to be respected is one deserving serious attention. In all, our din for equality will go unnoticed, if we cannot even hold peaceful elections.

Let the electorate and officials of Nigeria show that they believe in the rule of law by acquitting themselves with decorum, and facilitating a smooth process. Anything else will simply be unacceptable.

The world will continue to watch and pray for a peaceful Nigeria election; perhaps not through an all-night prayer vigil, but as a sincere hope for humanity's common weal.

I shall return with my talking drums!

Angelina K. Morrison is interested in national development, true religion, and self-improvement. She enjoys thinking, and writes stories only when the muse grips her. Her first short story Gravellatina, is a breathtaking five-part gripping series available now at Amazon. You can email her at [email protected], or find her at www.angelinakmorrison.wordpress.com or Facebook page.