By Comrade Charles Onyeagba
The United Kingdom is probably the greatest nation on earth. No wonder they are called GREAT BRITAIN. Many thanks to journalism and modern technology, millions of people from all over the world were able to watch in awe as this comparatively small country demystified the process of voting in order to effect a smooth change in government. It was as if they were out on a stroll. This is the same process which results in civil strife and wars in many other climes.
They didn’t have to do an election. In most other countries, they wait for the approach of the end of a tenure. Some contrive to extend the tenure. Others manipulate events such that they elongate their stay in office. And when elections inevitably take place it will be clear to all, including the planners of the absurdities that what had happened can be called anything but an election.
The simple way the British went about the just concluded elections should make many countries of Africa, South America and the Caribbean to hide their heads in shame. There was no mass movement of armed personnel; no disruption of normal life in the name of futile campaigns; no endless, useless lectures from an electoral umpire that had predetermined the outcome and is actually working frantically towards delivering it and damning the consequences. ARE WE CURSED OR ARE WE THE CAUSE? Some people keep asking.
The Former Prime Minister who called for the premature elections, made a brief speech accepting responsibility for their failure. His wife had her handbag and umbrella and they quietly left their simple official residence at No. 10 Downing Street back to where they came from. There was no ceremony, no looting of government property, no bustling and hustling by aides, no uniformed officer breathing down his neck as he addressed the nation and none driving human flies away from him as he walked. No one went to court to waste everybody’s time and resources. “When will they ever learn”?
Comrade Charles Onyeagba, Awka, Anambra State
