The great characters of Goodluck Jonathan and Gen M. Buhar (Rtd)- Odunze Reginald C

Today as we celebrate the triumph of democracy we are not putting up economic, financial or any related articles in pension but in politics.

Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest American presidents once said “that politics is too good a vocation to be left alone for politicians”.

And Machiavelli in his monumental book, “The prince “noted that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. And that is the main reason, politicians stick to power. Though Machiavelli was dubbed the devil, by his enemies, associates and intellectual hypocrites but he definitely made a point and such point to my greatest amazement has still been relevant till today, even though Machiavelli was writing during the time of Mussolini of France and Adolf Hitler of Germany. 

But what he opined has been relevant in most African countries, where there is sit tight syndrome. The depose of Mubarak of Egypt, the death of Col Gadaffi of Libya  on what has come to be termed as Arab spring are still fresh in our minds. But why do politicians sit tight?  

The conduct of election in Nigeria dates back to 1923, when the colonial masters conducted elections in Calabar and Lagos cities.

But I am in interested in this years elections because of the characters of two individuals, the president Dr Goodluck Jonathan  and General M Buhari.

Their characters remind us of two great American presidents, George Washington, who at a time he was supposed to be re elected  decided to step down for others to partake in the running of the state, and the great American President Abraham Lincoln who in spite of all odds, failures, went ahead to become the 16^th president of American, Gen Buhari has shown that he quitters never win  and winners never quit.

President Goodluck  Jonathan, portrays the act of statesman by congratulating the winner few minutes after the result, by that singular act, he has clearly exemplified the life of a great man. This is a man who once stated that the position he is occupying is not worth the blood of any Nigeria.

AS we celebrate the triumph of Gen Buhari (Rtd), lets us all bear in mind that the real success of this election goes to the electorates who in spite of all odd went ahead to do their civic duties.