AFTER the election of Barack Obama in 2008, those of us who supported him expected the opposition to be magnanimous enough to join hands with the New President in moving the United States out of recession and forward in the fight against global terror. The same should be the case now that GEJ has been elected.I am one of those who believe that the emergence of GEJ as Nigerias president is a disaster as far as the effort to move Nigeria out of its cesspit of backwardness, corruption, oppression, and misgovernance is concerned. My opinion on this is strong, well entrenched. This opinion has not changed, but we are all going to be stuck with GEJ for the next for years.With that said, Ill pivot to say this. If we, the opposition, truly believe that whoever becomes Nigerias president must do so on the basis of the freely given votes of the people only, if we are genuine believers in democracy, then we must accept that GEJ won the 2011 presidential election. Yes, the election was not perfect, but I do not believe, judging by reports that have come in from local and international observers, that the deviation from what may be truly described as a credible election is significant enough to undermine the victory GEJ secured at the polls.In this regard, we can learn from soon-to-be-deposed Speaker of the House of Representatives in his swift concession speech. As much as I so very much wanted Dimeji Bankole to be sent packing from the National Assembly, I commend his quick concession of victory to his ACN opponent, who resoundingly trounced Bankole at the parliamentary election. We should be magnanimous and mature enough to congratulate GEJ for his victory. After all, the election was not about our preferred candidates or GEJ. The election was about Nigeria and the Nigerian people.I encourage all supporters of GEJ to celebrate while respecting the fact that the opposition continues to have a significant stake in the struggle to salvage Nigeria.I have been told that GEJ has some transformational changes up his sleevessome truly transformational plans to reverse the rottenness in Nigeria. I hope this is true. If this is true, I hope he introduces those changes fast (he has only four years to play with). If this is true, I hope he has the courage to introduce those positive changes and be firm about them. If he does this, he might be able to change the opinions of those of us who have serious misgivings about him. And honestly, I hope he does because in the end what we all desire is a prosperous Nigeria where truth and justice reign.Meanwhile, aluta continua! We shall be praying for the success of the new administration, but we shall also be watching every move the government makes. We have learned that unquestioning submission corrupts leaders and demeans followers. In accord with the counsel of Jesus to his disciples, we shall watch and pray.Political participation does not end with campaigning and voting. It must now be revved up in the post-election period. The onus is on usall Nigeriansto maintain a permanent suspicion of power. In the words of an old Christian hymn: Seek not yet repose. Cast thy dreams of ease away. Yes, watch even as you pray.Congratulations, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan!!
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