SENATOR SHEHU Sani Speaks On Presidential Elections In Nigeria, Says Only Goodluck Jonathan Ever Congratulated His Opponent
Former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani, said that since independence in 1960, the only presidential candidate who congratulated the winner was Goodluck Jonathan. DAILY POST recalls that immediately after the presidential election result in Ghana on Saturday, the defeated Ghanaian vice president, Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat to opposition leader John Mahama, congratulating him as Ghana’ s president- elect on Sunday. These are some of the points he made.
Taking to his verified Facebook page, the former Kaduna Lawmaker said: ” Since our independence in 1960, the only presidential candidate who congratulated the winner was Goodluck Jonathan (I stand to be corrected). We no de congratulate each other after election na fight continue until another election. If you decide wait for phone call Congratulation, your battery go die. ”
Presidential elections in Nigeria are some of the most significant events in the country’ s political calendar. The elections decide who will lead the country, and as such, they attract a lot of attention from both the people and the political class.
The process is often long, complicated, and full of drama, with many different players and forces at work. While Nigerians go to the polls to vote, the road to the presidency is paved with intrigues, negotiations, and a lot of horsetrading behind the scenes. In Nigeria, the process of electing a president starts months or even years before the actual voting day. The two major political parties— the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’ s Democratic Party (PDP)— often dominate the scene, but there are also many smaller parties.
Each party tries to pick the best candidate who can win the election, but this is not always an easy task. The decision about who will be the presidential candidate is often made after a lot of internal party debates, discussions, and, at times, intense disagreements. One of the most important parts of the process is securing the support of various groups and individuals. In Nigeria, this often involves a lot of horsetrading, where politicians make deals with one another to form alliances. These alliances can be with other political parties, ethnic groups, or influential figures.
The support of ethnic groups is especially important because Nigeria is home to many different ethnic communities, and politicians often need to win the support of these groups to succeed in the election. For example, a candidate from the North might try to make deals with influential leaders from the South or the Middle Belt to secure their votes. Horsetrading in Nigerian politics often involves promises of political positions or other forms of patronage. If one politician or group agrees to support a presidential candidate, they might ask for something in return.
Sometimes, these intrigues involve playing on the fears or hopes of different groups. For example, a candidate might try to appeal to the fear of ethnic marginalization or economic hardship in order to win support. These tactics are meant to weaken the position of opponents and create a sense of unity or urgency among the candidate’ s supporters.
Another significant factor in Nigerian presidential elections is money. Elections in Nigeria are expensive, and candidates need a lot of funding to run a successful campaign. This money is often raised through donations from wealthy individuals, businesspeople, and interest groups.
In return for their financial support, these donors may expect the candidate to pass laws or take actions that benefit their businesses or personal interests. The fundraising process itself can be a form of horsetrading, with candidates offering favors or promising to help donors in exchange for money to fund their campaigns. In the lead- up to the election, media campaigns also play an important role. Candidates work hard to manage their public image, using television, radio, newspapers, and social media to spread their messages.
These campaigns are often shaped by powerful political consultants who know how to influence public opinion.
