Opinion / Columnist
Zanu-PF, ANC next in line to lose elections
04 Apr 2015 at 13:35hrs | Views
The emphatic victory of opposition candidate of the All Progressive Party (APC), Muhammadu Buhari in the recent Nigeria's presidential election could create a democratic evolution for not just Nigeria but Zimbabwe, South Africa and many other nations in Africa. This could prove the fact that if the ruling party doesn't meet the requests of the greater masses, it will eventually be voted out. A wind of political change is sweeping across the African continent and no person or history can stop this tsunami.
Nigeria, Africa's troubled giant and biggest economy has for the first time in a very long time led by example, in a democratic way. The loss by President Goodluck Jonathan, whose People's Democratic Party (PDP) has run Africa's most populous nation since it returned to civilian rule in 1999, was the first time a Nigerian head of state lost power to an opposition challenger through the ballot box. Insecurity, massive corruption and lack of employment are some of the reasons the ruling party was voted out. In my view Nigeria still remains the world's champion in corruption and bad governance. A nation where political leadership has turn into a business investment providing dividends more lucrative than any legal or illegal business.
But now, the people for Nigeria have spoken and they are saying enough. It's a dawn of a new era. After conducting a free, fair and credible elections; by Nigeria's standard, credit must be given to Nigeria's electoral commission for having demonstrated that Africa is a lover of democracy.
President Goodluck Jonathan's government failed to account for a missing $20billion oil revenue, provided no answer to security questions and the terrorist acts of Boko Haram; it also failed to curb terrible corrupt leadership. Today, the reward is evident – Goodluck Jonathan's government will have to hand over power to president-elect Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Party (APC) come May 29.
Could this be replicated in Zimbabwe and South Africa where the ruling party is beginning to behave like they are going to rule "until Jesus returns"? In Zimbabwe the ruling party ZANU PF has been in power since 1980. Massive corruption and lack of employment has definitely been a permanent fixture in it's leadership activities. Under the leadership of 91 year Robert Mugabe, the economy of the one time food basket of Africa continued to fall downhill with no sustainable solution at sight. The people of Zim have been loyal to ZANU PF, not even the emergence of MDC could bring a divorce between them.
In the president elect of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, for once Nigeria has a leader with a clean record of integrity, anti-corruption and visionary leadership. Somehow South Africa and Zimbabwe is lacking such leaders today. Buhari's past record as a petroleum minister and military head of state over 30 years ago is an area his opponents could not find fault during the campaign period. Can that be said of Robert Mugabe and Jacob Zuma?
It's time to wake up and speak with one voice against any leadership style that denies a nation its progression socially, economically and politically. It's time to stop giving loyalty to leaders who abuse loyalty for the sake of the comfort of only a few.
It's time to throw blind loyalty marinated with the struggle and freedom history and settle for change that will build Africa, it's communities and not just a few fat cats. Because I see spelling evidence of the rich getting more richer and the poor getting nothing; in African politics.
To ZANU-PF and the ANC, do the honourable thing, begin to be the change the people are craving for, before you get changed through the ballot box. No history lesson can save you.
It will be a shame if Zimbabwe and South Africa turn into the Nigeria of yesterday – with a culture of corruption and lack of provision and maintenance of social amenities. Both countries are on their way there, but we can stop it by voting for change where one is needed.
Viva Nigeria, Viva Zimbabwe, Viva South Africa and Viva Africa.
-----------
Solomon Izang Ashoms is an author and Founder & Editor of Parable lifestyle Magazine (www.parable.co.za) based in Johannesburg, South Africa. He studied Communication with University of The Nations in Cape Town, Scotland and Switzerland.
He has met and interviewed personalities including T.D Jakes, late Miriam Makeba, Israel Houghton, Usain Bolt, Kirk Franklin, Serena Williams, Kolo Toure, Prince Albert of Monaco, Pele, Kobe Bryant and Thabo Mbeki. Solomon has covered 3 FIFA World Cup and 3 Olympic Games and is a BBC sport correspondent in South Africa.
He has appeared on CNN, eNCA, SABC, Australia TV and BBC. He blogs (www.solomonashoms.com) on relationship, sex, marriage, faith & culture. He is a one woman husband and a father of one son.
Catch him on twitter @solomonashoms, Facebook - Solomon Izang Ashoms, Email - info@parable.co.za
Nigeria, Africa's troubled giant and biggest economy has for the first time in a very long time led by example, in a democratic way. The loss by President Goodluck Jonathan, whose People's Democratic Party (PDP) has run Africa's most populous nation since it returned to civilian rule in 1999, was the first time a Nigerian head of state lost power to an opposition challenger through the ballot box. Insecurity, massive corruption and lack of employment are some of the reasons the ruling party was voted out. In my view Nigeria still remains the world's champion in corruption and bad governance. A nation where political leadership has turn into a business investment providing dividends more lucrative than any legal or illegal business.
But now, the people for Nigeria have spoken and they are saying enough. It's a dawn of a new era. After conducting a free, fair and credible elections; by Nigeria's standard, credit must be given to Nigeria's electoral commission for having demonstrated that Africa is a lover of democracy.
President Goodluck Jonathan's government failed to account for a missing $20billion oil revenue, provided no answer to security questions and the terrorist acts of Boko Haram; it also failed to curb terrible corrupt leadership. Today, the reward is evident – Goodluck Jonathan's government will have to hand over power to president-elect Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Party (APC) come May 29.
Could this be replicated in Zimbabwe and South Africa where the ruling party is beginning to behave like they are going to rule "until Jesus returns"? In Zimbabwe the ruling party ZANU PF has been in power since 1980. Massive corruption and lack of employment has definitely been a permanent fixture in it's leadership activities. Under the leadership of 91 year Robert Mugabe, the economy of the one time food basket of Africa continued to fall downhill with no sustainable solution at sight. The people of Zim have been loyal to ZANU PF, not even the emergence of MDC could bring a divorce between them.
In the president elect of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, for once Nigeria has a leader with a clean record of integrity, anti-corruption and visionary leadership. Somehow South Africa and Zimbabwe is lacking such leaders today. Buhari's past record as a petroleum minister and military head of state over 30 years ago is an area his opponents could not find fault during the campaign period. Can that be said of Robert Mugabe and Jacob Zuma?
It's time to wake up and speak with one voice against any leadership style that denies a nation its progression socially, economically and politically. It's time to stop giving loyalty to leaders who abuse loyalty for the sake of the comfort of only a few.
It's time to throw blind loyalty marinated with the struggle and freedom history and settle for change that will build Africa, it's communities and not just a few fat cats. Because I see spelling evidence of the rich getting more richer and the poor getting nothing; in African politics.
To ZANU-PF and the ANC, do the honourable thing, begin to be the change the people are craving for, before you get changed through the ballot box. No history lesson can save you.
It will be a shame if Zimbabwe and South Africa turn into the Nigeria of yesterday – with a culture of corruption and lack of provision and maintenance of social amenities. Both countries are on their way there, but we can stop it by voting for change where one is needed.
Viva Nigeria, Viva Zimbabwe, Viva South Africa and Viva Africa.
-----------
Solomon Izang Ashoms is an author and Founder & Editor of Parable lifestyle Magazine (www.parable.co.za) based in Johannesburg, South Africa. He studied Communication with University of The Nations in Cape Town, Scotland and Switzerland.
He has met and interviewed personalities including T.D Jakes, late Miriam Makeba, Israel Houghton, Usain Bolt, Kirk Franklin, Serena Williams, Kolo Toure, Prince Albert of Monaco, Pele, Kobe Bryant and Thabo Mbeki. Solomon has covered 3 FIFA World Cup and 3 Olympic Games and is a BBC sport correspondent in South Africa.
He has appeared on CNN, eNCA, SABC, Australia TV and BBC. He blogs (www.solomonashoms.com) on relationship, sex, marriage, faith & culture. He is a one woman husband and a father of one son.
Catch him on twitter @solomonashoms, Facebook - Solomon Izang Ashoms, Email - info@parable.co.za
Source - Solomon Izang Ashoms
All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
