By Augustine Akhilomen
The just-concluded Ghanaian presidential elections, widely applauded by far and wide, will serve as a perfect example on how elections should be conducted particularly in a developing democratic setting.
John Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) victory against Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), should rejuvenate opposition parties in Nigeria and Africa, seeking change and knowing that change is not only possible but attainable if they come together in a coalition.
After eight years of the NPP in power, Mahama’s victory , according to analysts and watchers of African politics, should inspire opposition groups in Nigeria that the impossible can be achieved with proper planning and a credible candidate.
Also, Ghana’s presidential election outcome sends a strong message and serves as an early warning to Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). For the majority of voters in Ghana, particularly the masses, what truly matters to them are tangible results: affordable food, reduced living costs, and economic relief. “They care little for figures, statistics, reforms, or long-term projections if their immediate needs remain unmet”, says Ajibola Hakeem, a journalist. “And those were the things that determined how they voted.
Nigerians today face similar challenges: soaring food prices, escalating petrol costs, and crippling transportation fares. These same issues that brought down Ghana’s NPP are likely to also adversely affect the APC, which is already losing sympathy in its traditional strongholds, especially the North. However, observers are of the view that the APC still has time to take stock, address these challenges, and implement meaningful changes.
Political observers are also of the view that if the APC fails to address these pressing challenges and provide visible and immediate solutions, it risks suffering a similar fate as Ghana’s ruling NPP.
Interestingly, during the Ghana election, there was no incident of ballot snatching, violence in any polling unit, and police visibly supporting the ruling party. It was an election that was credible, free, and fair without any form of misinterpretation of results from the Ghana electoral commission.
However, Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) appears to be the opposite, as the commission has consistently been accused of working in favour of the ruling party in the country. “This was so obvious in the 2023 presidential election, which produced President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), an election that was marred with alleged manipulation of results and not too transparent process”, said Hakeem.
Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has said the defeat of the ruling party in Ghana is a signal that the days of the ruling APC, in Nigeria are numbered. The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, expressed optimism that just like in Ghana, Nigerians will end APC’s oppressive rule and return Nigeria to the path of good governance, security, political stability, and economic prosperity.
“The People’s Democratic Party congratulates the people of Ghana for their resilience in defending democracy and ensuring that their will prevailed in the Saturday, December 7, 2024, presidential election, which returned the National Democratic Congress and President John Mahama to power.
“The verdict of the people of Ghana in this presidential election is a signal to the APC that its days in office are numbered, as the power of the people in Nigeria, just like in Ghana, will surely prevail, end the APC’s oppressive rule, and return Nigeria to the path of good governance, security, political stability, and economic prosperity on the platform of the PDP in 2027.”
“The PDP therefore calls on all institutions of government, especially the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, to note the yearning of Nigerians and ensure that all processes are put in place to guarantee that only the will of the people prevails in elections.
“INEC must note that Nigerians are not ready to accept a repeat of the massive manipulation and perversion of the electoral process as witnessed in the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections in our country.”
In the same vein, the founder of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, says Nigeria has a lot to learn from Ghana’s presidential election.
According to him, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) needs to be “independent,” especially with the appointment of the chairman of the electoral body and other key officials of the agency.
“In this case, INEC needs to be independent,” he said while lamenting the cost of running elections.
On the other hand, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has emphasized the importance of learning from Ghana’s recent electoral success as Nigeria gears up for its 2027 general elections. In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, the CNPP highlighted the need for Nigeria to reclaim its status as a leader in democratic governance in Africa.
“The recent victory of Ghana’s president-elect is a testament to the maturity and resilience of Ghana’s democracy,” the CNPP stated. “As we celebrate this achievement, we must reflect on the lessons that Nigeria can learn from our West African neighbour.
“It is disheartening to note that some individuals are already announcing that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2027. This kind of statement not only undermines the democratic principles that our nation holds dear but also distracts from the pressing need for the current administration to earn the trust of the electorate.”
“The 2027 general elections present a unique opportunity for Nigeria to reclaim its position as a leader in democratic governance in Africa,” it remarked. The body called on all stakeholders—including the executive, legislature, judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and civil society organizations—to collaborate in ensuring that elections are transparent, credible, and reflective of the will of the Nigerian people.
More so, former governor of Ekiti State Dr. Kayode Fayemi has urged African politicians to draw lessons from Ghana’s example, stressing the importance of respecting the will of the electorate and allowing democratic institutions to function independently.
“As Africans, we must draw lessons from Ghana’s example. The supremacy of the people’s will is the cornerstone of democracy, and the desire to serve must always align with the mandate freely given by the electorate, not through coercion or manipulation,” he said.
“As Nigeria and other African nations continue to strengthen their democratic foundations, the Ghanaian experience provides a blueprint for conducting elections that are credible, peaceful, and reflective of the people’s choice,” Fayemi added.
Even so, Nigeria’s opposition parties have more to learn from the Ghana elections given the way and manner the politicians and top candidates conducted themselves before and during the elections. They were focused on the bigger picture and were also ready to make sacrifices for the greater benefits of all.
It is yet to be seen if the various leaders are ready to sacrifice their ambitions for the benefit of a coalition and queue behind a credible candidate that will face the ruling APC in 2027. “The only viable way to defeat the APC in the next election is for the opposition parties to come together under a coalition and present a single candidate that will be strong enough to battle the APC. Anything short of that will ensure a smooth victory for President Bola Tinubu in two years time”, says Bamidele Thomas, a Lagos based lawyer.