American election: a lesson for the rest of the world

Editor,

Could you kindly spare me space to chip in my view on the just ended election in the United States of America.

It has been an intriguing marathon political process; very hectic and strenuous for the aspirants and somehow nerve-racking for the global political community and the entire black race in particular, who hoped to see a change on their status when the election results went the way of one considered as one of them.

All said and done, it was all done in a mature context. However, there is more to this election than change of status. I would like to first of all congratulate President-elect Barack Obama on his sweeping and historic victory as well as the entire black race on the symbolic victory of a kindred. To divert the rhetorical run-downs of black struggles and sufferings down the years all through to their present achievement as frequented on world’s major media, I want to take a distance to look at the political moral values projected by the election that could serve as a lesson for our part of the world-Africa.

It is rather unfortunate that our politics and elections in particular are synonymous to violence; avenues for feuds and perpetual hatred. Election periods mean stormy periods and perfect breading grounds for vengeance and settlement of scores.

It has become a taboo for the defeated candidate to accept the outcome of election results and this means a post election wrangling, as the opposition camp continue to harbor that chronic grudge against the incumbent and to thwart its development efforts. For twenty-one months, America, comprising of 52 states, had been engaged in election process without a bruise to mar the campaign.

All along, issues, elucidated policies and pragmatic agenda were all that mattered and not verbal attacks characteristic of African politics that later insinuates partisan frictions. The defeated candidate Senator John McCain had congratulated President-elect Barack Obama on his victory and vowed to work with him for better America, showing a sheer political maturity and an unselfish patriotism.

The question is where did we get our version of election politics? It is not paradoxical to say that our politics is an importation from the West? I think we should revise our ill-imported version of election and learn from the just ended American election.