It is crestfallen and mortifying that Africa as a continent is known for crises of legitimacy which are being fueled by her leaders who want to stay in the office whether they have people’s legitimacy or not.

The presidential runoff in Cote D’Ivoire  in November 28, 2010 is another political crises rocking the continent. Laurent Gbagbo refused to leave office when he lost at the presidential poll, the widely accepted winner of the election Alassane Ouattara, got sworn in by his supporters following the Gbagbo’s refusal to hand power over to him. This led to the state parading two presidents at a time, leading to serious parlous, precarious, and political anathema and suicidal in the state and the whole of Africa.

Going by the political affront, stigmatization, comatose, epilepsis, and paralysis that were brought about by this act, it  became worrisome to Africa and the Global world, and efforts are in the top gear to resolve this impasse and dissension.

Nigeria the giant of Africa claimant was seen to be making ulterance that Gbagbo is fueling crisis in the state.

The issue is, does Nigeria has the moral right to make comment in issues arising from crisis of legitimacy Cote D’I voire is facing or Nigeria should hide her face and beging to think of how to handle her domestic political crises which she is pretending not to have before the comity of nations.

If I have apology by saying that Nigeria has had serous political dissensions that were almost the same to that of Cote D’Ivoire, and that the only thing was that ours bore different outcome, I tender my apology.

Going by Nigerian political antecedent as regards her poitical crises and dessensions, one wonders what Nigerian state and her delegates will be telling Gbagbo trying to make him see reasons why he should give power to Outtara.

Let us not detain ourselves on the political impasse and dissensions Nigeria state has had that were similar to that of Cote D’Ivoire but bore different out come, but a cursory look of them are inevitable if the claim of this write up is to be substantiated.

In June 12,1993, the ever eccepted most peaceful election in Nigeria won by Abiola was annuled by Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB). He wanted remaining in the office, but preasures from both national and international and crisis of legitimacy forced him out of the office. He in turn gave Nigerians Interim National Government (ING) headed by Ernest Shenakon. Thousand of Nigerians lost their lives and properties as those from the Easth who live in the North were seen traveling down to Easth their home town in palpitation that crisis will soon erupt the nation because of June 12 annulement. This was popularly called (OSO ABIOLA) by the Ibos.

In 2007, Olusegun Obasanjo the foomer Nigerian president wanted to ament the constitution to keep his stay in office after the expiration of his tenure in 2007, but this was condemned nationally and internatioally and he was unable to succeed.

The contemporary Nigeria president, Good Luck Ebele Jonathan has refused to obey his party (PDP) constitution as addressed by zoning arrangement.

This goes to show that Nigerian leaders just as other African leaders only obey the Law when the Law does not contradict their interest.

The question that has been left unaswered is does Nigerian leaders leave office because they want to? or they were been forced out of office. If they do because they want to, then, why did Obasanjo wanted amending the constitution in 2007?, why did IBB refused to hand over Power to Abiola?, and why has Good Luck Jonathan the Nigerian president refused to obey his party (PDP) constitution?

Besides this, one wonders what will Nigerian delegates and her president will answer any time they confront Gbagbo on Cote D’Ivoire crises when he asks them the following questions.

(a) Why did Nigerian president Good Luck Jonathan refused to obey his party (PDP) constitution?

(b) Does IBB has the Legal and Moral right to annul the June 12, 1993 election?

(c) Why did Obasanjo wanted amending the constitution in 2007 before the expiration of his tenure?

(d) What is Nigeria doing to solve the crises emanating from Niger Delta, Jos, Maiduguri and other cases of kinapping and political violecence in Nigeria?

What Gbagbo has done is unacceptable in the modern world of governance where everybody is emracing democracy, and that act should be condemned in all ramification. For that is a political genocide which all African States and the entire globe should put hands together to stem. This is because this kind of Crises always come with pogrom and immolate as have been witnessed over time.

However, Nigeria as a nation should ask her self the question do I have the moral right to wade into Cote D’I voire crises or do I just keep quiet considering my past political annals. Nigeria must reconsider her political retrospects before making comments concerning Cote D’Ivoire political impasse and dissensions.

This is a critical question that has to be looked into by all of us.

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Originally posted 2011-03-28 12:29:26.