Babatunde Raji Fashola is one of the few Nigerian political leaders who still command respect across party lines. Even many of his critics acknowledge his intellect, competence, and ability to engage public issues thoughtfully. Given how highly I have rated him over the years, it is hard for me to criticise his views. That image of his is why his recent comment on elections attracted attention.
Speaking at The Platform on Democracy Day, Fashola argued that elections were inherently imperfect and that Nigerians, especially the opposition, should focus more on strengthening institutions than endlessly disputing election outcomes. He noted that conducting elections in a large country like Nigeria was a complex logistical exercise and that no electoral process can ever be completely flawless.
On the surface, his view sounds reasonable. No election anywhere in the world is perfect. Human beings organise elections, and human systems are never free from mistakes.
This post was originally published on this site.
