The doomsday scenario which predated the presidential election on March 28 looked real and frightening indeed.
Lending credence to it was the American Institute’s prediction that Nigeria would break up this year. A flawed, violently disputed election was, therefore, seen as the spark which would light fuel tankers to plunge the country into ethnic and religious conflagration.
Beyond that, the hawks in President Goodluck Jonathan’s inner circle were said to have vowed never to hand over power to Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the the All Progressives Congress (APC), even if he won the election.
By the time the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) released its report that hate speeches and campaigns of calumny were fuelling preventable pre-election violence and deaths with internal migrations, the tension had become palpable.
Thus, the two leading contestants were cajoled into signing the second peace accord after the first one signed on January 14, 2015.
On Election Day, the Inspector General of Police’s travel restrictions nationwide kept all but essential services off the streets. But after the curfew was lifted at 5pm, Lagos streets remained so eerily deserted with looming forebodings of the squall before the violent storms.
That precarious situation prevailed until Jonathan made the fateful call to Buhari on Tuesday, March 31.
At 5.15pm on the second day of the collation of presidential poll result and with one state, Borno, outstanding, Jonathan called to congratulate Buhari. Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, tweeted the call.
What Jonathan accomplished with that gesture both for himself and the country is unquantifiable. He instantly made Nigeria the darling of democratic nations, wrote his own name in gold, and made Africa proud.
Little wonder that even in defeat, he is being celebrated as if he won the poll.
Sa’ad Abubakar, President-general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto said: “By the singular and epochal action [you] took by congratulating the winner of the presidential election, even before the final result was pronounced, you have taken leadership to a new height and you have honoured Nigeria in the eyes of the world.
“More importantly, you have effectively preserved the peace of the nation.”
African Union Chief, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, praised Jonathan for “graciously accepting the results” which demonstrated “the maturity of democracy” in Nigeria.
Mo Ibrahim, African businessman and founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, said: “The news from Nigeria today is wonderful. Africa’s largest country has concluded a peaceful election process.
“Furthermore, the incumbent has already gracefully conceded and congratulated his successor – a first for Nigeria and a benchmark for other African countries to follow.
“Today, we Africans are all proud of Nigeria and Jonathan. Thank you, Mr president. If you are seeking a legacy, you have definitely achieved it.”
Jonathan upped the ante during his formal concession speech when he said: “I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word. I have also expanded the space for Nigerians to participate in the democratic process. That is one legacy I will like to see endure.
“Although some people have expressed mixed feelings about the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I urge those who may feel aggrieved to follow due process based on our Constitution and our electoral laws, in seeking redress.
“As I have always affirmed, nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian. The unity, stability and progress of our dear country are more important than anything else.”
By deciding to play statesman at a time the country was sitting on a keg of gunpowder, Jonathan has confounded his critics.
When the history of Nigeria’s democracy is written, his action will get an enviable mention.
He is, indeed, the hero of this democratic enterprise.