President Zuma: Once Upon Another Inaguration ,By Issa Aremu

Last Saturday, the fourth President of the democratic Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma took another oath of office. President Jacob Zuma was sworn into office for a a second five-year term, following the victory of his party, African National Congress in the general election on 7 May.
As many as 4,000 guests and several heads of state were reportedly at the ceremony in Pretoria, making South Africa the latest democracy destination in Africa.
President Goodluck Jonathan was there among other scores plus Heads of government. What bagful of lessons does the President bring from Pretoria? Posing this question alone raises further questions about the persistent political underdevelopment of Nigeria. History shows that indeed it is South Africa that has a lot to learn from Nigeria and not the other way round. As far back as 1960, at independence, Nigeria was democratically governed with vibrant political parties and notable political leaders in their own right. As at then, the likes of icon Nelson Mandela were groaning under apartheid dictatorship, the most inhuman contraption that brutalized and exploited for decades on account of colour. Nigeria was among the notable front line states that included Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique which fought for the liberation of South Africa from the clutches of apartheid, understandably, Abuja was the first point of call in Mandela’s historic global appreciation tours in the 90s. SA’s constitution has been repeatedly singled out as the most progressive governance documents in recent times. But the point cannot be overstated: SA’s constitution draws heavily on Nigeria’s 1977 constitution especially with reference to how to manage a diversity and multi racialism via Federalism. However all the above add up to history.
Today 20 years, SA has dramatically advanced politically with five successful globally acclaimed democratic transition elections and four Presidents in smooth, quick, consensual and acceptable ways, namely Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma. South Africa proves right the dated observation of Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu according to which “South Africa, so utterly improbable, is a beacon of hope in a dark and troubled world”.
Will Zuma’s second seamless inauguration wake Nigeria up from its intolerable and clearly unacceptance political slumber? Zuma’s second inauguration just like the first inauguration assumes a special importance. It puts to test all the democratic institutions of the country, from the judiciary, political party formation to the Independent Electoral Commission. But it is to the eternal glory of SA’s democratic process that it weathered the political storms and faced up to all the critical challenges. Run up to the election, Zuma just like in the past faced was corruption/(minus rape) charges clearly timed to undermine his political credentials. Just like in the beginning SA’s judiciary lived to popular expectation by dismissing the corruption charges. The robust contestation within the ANC about the performance of ANC government in terms of service delivery was a singular lesson in internal party democracy. For as long as the partisan bickering lasted, the Independent Electoral Commission of SA remains truly independent. The Commission not only conducted the elections but counted the votes which showed contest not conquest alba Nigeria’s elections. The ANC had a 62.2% share of the vote, down from the 65.9% it won in the 2009 election. The leading opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, was on 22.2%, up from 16.6% at the last elections. The party hunted by its discredited apartheid origin surprisingly gained 1.1 million new voters, including 700,000 votes from black South Africans (a nostalgia for apartheid economy?) One notable new party made some impact; namely The Economic Freedom Fighters, the ANC rebel youth leader Julius Malema (which see Venezuella and Zimbabwe as models) won more than 1 million votes to come in third on 6.3%.
At inauguration the new new MPs from the new radical party; Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), reportedly turned up at parliament in red overalls to show they intend to represent the interest of workers and in particular the miners that have been in protracted mass actions fro better working and living conditions in recent times.
It is a sad commentary that while SA navigates successfully though the political land mines Nigeria is weighed down with inconclusive elections often resolved through long long court litigations. The lessons of SA are remarkable. First is the triumph of civility in SA as distinct from entrenchment of Nigeria’s semi-militarism (do or die affairs). Also worthy of note is that political contestation in SA is issue-based notwithstanding the visibility of individuals.
ANC was accused of excessive neo-liberal economics that has undoubtedly recorded growth for South African economy but left many South Africans in poverty and deprivations. Zuma rose to power on the crest of popular agitation to reconcile South Africans in the tradition of Nelson Mandela as well as focus on education, health, land reform, combat crimes and ensure decent work. Pray with all the bloodletting in the land in Nigeria what are the issues electorate were called upon to choose from in 2015. Nigeria must urgently reinvent its democracy that must start with free and fair elections. This calls for patriotic (Not partisan) leaders who must look at the global picture of strengthening democracy rather than narrow interest of their parties and their persons in power. Notwithstanding the bitterness that characterize SA’s campaign it is remarkable seeing at inauguration Zuma, with his bitter rivals. Zuma’s inaugural speech also underscores the art of statesmanship and patriotism.
According to Zuma “Many South Africans still bear the emotional scars arising from decades of apartheid divisions and hatred. Therefore, the national healing and reconciliation process has to continue.We will work together to promote unity, understanding and tolerance across race and colour lines, as we build a South Africa that truly belongs to all”.
Pray when will Nigeria’s politicians have the audacity to build consensus for the great task of nation building?
Issa Aremu mni