Nothing in Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency became him like the leaving of it. This fedora-wearing zoologist achieved little during his time in power; he often resembled an amiable mediocrity, bewildered by his rise to the highest office inNigeria.
Then Mr Jonathan lost a free and fair election. He responded to what must have been a crushing disappointment by conceding defeat and calling his victorious opponent, Muhammadu Buhari, to offer congratulations. Elsewhere, this is the standard reaction of politicians who find themselves on the receiving end of what Churchill called the “order of the boot”. But in Africa, it remains unusual for leaders to accept the people’s verdict with dignity. Mr Jonathan was the first president ever to be removed by the ballot box in the history of independent Nigeria – and only the sixth to leave office in this way anywhere in sub-Saharan Africa.
A previous generation of African leaders either held no elections at all or shamelessly rigged every contest. Some insisted on staying in power in explicit defiance of the ballot box. Robert Mugabe lost the first round of Zimbabwe’s presidential election in 2008 but clung to office anyway, plunging his country into a bloodbath in the process. Mwai Kibaki did the same in Kenya in 2007, causing even greater loss of life.
But every time an African president loses an election and goes quietly – as, barring a sudden crisis, Mr Jonathan seems likely to do – it becomes harder for others to follow in the wretched footsteps of Mr Mugabe or Mr Kibaki. With 170 million people, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and its biggest economy. If this powerhouse now achieves a peaceful and legal transfer of power, this will send a powerful signal to the rest of the continent. With humility and grace, Mr Jonathan has performed a service for Africa.
Nothing in Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency became him like the leaving of it. This fedora-wearing zoologist achieved little during his time in power; he often resembled an amiable mediocrity, bewildered by his rise to the highest office inNigeria.
Then Mr Jonathan lost a free and fair election. He responded to what must have been a crushing disappointment by conceding defeat and calling his victorious opponent, Muhammadu Buhari, to offer congratulations. Elsewhere, this is the standard reaction of politicians who find themselves on the receiving end of what Churchill called the “order of the boot”. But in Africa, it remains unusual for leaders to accept the people’s verdict with dignity. Mr Jonathan was the first president ever to be removed by the ballot box in the history of independent Nigeria – and only the sixth to leave office in this way anywhere in sub-Saharan Africa.
A previous generation of African leaders either held no elections at all or shamelessly rigged every contest. Some insisted on staying in power in explicit defiance of the ballot box. Robert Mugabe lost the first round of Zimbabwe’s presidential election in 2008 but clung to office anyway, plunging his country into a bloodbath in the process. Mwai Kibaki did the same in Kenya in 2007, causing even greater loss of life.
But every time an African president loses an election and goes quietly – as, barring a sudden crisis, Mr Jonathan seems likely to do – it becomes harder for others to follow in the wretched footsteps of Mr Mugabe or Mr Kibaki. With 170 million people, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and its biggest economy. If this powerhouse now achieves a peaceful and legal transfer of power, this will send a powerful signal to the rest of the continent. With humility and grace, Mr Jonathan has performed a service for Africa.
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