SIR: The Islamic Republic of Iran as we all know is boiling and the political impasse occasioned by the June 12 presidential election in Iran has consumed lives and many more lives will be lost as long as the status quo remains unaddressed. The presidential race was contested by three aspirants but notable among them are just two - the incumbent president, Ahmadinejad and the de facto Reformists leader, Mousavi who was also Iran's Prime Minister during the Iraq - Iran war. Mousavi won the hearts of every young Iranian as well as the goodwill of women by promising more cordial relationship with the West, respect for human rights and the rights of women, bringing an end to the stoning of women and guaranteeing press freedom and freedom of speech.
His manifesto reverberated among moderate-minded Iranians who have become disgruntled at the high-handedness of the conservatve regime of Ahmadinejad. Under Ahmadinejad, freedom of the press and speech were suppressed, human rights were trampled upon, women were treated as second class citizens and stoning of women was a common sight. The ordinary Iranian especially the youths and students confessed having had enough of leadership extremism and hence, their resolve to work for a regime change that will usher in a more moderate Iran, with more cordial ties with her western counterparts.
On the election day, an unprecedented number of people turned out to vote, recording approximately forty million. The electoral process was manual and it was expected that counting of votes and announcement of results would take a while at least three days as required by Iran's electoral regulations but the Iranian electoral authorities shocked the world when they announced the results less than four hours after it was concluded giving the incumbent conservative president a landslide victory with as many as nine millions votes separating him from his closer rival. Iran's spiritual leader, Ayatollah Khameni who obviously has sympathy for Ahmadinejad came out publicly and endorsed the results, describing the outcome as divine but to all Iranians and the rest of the world who were barred from monitoring the election, it was a sham of an election beautifully rigged.
To the Mullah and the incumbent regime, the selection rather than election was going to go down the throat of the electorate without any eye brows raised but their guess was far from the reality - the people have indeed woken up from their slumber and their votes must count. The demonstrations and protests that followed are all strong indications that the days of subservience and political slavery in Iran are over, hence their unwavering resolve to reclaim their mandate even at the very point of death. Hundreds have paid the ultimate price already and many more are willing to go to the gallows while thousands have been injured. Universities and homes have been invaded and destroyed by government militia while the internet has been shut down to preclude the rest of the world from knowing what is going on inside Iran but thanks to social networking sites like 'Twitter and facebook' which have been able to let the world into Iran virtually.
The circumstances surrounding Iran's recent presidential election are typical of and identical to what transpired in Nigeria in both 1999 and 2007 and 2011 may go that way if these lessons from Iran are ignored. Declaring elections even before such elections are concluded has been the hallmark of the Nigerian electoral system and announcing 'the anointed one' as the winner even when it is obvious to the blind that he/she lost is INEC's stock-in-trade. Nigerians as Iranians have been pushed to the wall, to the point that they are ready to pay the ultimate price in defiance of any threat and victimization from the security operatives who like in Iran, are instruments of intimidation and brutality in the hands of the government.
Let it be known to all Nigerian politicians and INEC that the days of selection are over; days when people's votes do not count are no longer here; days when election results are declared before such elections are concluded are over; days when losers turn victors are over; days when the Police think they can cow and browbeat the oppositon into cowardice and silence are over; days when the sacred mandate of the people are violated and desecrated are over; days when rigging, snatching and stuffing of ballot boxes in politicians' houses and open asault on innocent voters and journalists reigned supreme are indeed over!
What is happening in Iran should be a lesson and must teach a lesson to Nigerian politicians that 2011 will be much different from previous elections as the people are more aware and better enlightened now than they used to be. Years of suffering and hardship, without any visible dividends of democracy have taught Nigerians the lesson that political apathy (as it affects who wins in an election and ultimately governs them) is injurious to their wellbeing. The politicians in Nigeria must realise the fact that what is unfolding in Iran has been simmering like under-earth volcano for years and has only erupted. The situation in Nigeria's electoral landscape is likewise. If precautions are not taken by INEC in terms of being an unbiased umpire it is supposed to be or if INEC condescends to playing the partisan umpire it has been known for, the volcanic eruption and impasse that will overtake Nigeria will be monumental and unprecedented. It is time to put the events unfolding in Iran into perspective and make hay while the sun shines. A stitch in time, they say, saves nine. 2011 must not go the Iran's way.
Long Live Nigeria!!!
Kingsley Ogbuji
Texas, U.S.A.
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