Yes.
A politician who prepares for an Election should be prepared to accept defeat or victory. In an election, no more than one person can be declared a winner with respect to a particular elective position. Thus, politicians may note that an Election is like a game of bets, the chances are 50/50. No matter the high level of preparation, one either wins or loses.
If one wins, one needs to be happy and show sportsmanship, and if one doesn’t win, one still needs to be Happy for the winner and show sportsmanship. That is how it should be.
The act of constantly resulting in ignoble politics of violence and frivolous court action after losing an Election has the disruptive effect of affecting the smooth running of the country’s democracy. It is a clog to the wheel of Justice and an embargo to the enjoyment of a Winners’ victory.
The court gave the above position judicial applause in the celebrated case of *TARZOOR VS GOV. SAMUEL IORAER @ORTOM [2016]3 NWLR (PT. 1500) 490.* wherein it was held per NGWUTA, J.SC at pages 501-502 thus:
“A lot of resources in terms of money and valuable time have been expended in this avoidable contest which has now turned out to be a storm in a teacup; as it were.”
Success and failure are the end products of our electoral process and in fact any contest at all. If in the end, the process does not produce a winner and loser it has failed to achieve its goal and is inconclusive. While it is necessary for a politician aspiring to the elective office to have a mindset to win, he has to appreciate, and be prepared to accept, the fact that success and failure are the opposite sides of the end product of all contests, including elections. An electoral process is geared towards eliminating the many to pave way for the emergence of one. If there are no reasonable grounds for challenging the result of an election, the losing party should exhibit some sportsmanship and save his resources and the precious time of the tribunal and the courts.”
Thus, relying on the above dictum, it is submitted that as politicians prepare for the forthcoming election, there should be prepared to accept the outcome in good faith, knowing how to appreciate, and be prepared to accept, the fact that success and failure are the opposite sides of the end product of all contests, including elections. Where there are no reasonable grounds for challenging the result of an election, the loser should learn to exhibit some sportsmanship instead of resulting in fruitless litigation or some ignoble politics of violence, as such conduct after the Election, has the disruptive effect of affecting the smooth running of the country democracy. It is a clog to the wheel of Justice and an embargo to the enjoyment of a Winners’ victory. Wait for your turn, and get it when the time is reaped.
Echo Odatse Esq.
#ThatYourRegularLawyer
©Ochai Chambers
ochaichambers@gmail.com
Source: Barristerng
