The Ghana general election tension eventually resolved itself on a calm, dignified note, leaving a cool velvety feel across the country… Thanks to Nigeria! We will examine how Nigeria successfully helped Ghanaians to organise their democracy and run their country with such a sense of maturity, superiority and thoroughness presently; but let's also make the point that the Ghana election, understandably, generated so many commentaries and analyses here, because of the comparable national experiences of Nigeria and Ghana. Our country, as often noted, is a self-styled giant, but in terms of the length of historical-political trajectory, when you take away Ethiopia and Liberia, Ghana simply shines with proud heritage in politics and social organising. Between Nigeria and Ghana, it shouldn't have turned out that way, were Nigeria not what it has always been - confused, divided and pulling in different and opposing directions. Or if the country had not signed in with the conservative Monrovia Group. It is all history now, still Nigeria and Ghana, for some reasons, have been evolving, and twinned by their political history, cultural and social similitude, as well as their undying spirit to compete with each other. Colonial Nigeria had planned to achieve self-rule in 1956, but Ghana (Gold Coast), in the Casablanca Group, realised its own in 1957. Following the consequences of the different political temperaments and experiences of the two, especially in leadership style and orientation, Ghana (including others) has always kept an eye on how Nigeria fares, even in music, sports, culture, politics, etc, and would use that to measure its own progress. We can, therefore, speculate thus: When Dr Afari-Gyan, Ghana's, electoral commission chair, probably recollected what Prof. Iwu of Nigeria's INEC, did to general elections here, he may have sworn to handle his own national assignment differently. And perhaps, when President Kuffuor remembered President Obasanjo's public launch of the do-or-die election war cry, he may have firmly convinced himself never to intervene on behalf of Akufo-Addo, his party's candidate. Because the police authorities in Ghana didn't want to clone an Ehindero security atmosphere there, they took firm charge of their faculties and guns, never to shoot indiscriminately, but to watch every polling centre as impartial and dispassionate observers. None of the parties there went to arrange for special disqualifications of the opposition candidates, nor did their law courts issue disgraceful orders to hobble the election processes. As can be seen, Nigeria, in a very critical way, became some sort of political control experiment, which Ghana could look up to, and cringe, muttering to itself, "Tufiakwa, never like them!" This is most probably how our country, in some contra-inspirational way came into the Ghana political success equation. I explored the possible validity of this speculative analysis early in the week with my friend, Dr. Kodjo Graham. Dr. Graham has been a deeply grounded Ghanaian academic. He retired last September after teaching development economic theories for many decades… and has just been made a traditional chief in his Winneba community. He promptly posed the question (expectedly): "How did you see it?" We all understood the question. "Fine", I said. "But remember, it's Nigeria that provided the ‘inspiration’ for Ghana to excel, through our serial spectacular national failures." Surprisingly, before I could add more, he agreed. As any Nigerian would admit, it's always unpleasant to explain our records. How do you explain why we can't conduct a peaceful ward election? When he shifted direction to Nigeria, I failed to convincingly argue out when Nigeria might lead Africa, beginning with the ability to peacefully organise our government, whereupon he completely changed the discussion to a prayer and hope that the new oil find in his country would not lead to a Nigeria - like experience. I nearly broke his heart with the recent news report of the arrest of some Ghanaians and Filipinos over alleged oil bunkering in the Niger Delta. That killed the discussion. Now, on the scale, it's possible to speak of Ghana's modest efforts to wrought a serious national mindset to excel… after learning some useful lessons from Nigeria's predilection to fail, because of unseriousness and its scandalous penchant to waste resources. This, then, could have provided the template, the reference frame with which Ghana learns how not to flunk it. Not long ago, when Americans elected Barack Obama, Nigeria's public news media was suffused with calls for Nigeria to learn some lessons. Then came Ghana's turn, and same chorus ensued. I don't believe the problem with Nigeria's electoral system is all about the lack of lessons. We should ask what lessons we couldn't have learnt from the 1993 general elections. We could not, probably because elections in Nigeria are designed, planned and run to fail, to suit pre-planned group intent. Who says Nigeria can't organise a good public election? Whether it's FEDECO, NEC or INEC; from Michael Ani, Eme Awa, through Nwosu, to Iwu, when elections come, watch their body language; the posturing and utterances of ruling party lords, needless warnings and threats by security agencies and the lamentable parroting of ruling party's views and wishes by government media… You'd know why we don't need any damned lessons from America, or Ghana. The fault is in us. Credit: John Akpan Source: Leadership Nigeria