Tanzanians are delighted that former Nigerian leader Goodluck Jonathan, who they described as ‘a hero of free and fair election in Africa’, would be on ground to monitor their elections as the leader of Commonwealth international observers. Tanzanian general election is scheduled for October 25 2015.
Tanzanians are optimistic that his presence alongside other observers would bring credibility to the elections believed to be the toughest and closest elections in the country’s history. Reminiscent of Nigeria’s March 28 polls, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi, CCM, party which has been in power since Tanzania’s return to plural democracy in 1992 is up against a united opposition that has increasingly been making significant electoral gains.
The Daily News of Tanzania, which paid tribute to Jonathan in an editorial titled, ‘Salutary lessons for Tanzania from Nigeria’s latest elections,’ commended him for taking his defeat in the last presidential election “in all magnanimity,” stressing that, “Jonathan may very well have averted bloodshed that is characteristic of incumbent leaders who cling in power tooth and nail, fang and claw! What lesson is there in this for us in Tanzania, pray?”
“It is generally admitted that the election in Nigeria was unprecedentedly free, fair and transparent, whereby the opposition candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, won the Presidency. What is more remarkable is that the incumbent president who sought re-election, Goodluck Jonathan, … most graciously accepted the results promptly!”
“Oh, I don’t know beyond the fact that Tanzania could tragically do worse if it fails to dedicatedly take a leaf out of Nigeria’s newest book on elections!”
In the same vein, the Guardian of Tanzania, in its own editorial themed, ‘High profile figures among observers will add credibility to poll process, results’, poured encomiums on the former Nigerian president, describing him as a democrat who has pointed the way forward for the rest of Africa.
The Guardian further wrote that “Jonathan’s voluntary handover of power to the opposition wrote a new chapter for Nigeria’s democracy, given the fact that it is rare for sitting presidents in Africa to hand over powers to winning opposition parties.”
Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It is bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north; Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west; Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south; and the Indian Ocean to the east. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, is in northeastern Tanzania.
