10 AFRICAN LEADERS WHO CONCEDE ELECTORAL DEFEAT

10 AFRICAN LEADERS WHO CONCEDE ELECTORAL DEFEAT
                           By : 
               Nurudeen Dauda
               November 18, 2023
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President George Weah of Liberia joined the lists of African leaders who concede electoral defeat. He lost his second term bid in a keenly contested election that led to a run-off election.

In an address to the nation, Weah said: “The results announced tonight, though not final, indicate that Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai is in a lead that we cannot surpass. Therefore, a few minutes ago, I spoke with President-elect Joseph N. Boakai to congratulate him on his victory. "Tonight, as we acknowledge the results, let us also recognize that the true winners of these elections are the people of Liberia,”.

However, there are many African leaders who concede electoral defeat. Below are some of the leaders:

(1) The first president in post-colonial Africa to transfer power peacefully and gracefully to an opposition candidate was Somalian president, late Aden Abdullah Osman Daar in 1968. He conceded defeat and handed over power to opposition candidate, Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, who incidentally served as prime Minister under him.

(2) In 1991, pioneer Zambian president, Kenneth Kaunda of the United National Independence Party (UNIP) who ruled Zambia for years (1964-1991) conceded defeat and handed over power to opposition candidate, Frederick Chiluba of the Movement for Multi- party Democracy (MMD).

(3) In 1994, Malawian president, Hastings Kamuzu Banda of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) conceded defeat and handed over power to opposition candidate, Elson Bakili Muluzi of the United Democratic Front (UDF). 

(4) In the year 2000 the Senegalese president Abdou Diouf of the Socialist Party of Senegal (SPS) congratulated and handed over power to opposition candidate, Abdoulaye Wade of the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS). 

(5) Also in 2000, Mauritanian Prime Minister, Navinchandra Ramgoolam of the Labour Party (LP) accepted defeat and handed over power to opposition candidate, Sir Anerood Jugnouth of the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM).

(6) In 2010, the third Somali-land president ,Dahir Riyale Kahin of the United peoples’ Democratic Party (UPDP) conceded defeat and handed over power to opposition candidate , Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud of the peace, Unity, and Development Party (PUDP). 

(7) Again in 2011, Zambian president, Rupiah Banda of the movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) who ruled Zambia for 20 years (1991- 2011) conceded defeat and handed over power to opposition candidate, Michael Sata of the Patriotic front (PF).

(8) In 2012, Senegalese president, Abduoulaye Wade of the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) publicly congratulated and handed over power to the opposition candidate , the incumbent Macky Sall of the Alliance for the Republic. 

(9) Again in Somalia in 2012, President Shariff Ahmed of the Alliance for the Re- liberation of Somalia conceded defeat and handed over power to the opposition candidate, Hassan Sheik Mohamud of the peace and Development Party (PDP). 

(10) In 2014 in one of the most dramatic scenarios of the modern world, the president of the Puntland, Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Farole of the Horseed party swiftly conceded defeat and handed over power to the opposition candidate, Harvard trained Prof. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali of the Ururka Dadka Puntland despite losing by just one vote. 

However, in Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan was the first incumbent President of Nigeria to lose re-election bid for second term in office . President Jonathan “scored a first” in the political history of Nigeria to concede electoral defeat to the opposition just as being the first incumbent to lose his second term bid.

It is sad to note that, African democracy is characterized with bad governance, electoral malpractices, electoral violence, vote buying, quest for unconstitutional tenure elongation, and seat-tight syndrome etc. 

For us to get it right we must continue to introduce "reforms" that will ensure credible elections in our country. In my thought, technology will go a long way in improving the integrity of our elections. Our laws should and or must make the use of all relevant technology compulsory not optional in order to block all excuses for bypassing it.

One of the basic principles of “Democracy” is election. As a democratic society we do not only need election, but also a credible one. Free and fair election is the only means that will ensure legitimacy and good governance.  

May God bless Nigeria!

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