Picture any election in Africa. The ruling party almost always wins the election. And the opposition almost always cry foul. It happens in country after country. It has happened to PDP in Nigeria led by Atiku Abubakar contesting against Muhammadu Buhari in 2019. It happened against Nelson Chamisa contesting against Emerson M agangwa in Zimbabwe. It happened when Raila Odinga was contesting against Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017. It again happened when Kizza Besigye was contesting against Yoweri Museveni in 2016.
How is it that the situation is the same in country after country in Africa? Why are elections always won by the ruling party. Why are elections always violent?
One problem is that our elections are based on tribe rather than ideology. In Nigeria, it's the northern Muslim tribes versus the southern Christian tribes. In Zimbabwe, its the Ndembele versus the Shona. In Kenya, it is the kikuyu against the Luos/kalenjins. Its never about issues. When your man wins the big seat, you are assured that the power brokers will be from your tribe. The goodies will then follow.
I acknowledge that our countries are artificial creations, having only been created in Berlin in 1884. Many African countries were forced union of tribes. It however behoves us to transfer our allegiance from our tribes, to our nation's, and finally, to the African super state.
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