The much-awaited US Presidential election has come and gone. There are some lessons for us to learn. While no system is perfect, the election has not witnessed the corruption and election malpractices that often characterize our elections in Nigeria. .

Yes, there were bitter divisions and campaign of hatred, calumny, and disunity, but by and large the elections were peaceful. When are we going to get there?

The American elections were fought on many fronts, and it would appear that the religious values won. It is no longer a secret that the Democratic party prides herself as a liberal, forward-looking party, hence their embrace of LGBTQ people, and such values as abortion for women. They are seen to be open to more immigrants, a policy that the Republican party frowns at.

Donald Trump, riding on the inspiration and support of the religious base, capitalized on their fervour to advocate for a white dominated America, where abortion is illegal and where biological make-up of man is still essentially important, like we have been taught in Nursery School. A doctrine that teaches the Biblical truth of “Man and woman, he made them.” This is a position that views homosexuality and lesbianism and others as queer and probably intrinsically disordered and ought not to be tolerated in modern society.

No wonder, many Christians and especially Catholics feel that matters relating to life is of paramount importance and determine where people’s allegiance should be. 

Going further, some wonder why one issue should trump all others and the simple fact is that life is the first value that we have and must defend at all costs and the protection of the life of the unborn who are unable to defend themselves become the sacred duty of all of us.

Are politicians ready for this fight? Donald Trump says he is ready. What are the Nigerian politicians saying? Where do they stand on issues of human life and women freedom and choice? It would appear that such discussions are far removed from the reckoning of politicians in Nigeria. Mostly they are concerned with constituent allowances and projects. These projects, we know, often do not see the light of day because the funds have been siphoned and embezzled.

In Nigeria, the politics is often bereft of idea, with no discernible values in play. What is at play is region or tribal interests, where the winner is supposed to take care of his interests and his people’s interests. Nigeria’ politics has been extremely played with religious undertones. Muslims want to dominate having dominated for many years, yet Christians also covet power and which to dominate.

This domination is also for exclusive rule, where the winner takes all especially economic benefits. When will our leaders allow their fundamental moral values shape their world view and governance orientation? Nigerian politicians are not people oriented, Donald Trump won because he presented himself as man of the people, fighting for their cause and promising them a better life.

But isn’t this the situation we faced before electing BAT, who was painted as the long-expected Messiah. But what has happened? President BAT has presented himself as uncaring, untroubled and could careless President of Nigeria. When we thought we had seen the worse of them all, here comes another one worse than the previous one. The people are hungry and angry, but what can they do? Why would anyone in this situation not clamour for another savior? Why the religious right went hunting for votes, in America, their colleagues in Nigeria were busy defending pastors arguing among themselves instead of preaching the Gospel truth.

When the people ought to have held their leaders accountable, they are the ones defending them with godly arguments such as “Touch not my anointed.” Hence while our politics is laden with religious missiles and mines, it is a case of no rest in sight for anyone. 

Politicians utilizing religion in Nigeria are often fanatical extremists with volatile agenda and not open to rational discussions. Such politics bears no good fruits and must be discarded. 

Unfortunately, the hoi-poloi of our society gravitate towards such people. The times has thus come for us to play politics with the values inherent in politics and not mix religion with it. Many politicians have shown themselves to be guilty of political adultery because they romance and frolic with all religions while practicing none sincerely. Religion is seen only as a tool to accomplish their nefarious and selfish purposes. 

Religious people therefore must be wary of such politicians and not allow themselves to be exploited and used to foment troubles, disunity, and hatred in society. 

Yes, nobody is a saint, hence we cannot expect politicians to be different from the rest of the society. Be that as it may, we still expect them to be human, to be compassionate and people oriented. If you try and fail, you must not give up. You must get up and try again. 

Donald Trump is teaching all of us this lessons. Falling is not a death sentence, remaining on the floor is a sure way to obscurity. When would our politicians rise from the floor and uphold politics of values and agenda that are people oriented? This is the promise of Donald Trump. Will he deliver? Time will tell!