Ahead of the 2027 general elections and other off-circle polls, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the lawmaker representing Abia North senatorial district in the National Assembly, has listed lessons that Nigeria should learn from the just-concluded presidential election in the United States.
He made this known in a statement, entitled: ‘ Why We All Must Take Responsibility’, which he personally issued on Friday.
Kalu, a former two-term governor of Abia State, appraised the reactions that always trail elections in Nigeria and what is obtainable in the United States, after Donald Trump of the Republican Party defeated Kamala Harris of the Democratic Party.
According to him “The US election came and it has since gone; Americans decided who their 47th President should be, and he was Donald Trump! Did we notice anything during the election? I did. There were no allegations and counter allegations why Donald Trump should not be voted for; instead, Americans went out with open minds to make the decision that would affect their lives and the country in the next four years.
“There were no blame games; the East blaming the West, or the one region blaming the other, or perhaps heaping our decisions and responsibilities on the table of the Creator.
“And after the election, Americans returned from the polls, and none of them went to an Appeal Court or some Federal Courts, and later to the Supreme Court to question the authenticity and validation of Donald Trump’s victory. Americans, at this juncture know what is most paramount to them: an America that needs further strengthening in all areas.”
Kalu noted that Kamala Harris, who is the current Vice President in the United State, did not see any reason to question the victory of her opponent because America is bigger than she is and everything she represents for the growth and greatness of the country. She has also congratulated Trump on the electoral victory. He made a reference to the post-election speech, delivered by Harris, when she addressed her supporters at Howard University, her alma mater, that “responsibility plays a vital role in nation-building, that it is the backbone that supports the growth and development of a country.
“She tutored us that when citizens, especially the youth, take ownership of their actions and decisions, they become the driving force behind a nation’s progress.”
Kalu also highlighted key aspects of responsibility in nation-building to include accountability, active participation, social reform, innovation and progress, empowering the youth, and collective responsibility,
He explained that accountability refers to a situation whereby people hold themselves accountable for every action and decision to create a sense of trust and reliability among citizens. He also stated that engaging in community development initiatives and contributing to the country’s growth would foster a sense of belonging. Kalu emphasised that recognising and addressing social issues, such as inequality and injustice, would promote a fair and just society. He added that embracing innovation and progress would also help the country to stay competitive and adapt to changing global circumstances.
The youth, according to him, remain the future leaders of the nation, and empowering them with responsibility is crucial. “By providing equal opportunities, encouraging education, and promoting entrepreneurship, we can unlock their potential and create a brighter future
“Harris made us to understand in her speech that nation-building is a collective effort. When citizens, governments, and institutions work together, sharing responsibilities and resources, they can achieve remarkable progress.
