Lessons from Macron’s election

For Nigeria, the most obvious lesson from the May 7 election of
Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frederic Macron as President of France is that
the youth too can do it, if the conditions are right.

At age 39 and one who has never held elected office, Macron founded En
Marche, a centrist political group – he called it movement- complete
with an ideology, structure, and a campaign machine that within a
year, took on and defeated long existing and experienced mainstream
political parties- rightist and leftist.  At the second round of the
presidential election, he trounced Marine Le Pen's National Front with
66.1 per cent of the votes to the latter's 33.9 per cent. He received
20,743, 128 votes, about twice his competitor's 10,638, 475 numbers.

And, taking office on 14 May, he has promptly begun to constitute his
government with the appointment of 46-year old Edouard Philippe, the
mayor of the port city of Le Havre as prime minister preparatory to
choosing candidates for the June legislative election.

Macron, an investment banker, may not have contested election before
now but he has substantial experience in the corridors of political
power. He worked as a public servant in the Ministry of Economy, was a
member of the Socialist Party from 2006, and served in different
governments as deputy secretary-general, and Minister of Economy,
Industry, and Digital Affairs. Having presented his movement as
centrist and on which strength he was voted into power, he is a
president that, expectedly, will pursue a balance between social
equality of the left, and social hierarchy of the right. Being
conscious of, on the one hand,  the  sentiments that  drive  some in
society to extremes of the political divide, and on the other, the
yearning of the electorate for a more equitable socio-economic system,
he said that 'the divisions and fractures in our society must be
overcome.'  To this end, the new president promised to 'reconcile the
French (people)."

In terms of foreign policy, he reportedly intends to strengthen the
global stature and influence of France, increase overseas spending to
meet the European Union target of 0.7 per cent of the GDP of
member-nations, and also review the military bases in Africa. His
government would insist on fluency in French to qualify for French
citizenship, and religious leaders would be trained to imbibe French
secular values.

Mr. Macron is a man who follows his mind, as exemplified by the story
of his marriage. He is one who, like erstwhile U.S. president  Barak
Obama,  believes in  the spirit of 'can do,' as evidenced by the
policies movement he put together to win so soon and so spectacularly,
the highest office in the land and at an age only Napoleon matched.
But his success has not dropped from the sky on his laps. He prepared,
and was assisted, by others for it.  He has a sound education, he
worked in both public and private sectors, and he benefitted from
elders who brought him into government and political exposure. But all
these would have eluded him but for the fact his benefactors found him
worthy of high responsibilities and leadership roles, he rose. In sum,
Macron earned his achievement. Indeed, his confidence, his courage,
and his competence is clearly demonstrated by the fact of moving out
of the Socialist Party to start his own political platform.

It must be recalled though, that Nigeria once had courageous and
capable young people in leadership positions. General Yakubu Gowon at
age 32, led this country through its most difficult times, Brigadier
Mobolaji Johnson was governor of Lagos State at 31; Naval officer
Alfred Diette-Spiff was governor in Rivers State at 25; and M.T. Mbu
was federal minister at age 25, albeit under military rule. It is a
mark of Nigeria's regression that decades later, the older ones are
snatching back what they should let go to the terrible detriment of
the growth and development of the nation.

It must be noted, however, that his mentors and senior politicians who
leveraged his career are good people who identify and nurture younger
ones with such positive qualities. It is said that only the deep calls
to the deep. The leadership recruitment motive and process that put an
under 40 year-old into the French presidency must be commended.
Besides, Macron's success is a function of a political environment
that is relatively healthy, civilised, and rancor-free, where
respectable politicians, servant-leaders play decent politics largely
for the common good. It is noteworthy that outgoing president Francois
Hollande reportedly chose not to seek re-election because of his low
public rating. If this is true, such sensitivity to public feeling is
indeed a mark of statesmanship.

President Macron sees a 'new chapter of hope and confidence' and he
promised to give back to the French people the confidence to believe
in themselves. And he is reported to say he is 'a man of the right'
but motivated by 'the greater good of society' to work with the left.
That is wisdom of a patriot.

On the one hand, Nigeria is blessed with a large number of young
people waiting for just the opportunity to excel; there are many
others  not waiting but launching unto something by, and for
themselves. But, on the other hand, too many of the older generations
are too deeply sunk in all types of delinquency to either show good
example, or create an environment conducive for achievement. And there
is much to say about the power of environment to affect fortunes.

There is absolutely no reason many such as Macron cannot ascend in
this country. The adults in charge must, of course, allow it. And the
youth must muster the confidence, the competence, and the courage
required to take the baton.