In just a matter of hours, and barring any further political hiccup, Nigerians will attempt to write a new chapter in the history of this ‘geographical entity.” The hullabaloo that has engulfed what ordinarily, in sane societies, should be a placid and matured quest for a people to propagate their nationhood and strengthen their democratic values via the process of elections and electioneering, will, perhaps, come to a halt. The general elections will finally hold!
Like in the past, the incidents and sequence of events preceding ‘zero hour’ have been rancorous, petty, messy and hugely uncivilised. And like the proverbial wolf – which may lose its teeth, but never its nature – those who have manipulated themselves into positions of leadership over the years, are taking us down the same tortuous path in the wilderness of political and economic rigmarole, with the promise land no where in sight.
I have watched, with much consternation and amazement, the campaigns for these elections. The quality and content of the shenanigans we have exhibited in the last few months and weeks has added impetus to the vilification we have endured over time, particularly from the outside world. We are often viewed as a people with no obvious sense of direction. And the adventures of the current political hocus pocus have done very little to rubbish this perception. If anything, it has amplified the notion that we are hugely inefficient or unqualified for self-governance.
It is a complete aberration to imagine that a country with more than its fair share of human and material resources continues to grope in the dark as it pretends to seek solutions to the simplest of problems. After over fifteen years of unhindered civil rule – sequel to the long years of military entanglement – our progression towards true nationhood has been a clear display of stuntedness. On all fronts, successive administrations have failed to set sail. Consequently, we are left to stutter in bewilderment as the people continue to suffer. Our political system – as presently structured – is fashioned, somewhat, to negate the emergence of our best brains to take up leadership roles. Thus, even when we are presented with the liberty of choice, through the ballot, we are often left, willy-nilly, with the choice of either the head or tail of the same rotten fish. And this permeates all levels of governance. The result is that the system always throws up a team not even worthy of a substitute bench appearance. The electorate is not exculpated from this dance of shame. They excavate all manner of primordial sentiments as basement for choices at a time when vital condiments of integrity and egalitarianism should sharpen their sense of judgement. The conglomeration of these inconsequentials remain the raison d’etre for our underdevelopment and underachievement.
This is made worse by so much emphasis on the ‘ultimate job’ in the land, to the seemingly neglect of other key positions. Consequently, prospectives of other significant elective positions – precisely those of the national and state assemblies – are somewhat unintentionally shielded from comprehensive public scrutiny of their character content. As we speak, not too many Nigerians have explicit knowledge of the character content of those seeking their mandate at the legislature – both at the national and state levels.
But even the touts and street urchins have the ‘dossier’ of the two main candidates to Aso Rock.This is the crux of the discourse. A large number of the electorate who have already pitched their tents with either of the two main presidential candidates, more often than not, have done so not necessarily because of the perceived political and economic astuteness of their choice candidate, but largely due to a concoction of congenital beliefs.
As have already been posited by not a few analysts, none of the two main presidential candidates has the messianic touch. In fact, they are just the availables. And if one could juxtapose the demarcates of the platforms on which both candidates stand, there isn’t much to choose between them. Unlike in developed and organised countries where leaders emerge largely based on the ideologies and principles propagated by the platforms that throw them up., here, rulers emerge based purely on the sentiments pervading their mien. In a nutshell, the two main presidential candidates – Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC), are expected to garner votes on the premise of this scenario.
So, juxtaposing our two availables, President Jonathan, following the indices of development, in my unbiased estimation, could have performed better, especially on corruption, which remains the biggest impediment to our take-off. Even when the erudite Professor Charles Soludo (former CBN governor) took the present administration to the cleaners on the failing economy, their response was emphatic – mudslinging, with very little effort to counter the numerous issues raised. Now, will a Buhari offer anything better in terms of reviving an ailing economy? I sincerely don’t know. But I do know that we have seen enough in the last four years to desire a change. In all sincerity, Nigerians really deserve better than the status quo! I also know that a Buhari administration will do away with most of the wastages that we are currently witnessing in the system.
I also have no idea what a Buhari will do to salvage our power sector and rebuild our dilapidating infrastructure, but if after four years, a doctor has no clue of my ailment – let alone the cure – then the only available option to me as a sound mind, would be to seek help elsewhere. Nigeria is not just sick; Nigeria is a dying patient! ‘freedom fighters’ and self-acclaimed liberators of God knows who or what!
A Buhari presidency, as stated earlier, may not be the final solution to the problems of this country, but it certainly will present a break from the norm. The solution to our problems lies in building institutions that will stand the test of time; make government non-lucrative, so that only visionaries can aspire to provide selfless service; bring government officials to the level of the average Nigerian, not elevated to their present ‘tin-god’ status.
As we cast our votes, let’s do so with a mindset expunged of tribe, religion and ethnicity. Let our minds be filled with so much sprightliness with an urge to contribute to the reconstruction of a nation. But if we feel this is what deserve as a people, so be it. If we feel the status quo is utopian, then good luck to us.
SUN
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