Let me begin with three quotes that can impress on Nigerians to make informed, unbiased and patriotism-driven choice on the next President of Nigeria on February 16, 2019 of the two major contestants, President Muhammadu Buhari and former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Buhari wants to take Nigeria to the next level on the premises that much has been achieved by his government to deserve another change.
Atiku, on the other hand, wants to get Nigeria working again on the grounds that Nigeria was working before Buhari took over in 2015 but it was terminated by something – the Buhari’s incumbent regime. In the simplest words, Buhari requires consolidation while Atiku requires restarting. Atiku wants to take back Nigeria to the PDP style of governance that spanned between 1999 and 2015, Buhari insists on the path of the progressives with the change mantra that has pushed through with difficulties in the last three and half years. Wherefore lays the rhetoric of these two antithetical approbations?
Before we approbate, let’s reflect on Plato’s dictum of political maturity when he said: “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics in that you end up being governed by your inferiors”. Socrates followed it up with his view that; “The wise who refuse to rule should prepare to suffer the rule of idiots”. But George Orwell pulled the conduit with his thesis that: “A people who elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves and traitors are not victims….but accomplices”.
Late celebrated Nigerian writer, Chinua Achebe, while speaking about his political views said, “…That elusive great Nigerian leader that is able to transcend our handicaps – corruption, ethnic bigotry, the celebration of mediocrity, indiscipline, etc – will only come when we make the process of electing leaders – through free and fair elections in a democracy as flawless as possible, improving on each exercise as we evolve as a nation. Once we have the right kinds of leaders in place, the true choices of the people, then, I believe, it will be possible to solidify all the freedoms we crave as a people- freedom of the press, assembly, expression, etc.”
It has never happened before in the history of Nigeria that general elections are just nearby and politicians are not wasting “looted funds” on campaigns or political assassinations are unheard of. It has never happened before that Nigerian politicians are refusing properties and monies found on transits or transborders. I would have sworn before now that no sane Nigerian can ever refuse multibillion naira edifices in places like Banana Island in Lagos, Central Business District in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and other cities like Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, amongst others. Even people who were often used as guises for the looters are refusing to associate themselves with such illegally acquired wealth and properties. Why?
It has never been heard before that “big men” mostly political office holders in Nigeria who used to show off their expensive costumes and vehicles at every occasion, are complaining of hardship.
Nigerians, therefore, require the next level of development. Let it be forward ever, not getting what is already working back “to work” by restarting it again.
Muhammad Ajah,
Abuja.
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