By Paul Igbinoba, writing from Abuja.
To be candid, Nigerians would have loved to have a world class, intelligent and courageous leader come 2023; but that wish might just be a pipe dream for now—at least not 2023. Unless something drastic happens the worst case scenario is to prepare and endure for another round of reckless and disdainful leadership. Amongst the three leading contenders, Peter Obi, of the Labour Party, is arguably the least but better educated—and prepared, though his support base isn’t much. He comes with integrity and humility, but he needs to convert that to field advantage. His opponents, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling APC and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the PDP who ought to play pivotal roles in yanking the nation from the brink, are evidently short of those vital qualities and less educated; but they wield formidable powers by virtue of their huge financial war chest—and regular appearance in government.
They have always been recycled with their hands in almost every pie–spreading parochial interest. That advantage has been converted into enormous wealth at the expense of those they claim to govern—with much exploitation. What the nation needs ahead of 2023 and beyond is a leader who is strong and powerful with clearly identified mission—not any coming as an authoritarian without a purpose. Nigerians want a leader who brims with ideas and cannot be intimidated by the challenges of office. This is not so with the ruling APC that has irretrievably led the nation into an abyss of debt, puncturing the spirit of patriotism and unity that bond the people together. The worst of their reckless of actions hovers around lopsided appointments; it stands condemnable in any sane society. Now members of the public are wary of aspirants who come with the hidden motive to exploit existing fault lines.
APC leadership thought Nigerians such a bitter lesson that is better imagined. Added to that is their cruelty and blatant lies to the nation. Their seven years of hardship and poverty has left millions gasping for breath. At a point Nigerians were confused as to whether they actually elected an adversary instead of a leader. Somehow, these new set—although old wine– have to be asked: what are they campaigning for? Do they have the integrity worth selling? The flooded streets, economic ruins, hardship, poverty, dementia, fear, sickness, inflation, spiraling prices, power outages, insecurity, terrorism, bad loans, huge debts, corruption, not to mention blind theft and unbridled swindle in the oil sector? No explanation is given for anything, be it for missing ecological funds running into trillions or secret recruitment in ministries, department and agencies; or are we to chronicle officials who retired and were instantly reappointed into government under spurious positions, because they come from certain parts of the country? infact, it is pointless enumerating the ills of this APC government.
Then, suddenly, hate speeches emerged with statements such as “there is no going back on this or that”, “whatever the president brings to the Assembly will be rubber stamped” and “we have the numbers to win any election”, “this is our son” –none related to the business of providing good governance. This is happening in a country where top officials sleep comfortably while kidnapped victims spend hundreds of days in the forest! And incredibly none show any sign of being remorseful while the ordeal lasted. Even now, the Chibok kidnapped school girls have been in captivity for nearly 8 years. Unbelievable! Yet, the PDP has not fared better; in their sixteen years of leadership, the treasury was openly looted; nothing was spared; they held Nigerians captive and sold off vital government infrastructures to cronies and associates. Shocked Nigerians were left poorer and thrown into misery.
That experience is about to repeat itself unless the electorate get it right. Such is the impunity they hold the people that they can even nurse the idea of returning. What has changed since then? They are the same old wine in new bottles. To them, Nigeria is a playground for the highest bidder; only this time, they must meet their waterloo. Nigerians are now wiser. They must refuse to be intimidated. The APC candidate say it his turn to rule—so also Atiku Abubakar who feels it is his right; Both regard themselves as deities and tin-gods who must rather be obeyed. Sadly, the lame duck government institutions in Nigeria tremble at their appearance.
Under their leadership, this generation of Nigerians are certain to go into perpetual slavery! Unfortunately for Peter Obi, who having served two term as governor cannot be exonerated from the gamble. He has also exhibited trait of greed. He jumped from party to party until he found solace in Labor. He may be the youngest of the aspirants, but no one knows if he has the needed will to salvage the country. Nevertheless, as the campaigns take shape, one fact is becoming obvious: the aspirants are all shying away from confronting the real issue—that is how to curb terrorism and protect Nigerians. Without that assurance, they have a long way to go in convincing intending voters they have the capacity to govern.
