Nigeria @62: Call for voters to redefine nation through 2023 election

BLESSING AKOROWOSI, Osogbo

 

As Nigeria celebrates her 62nd Independence anniversary, her citizens have vowed to bring about the desired transformation through the 2023 presidential election.

 

The nation which is characterised by bad economy, insecurity, poor education system, poverty, unemployment, bad leadership and so on have stirred its citizens up for a redefining era.

 

Having agreed that the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) is a powerful transformation agent, more citizens have registered and collected theirs. They are willing to take responsibility for the death and resurrection of their nation.

 

Speaking on the current state of the nation, a Policy Analyst, Dr Oluyemi Omotoso Jnr said if the challenges of the country persist beyond 2023, “we might not have a nation to call our own.”

 

Dr Omotoso urged Nigerians to take the campaign period which has commenced as a defining moment for the nation, saying it is a make or mar decision for Nigerians at this time.

 

He appealed to them to interrogate issues and vote according to their consciences having obtained their PVCs and not to be tempted to collect money as bribes from politicians.

 

“Nigerians should interrogate issues. They are the ones to come up with the issues the country is faced with. ASUU has been on strike for more than seven months. There are people who are involved in the current leadership of this nation and they are also aspiring. What have been their interventions? Each of the candidates should be asked what they will do differently to resolve the crisis in the nation.

 

“Now elections are here, candidates want your vote, what they did not tell you yesterday, they will tell you today. It is now left for the owner of the vote to interrogate issues, alongside characters and personalities. Let’s discuss issues. Age is never a barrier. I know a 92 year old man in my town who is more mentally alert than I am. There are people who are young and are not mentally capable. It is not always about age but sometimes age could also be a barrier. You need the depth of knowledge to be able to interrogate when age and physical strength becomes a barrier or an asset in leadership.”

 

Comparing the campaign promises of 1979 and 2015 presidential elections, Dr. Omotoso noted that in 1979, Chief Obafemi Awolowo stated specific projects he will embark on, the procedures and how to generate resources for them but President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign, in 2015 was based on non-substantial promises which were never fulfilled.

 

He said, “Awolowo had his manifesto and agenda plainly written. He had his cardinal points and he broke them down into specifics that can be understood by everybody. You will know where he is going. He mentioned free education, he told us where he will get the money and how to implement it, and how many schools he will build. He had the data of the number of children that are out of school and the number that will return to school. Also, went further to tell us where they will work when they graduate. It is not just about making promises, but have you drawn out plans to implement them.

 

“The 2015 election was void of it, President Muhammadu Buhari told us in 2015 that he will build refineries, he didn’t tell us how he will and he never built any refinery since he came. He only marked money for it but it wasn’t used for it and the money was turned into something else. He also said that he will provide 3million jobs, which he did not fulfill and the country has become about 33% unemployed. He didn’t tell us how he is going to generate those jobs, how he is going to use the economy to provide those jobs. The promises are good but spelling out how it will be done is more important.

 

“What I expect this time around is the specifics. What will you do differently for us to get different results, not a campaign that you will be telling us that someone’s hand is shaking or head is not correct. Though this may be needed later as health is important. But first, the issues that affect all Nigerians, in terms of education, agriculture, health, roads.

 

“We want to see our politicians come on radio, television, newspapers and tell us what they want to do for us. We want those who have the capacity to solve our problems, they have deceived us enough.”

 

In his own view, Civil rights activist and convener of Nigeria for good governance, Mr Oluwole Oladapo said the nation is bedeviled by corruption and insecurity which has hampered its development and progress.

 

According to Mr Oladapo, the 2023 election scheduled for February 25 will be a defining moment for the nation.

 

Describing the situation, he said, “At the moment, people cannot freely move around. That is one fundamental right taken away because the government is insensitive.

 

“Today, the rate at which Nigerians want to leave the shores of this land is high, it has never been this bad. People between the ages of 20-50 are desperately looking for means to leave the shores of this land. A land that we so much loved sometimes ago and we were hoping to contribute our quota to developing it. Now, people who are to develop it are looking for opportunities to move because the economy is so bad.

 

“People are now living in the past. People that had used gas, now, cannot afford kerosene and are left with the option of firewood. Their life is practically reversing.

 

“Practical steps on how to tackle these issues must be highlighted. Enough of– I will fight corruption. That era is gone. Right under the nose of the man that said he will fight corruption, money developed wings in his first six months in office yet he did not lift a hand despite his anti-corruption campaign.

 

“The candidate contesting has just one vote but he is coming to seek the votes of the people. So, it is those with the millions of votes that will decide how Nigeria will move forward from where it is to where it should be.”

 

The civil rights activist frowned at the division among ethnic groups in the country, stressing that the president caused this.

 

“We see a lot of acrimony around about ethnic groups, because the man leading us today is an ethnic bigot. But people neglected that important aspect and now they have themselves to blame. The issue of Amotekun corps and state policing was as a result of the failure of the federal government. Now, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State wants to get guns for Amotekun in the state and it has been denied. There are insinuations that those in the north have, though the federal government has said they were only used for training. You see the divisions. How can a leader in the 21st century with our large population still be talking about grazing cattle, grazing route? That decision is not for the nation, it is a position to promote his own ethnic group which is seen to have been involved in such. It should be never again as we go to this election.

 

“Let people’s credentials be scrutinised by Nigerians. This can be done in several ways, rather than come to social media and begin to throw tantrums, write letters to places to confirm. Because if you lie to power then you will lie in power. People who should lead us should be people of impeccable character, whose antecedence can be traced, verified and confirmed. A thief cannot come to say I will repair your door for you, you will not allow him.”

 

A finance analyst, Dr Tunji Ogunyemi has also pointed out the dangers of nepotism to the economy. He said recruitment should not be based on religion or ethnicity, rather competence.

 

According to him, nepotism is anti-development as it does not bring about the desired result after several resources have been put in place.

 

Dr. Ogunyemi advocated for a strong political will to change the narrative and transform the economy of the country.

 

The Executive Director of Festus Fajemilo Foundation, Mr Afolabi Fajemilo, in an interview with Daily Champion corroborated the readiness of Nigerians to use the 2023 election to bring about a positive change.

 

Highlighting the numerous challenges in the nation, Mr Fajemilo urged the present administration to act fast to revive dying businesses and attract foreign investors.

 

“Nigeria of those days and present time is wide apart. That is why people are really anxious about the forthcoming election, hoping that Nigerans will use it to bring about a change with the way things are running in the country,” he said.

 

Politicians have been urged to focus on issue-based campaigns and desist from violence or hate speech, this will aid the citizens’ decision.

 

Eyes are more on the press to interrogate the candidates for their agenda to be well scrutinised by the citizens. However, Nigerians have said they cannot hold the politicians by their promises anymore, so their antecedents and corruption profile will be dug.

 

A suggestion sprang up that the presidential candidates should sit for examinations in order to test their ability before occupying the most revered position.

 

These fervent talks have shown the preparedness of Nigerians to rewrite its story through competent leadership in 2023.

 

 

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