As we match into 2023 for another yet historic moment to elect the new leadership that will shape the fate of our dear country, Nigerians are keeping their fingers crossed. As usual, politicians have started selling themselves to the electorate. Amid all of this, the question should be who would succeed President Muhammadu Buhari?
This piece is to draw our attention to what is needed to be done as 2023 approaches. Despite the claim of a buoyant economy, it is disturbing that many Nigerians are living in poverty. And this is not unconnected to the egregious embezzlement, corruption, terrorism and ineptitude evident in our political system.
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That’s why Nigerians need to be wary and vote wisely. The country, as it is now, is deserving of a leader whose credentials transcend what is presented in the manifesto. We need a leader passionate about the country and who identifies with the situation of the masses; not a leader who delights in the woes that betide the country. The mismanagement of Nigeria’s “non-negotiable” unity that has resulted in more problems than one, is enough for us to know that the country deserves a leader better than Buhari.
Plus, the staggering level of the country’s debts, deplorable education system, worsening insecurity in several states of the country, resurrection of primordial sentiments emanating from poor handling of national cohesion by the government and a lot more speak volumes about why Nigerians must not be fooled the second time.
It is equally important that we rework our voting philosophy, much as the way of leadership must change. Changing the way of leadership, of course, demands intentional, cosmopolitan overhaul of our party system which cripples initiatives that can propel the prosperity of our country. In other words, we need to strike a balance between our constitution and party system in the hope of working out a formidable way for the country to thrive. I’m saying that a two-term opportunity for a government that fails to deliver should stop.
I urge INEC Nigeria to be objective in its handling of the electoral process. It is not out of place to argue that any sincere move to have a country that works begins with the credible electoral commission. Only this can save the country forever!
Babatunde Qodir and can be reached via [email protected]
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