*By Jerry Ochada*
Nigeria is blessed beyond the contents of its National Anthem occasionally chanted absent mindedly by the citizens without ponder and sober reflections. Just like histories of countries adjudged today as developed world, the story of Africa’s most populous nation is written with blood; from the ugliest outbreak of a 30 months civil war seven years after gaining independence to the present state of insurgency, battle for secession and tormenting scenes of distrust, the shaky loins of Africa’s most glorified giant of disorderliness has become a topic of debate in the circle of international observers.
In Nigeria, the political landscape is littered with so many abnormalities. An assessment of the country’s political taboos further paint a poorly managed but colourful insights of varying reasons for the incessant military intervention in politics. Pitiably, this stories are not odd in the present century when glancing through the pages of history even though the world is globalized to accept democracy as the best form of governance with compensating opportunities allotted to the opportunistic few – called to serve – in seasons of exploitation. It is however nationally shameful for Nigerians to observe the overused baton of leadership being romanced in the mansion of political heavyweights; powerfully rotated within strong grips of oppressive cabals who nature has blessed with the necessary wherewithal often misused to the detriment of the common man.
In Nigeria, democracy has become the weirdest epicenter of injustice, oppression, siphoning of public fund, brazen display of incompetency and unaccountable leadership. This shortcomings may not be peculiar to Nigeria but a sincere voyage of study, assessing inimical shelling intrigues and power play from 1999 till date would unveil the suffocating dangers ahead and the ineffective modus operandi at the moment. African leaders are renowned for sit tight tendencies while occupying political offices but the super powers in Nigeria have gone extra miles building political empires with assuming strength of rotating power within the treachery of half angled comradeship. Politics is not family business. Unfortunately, the oppressed are not tired of complaining because they have developed the ugliest penchant of repeating old mistakes but expecting favourable result. It is not possible!
The country has been battling to curtail the menace of armed banditry but in essence, it is a vague misplacement of priorities. If Nigerians are ready to succeed as one united nation irrespective of ethnicity and religion, the masses should also resolve to change the old order by halting the bandwagon of recycled leaders gunning for the highest political office in the land yet lacking the interest of the people at heart. This class of Nigerians should be graded and tagged political bandits. They are more dangerous than the worst terrorist group ravaging the country. Similarly, many political analyst are quick to defend criticisms of old age affecting governance but it is obvious – healthy leaders build healthy economies of Nations – it is difficult placing the collective destinies of over 180 million Nationals in the hands of an old patient to repair and heal. Age is just a number, no doubt but the accompanying effect of senility is a natural disorder.
Be that as it may, the bulk of Nigerian youths are not ready for the task ahead. The illusionary bastardized posture of a bracket of youthful but not useful political leaders calls for sober reflections. Trouble is looming and Nigerians are at crossroads; to recycle the old bandits or manage a young man full of youthful exuberance and inexperienced blunders. Kudos to the nationalists who fought for Nigeria’s independence on a platter of gold. Theirs was a time when selflessness was not measured within the parameters of affluence rather they won the heart of the people through influential deeds and pragmatic display of uncommon patriotism. May the toiling of our heroes not be in vain. In 2023, Nigerians should not shop for a retired caretaker neither should the most populous black nation settle for a national landlord, it is time to identify and adopt selfless leaders who are charismatic to national course with widely attested potentials to heal old wound bleeding blood of disunity.
It is another hunting season but it is imperative to identify real hunters and tame the bandits. The masses should not hesitate embarking on trips of ceaseless reflections because it is timely for charting a new course. The task ahead is not a respecter of any zoning formula or another season of waking up religious bigots from their slumber and compensate them for planting seeds of discord. It is time to change the ugly narratives by participating in the process of rewriting the history of Nigeria for the betterment of all and sundry. The aspirations of who becomes the President of Nigeria in 2023 should not be narrowed down to the doctrine of ‘godfatherism’ because it is a clog in the wheel of national progression.
Politics in Nigeria should not be stage managed to feature the big class. Equality before the law should also be recommended in political interplay and constitutional requirements of eligiblity to contest should be respected. Nigeria as a country does not belong to the selected few running affairs of the country like their personal business. Political bandits are always on standby to hijack the process but the will of the people must supercede their greedy agenda if only the spirit of unity in diversity can be revamped in order to speak with one voice. This is a wake up call for the youth who are not ready to make difference rather they prefer the switch of sycophancy thus burying all attributes and opportunities.
In 2023, Nigerians should not settle for big names, political “maradona” and men of affluence working for their pockets. Any political leader who was tested and collectively distrusted should retire from politics. It is easy building a political empire of loyalists but vox populi vox dei; if the governed can not appraise your style of leadership then you are a monumental failure. Political franchise in all fairness can be given to the son of a common man who has struggled to climb the ladder and is ready to make a point. Furthermore, educational attainment is not a guarantee or prospects for good leadership. You can be educated by bereft of ideological leadership. Again, successful managers are not automatically good leaders because success in business is streamlined while idiosyncrasies is pressurized to suit the yearnings of the people by building the nation devoid of sentimental affection to any individual or zone.
In all, most political leaders and traditional rulers are always curious at the verge of leaving office about their successors. Reasons best known to them. President Muhammadu Buhari can leave Nigerians with a parting gift by refusing to anoint any heir to the throne. At least, for the first time in the history of Nigeria let the people decide the next landlord of Aso Rock without fear or favour. True leaders are remembered till eternity while the decisions of bad leaders is collosal with effects lasting for a lifetime. Now, it is time to decide; to be a good ambassador or a political weakling full of commotion and confusion. It is a time to hunt. Nigerians are hunting for a game changer while political bandits are hunting to occupy space in Aso Rock.
God bless Nigeria!