By Oladosu Ademola
In his Gettysburg address to celebrate the countless number of soldiers that died in America’s deadliest civil war, Abraham Lincoln the sixteen (16th) American president defines democracy as the government of the people, by the people and for the people. Over half of the world’s population practice democracy as a legitimate source of governance. Democracy, like other political movements (concepts) is premised on some parameters like: rule of law, free and fair election, equity and justice. The success of 2023 election can be correlated with the different levels of preparedness of various stakeholders like INEC, political parties and religious bodies. No democracy can strive without a free and fair election. We know no human operated system is free from errors but must be fair to all stakeholders about its possible outcome(s). Fortunately, Nigeria is a mixed “salad” of different ethnic, cultural and religious groups. Hitherto, since we practice a participating form of democracy, Nigerians of all ages above 18 troop out to vote for the candidates of their choice. Moreover, the electoral umpire has slated and started continued voters’ education and registration throughout the 774 local government areas in Nigeria. Like Abraham Lincoln opined; “election belong to the people. It is their decision if they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blusters”.
2023 campaign must be issue-based
As we move towards the end of the campaign seasons and jamboree, politicians should play by the rules. We all know that most Nigerian politicians care only about winning election, hence they should do so with high decorum and decency. Since the first republic the Nigerian political class has used sentiments and diatribe as a ploy of swinging and swirling votes to themselves. 2023 campaign should be all about what affect the over 200 million Nigerians. Unfortunately, Nigeria is sitting on a dire critical “knife-edge” situation cutting across various sectors of the nation’s life. This campaign should definitely deal with what the next president will face: high debt profile and mounting insecurity challenges. According to the latest international monetary fund (IMF) report, due to Nigeria’s low revenue profile the country need to mobilize more revenue to be able to have macro-economic stability. The report further warned that debt servicing may take all (100%) of Nigeria’s revenue by 2026 (3 years from now!). Also, it stated that Nigeria’s debt profile will hit 44.7% of GDP in 5 years. Nigeria is reeling from the bloody consequences of the mounting insecurity challenges as mass killing and kidnapping are going unabated and unchecked. This can (has) demarked the country’s foreign investment and earnings, thereby weakening the value of the naira.
My issues and concerns
Largely, most of the political campaigns have been issues-based: putting strategies on regaining the failures of the pass and sustaining the successes of the day. Most politicians should dwell more on addressing the issues of poverty and lack of trust by the citizens on the government as a veritable tool to fighting voter apathy. The hypocrisy of the Nigerian political system is that it wants patriotic citizens but not sincere leaders. We must fight a system that wants gullible voters but unquestionable emperor-like leaders. 2023 election must result to building of strong institutions and decentralized (small) government.
In a survey of youths in 15 African countries in which youths were asked if they though their country was headed in the wrong direction, Nigeria comes the very bottom with a whooping 95% of youth (age 18 – 24 years) as compare, to 4% to 58% of youths in Ghana and Uganda respectively.
As we race towards the peak of campaigns, it should be all about fighting for a true federalist state where devolution of powers to the administrating states and local government areas exist. To the voters, stick on issues that matter to you. Like former American President Theodore Roosevelt opined; “A vote is a riffle; it usefulness depends on the character of the user”. A nation depends on nationhood. Our nationhood depends on free and fair elections. Happy New Year; God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!