SIR: The lack of respect for rule of law and adequate law enforcement has overtime etched its mark all over the checkered history of Nigeria. This is why Nigerians, since independence, have repeatedly searched for a “liberator” who can deliver from poverty, insecurity and turn around the economy that has constantly dwelled in doldrums. Past political and military leaders were some of the “liberators” who many hoped would lead in the effort to build a “nation bound in freedom, peace, and unity”: “A nation where peace and justice shall reign.”
In pursuit of this cause, the peaceful and credible elections conducted in 2015, which by all standards went well, set the country on a trajectory towards repositioning its democracy, transitioning from a largely unstable and concerned experiment in 1999 to the realm of possible political maturity.
As Nigerians prepare to vote in the general elections come Saturday February 23, many are worried that the acrimony and competitiveness that once preceded the political process might reemerge and derail this newfound culture of conducting peaceful elections. Be that as it may, Nigerians have also remained positive that the elections will not be botched by violence.
While these narratives are getting popular depending on whom you talk to, it is nevertheless disturbing to see that democracy in Nigeria is still devoid of any distinct ideology or ethics. For example, most political party campaigns have focused copiously on personalities instead of on economic issue-oriented topics as it applies globally. As a matter of fact, highest bidder, religion and tribe principally shape loyalty to political parties and candidates among Nigerians. Most candidates, in the first place, never actually focus on policies. Instead, they just spit out promises, meaningless platitudes and political verbiages. Then again, most Nigerians do not really desire to understand these promises so they can hold the leaders responsible when or if they fail.
This lack of ideological direction is, among many reasons, why Nigeria as a nation has continually suffered painful and persisting years of nepotism, greed and neglect of the led by the leaders. Astoundingly, this is also happening when Nigeria has evolved and is now listed as a nation having one of the largest young populations in the world. Nigerian politics still remains dominated by the older generation.
Nigerians are responsible for challenging every abuse of ethical sense by elected leaders. The 2019 General Elections is coming with opportunities for electorates to make informed choices. It is a chance to prove that their loyalty is not to money, incompetence, hypocrisy and dishonesty.
In case you’re still wondering, the opportunities ahead of Nigerians also include the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the ambidexterity of leaders who once claimed to be in favor of making life better for the masses, or against corruptions and insecurity, but have deferred responsibility for acting to advance their campaign promises.
It is also an opportunity to stop waiting for “liberators” to save Nigeria, and instead become a people who are committed to saving Nigeria from bad leaders. It is an opportunity to practice honesty in addressing issues crippling the country by voting out leaders who falter in fulfilling their campaign promises irrespective of religious or tribal affiliation, or reelecting those who have distinguished themselves with honor, sincerity and result-oriented leadership.
Nigerians, like others, have always differed on what is influencing their votes. While some feel they have been drowned and crippled by the choices made by the incumbents and the powers that be, there are those who still favor and passionately lionized the status quo. Whatever side of the spectrum you stand, please ensure that the candidates you choose are ones that are truly committed to honest leadership, justifiable ideologies and effective developmental agendas that are significant and can set Nigeria on the path of becoming more productive, peaceful and integrated as a society.
2019 polls is an opportunity for Nigerians to keep their pledge to the nation to stop making justification or excuses for leaders when they do something controversial or fail to unite them. It is a time to exercise their right to vote for the candidates willing to bring positive and result-oriented change.
The choices Nigerians make in these polls will influence the management of institutions, communities, businesses and networks that are critical to building and driving progress on a prodigious developmental scale in Nigeria. The opportunities are laid out before Nigerians, and all they must do is act upon them.
- David Dimas, Laurel, Maryland, U.S.A