We are on the march again, looking for Mr President for Nigeria. We have been here before and will be here again, in both the near and the distant future.
As long as democracy endures in this part of the world, the four-year presidential electoral cycle will remain routinary. That said, it is important to touch on the speculated and imagined presidential hopefuls.
These political characters will become more defined as the election draws near.
It should be noted that there is no social mechanism as fluid as politics. It not only fluctuates but also punishes stagnancy, so to speak.
One of the prominent presidential hopefuls is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
So far, he is the only one whose campaign is beginning to gain some traction.
He is presently close to making an official declaration. I believe that it is no longer a case of if, it is now a case of when will he make the official declaration.
There is no doubting the fact that his candidacy would heavily divide opinions across diverse political lines.
While I dislike how Asiwaju Tinubu has conducted some of his politics in the South West and the role he played in weakening the Afenifere, I acknowledge his inalienable right to aspire to the position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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Infact, he has the political structure and gravitas to clinch an electoral victory, square and fair.
Why shouldn’t he aspire for such an elevated position? Who wouldn’t?
I have not seen any sane or reasonable person who would not aspire to such elevation if such an individual fancies the permutated chance.
I am personally averse to the Yoruba adage that says “Ilesanmi dun ju oye lo” which translates to “Having a peaceful home or existence is by far superior and better than having a chieftaincy title or societal recognition”.
On the March Again – Looking for Mr President for Nigeria
An understanding of the usefulness of the lever of power would dislodge any present and sane mind from indulging in such a self-defeating mindset.
So, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and any other Nigerian should feel free to aspire to lead our country.
On this note, I would like to wish him and other potential presidential hopefuls well in advance.
If his manifesto suggests future developmental opportunities for Nigeria.
If his manifesto suggests a revisitation of the structural anomalies leading to the restructuring of the country.
If his manifesto would point to the revival of the middle class and a more disciplined civil service in Nigeria.
If his manifesto would address the skills deficit in our educational system and core competence market sector of the economy.
If his manifesto suggests the conferment of significance on the informal economic sector where the majority of the low-income earners in the country are based.
If his manifesto would seek to address the various agitations across the country, then he would have enough support and votes.
Let me state at this point that in the name of collective fairness, I believe that the South-Eastern part of Nigeria should have produced the next presidential candidates of the main political parties.
They have competent hands that can get the job done.
On the March Again – Looking for Mr President for Nigeria
However, this appears to be wishful thinking which may be far removed from the realities, as no particular region should have the presidency thrust on them.
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The South Easterners should be seen to be interested in vying for the presidential position.
No one should be voted for simply based on ethnic and geopolitical identity.
Presidential hopefuls like Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, Kingsley Moghalu, Rochas Okorochas, Kayode Fayemi, Tunde Bakare, Yemi Osibajo, Atiku Abubakar among others should be marketed on the strengths of their programmes, manifestoes and political ideologies, and not just because they are from a particular region.
We await their political programmes and manifestoes. Time will tell if they are worthy of the much-needed support.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu like other contestants should be given the benefit of the doubt and be listened to. Who knows?
We need to appreciate the fact that Nigeria is on a precipice, and we should take our precarious situation seriously.
Nigeria cannot afford a “We” versus “Them” stance, this time around.
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The politicization of religion should be eschewed in its entirety. It is killing us.
The weaponization of thuggery for electoral gains should be shunned at all levels.
Mass utilization of thuggery is one of the downsides of Asiwaju Tinubu’s candidacy and it is a cause for concern.
Let’s see how he addresses this concern, going forward.
Let us see how much public association he would be willing to afford his known groomed thugs.
I should like to add that winning an election is one thing but appropriating such electoral victory is another thing entirely. Before you go about gasping for air, please know that it has happened before.
The memory of MKO is still fresh.
Should the winner of the 2023 election not successfully secure an agreement with those who are fuelling instability in Nigeria, then I cannot in all sincerity rule out a military takeover of some sort. I genuinely hope not.
Democracy is currently at risk in Nigeria, take it or leave it. However, I should quickly add that this is not peculiar to Nigeria alone. It is fast becoming a West African problem.
May the best man for the job emerge. May Nigeria win. May the future of Nigeria not be compromised any further.
On the March Again – Looking for Mr President for Nigeria
