A Second Look At The Presidential Elections And Way Forward
Few weeks into the just concluded Presidential elections, I discovered a divided Nigeria where political campaigns were mostly destructive and caustic by political paid masters than issues-based. The All Progressives Congress (APC) took a constructive advantage over the former ruling political party (PDP) telling Nigerians on the inadequacies of President Goodluck Jonathan.
As we continue to send constructive congratulations to President-elect,General Mohammed Buhari and we must acknowledge the fact that President Goodluck Jonathan's defeat only ended the satanic prediction of Nigeria in 2015 by USA.His sportsmanship must not be taken for granted but only shown that Nigerians must decide their political leaders at various levels of governance in the country.
The speech of General Mohammed Buhari after receiving the Certificate of Return from INEC at Abuja where he said he would run all inclusive government and APC is for the people. The body language of Buhari indicated that those who made him to clinch victory would be disappointed if the need arises. He is a man with his words. He also told Amanpour of the CNN that he would eradicate corruption in Nigeria.
For Nigerians to demonstrate a real change in the Presidential elections indicated that everybody now knows that he or she can vote good leaders into power. In Lagos State, precisely,the PDP clinched six House of Representatives tickets where an Urhobo man,Hon.Oghene Emma Egoh of Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituency and Barr.Rita Orji from the South East of Ajerom-Ifelodun Federal Constituency contested and won the indigenes of the State.
Change is gradually coming into Nigeria politics through President Goodluck Jonathan and the social media. Those clamouring around Buhari for changes are 100 times richer than Nigeria while President-elect living a simple life. The questions many Nigerians are asking now, would this change manifest with these political elements who singlehandedly funded the campaign of GMB for the general elections.
A nation without opposition party is dead. So PDP returning to opposition party through President Goodluck Jonathan is not a crime. Political defection from opposition to change party is not new in Nigeria. I wondered what these criminally defected PDP members to APC would offer Nigerians in the next political dispensation. Some left the party because they wanted to remain in power forever. The 2015 Presidential elections, Nigerians voted massively for Buhari for change even some political riggings were obvious in some states. Professor Jega must be commended for creating some degrees of fairest in the elections. President Goodluck Jonathan is a hero to Nigeria who never wanted power at all cost. Those who shot him to power where those that campaigned against his leadership. If assuming President Goodluck Jonathan won this election by rigging factor that was formerly introduced by the repentant Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007 by Professor Maurice Iwu, then the country would have been divided into two by powers that be. Nigerians voted for Buhari's personality not party. In 2011, people voted massively for Jonathan not party, so it is vice-versa.
However, how many change elements are free from corruption in Nigeria? We must not be deceived by these criminal mindsets using the social media to insult leaders of credibility. It is unfortunate that Nigeria no longer has human rights activists fighting for corruption than singing praises of these terrorist criminals. Nigerians are watching if Buhari will eradicate Boko Haram corruption which comprises erratic power supply, education, economy and others.
My stake here is this, we Nigerian youths are celebrating Buhari for his Presidential victory but have we asked ourselves these pertinent questions,Buhari was 41 when he became the Head of State and now at 72,he is now the President-elect, do we have future leadership for ourselves mostly youths. Some Nigerians at 41 are yet to marry because of economical conditions of infamous leaders in the country. He fought to the last to emerge as the leader of the most populous African continent. As a Muslim, he was determined to succeed in life. All our Christian Presidential aspirants left the race for Buhari and never contested again.
As all Nigerians prepare for April 11 elections, we must vote for credible leaders not criminals that impose British taxes on the electorates without human sympathy than claiming change voices against the PDP.As everyone is running to APC for change, these criminals are yet to repent but their nemeses would soon catch them.
Having listen to Rochas Okorocha,the governor of Imo State trying to lure Igbos to APC indicates that, he is a political prostitution with no political direction. He left PDP to APGA and now APC clamouring for change. Only God will deliver the Igbos from such political toady using APC as an umbrella for cover. Chief Rochas Okorocha got it wrong by using party to equate Buhari's victory. General Mohammed Buhari is a man with integrity and nothing more. Radical change can only come if radical leaders with no corrupt mindsets will work towards achieving the set goal of President-elect.
Lastly, Buhari's victory is from God not man, so change elements should know that 4 years is enough to fulfil political promises. Nigerians are not interested with the party any politician belongs to but what you can offer the voters after elections. Money politics is gradually fading out through Mohammed Buhari where only credible and trusted candidates with empty bank accounts would be voted into power and nothing more.
Lagosians should vote for personality not party come April 11.It was former PDP National Chairman, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor who told Nigerians that PDP would rule for 60 years but that political perception has been discarded by the APC.16 years of PDP was not a total waste but not 100 percent leadership development to Nigerians. All aggrieved Party leaders and followers must work hand in hand to ensure free polls across the country.
Godday Odidi
Mindset Media Limited
08058124798
Lagos