14TH FEB' - MUCH ADO ABOUT CHANGE

Source: www.sailingsmitty.com

Have you ever wondered why the Nigerian Presidential election was fixed to hold on the 14th of February? Beats me! I have never been able to figure it out. I can imagine thousands of couple who planned to use that Saturday to seal their love only for the government to disrupt their plans. Honestly I feel this month was the wrongest month to pick for the election because there is nothing "lovable" about Nigerian election/politics.  Anyway its for the best of Nigeria. (I hope so!)

Recently, it occurred to me that there are actually 14 PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS 14! YES! Oh and there is even a female aspirant. Though apparently we have only 2 "giant" candidates making waves, washing their dirty linens in public all in the name of politics and campaigns. But hey, politics is a dirty game as they say.

This election campaign (if we can call their mudslinging that!) has opened the eyes of Nigerians to how petty our politicians are; showing us how immature they can be and proving to us that we aren't ready for true democracy. The politicians have succeeded in having a much divided Nigeria and we the electorate have simply become the prey, playing to their music. Every day on social media they strategically release an information to distract us from the main issue and I watch sadly as Nigerians fight and haul insults at each other over these candidates who to be honest do not know we exist or care about us.  Even our so called “Elder Statesmen” are not helping matters with their provoking press statements every day. We have watched these people speak from both sides of their mouth, saying one thing today and another tomorrow. The constant propagandas are overwhelming!

Source: www.dailyindependentnig.com

But these are the antics and gimmicks we need to learn to ignore. What these politicians care most about is that "Hot Seat". The earlier we realise that they will do anything within their power to get there including "using" us, the better for us. The election will be won by one candidate alone. They will kiss and make up, get other political appointments as compensation –a win win situation for them –while the friends you once had are now enemies. How long will it take us to understand that politics as it is in Nigeria today is simply a game of interests and godfatherism?

In my opinion, none of the 2 prominent candidates deserve that seat because none of them can give us the desired change we are clamouring for. The present government has not proven that it is capable of handling our problems. In fact they seem more like a team who have lost the manual of a drowning ship and are grasping onto straws, anything they can find just to survive. On the other hand, I have my doubts about the “saint-hood” of the General as is being sung about daily and portrayed by his loyalists, especially since he disrupted this same democracy 32 years ago. So what is new about him? How come he suddenly has answers to our problems? There are so many questions about him which I am yet to find answers to.  It is really a pity that in a country with over 170 million people of which 43% (about 73 million) are young people, the best we can do is recycle leaders. Same people, same ideologies. What has changed about them? Are these really the "best" candidates we can produce???  I am certain the world is watching and having a laugh at us right now. 

SIGH...

Be that as it may, since we are stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea, what should matter to us are the following: 

• How do they intend to solve our economic problem? Are there concrete plans? Are these plans workable?    It is not enough for us to be the biggest economy in Africa. The impact of it has to be felt by the average man on the street.
• Who has the master plan for tackling security issues?   The North has virtually been destroyed and become a terror zone.
• How do they intend to improve our health care system?
• How do they intend to better the educational system? How do they plan to make education accessible to all? Do they have a workable plan on how to bring down the rate of failure in WASSCE?  
• What is the agenda for power supply? Or should we go and service our generators and continue to depend on PHCN as a stand-by supply?
• Who has a good plan to reduce unemployment rate? According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) 54% of Nigerian youths are unemployed. In other words, alot of us are frustrated!
• What is the plan to reduce poverty? Currently, 60.1%  of Nigerians (100 million people)  live on less than a dollar! Who is concerned? 

Source: emn-news.com

Ah! Nigeria's problems are too numerous and Nigerians are tired. Tired of running around in circles. We want change. But before that kind of change we want happens, we ourselves must be ready to change. Individually and as a nation and not just lip service change.  We need to bear in mind that no leader elected in the next few days for the next 4 years can work magic. We also need to understand that Nigeria cannot become like the United States of America or even Dubai overnight. I really wish it could happen that way but it’s not jazz. It will take more than 4 years to build a solid economy and get to the "promised land". Transformation takes a lot of time, a lot of patience and a lot of dedication. Are we truly ready for real transformation?

As the election draws near, ponder on these and vote wisely! The question of whether our votes will count or not is a matter for another day but vote because it is your right and you genuinely want a better Nigeria.  Vote without sentiments. Vote for that person who has great ideas for this nation. Vote for the candidate you truly believe in!

LONG LIVE THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA!!!



Love, Always,

ELLA.