2023 General Election in Nigeria: A Political Education for the Electorates

In the seven years that the APC led federal government have being in power, the so called social change envisaged, is yet to come to reality. The big question remains 'which way forward for Nigeria since the change mantra has failed'? Do we look up to the PDP for salvation or we should look elsewhere?

In unraveling the puzzles posed so far, it is pertinent to state that Nigeria became the global poverty capital of the world under the APC leadership. Likewise, unemployment, inflation, incessant devaluation of the niara and other such anti-poor policies and programmes have pushed many households into the poverty trap. Till date, strike in our institution of learning still persist. Insecurity mostly internal security challenges are yet to be tamed and this has snowballed into the education, transport and other such critical sectors. There is a huge debt burden, infrastructural deficit and massive Exodus of professionals like: medical doctors, nurses and academia leaving the shores of Nigeria for greener pastures.

Importation of food, generators and even refined fuels are still in existence. Our refineries and power sector are in a state of abeyance. Having said this, we have seen clearly that leadership problem is indeed the issue with this current regime. Also, the regime lacks a viable Economic blueprint and those in charge of major public policy formulation and implementation are not suitable for the task. The regime maintained a lopsided form of dishing out appointments and reward. In the same vein, once a corrupt person crosscarpets from PDP to APC, all their wrongs are bygone. On this note, it is obvious that the party and the members of the party sees democracy as a Government of the elites, for the elites and by the elites. Majority rules was circumvented by the few elites who abused the mandate of the masses that voted for them during the election time.

Turning to PDP as a saving Grace will not be advisable. Reason being that, Nigeria is yet to apply strigent laws that punishes crosscarpeting. APC and PDP are both old wine in a new bottle. Both parties are busy recycling kleptocrats who has nothing tangible to offer. Of late, I have noticed that even the so called law makers are just there to complement and aid the executives to have their way. All they care about is attracting federal education institutions to their various constituencies (education politics).

The time is ripe for we the voters to stand up and fight for our future. The winner of the 2023 election will determine the fate of Nigerians continuous existence under the current dispensation. Failure to vote for and elect a leader with vision and a mission to rescue then, the fate of Nigeria will be likened to that of Emperor Nero who was drinking while Rome burnt down to ashes. There is no time for Political apathy. We all must come out in masses, get your PVC and end the recycling of failled leadership as brandished by the two major parties.

First and foremost, Nigeria is a multi party state. Not a two party state. As such, the mentality of PDP or APC option should be given an instant natural and artificial death. If need be, an electoral provision should make way for an independent candidate option as obtainable in advanced countries of the world.

Second, gone are the days the youths perceives election as a thing for the elderly or aged parents. I was glad to see a senior Lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka admonishing students to get their PVC and score a good grade in their Continuous Assessment (No evidence of PVC no CA for you). Other lecturers and even religious leaders should utilize this same approach as it is a promising one for emergency mobilization and sensitization. Political parties should also reach out to the 774 Local Government Areas in the state in order to give Political Education to the people through the use of local languages and make them understand why they should vote beyond religion, tribe and party affiliations.

The electorates should engage Political aspirants on meaningful debates while observing their personalities and the moral currency they possess. Manifesto should be critically scrutinized because those juicy and lip service kind of manifesto should be jetisoned for simple and realistic ones. Imagine Buhari saying he will bridge the gap between naira and dollars, petrol to be sold so cheap and payment of cash to all youths. Such juicy manifesto failed to manifest till date and a repetition of such should be avoided like a weird wind.

In my opinion, a neutral party that is made up of young and vibrant individuals who are between the ages of 50 and 60 should be allowed to rule. An electoral amendment is needed to place age embargo as well as lifting the Academicqualifications for aspirants who intends to run for the office of the Presidency. Nevertheless, wastages in governance should by cut down by bringing forth part time legislatures, scrapping of special monetary privileges enjoyed my ex presidents and other top Government officials.

Let us come together and vote responsibly. Money politics will only push you to the worng candidate. Think about your children, the standard of living and the security situations in the country and do the right thing. Remember your vote is your right. Don't play with it for any reason. At this point, I must remind you all that we still have public opinion, plebiscite and referendum as well as recall. These tools are not well utilized in Nigeria.

As a good citizen, read your newspapers, be security conscious, read good books on politics to learn more and learn to air your views and opinions in newspaper columns, features, Social media posts among others.