2019 elections: The beginning of intrigues, dramas & alignments by Alao Abiodun
NEWS DIGEST – After the official declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari to re-contest 2019 elections earlier this week for the second term and not the second time, a stroll down to social media sphere played host to series of reactions, while many budding political experts at newspaper stands and T-junctions expressed their displeasure and dissatisfaction, I could sense the anger and bitter thirst to vote out Buhari next year, while others were sarcastically saying “Sai Baba till 2023”.
While the news of President Buhari declaration to re-contest broke out in the busy hours of Monday which was termed as “Breaking News”, I was unperturbed because majority of Nigerians saw it coming and as such it was not a surprise package but a controversial one to stir up the political atmosphere which was already polarized by the likes of Omoyele Sowore, Fela Durotoye, Daniel Akinlami, Nicolas Felix, Donald Ike Igwegbu, Victor Ani-Laju, Mathias Baba Tsado, Clement Jimbo, Ahmed Buhari, Adams Garba, Jaye Gaskia, Kingsley Moghalu, Atiku Abubakar, Ayo Fayose, Donald Duke, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Sule Lamido, Rabiu Kwankasso and many others.
By default settings, politicians in Nigeria have only one goal which is the quest to remain in power whether or not their stay has any relevance, even at the detriment of their health and other scandals as long as the financial security is consistent. With the political realities and scheme of things so far since the inception of the Buhari administration, it wouldn’t be a blunt one to say that the administration has under-performed but there is still much to be done even within the short time frame. However, the facts speak for themselves because the manifestos of the current administration under the change mantra which has been unraveled from the archives shows that there are still many unfulfilled promises but the administration is now in a race against time.
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Flashback to the 2015 elections where the whole populace was caught in the web of the change mantra, the majority had the say despite the empathy and emotions put in place by the Goodluck Jonathan. The Goodluck administration which was largely criticized as a result of corrupt deeds, clueless actions and incompetent activities couldn’t survive the ceaseless ranting and attacks from Nigerians and now the Buhari’s administration for the first 3 years have indeed decided to chase shadows and go after corrupt individuals leaving the common man blank and then presenting abstract promises fulfilled.
As the plot thickens, it’s indeed going to be a long drama, the political gladiators will all come out in full force to show their permutating and shrewd skills, the campaign will however be vigorous and tactical, and now we (electorates) are waiting for the polling booths to open. We can only hope that the voters prove them wrong at the polling booth and vote wisely.
Our hope is that the election outcome ushers in another era of economic prosperity for Nigerians. Meanwhile, it’s necessary for us to monitor the good, the bad and the ugly of the campaign process. It’s necessary to remind the electoral commission that the perfection of the biometric voting system in Nigeria ahead of the 2019 elections would clearly improve the integrity of elections in Nigeria.
While it is no longer a breaking news that Nigeria’s problems are numerous and complex but not intractable, whether these be corruption, an unraveling economy, insecurity, unemployment, power amongst others, there’s a dire need for reformation of governance at the local level for enhanced citizens participation because Nigeria’s democracy requires effective citizen participation in governance and political accountability by elected holders of public office.
In my humble submission, President Buhari in the next election in 2019 must make himself available for any form of political debates just like every other presidential aspirant and not think this election might be based on riding on the wings of popularity, He must speak at campaign rallies and also simultaneously share with Nigerians his score card for the last 4 years. Before every elections in Nigeria, even a throwback to the 2015 general elections, the narratives are usually frightening, even some schools of thought forecasted the demise of Nigeria, but however, Nigeria was able to snatch a collective victory from the jaws of defeat.
Most importantly, the youths of the triumvirate ethnic groups in Nigeria must be ready to keep aside the youth exuberance, destructive criticism rather than constructive criticism and social media daily ranting and contribute intellectually to the building process of this nation by actively participating in the activities of governance and most importantly getting their PVCs.
Alao Abiodun writes from Lagos. He can be reached via Alaojoshua200@gmail.com
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