Nigeria and 2015 elections

    
Author(s): Richard Chilee

As the 2015 general election draws closer, more drama unfolds in Nigeria’s political atmosphere. One of such, and in my opinion the strongest, is the formation and registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This is regarded as the strongest drama because it is presently the only move by the members of the opposition that have succeeded in awakening the ruling party – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – from their hibernation mode.
The 2015 election is really going to prove symbolic due to the two ever competing narratives of Nigeria. One is the story of poor governance, high spate of corruption and high levels of conflict. It is the story of poverty and marginalisation. The second story is the story of development, transformation, political inclusiveness and awareness with a touch on global perspective. It is the story of a revived economy, near constant electricity, job creation and poverty reduction. It is also the story of quality education and sustainable infrastructures.
These narratives present the two pictures of Nigeria. While the first narrative describes where we are presently, the second describes where we want to go. It is the duty of the 2015 election to bridge this gap, to push us from where we are to where we want to go. From all indication, despite the abundant resources, the ruling party has failed to take us to where we want to go and as such they have to let go of their grip on Nigeria.
But then, how possible is this aspiration? Are we willing to take that giant leap of faith needed to bring forth the change? Would the PDP easily let go of its menacing grip on Nigeria?
The answers to these questions fall on the shoulders of the newly formed APC and how seriously they take the job of redeeming Nigeria. They are the only hope of the Nigerian citizen, they have been mandated to redeem Nigeria from the clutches of the ruling PDP.
But again, recent happenings in the APC are revealing, with increasing accuracy, that they might not stand the chance to salvage Nigeria from the ruling PDP. I say this because the APC is nudging in the direction of parading the likes of Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu as their presidential candidates come 2015.
Buhari’s speech at the Africa’s Diaspora Conference, recently held in London, is a clear testament to this fact. His age is a huge impeding factor; and based on my recent survey from Nigerians across the world, many clearly don’t see General Buhari as a suitable candidate that will spearhead the change we desire. They hold that relying on the retired general to shoulder Nigeria’s huge responsibility isn’t the best practice; as he has been there and as such must not be entirely trusted.
Nigeria is where it is today as a result of this habit of rotating yesterday’s leaders; leaders who aren’t open to modern political practices. At best, Buhari and Tinubu should be kingmakers, not kings. They should identify and canvass for a young Nigerian within the confines of the party, equip him/her with the necessary leadership skills and allow him/her to function within the confines of best practices in government.
If the APC is really serious about redeeming Nigeria, it must understand that Nigeria’s problem is structural and only a young, dynamic and structured mind that can drive strategic change and foster qualitative innovations must be called upon.
The APC must consider a leader who has a global outlook to political issues and special penchant for science and technology. Nigeria needs a leader that can convert her natural resources and high commodity prices into well-organised and progressive changes that will sustain the economy for decades, with lasting impacts on welfare, manufacturing and industrialisation.
2015 is an opportunity for Nigeria’s rebirth. We need a renaissance leader, not politician, with interests in improved health and education outcomes, enormous natural resources development, democratic deepening and improved macroeconomic governance.
We need a leader that can prudently manage our natural mineral resources revenues and implement strategic policy measures to boost job creation.
We desire a young leader who has proved himself in a particular sector, whose mental architecture hasn’t been clogged by the malfeasance present in our today’s political climate and a leader who can always maintain a clear line of reasoning under duress.
The opposition must look deep down inside, find that young and credible leader and campaign vigorously for him/her from the foundation. Elections are not won on social media platforms, they are won by principles and by doing the actual job from the grass-root level.
While looking for this renaissance leader, the APC must eschew every form of tribal and religious differences so they can arrive at the best possible candidate. I strongly believe we have that leader; and until the opposition identifies and work vigorously with that young leader, Nigeria will still be at the mercy of the PDP come 2015.
If the young people in Nigeria still believe that they are the leaders of tomorrow, then they must stand up and be counted as one. The forthcoming election will give us the opportunity to claim this stand.
2015 is our time to rise. This time, it must not be a myth, it must be a reality.

Source: The Nigerian Telegraph

Link: http://telegraphng.com/2013/08/nigeria-and-2015-elections/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter