Nigeria 2023: The contenders and Pretenders, Part 2.
Most rational people would choose the one that expired about a month ago and then try all sort of tricks to lessen the eventual damage and effect.
The scenario above is where most Nigerian voters find themselves on election day, when they pick the ballot to cast their vote. Most times, the only viable choices are just rotten to the core.
A lot of people clamour for people to not sell their votes, truth is the votes have already been sold at Eagle Square. The elderly woman who collected a pack of salt and few naira notes on election day is not the one who sold Nigeria, those who traded dollars did months before she ever had a say and whether or not she takes the salt and cash, the milk is rotten.
This primary election season is the country's best chance to get it right and if you have any tricks up your sleeves, now is the time to play them.
This is not the time to sit on a fence, it is a common election season phrase but I sincerely believe this 2023 elections is the most consequential we've ever had, for obvious reasons. First, never have we had a democratically elected president fail so miserably like we do now, giving all the hopes and dreams that were placed on him.
Saying Muhammadu Buhari is a failed president is like flogging a dead horse but it's worth repeating, Buhari failed, is failing and will still fail before he leaves office, it's the only consistent thing about him.
When nations and entities are at a crossroad like we find ourselves as a country, they usually put their best foot forward, now more than ever is the time to get it right. Don't get too carried away, the next president, no matter who he/she is will not turn Nigeria into some economic power house over night, the local and global challenges are enormous. In fact, I believe we need at least, 3 consecutive two term presidents who will build on each others legacies and good works for us to have any hope of a great future. This is not a message of doom, it's just what the facts on the ground suggest.
Giving the foregoing, I have decided to make a list of candidates from the major parties who I think can begin this journey towards redemption and those I honestly believe should not be considered.
The APC.
YAY:
Professor Pastor Yemi Osinbajo.
The vice president has been a huge disappointment and I don't mince words in saying it but I believe every great president must possess 3 qualities; creativity, empathy and intelligence. Osinbajo has all 3, dare I say, in abundance.
His biggest weakness obviously is being a part of this catastrophic administration and those who constantly try to distance him from the failings of this regime are doing the man no good. Worse are those who have come up with the "his hands are tied" excuse. Reminds me of "the cabals" when Jonathan was president. What a load of nonsense. Their hands are only tied when it comes to doing public good.
His advantage he has, in my opinion and the more compelling case is his high level of intelligence, his ability to reason and talk like a man who lives in the 21st century and his understanding of the issues facing the nation.
One thing his certain, unlike his principal, the professor can actually grasp the issues, whether or not he acts decisively is to be determined.
If you have a chance to influence APC's presidential flag bearer, you should seriously consider Yemi Osinbajo.
NAY:
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Seriously, No!
Just No.
The presidency of Nigeria is not a reward, not a compensation and not a holiday destination.
The PDP.
YAY:
Peter Obi
Peter Obi's strengths are obvious, the man seem to understand the economic woes the nation faces and bar only insecurity, there's no other issue that's topmost in the hearts of Nigerians at this time. He has demonstrated his capacity to manage meager resources as governor and his proposals are very reasonable. Not to say I agree with all of it but, I respect a man who comes prepared and won't take us from "top to bottom".
In a sane world, Peter Obi will be the man to beat, many will be rushing to volunteer and donate for his campaign but I've lived in Nigeria long enough to know not a lot of things are very sane around here.
Obi's flaw, in my opinion, is his "one size fits all" agenda, he doesn't seem to be prepared enough to handle the security challenges especially from the South East. Let's be clear, if the IPOB/ESN menace is not stopped and fast, we'd have another home grown terror cell on our hands in a space that should be an economic hub. What a shame.
Mr. Obi needs a well thought out security strategy like he does for the economy.
Bukola Saraki
My feelings about Bukola Saraki are well documented and I hold him in similar regard as the current vice president. A man with enough potential, smarts and chops to make a name for himself and his country but has so far gone the way of a coward.
There's so much the former senate president can offer, in fact, if election day was tomorrow, I'd be voting for him.
I haven't met him and just to be clear, have no affiliations with the man at this time, I just know a smart man when I see/hear one and I understand the man has an incredible level of experience and education and like Osinbajo, if he doesn't, it won't be because he can't, it'd be he chose not to.
NAY:
Atiku Abubakar
There are too many disqualifying factors for the former vice president chief amongst is the man's obvious disinterest in the immediate challenges facing the nation. Since he's been active in politics, Atiku Abubakar's voice only grows loud when there's a position to vie for.
If you had any reason to vote for the man, consider the unfortunate events of the public execution of a school girl in Sokoto and Atiku's reaction and please, reconsider.
Whatever you feel about the girl and her actions, think about a leader who couldn't make up his mind about whether or not to condemn public lynching. I'll tell you what I think, giving the present level of division in the country, a man who can't unequivocally condemn jungle justice but choose to pander to a particular base is not a choice we should be making right now.
For the avoidance of doubt, there is no justifiable reason to stone a defenseless girl to death. It's murder and the perpetrators should be treated as murders. Period!
Nyesom Wike
Governor Wike, I'm afraid does not understand what it means to be president, if anything, the man seem to treat everything like a bar fight.
His supporters seem to think that kind of brash, undisciplined, power drunk attitude is what we need. That's laughable. Many of them would not want to live under Nasir El Rufai. A democratic society should get a president who understands and respect democracy.
If you have an opportunity to influence who we elect next year, don't give us expired milk, please.
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