An election like no other

The coming presidential election will sure be one like no other. It is both amazing and interesting how things are playing out.

My views are that sentimental people and those who sulk under exaggerated burdens usually want the porridge now, like Esau, and fail to see the bitter weeping that may lie ahead. To me, not to see anything good that the incumbent has done and to say it is F9 parallel for him is not only unfair but untrue. I actually feel that those who are supporting a take-over by another party are doing so not because they really love the flag-bearer (he was rejected many times before) but because they are fed up with the suffering and problems in the land - most of which were or are being catalyzed or indirectly supported by the same people accusing the present government of failure and some of which have been there like generational mountains. Many people grossly underestimate the intricacies of governance and political and regional undercurrents that mould the shape of things at the top in a fragmented nation like Nigeria. It is as if an angel of the devil poured an odious and foul smelling substance on one of the candidates while an angel of God poured a sweet smelling perfume on the other. Serious gaffe and shortcomings are underplayed or outrightly dismissed with a wave of the hand in the case of one while significant achievements and breakthroughs are underplayed and dismissed as non issues in the case of the other.

Those who think a messiah will come with a magic wand and turn things around overnight may be living in dreamland. And those who think the successful nations of today got to where they are without dark episodes in their national histories are wrong. But the problem with Nigeria is that we had the opportunity to put the dark phase behind us and ascend to the committee of respected nations but we flunked it. I am talking about the mid 70s to mid 80s. There was a time when money was not Nigeria's problem but how to spend it. The result of that missed opportunity is the elongation of our wilderness journey. Nigeria could easily have been any of the  present-day affluent nations but sadly we missed it or rather, we postponed the good day.

In case a new government emerges, it is like maybe a year and a half would be used to settle down and sweep previous "rubbish" away; another year may be used to draw a "master plan" or set up a think tank to delineate what to be done to move the nation forward and steer it away from the programmed direction of the previous "inept" government. Before long, another election would be around the corner. The new leader would need to rely heavily on advisers as it is clear he is out of touch with a lot of issues in governance and on the economy. This could create room for "remote control" effects but God could help him to do the right and needful as people pray and remain vigilant. 

On the other hand the new government might be wise and quickly pull off one or two moves that would endear it to the people. For instance, it could reduce fuel price, cut the bloated electricity wages, reduce fees for students in tertiary institutions and pump money into that sector, amend the automative policy so that people would still be able to purchase Tokunbo vehicles like before while the right environment is still provided for the new investors. I may be wrong but I do not foresee an immediate end to the problem of power generation and declining oil sale. However, if the new government is able to significantly improve power generation, reduce the cost of living and increase the wages of workers, it would remain in power for a long time.

Suffering can actually make people behave contrary to expectation, think strange thoughts and see strange things. It can amalgamate strange bed fellows. It is instructive that a person decisively rejected yesterday could become the darling of many people today. All yesteryears widely publicized  negatives are being brushed off as inconsequential by the same people who noised them to highest heavens then.

Yes I want a change for the better in this country but my stance is that it could come through any of the two contestants or even another person entirely. Only God knows tomorrow. Should the incumbent return as the winner, I trust he would have learnt a lesson or two and be a better and wiser leader. He would not take the people for granted. He would decisively fight corruption and insurgency. He would carry out good economic policies with a "human face" and put in place policies that will reduce the suffering and hardship in the land. I particularly liked the diplomatic muscle flexing (with India, South Africa and Britain) where those nations backtracked on their maltreatment of Nigerians. But it should continue. Some innocent Nigerians are still maltreated in Malaysia and other places. The government should also make it clear that Nigerians who drag the image of the nation into the mud will be punished. I also like the fact that Trailers will soon become uncommon sights on our roads as the trains are really working now. I must confess that the automotive policy is a good step in the right direction although it should be a more gradual thing. Countries like India and Brazil have effectively put this type of policy in place and are no longer dumping grounds for used vehicles. Although lecturers are canvassing for better funding and fees in our universities are skyrocketing, establishment of many tertiary institutions created jobs for many people and provided avenues for admission to many students. I can't wait to see The Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji taking off fully. The incumbent has many other achievements but as people say, a hungry man is an angry man. I only wish people would not allow present pain to becloud their sense of judgement. 

Supporters and candidates should carry out issue-based campaigns. The credentials and the promises of the candidates should be clearly tabled. There should be objective evaluations and there is need to look beyond the surface. Promise of accepting the results without recourse to violence should be extracted from the candidates and their parties. The better candidate is not always the winner but I pray that in the coming election, God will have mercy on Nigeria and give us somebody Himself. Nigeria will rise out of the ashes of shame and infamy. Christians should pray for the nation more than ever before at such a crossroad like this. Yes Christians have candidates but let us look beyond our candidates to God who has the hearts of all rulers. If we put Him first, He will make it a win-win situation for the country whoever wins. Long live Nigeria. God bless Nigerians and Nigeria.