Every journey starts with the first small step. There is no doubt that this year’s general elections will definately change the course of history of Nigeria for a new nation. Nigerians have learnt their lessons in a very hard way. Nigerians have come to realise that they are the solution to their problems. Suffering is how we react to events that happen to us. Most Nigerian problems are self-created.and now realise that their destiny is in their hands. This coming elections will reveal to all and sundry that relationship between citizens and the state is fundamental to democracy. The journey to a new Nigeria after fifty years of independence begins this year. This is the year that the catastrophies of past regimes will be turned to greatest opportunities by all eligible voters that cast their votes for a great change. I am foreseeing a decisive year in the history of this country when all Nigerians will decide to particpate and usher in a government of the people by the people and for the people. This is going to be a year of true and functioning democracy where many voices expressing different or even contrary ideas and opinions will do it without fear or intimidation. This is the year Nigerians will detoxing their negative thughts, forget the inbalances of the past and getting themselves into a positive frame of mind that will inspire them to come out en-masse and vote for a set of leaders that can re-write the history of Nigeria.
The game is up for all inept and dubious politicians . Now is the time for bad-belle, do-or-die politicians to look for another jobs It is time for all political opportunists, thugs, criminals to go back to the farms. Nigerians have realise that they have missed good things of life from those selfish and mischievous politicians and now uniting to bring back those missing beauties of democracy. This is the time to change from obscurity to reality, and from dissappointments to opportunities. This is the time we will all say goodbye to politics of hatred and deceit. Full participation in this coming general elections will give way for a free people to govern themselves, freedom of expression and enjoy good governance and accountability. This year general elections will provide greatest avenue for greatest development in Nigeria.
Imagine a new Nigeria where its age long motto of “ Unity and Faith, Peace and Unity” to have practical meanings to all Nigerians. Where onesness, harmony, trust, understanding, reconcilation and development take its root in all regions. A country where there will be love, unity and peace among the Kanuris, the Fulanis, the Hausas, the Gbagyi (Gwari) the Tiv, the Nupe, the Yoruba, the Edo, the Urhobo, the Igbo, the Ijaw and the Ibibio. Where there is no love, unity, peace and progress can never exist. Where deep ethnic, regional and religion violence will no longer be a national issue.
Imagine a new Nigeria where the new emerging unpolluted or uncorrupted leaders with integrity and capabilities will proudly lead us to the path of functioning democracy, good governance and accountability. A leader who will be able to interprete the present situation of the country and offer credible strategies to resolve it and transform the country within shortest time.By the time we have a true leader who will be ready to lay down his life for the progress of the country, then you will know that we have been unfortunates with those past leaders. New leaders who will dedicate all their effort to leave worthy legacies and footprints on the sand of time to be remembered and cherished forever. Where leaders will be servants of the people and the people will be their pay-masters. Leaders that realise that greatness is not property accumulated within shortest time but the services render for the good of others. Since, the British colonialists lowered the Union Jack and freed a land they have ruled for less than a century, the country have never enjoyed a credible leadership with good governance.
Imagine a country with modern, good and safe road and rail network services that link the all the thirty-six states of federation and Abuja together. Every Nigeria has the right to travel, live and work in safety. We all have the right to walk, ride and drive on good and safe roads. A country where Road Safety Improvement Action Plan on young and old drivers, pedestrians, motorcyclists, occupant protection, behavioural counter-measures, speed, seat-belt, drunk-diven and impaired drivers with blue-print to be implimented in order to minimise accidents on our roads. A nation where expenditure on road safety should be used judiciously to reduce increasing number of Nigerians being killed daily and subsequent trauma felt by their families.
This is a clarion call for all eligible voters to come out en-masse for registration exercise so that they can be able to vote dutring the next general election. You just have to register before you an vote. With the present electoral commission headed by Prof.Jega, there is no doubt that there is power in our votes to influence the outcome of the election. Our votes this time arround will give us a voice and effect the changes we have been looking from a new nation.Low turn out this time can give inept and dubious politicians and their party more opportunity to cling to power The country is fifty years old, but we are not destiny to be living in darkness, in abject poverty, irregular water and petrol supply with our God-given human and natural resources. There is need for a change. That change will only be possible this year with our votes. We must vote for the best candidate, even if he or she does not belong to our party. We must prefer meritocracy to mediocracy. This is the only way to have leaders that can achieve good governance and accountability. Together we can reclaim back our lost democracy and hope for brighter future with free, fair, compettive and peaceful elections.
Akande, author, educationist and road traffic safety researcher, University of Autonoma, Barcelona, Spain.. Email: [email protected]
