There is something that I believe every Nigerian political observer has likely noticed in our political climate as the 2023 presidential election becomes more imminent than ever as time fritters away, and that is the continuous regurgitation of our extant crop of politicians into power.
Most of this extant crop of politicians are in their autumn of life and should be departing the political arena, but they are still contending for the heavyweight championship title, that is, the presidency. One would think that the continuous rotation of these politicians at the helm of affairs could be due to their ego, burning desire, and never-ending thirst for power.
Most of the politicians who declared their intention to run for the office of the president have held several positions like the governor, vice president, senator, and minister. Nigerian citizens who desire a change in leadership and a revamp of our political system are raised with fears that the country may be stuck with the same senescent leaders, the same people who were disgorged by our political system.
I am not trying to sabotage the efforts of those in power, however, if you critically analyze the situation of our country, you would get to see that these politicians have contributed greatly to the present state of our nation.
Most, if not all, of the politicians who are interested in running for office under the platform of the top two political heavyweights, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) prove my point that we are restating our past leaders because they have long been in politics.
Under the Platform of the People’s Democratic Party, we have:
- Abubakar Atiku, who was once a Vice President and who will be vying for the office of the President for the sixth time in his political career.
- Peter Obi, who was once a Governor of Anambra State.
- Nyesom Wike, was once a Minister of Education for State and is the current Governor of Rivers State.
- Aminu Tambuwal, who is the current Governor of Sokoto State.
- Abubakar Bukola Saraki, served as a Senate President of the 9th Senate of the Federal Republic and was once a Governor of Kwara State.
- Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, who served as a Senate President of the 4th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- Gov. Bala Mohammed, who is the current Governor of Bauchi State.
- Under the platform of the Progressives Congress (APC), we have:
- Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who was once a governor of Rivers State, and is currently, the Minister of Transportation.
- Asiwaju Bolaji Ahmed Tinubu, who was once a Governor of Lagos State.
- Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who is the current Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, who is the present governor of Kogi State.
- Rochas Okorocha, who was once a governor of Imo State.
- Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, who was once a governor of Anambra State, and is currently, the Minister of Trade, Labour and Employment.
Some of these politicians want to remain in power not because they have the best interests of our country at heart, but because of the benefits they would receive from staying in office.
Both the PDP and the APC have been fighting the war of ascendancy for years now, but it doesn’t seem like the electorates are no longer interested in their high jinks. Only a few Nigerians are looking for a change, and are hopeful that they can find it in a little-known presidential aspirant who isn’t corrupted by the past. I believe that if we set our focal point on electing people with new and innovative ideas, we can engender actual transformation in our country. Only then will we be able to truly move our country forward.
Many Nigerians typically vote for well-known and successful politicians, who are also skilled at the game of politics. Some people with political interests and potential solutions to the country’s problems don’t seem to have a chance against these prominent politicians.
We should be able to learn from the negative aspects and mistakes of our old leaders during their reign. However, the ball remains in the court of the Nigerian electorates to decide if they want a continuation of a perceived “better devil” among them, or better still, go for that person who can achieve the Nigerian dream.
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