By Salim Yunusa
In less than a week, Nigerians will get to exercise their democratic and electoral rights in carefully selecting and choosing new leaders that will steer the affairs of the country and represent them across local, state and federal levels; with the hope of bringing on board people that will – among many other things – secure the country and improving its economy.
The last 8 years have been characterized by a turbulent administration; with glaring insecurity caused by banditry and kidnapping in the North-West and North Central, IPOB uprising in the South – East and the lingering Boko Haram insurgency in the North – East.
The Nigerian economy took hits and was severely battered, with double digit inflation figures and millions of Nigerians plunged into poverty. Recently, the cashless policy, which is good in the long run, has caused untold hardship to many Nigerians, with protests and riots in some places.
As Nigerians head to the polls, they’re left with clear choices of who they want to steer the affairs of this country; a leader who can tackle the insecurity ravaging the country, a leader who can improve and strengthen the economy and mostly, unite a nation whose unity is precariously held by few loose strings.
Nigerians should elect a leader with a clear-cut vision on how to effectively utilize the millions of youths that are unemployed and underemployed. They should vote vote a leader devoid of religious, ethnic and regional bias for the betterment of the country.
Someone who will prioritize education – enrollment of the millions of out-of-school children roaming on the streets – and will put to an end the incessant industrial strikes bedeviling the public universities.
Nigerians should opt for a leader that listens and doesn’t infringe on their rights – whatsoever right that may be. We have seen how this administration banned Twitter, one of the most popular platforms that gave young Nigerians a voice, for six months. We have seen how the government cracked down on young Nigerians protesting police brutality during the #EndSARS protests.
We have seen how the government has tried to gag press freedom through the introduction of the social media bill. No sensible Nigerian should bring forth a leader that will enshrine this.
As Nigerians go to the polls, they should remember that the greatest mistake they made was placing all their hopes in the hands of one person; thinking that one person alone would ‘change’ the country. They should know – and if they do know – they should remember that change and nation building is not a job that can be done and achieved by just one man.
That it is a collective responsibility of everyone to play their part in making the country work for everyone. They should know that there is no magic wand that will swish away the problems of this country and that there’s no messiah that will come and save us.
Luckily for Nigeria, the problems are clear – and that’s half the problem solved. It is left to us to choose what is right over what is easy; to look away from hype and what is in vogue and to opt for options that will put first the interest of Nigerians and Nigeria.
Salim Yunusa is a prolific writer, poet and public affairs commentator. He writes in from Zaria, Kaduna.
