It has become obvious and apparent fact that, it’s less than a month for Nigeria’s general elections which was scheduled to take place on 25 Feb 2023.
Nigeria is the most populous black nation not only in Africa but worldwide and simultaneously endowed with deposit mineral resources. Undoubtedly, these combination of resources (human and natural) have made Nigeria a biggest country on earth. A general elections from such wonderful and vintage nation must’ve lure the attention of scholars, students and enthusiastic analyst in the field of politics.
Last nine years shortly before the 2015 general elections, Nigeria was found itself in a rip stage just like prisoner in a solitary confinement. Many obstacles such as Boko Haram, corruptions and bad governance have retarded Nigeria to the last breathe. Such situation have influenced masses to turned against government thinking that it was incompetent. The then, ruling party ie people democratic party (PDP) has been castigated, denounced, criticized and condemned by all Nigerians.
The above issues necessitated major parties including big and mushrooms to collaborate and formed merger known as All progressive congress (APC). Despite the fact that, so many gladiators such Atiku, Kwankwaso and others were ran for Presidential seat under the platform of APC but at last Muhammad Buhari from Daura emerged as APC flag bearer because Buhari was the right course to defeat the incumbent president Jonathan.
Buhari , Nigeria and citizens expectations
Muhammadu Buhari ( listen) GCFR (born 17 December 1942) is a Nigerian politician, who served as president of Nigeria since 2015. Buhari is a retired Nigerian Army major general who served as the country’s military head of state from 31 December 1983 to 27 August 1985, after taking power in a military coup d’état.
Buhari was known entirely as man of integrity, a man who has never indulged in corruption in spite he was former head of State, Buhari has 150 cows when he declared his assets while running for villa. It has been enshrined that each candidates should have at least declared his assets before running for that position. Thus, Nigerians thought that Nigeria will become more than united state of America in terms of economic, social and political developments just a day after Buhari assume office.
Thus, the Buhari’s assets made him saint before the eyes of Nigerians. People strongly believed that it’s only Buhari can change Nigeria because of his political history.
Regrettably, Nigeria has become messed than ever before during his tenure. People are suffering absolutely to the extent that wish to be tenaciously under the previous administration of president Goodluck.
Despite the above issues and obstacles. However, people still believe that it’s only Buhari can do it and no one else.
Today, we have four presidential candidates that include Sen. Tinubu of Lagos sen. Kwankwaso of Kano, Peter Obi from Anambra
Therefore, one of the above candidates must emerge as the next Nigerian leader because no nation can live without leadership. While on the other hand, Nigerians have become despondent and despaired on nations development since Buhari failed and majority won’t head polling units claiming that democracy is catastrophe to Nigerian, so they don’t have to waste and squander their time voting useless politians who are only contributing toward the underdevelopment of Nigerian and Nigerians.
Last year l and comarde SANUSI BABANGIDA SUG vice president of Yusuf maitama sule university kano have attended a conference and the theme of this conference was ‘democracy and rule of law in Nigeria’. Many stakeholders were present there including independence National electrol commission (INEC) representation. I could clearly recall , when INEC representative was given chance to say something, he implored people to go and collect their permanent voters card (PVC) saying that and I quote” there are more than 500000 PVCs waiting for their owners to collect and the case is similar in many states”. This statement is enough to substantiate that Nigerians are ready to abstain 2023 general elections.
However, Nigerians should have known that, A year 2023 needs good leader, a leader who’s going to subdue all the issues and forward Nigeria economically, politically and socially. With this regard, I call upon Nigerians to come out and vote immensely and pray for better leadership and by whatever means not to engage in election crisis. While, the contestants on the other hand, should accept outcome without fomenting further violence.
Written by Tafida sabo Akilu, students at Yusuf maitama sule university kano, department of history and international studies.
