The level of unpredictability of the Nigerian political scene has inched up, not a notch but, several notches higher. In fact political pundits say that the unpredictability in the political landscape has reached an all-time high.
True, the stakes are high.
True, the frenzy is high.
However, the debate is low.
The punches are even lower.
In the first few years following Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, it was normal for many to refer to the country as a fledging democracy. I had to find out what “fledging” means and discovered that it came from the word “fledge”. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary says that “fledge or fledging” means (of a young bird) “to acquire the feathers necessary for flight or independent activity; to leave the nest after acquiring such feathers”.
Interestingly, I don’t hear that expression “fledging democracy” often these days. Could it be that in the light of Merriam-Webster’s definition, Nigeria has now fully developed the wings necessary to fly and has left the nest? Some will nod in agreement. There is also the alternative argument that the ‘fledge’ or ‘fledging’ process was aborted. Again there are those who will agree with this position. My personal opinion is that though we may not necessarily be where we should be as a nation, we definitely are no longer where we used to be. We did leave the nest. But we are not exactly flying. Yet.
This is why some analysts think that this year’s election will mark a defining moment for us as a country. For me though, I do not think that the level of political awareness and sophistication has improved. I also do not think that there are serious campaign issues by the presidential contenders. Neither do I think that many voters will still not vote along ethnic and religious lines. Nevertheless, I do believe that the party that eventually wins at the centre will acknowledge that the election wasn’t the piece of cake it used to be and will, therefore, work a lot harder to ensure that it is returned to power in 2019.
Every Nigerian that is duly registered to vote should go out on February 14, 2015 and exercise his or here civic responsibility. As for those who are whining and complaining whether Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (#GEJ) and General Muhammdu Buhari (#GMB) are the best candidates we could get in a country of nearly 170 million people, maybe you just didn’t know. Well then, it is my pleasure that there are 14 presidential candidates, not 2! Surely, among the 14 presidential candidates, you should be able to find someone that meets your minimum criteria. The candidate you vote for does not necessarily have to win the election. I know who I will vote for. So, I urge you by all means vote for your preferred candidate and vote according to your conscience.
In fact, I think it is sheer hypocrisy on the part of some people who claim the neither GEJ nor GMB meets their criteria. I ask, where were they when Prof Pat Utomi ran for president? Did they vote for Gani Fawehimi when he ran for president? Did they vote for Dele Momodu? When Fela Nikulpo-Kuti ran for president nko? Did they vote for him? Make dem park well joor.
It is my hope that the process through which the political candidates improve with time. Therefore, I leave us with 2 quotes that I consider relevant:
“War is too important to be left to the generals” – Georges Clemenceau (1841-1929)
“I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians” -Charles De Gaulle (1890 – 1970)
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