2019: The Need To Vote Wisely, As The Buhari,Atiku Fireworks Continue
“I will ensure that Nigerians enjoy their lives, their progress is my concern, Education will be standard and unemployment will be a thing of the past ” says Segun during one of the Campaigns.
The above illustration is a reoccuring decimal as the 2019 Elections begin to take shape. Many promises upon promises but where does the hope of the voters lie?
In 1999, various candidates under the platform of political parties promised to transform Nigeria , same happened in 2003. In 2007 it was a period of campaign manifestos and big dreams ,same as 2011 and most importantly 2015.
At a point Nigeria had a vision 2020 but with 2019 already going, the vision maybe postponed.
Without any much attempt to deceive ourselves , we must understand strategically that the next elections scheduled for February 16 , will be between the People’s Democratic Party’s Atiku Abubakar and All Progressives Congress Muhammad Buhari who also happens to be the current Nigerian President.
Both personalities have brought forward their plans but don’t we deserve to vote with caution?
Atiku was a Vice President of Nigeria for two terms with Olusegun Obasanjo as the President.
Many say the current state of Nigeria would have been different if the tenure of Mr Obasanjo where Atiku was the Vice-President maximised all potentials or most potentials available for the country . Others believe that Atiku was insincere with economic policies of the council especially as the chairman of the Nigerian economic council during his tenure as the Vice President. Another school of thought has it that Mr Atiku stood gallantly as the Vice President of the country especially foiling a third-term bid of Olusegun Obasanjo and ensuring some sanity in governance.
He also has been praised for owning businesses most of whom are surviving and doing well, many believe that with this singular business brilliancy, he deserves nothing but the Presidency.
Atiku has also focused on restructuring, he has at various campaign grounds promised to create jobs while stating that he will make hunger go away. Some critic see this as easily said theory while others buy into its reality.
On the other hand, the incumbent President Buhari before coming in as the President in 2015 hinged his campaigns on change, positive change to be precise but many say that alot still needs to change in Nigeria.
At various campaign grounds,he (President Buhari) promised to finish off projects he has started during this tenure, for instance road construction. At various places he has continued to hinge his fight on corruption as the recipe for governance although critic say the fight as become very one-sided.
At campaign grounds, the slogan has not hinged on change again but the need to continue the Change process but their are many factors that people have argued as a stain on his campaigns.
Nigeria still has an increasing number of poor persons, Nigeria has a low productivity level.
Many even say some major sectors are not working. While there are positives in terms of Agriculture and other sub-sectors , the average man has yet to feel the impact of the change , some quarters argue.
Atiku and Buhari have been playing the game of corruption with each churning out indexes of corruption of the APC and PDP.
With promises as usual, Nigerians need to ask themselves what they want as a Nation, if they can trust the current government or want another trial.
We must however not be swayed by promises that look unrealistic but begin to look deeply at the future of the country, the need for unity and more economic buoyancy.
We must not see the Campaigns as less our concern but be ready to engage every time the opportunity arises. Painfully , both Atiku and Buhari failed to participate in the Presidential debates while at the Ngcandidates interview , many say one party looked prepared than the other.
It is time for Nigerians to look beyond emotional sentiments and vote wisely based on the need for proactive governance and leadership.
If promises build a Nation,Nigeria should be a paradise on earth but can we be swayed by promises again or the uncommon need and workeable plan for our country?
