2023 And The Emerging Of Many Aspirants -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

When APC and PDP pegged their price for presidential form at 100 million and 50 millions respectively, Nigerians thought many politicians will be edged out from the contest. This is not unconnected with the exorbitant price of the forms amidst excruciating poverty in the land.

However, the swell of candidates who troop in their numbers to buy presidential forms, particularly for the ruling party has said the opposite. So far, the APC has 24 aspirants who have bought forms and many are expecting to follow suite in due course. Is the emerging of many aspirants has to do with the statement credited to the APC chairman, Abdullahi Adamu that, the party has yet to zone its presidential candidate to any zone? With the aspirants directed to fill withdrawal forms, the ruling APC may likely opt for consensus candidate in order to select its presidential candidates. Like APC, other political parties including PDP, are witnessing new comers politicians who troop to buy their forms.

With the low qualities of leadership in the country, the emergency of many aspirants can be described as a welcome development. If not for the monitization of democracy by our politicians, too many aspirants will lead to the emergency of competent leadership which remain the bane of the country’s growth and development. Sadly, for someone to emerge as party flag bearer, he needs to be rich enough to buy the costly form and dole out cash to delegates who always go for the highest bidder. One hopes, the swelling of aspirants is not due to the monetary reward democracy confers on politicians. Politics in Nigeria has become a gravy train for Self enrichment. The lifestyle of our political office holders are tempting and can push many Nigerians to buy these forms. Electorates who hold the ace for electing leaders are usually caught in the cobweb of choosing between the good and bad candidates which political parties present. Politicians use huge amount of resources to buy the conscience of voters and influence the results of elections in their favours. With regard to the aspirants who are scrambling to buy forms, some did it for recognition. They are not serious enough to get their parties tickets. They join the league in order to become relevant or be compensated with appointments after their parties may have won the elections.

Whatever may be the reasons for swelling in numbers of aspirants, the development indicates our fledging democracy is ripe. Indeed, the political culture is involving with more Nigerians accepting democracy as the best system of government. What worries many Nigerians is that, many aspirants have purchased forms without a clear blueprint on how to address the myriad problems or challenges bedeviled the country. With the exception of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar and governor Kayode Fayemi, who unveiled their policies and programs during their declaration, many aspirants are bunch of opportunistic politicians with nothing to offer to the country. Nigerians expect the aspirants to have in their kits robust programs and policies aimed at unifying the fragmented country, tackle insecurity and fix our deteriorating economy.

Besides, one expects to see or hear from them the antitode they have rolled out which will resolve the age-long impasse between government and ASUU. The sixth months old strike embarked upon by ASUU has kept many universities Students at home with total alteration of academy calendar which will invariably affect the development of Nigerian education.

The increase in numbers of aspirants vying for political positions should not be another jamboree. It should strengthen our democracy and provide an avenue for delegates to choose the best among numerous aspirants. The electorates should also shine their eyes and elect only credible candidates who are competent enough to provide democracy dividends to them.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna State. 08169056963.