As We Move Beyond -By Muhammad Yasin Yahaya

Before we can get a better Nigeria, we must be better Nigerians. Before we can build a great Nation we must unite and stand strong together. 

     This is a time when our actions and decisions make the future. There is only one way to change the course of history;  it is to get involved in its making. If we must do what is right for this country, then we must participate in our political processes and exercise our political power. This is the right time to get involved. 

      In few months to come, the future of this country depends on what we do as a people. If we continue to stay at home and feel Elections are not our problem and our vote would not make a difference, then we’ll continue to leave our country in the hands of avaricious leaders, incompetent and corrupt politicians. The time has come. 

    The upcoming Election is in indeed a wonderful one; an event worthy to be written in our Book of History because one of the unique things about it is that it has presented us with the ability to make a choice for the very first time in the history of Nigeria. Our people now have the momentum of deciding who would lead our great Nation. I can say, from all indications, that the 2023 Elections would go down in history and overshadow the almighty June 12 elections of 1993 that has over the years seen or proclaimed to be the most free-and-fair elections in the history of Nigeria. Late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and Baba Gana Kingibe had won that Election before it was annulled by IBB. 

    But as a sociologist, I would rather view it from a more sociological aspect. In my critical assessments on some of the things that led our people to vote overwhelmingly for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in that elections was due to the following reasons: As far back as 1950s, there has always been the fear of Islamazing of Nigeria likewise, during the Ibrahim Babagidan regime when he enrolled Nigeria in the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, which further aggravated the religious tension in the country. One would be quick to ask: what happened to the people and how should we explain the June 12 scenario?

    On the one hand, the people of Nigeria were tired of the military government and their shenanigans, so the people needed a change of system and they took the opportunity they had, even if it was a Christian-Christian ticket or a Pagan-Pagan ticket, the people would’ve voted. 

    On the other hand, the people of Nigeria, as at the time, cared less of the religious beliefs of the candidates. All they wanted was a better nation with a prosperous economy, therefore, religion was not sought for consideration. 

      Also, the people voted for personality, having seen the capacity and the vision of Abiola in the rescue mission on Nigeria from the Barrack Men, from his pedigree of works and the love of the ordinary man he had at heart, these were some of the things that led the Muslim-Muslim ticket to victory in 1993. 

    Our people, united for a common goal, reaching a compromise on religion and ethnicity. They wanted a direction, they knew quite well that religious sentiments and ethnicity wasn’t going to help them out of the numerous problems that had faced them as at that time, so they needed to win and they stood together till its very end.

    I went back to memory lane, to make it clear to us that religion shouldn’t be a reason to vote, rather, the progress of the country should be our aim likewise the ethnicity that has eaten deep in our political system should be reconsidered. Hence, we should look at merit and competency before voting. Our nation is yet again facing similar issues like it had before June 12, such as a change of system, the crashing of the Naira currency, inflation, dying educational system, rampant insecurity and economic downturn; just to mention a few. These issues were issues that being a Christian or a Muslim could not solve the country’s problems, rather, unity and vision with the willingness to combat them.

     We all have a part to play in nation building. Our involvement would certainly make a difference. Don’t sell your votes for few Naira. Your future depends on it. The better social amenities for societal developments depends on it. The future of our unborn children depend on it as well.

    As youths in this country, we are over 33.6 million young energetic Nigerians. Think of what this would do if only the least of 80 percent of us obtain our PVCs and vote in the next Elections. Of course, it would certainly make a difference. We must now take active participation in every aspect of governance if we were, to effect, incorporate change in our political space. There’s already an ominous sign about our dear Nation over the lack of popular participation in our society, and this has cost us a great deal over the years. We must understand the importance of our actions now with the possibility of reverting our political system for the better. This is why we must get involved with the sole aim of contributing our quota in nation building. 

      I won’t tell you who to vote, make the decision for yourself. You and I have been in Nigeria long enough to know our problems.We must give heed to the lessons of history. We must take this opportunity as it presents itself to us. We shouldn’t be in a hurry to close a chapter without careful consideration. Every nation faces one problem or the other, but the ability to right the wrongs and the mistakes of the past and do things differently has always given them an upper hand. Therefore, unity should be our purpose and one voice we shall sing with henceforth. Our generation should  take the glory of the successes ahead. The vote is for your future and the progress of this country therefore, I advice you to get your PVC ready for 2023 general elections. We shall make the difference, our voices must be heard this time around, our vote must count. Our generation must change the narrative. I strongly believe it’s possible, if we collectively do what is right.

Go and get your PVC ready and vote with your conscience.

May God help us all. 

    The Youths must rise up and the time is now. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

Muhammad Yasin Yahaya,

Student,

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria. 

Email.muhammadyasin3890@gmail.com