Let Us Pray -By Dele Agekameh

In less than four days, Nigerians will troop out in large numbers to cast their votes for the next president of the country, who is scheduled to take over the reins of power on May 29, 2015. As usual, the permutations are high, so also is the anxiety and fear of a possible outbreak of violence should the election be perceived not to be free, fair, transparent and credible. The reason is not far-fetched: this is the first time two presidential candidates of nearly equal status and political standing are slugging it out since the country returned to democratic governance in 1999, 16 years ago. Not only this, the two dominant political parties – the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) – have proved that they can match each other in strength and stamina.

In the last few months, the campaigns have been frenetic across the country, with issues ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous coming into focus, and the attention seeking of the politicians engaging as they attempted to undo or outmanoeuvre one another. The APC, a rainbow coalition of several parties, parades political heavyweights from across the country. This is the first time such a coalition of political parties has remained united and gone into election as one. For this reason, the PDP, the party in control of national affairs in the past 16 years, appears to be threatened from its comfort zone at the apex of political leadership.

Now, the die is cast as all pretentions and surreptitious moves to postpone the elections a second time have hit a dead end. The elections must hold as rescheduled by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), beginning from Saturday, March 28. Although INEC had been befuddled by a litany of challenges, the electoral umpire always managed to find a way out of these. It is apparent that the stakes of this election are higher than, perhaps, they have ever been. Our economy is reeling under the seething vortex of mismanagement and waste. Our healthcare sector is in shambles, leaving the average Nigerian to patronise quack doctors and all manners of traditional healing homes where their cases are either worsened or are subjected to instant death. Education is becoming costlier to afford just when it is needed the most, as many of our youths of school age roam the streets in search of affordable schools. In fact, the number of available schools, especially the tertiary institutions, is a far cry from the multitude of intending students. It is a known fact that our tertiary institutions can hardly absorb 30 percent of the entire student population, leaving a good number of them to flood neighbouring countries and other overseas institutions in search of placement. The cost of this to the country in terms of foreign exchange is colossal.

This is the time for the citizens of this country, irrespective of political, religious, ethnic or tribal affiliations, to unite in the cause of renewing Nigeria’s promise because it is time to look beyond partisanship and division and move toward a common ground and real solutions to our problems.

On the political front, the divisiveness and shrill partisanship of our politicians have almost obliterated the bright light that is shinning on our nation. This has almost exterminated the truest, deepest wishes of the citizenry because leaders have been acting out of greed and naked self-interest. And we all know that in a nation as rich, as diverse and as powerful as ours on the continent of Africa, the road to greed and self-interest is often the easy one to take. It’s certainly the most tempting. Unfortunately, quite a good number of Nigerians who could have stood up to be counted have been rather too timid, too quiet in calling attention to the kleptomania of our leaders. This should stop if we are desirous of a virile and prosperous nation in the years ahead.

Furthermore, our nation is currently at war and faces new and different threats to its national security. The war has claimed several innocent lives. Besides, many citizens of this country and foreigners alike have lost faith that our leaders can, or will do anything to reposition the country. The good news is that with this election, we have the opportunity and the obligation to chart a new course for Nigeria. This is the time for the citizens of this country, irrespective of political, religious, ethnic or tribal affiliations, to unite in the cause of renewing Nigeria’s promise because it is time to look beyond partisanship and division and move toward a common ground and real solutions to our problems. It is time for us to use the coming election to reaffirm our shared values of faith and family, hard work and sacrifice, fairness and equal opportunity for all and create a brighter future for our nation.

From what is currently on ground, there is little doubt that Nigerians can not compete and succeed in the Twenty-first Century if we do not genuinely transform ourselves and transform our country from the present socio-political lethargy in which the country is mired. Our quintessentially African mix of optimism, dynamism and determination can help us meet this moment. But we will also need leadership with the ability and willingness to make tough decisions, with the foresight to see around the next bend in history, and with the fortitude to stand up to entrenched, outdated thinking and chart a new path. At this point in the evolution of our country, we need a leader who can unite us around principles that we share and rally us to a common purpose. Nigeria needs a president who will provide the right leadership, a president who will jump-start our import-based and near moribund economy, give lifeline to countless families struggling to make ends meet and ensure that hard work is adequately rewarded with the benefits of a decent living.

And talking about generations unborn, we need a president who will be honestly committed to prepare the country to lead the industries of tomorrow by turning Nigeria into a leader in the green economy by investing appropriately in science, technology, and infrastructure. Such a president should be prepared to provide new leadership for a changing world, ending the war with Boko Haram and giving the North-East and the entire country a new breathe of life, as well as joining the rest of the world to tackle the new threats of this century – terrorism. The president we envisage must unite our country around our shared values, stop the cabal from controlling our government, and return power in Abuja to the Nigerian people.

Perhaps, it is for these reasons that millions of Nigerians from all parts of this country, from all backgrounds and from all walks of life, will troop to the polling booths on Saturday to elect a new president for the country. They are desirous to see the country move forward. They will do this because they believe the country needs a new, focused and committed leadership that will see them through the current adversity staring them in the face. As Nigerians, we should not despair. When we are confronted with challenges like what we are currently faced with, all we need to do is not to lose hope but go out to cast our votes for our preferred candidate(s). Let us call our neighbours, our family, and our friends to join hands with us to carry out our civic responsibilities to enable us get it right. We must never give up. And guiding us is a belief in the power we have in our votes if we all work together, a fidelity to the history we share, and an indomitable spirit that will propel us to success and stardom, whatever the odds.

Therefore, at the threshold of yet another general election to usher in new leaders in the country, what we are confronted with today is how the country can be rescued from perennial under-development, such that one of the most materially endowed nations on planet earth, can fulfill its promise and also meet the expectations of the world. So, Nigerians, shine your eyes. It is not all that glitters that is gold. May God help us, help Nigeria!