Who shall sing for us a new song of hope?

Kayode Ogunjobi

Nigerians have never had it so bad. There has never been a time that both the rich and the poor were unanimous in condemning a government arising from excruciating hardship. The last phase of the hardship brought with it confusion. Yes, confusion everywhere. It resonates the song of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the abami eda himself. Confusion everywhere!

While the citizens were still battling with fuel shortage crisis, a bigger one, naira shortage came in strangulating and choking the sysytem. For the first time in the chequered history of the country, Naira was buying naira. There have been unwarranted losses of both lives and properties. Confusion everywhere! Lamentations in the land!

Amidst these crisis, Nigerians are provided the opportunity to elect a new set of leaders particularly a President that will lead the country for the next four years. It is an opportunity that many have tagged as being historical. It is believed in many quarters that the outcome of the election will have a significant influence on the future of the country. Succinctly, it will either make or mar the country. It will determine whether we have crossed the rubicon or hope rising.

Surprisingly, the expectations of the masses from whoever emerges are not many. We simply crave for a system where lives and properties are secured, where citizens can attain their potentials regardless of who they are. Nigerians yearn for a leadership that will save the country from modern slavery and intellectual erosion which portends a great danger for the future of the country. We want a situation whereby a Nigerian can live in any part of the country without any fear of discrimination and harassment. We desire that our youths will be gainfully employed contributing to the socio economic development of the country and our workers adequately remunerated such that workers will enjoy being workers and not living as beggars.

In my considered opinion, Nigerians have never been this politically conscious. One can safely conclude that the suffering has reached its crescendo and the citizens craving for a lease of life. Nigerians are earnestly searching for a ray of hope out of the current quagmire. Who shall sing for us this song of hope among the three leading candidates?

The electorates have never been this divided. The propaganda and misinformation in public space is unimaginable with supporters of each party trying to outwit one another. The youths with their energy are clamouring for a paradigm shift from the old order to a new order therefore favouring Peter Obi of Labour Party. They are taking advantage of the social media to drum support for their candidate. While the youths and other adults do their “Obidience,” with so much frenzy, the adults and others queue behind “Emilokan” and”Articulate”. There have been religious and tribal deliniations.It has never been his bad!

The crux of the ”Obidients” are youths and other Nigerians who are tired of the situation of the country and clamouring for a change. They are those who feel that the two prominent parties have failed the nation. It is widely believed that the mismanagement of the resources of the country is what led to the ”Japa syndrome” being experienced currently. They believe that Obi would reduce cost of governance and will not be subjected to the the influence of any cabal. They consider Peter Obi to be young, physically fit and in a pleasant state of mind ro paddle the affairs of the nation. The youths are also hopeful that an Obi Presidency will give more opportunities for youths in governance.

As for Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President who lost narrowly to the incumbent President in 2019, it is possible that he will enjoy the support of the Northerners and others across the country. It is the 76- year old’s record sixth attempt at occupying the highest office in Nigeria with three of the previous attempts terminating at primaries. The G5 would have strenghtened his aspiration but for the ireconciliable differences. In a recent video, the Northerners had claimed that they had used 10 years while the south had used 14. This had attracted insinuations that they would be mobilising and voting for Atiku Abubakar who incidentally is the only northerner among the major contenders.

The” Batified” are alluding their unalloyed support to the fact that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was part of the people who fought and sacrificed for the enthronment of democracy while also acknowledging his principled stand against the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, surviving the presidential onslaught with courage, boldness and dexterity. They consider him as a team player and builder, it widely believed in their cycle that he has the competence and capability to kick start the revival that Nigerians desire and deliver to us a prosperous nation.

One other attribute which stands Tinubu out is his ability to plan for the future which is considered as what leaders of countries like Singapore, the United Kingdom, China, and the United States capitalized on to lead their countries to where they are today in the comity of nations. The 25- year masterplan which he and his team put in place while he was Lagos state governor remains a reference point. Above all, he is reputed for identifying and maximising potentials in others regardless of who they are.

Now that the elections are around the corner, we can only hope for the best that whosoever is elected shall take Nigeria out of the current doldrums and reposition her for greatness. He shall rise above political and ethnic leanings and considerations to deliver Nigerians from the current hardship and put a new song of hope in our mouths.

I charge the voters to take a voyage into the future and catch a picture of the Nigeria of our dream that we envisage. This, I believe will help us to chose right and chose the one that can put a new song of hope in our mouths. This we can do without sacrificing the blood of any Nigerian.

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Nigeria shall be great again!!!