Why 2023 elections might be Nigeria’s most consequential

"Elections have consequences." These three words, spoken by former United States president, Barack Obama, during a meeting with congressional Republicans just three days into his first presidential term, in January 2009, should serve as the tagline for Nigeria's current political climate.

Nigerians are alarmed by the abysmal leadership currently on offer by the political class, and we eagerly await some form of rescue mission at the 2023 general elections. This is especially important given that the country is deeply divided along its fault lines, with the drumbeats of secession becoming louder and more insistent among ethnic groups. Furthermore, due to the complicity, inefficiency or negligence of the security forces, banditry, kidnappings, terrorism, and other forms of criminality are more prevalent than ever before. Economic difficulties and soaring inflation have exacerbated endemic poverty, with more Nigerians falling below the poverty line over the last six years. In fact, many hold that the country is worse off with this leadership than with the one that was rejected by voters in 2015.

We appear to be in a hole, with the country teetering on the verge of a cliff due to inept leadership. As the first law of holes, a time-honored aphorism, states: "If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.” The reason is straightforward. Digging a hole makes it deeper and thus more difficult to escape. It is a metaphor that implies that when one is in an untenable situation, it is best to stop exacerbating the situation. As it is for individuals, so is it for collectives aggregated into nations.

It is becoming increasingly vital to look beyond the problem and the terrible perpetuation of decadence; it is now time to think about transformation and how we may bring about the change we desire. Clearly, the country's two biggest political parties have failed miserably and are perhaps undeserving of patronage. The storm of defections and internal wrangling only confirms that the only difference between the two parties is their nomenclature.

So, what are Nigeria's prospects? In addition to having catastrophic leadership across the board, the nation requires a breath of fresh air. It needs leadership that understands, demonstrates, and is willing to go all-in with the Nigerian people. To understand is to comprehend the concept of purposeful and results-driven leadership. We need a new generation of leaders who understand the issues, are clear-headed, and determined to solve them. Insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and sectarian violence, for example, are blights on national development and should not be allowed to continue indefinitely. Oil dependence in the face of zero percent refining capability is a misnomer and an albatross around the neck of economic sustainability.

Furthermore, we need a new generation of leaders who understand that sustainable growth and security are impossible where tiers of government are hampered and reliant on the federal government for monthly allocations; as opposed to true federalism, which empowers states and local councils to control their resources and develop competitively at their own pace. Only modern and purposeful leadership, with the aforementioned qualities, and many more, will be sufficient.

To be acceptable to the majority, such paradigm shifts, to say the least, are hallmarks of respectable personalities with sound character attributes - credible, trustworthy, and consistent. Leadership is defined by credibility, and trust can only be earned.

The question is, where are such personalities that can be acceptable to the majority of Nigerians, regardless of age-old biases? Where have all the Nigerians who are enamored with unbreakable principles and integrity gone? Nigeria and beleaguered Nigerians require them more than ever as replacements for those who only talk about integrity but never live up to it.

It is undeniable that Nigeria has entered a period of transition – a critical period of leadership transition. As a result, we as a nation must look beyond primordial sentiments of ethnicity, religion, and age cap, and prioritize noble character, commitment, and capacity in order to build a country that is as rich as it is diverse. In reality, our desire to transform a broken nation into a hopeful one necessitates electing a more committed leadership and citizen participation than Nigeria has ever had.

some people said no election

OyeofIkoTuN:
some people said no election

We also heard such during previous elections

The 2023 elections will be peaceful.

It will be more peaceful than the 2019 presidential election.

Parachoko:
The 2023 elections will be peaceful.

It will be more peaceful than the 2019 presidential election.

And hopefully more credible with signing of the new electoral act