By Isaac ASABOR
There is no denying the fact that anyone that is abreast of how presidential aspirants in Nigeria, particularly the top four candidates, who are Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Engineer Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian People Party (NNPP) are pushily campaigning ahead of the 2023 presidential election will be compelled to ask, “Why are they running to become Nigerian President, with some demonstrating the body language that suggests that they would even be willing to bribe or corrupt voters to get there whenever an inordinate opportunity arises.
In fact, given the antecedents of politicians as in not fulfilling promises made during electioneering, not a few Nigerians are wondering whether the current aspirants know what a burden it is to meet the needs of the suffering citizens knowing that they expect anyone that becomes Nigeria’s president to improve their lives. Again, not a few Nigerians are been suspicious of the ambition of some of the presidential candidates even as one of them that is unarguably overambitious since the whistle for electioneering was blown by the electoral umpire, INEC, seems to be seeing the position as a deserved entitlement. In fact, he has already belittled the presidential position by saying it is his turn to become Nigerian president come 2023. He said, “Emilokan”, literarily translated to mean “It is my turn”. In fact, not only has he cheapened the position by seeing it as something that needs to be shared, he has in a similar vein charged top campaign operatives in his party to “fight”, “grab” and “run (away) with” political power. However, most political observers and commentators engaged in a staggered parley by yours sincerely were unanimous in their views that clean people do not clamor for positions of power with the notorious level it has been elevated to in the ongoing electioneering dispensation, and if they do, there is need for people to be very afraid.
Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to say that watching the way and manner political campaigns are been carried out by some presidential aspirants today, it is difficult for one to conjecture that they have the appropriate empathy and sense of humility, feeling of the suffering of the people as well as carrying the burden of their needs and aspirations when voted to power. Rather, what one is seeing in them is a collective sense of urgency to become president by any means. Without any scintilla of hyperbole, there is much-unverified information and grandiose promises being flung all over by aspirants but citizens seem to revel in these promises of a better tomorrow and much largesse without further engaging the presidential aspirants in dialogues.
But then why do voters and supporters accept these promises they know their candidates would not fulfil? How realistic are these promises? Why don’t we want to vet and analyze these candidates? Why do we defend them when we know, given experiences drawn from political dispensations in recent years, that they are making promises that may seemingly not be fulfilled amid dangerous and inciting utterances?
It would be recalled in this context that in past political dispensations, particularly during campaign seasons, that aspirants demonstrated some level of restraint even with some having respect for each other and for their supporters. Now, most of them cannot communicate their agenda or vision for Nigeria without insulting or cajoling their opponents.
They are no longer pretending to critically analyze each other’s agendas and their shortfalls, now they engage in personal attacks. In fact, it is becoming hard, even sad to watch leaders in political rallies. We expect them to demonstrate some integrity but their utterances instead demonstrate that we cannot trust them.
Can one honestly say that what we hear and see daily inspires confidence? Are these leaders reliable and likely to follow through with what they say they will do? Without any iota of exaggeration, some promises require billions of Naira to implement, and we know the extent to which our economy has suffered greatly from the effects of corruption, even if we were promised that the ongoing regime will be corruption-free, and tax-payers are literally overwhelmed.
There are dozens of questions to ask. For instance, “Do these aspirants have the ability to see the bigger picture, have a genuine vision for Nigeria, and communicate that vision effectively? Has any of them admitted that they will need help to achieve their vision? Has any of them given us a formula for wealth creation?
All of them seem focused on spending. But where will the resources come from? More taxation for us? Why are we not calling their bluff and focusing on serious ways of vetting them and demanding the truth?
We need to begin a serious dialogue with our aspirants and put them on task each time they promise us heaven; we need to demand answers by asking them how they will achieve what they are promising.
The reason why presidential aspirants should be engaged in a more serious dialogue rather than swallowing whatever they promised whenever they mount the soap box cannot be pooh-poohed as a good leader is mission-driven and genuinely interested and invested in people’s welfare and interests; one who inspires and drives loyalty and trust, and brings clarity; a creative problem-solver and a peace-maker.
A great leader inspires hope, helps others build resilience, and brings out the best in people by inspiring them to want to be better human beings and to shape the world around them in a positive way. In fact, a great leader is reliable and has a sense of responsibility and dependability based on values.
Beyond our quest for stomach infrastructure, it is expedient that when we are supporting these politicians, we should also be asking ourselves if the person making those promises is responsible, cares for us, and can be depended on.
