THE ROLL CALL: WHO BECOMES NIGERIA’S NEXT PRESIDENT?
Samuel Enyi Otsapa
Samuelotsapa@gmail.com
How many of us have noticed that the individuals (many of whom are career politicians and a few technocrats) jostling to become Nigeria’s next president are the best set of aspirants we have had since May 1999 – and for some of us, this is a good sign that civilian rule, no not democracy yet, is entrenching in our country albeit slowly and grudgingly. But if we continue on this part, there is assurance that we shall soon meet with democracy where freedom of speech, credible free, fair and periodic elections, freedom of choice, rule of law, supremacy of the law, justice, equity, equal fundamental human rights, etc would be the mainstay of our body polity then characterized by strong institutions instead of strong individuals.
The roll call of presidential aspirants include:
Atiku Abubakar
Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Goodluck Jonathan (speculative)
Bukola Saraki
Kingsley Moghalu
David Umahi
Peter Obi
Professor Yemi Osibanjo (speculative)
Nyesom Wike (speculative)
Rochas Okorocha
Aminu Tambuwal
Rotimi Ameachi (speculative)
Anyim Pius Anyim
Orji Uzor Kalu
Bala Mohammed
Donald Duke
Godwin Emefiele (speculative)
Etc
Folks, it is arguable that these men are the country’s ‘finest’ and experienced politicians and technocrats – although some of them are directly or indirectly responsible for the woes, darkness and backwardness that we are currently in. Still, each of these men (where are the women?) is eminently qualified to become Nigeria’s next president but the one we must vote for, intra and inter, is the man with the highest reservoir of compassion for Nigerians and patriotism for Nigeria, because qualification isn’t enough. For me, 2023 is the election we look out for compassion and patriotism because education and experience have proven to not be enough in our situation.
So how well do we know these men? Who among them has more compassion and patriotism? Finding this out is very important, even though we quickly acknowledge that this is a daunting task because politicians are the most shrewd, two-faced and deceiving lot in any country, but especially in Nigeria. And as Shakespeare through King Duncan in Macbeth counselled, there is no art to know the mind’s construction on the face. As human beings, we sometimes say one thing and mean the opposite – and with Nigerian politicians, you’d always have another thinking coming.
While it is already common knowledge that I am politically active but not partisan (I hope we know the difference), if I am asked to make a choice for the top three, no top five, among these presidential aspirants (those who I am convinced would help build Nigeria), it’ll not be an easy task but in the end, I’d pick these five: Atiku, Tinubu, Saraki, Wike and Ameachi, in no order. Prof Kingsley Moghalu would have made the list but he is not in a major political party and 2023 is too soon for Nigerians to vote as their president the candidate of an almost unknown party, ADC, that does not have national presence. The typical Nigerian, living in rural or urban Nigeria, knows only the Umbrella (PDP) and the Broom (APC) – and then the Fowl (APGA). For VP Yemi Osibanjo, he cannot outshine his master (Tinubu) so he is very unlikely to win the APC ticket. Peter Obi would have made my list but the man would not win many votes in the north of Nigeria.
I know this list is not exhaustive – but who are your top five presidential aspirants?
