In this very early hour of this fateful day the 25th of February 2023, I feel inclined to write down a few scrambling thoughts before going to sleep. We are at the cusp of choosing our next President. We must largely choose from the pack of our mostly inept and corrupt politicians. And so, we are once more are a crossroads where we must choose either to continue on our well-trodden path of national collapse or chart for ourselves a new path towards redemption nurtured by the fervent hope of a new Nigeria.

In these past weeks and months, I have carefully observed the shallowness of our democratic political culture; same old politicians at their usual worse; rigged political parties nomination of candidates process; debilitating anti-party manoeuvres and intra-party fights; strange Supreme court judgements; electioneering campaigns lacking substance and focus on public interest; political parties use of gifts, foods and money to entice voters; bungled registration and distribution of voter’s cards; cross border infiltration from neighbouring countries up North to illegally participate and vote in the election; violent attacks and killings of opposing parties sympathisers, members and candidates; poor voter enlightenment; poor and bias press coverage of political parties; etc. In addition to all these woes, is the persisting wide-spread scarcity of fuel and new Naira currency notes that have exacerbated pain and misery threatening to push an already restive population over the brink.

Nevertheless, on the back of revamped Nigeria Electoral Act and the introduction of new robust technologies in the voting process, INEC has promised Nigerians a much-improved ‘free and fair’ election this time around. However, given my above observations and their abysmal track records, it is hard to be optimistic that the election would be free and fair.

Even though I am painfully aware of the futility of ‘wishful thinking’, I almost desperately hope and wish that Peter Obi emerges the winner against all odds. His win is a win by Nigerian youths in search of a new Nigeria. It would signal a new dawn providing the opportunity to make a fresh start. The coalescing of young people and those hungry for a New Nigeria around the candidature of Peter Obi – flag bearer of the Labour Party is perhaps the singular most important aspect of this election. He has gardened the support and popularity with his anti-corruption frugal resource management stance, tackling poverty and insecurity along with the promise to move the Nigerian economy away from consumption to production. It has enabled a grassroots movement that has rapidly grown into a credible ‘third force’ within the Nigerian political landscape. The ‘Obedient’ movement has swept through Nigeria like wildfire with their enthusiasm, hope and belief in the possibilities of a new Nigeria.
We may be witnessing the rooting of a catalyst change movement in the country. There is no doubt that the ‘Obedient’ movement is inspired by the END SARS movement of 2020. I suspect, that if the ‘Obedient’ movement’s endeavour to elect Peter Obi into office should fall short today, it can only inspire a greater one to come, and another until victory is won.

While Peter Obi and the ‘Obedient” movement represent a desirable break from our past, Nigeria is in for a very tough road ahead – whoever wins. There seems to be the pervading thinking that if Peter Obi gets elected, things will ‘magically’ fall into place and all would be well again. Nothing could be further from the truth. This type of shallow thinking is not unconnected with the misplaced belief by many that God will intervene and make things right. This type of ‘magical thinking’ beclouds our understanding of the enormous challenges that lie ahead.

Nation-building is for human beings – NOT GOD. The struggle and fight to take back Nigeria is for us – NOT GOD’s fight. The struggle to enable basic structures and institutions for social economic development is for us and nobody else. The fight for social justice and creating a more egalitarian society is solely our responsibility. The sooner we realise that, the better. As our elders say ‘that water which has been collecting in the empty snail shell, can only be reserved for the dog (to satiate its thirst).’ God did not create Nigerians helpless and it is a great disservice to suggest otherwise. We are not helpless.

I believe that our culture of a submissive citizenry that is readily disposed to accepting and enduring unimaginable deprivations and abuse, no matter how ridiculous- is directly complicit to the mediocre leadership we have been ‘enjoying’ since independence. God has given us everything it takes to build a better country. Rather than waiting on ‘God to act’, we should rather look into the mirror to see who should take action. We must resolve and commit to furthering our individual and collective hope of joining the rest of the world in growth and development to enable better living conditions for our people. ​And that will not happen, until we realise that “we are the ones that we have been waiting for” to ‘act’ all along.

Win or lose, the ‘Obedient movement’ is already a success with its aspirations and capacity to volunteer and self-mobilise for a greater cause. No matter who wins, it will be a very tough and rough road ahead. It is important that we recognise that securing a win in the election may perhaps be the easiest of the challenges that lie ahead. For many of us that want to see a New Nigeria, the genuine fundamental re-structure of the country to foster unity, promote the security of lives and properties, and allow for rapid growth and development remains the main challenge. While Peter Obi’s win would hopefully open up a more favourable political space to confront this challenge. An election victory for Tinubu or Atiku portends a return to the ‘status quo’, which can only serve to re-enforce the urgency of change.
The only thing that I am certain of is the inevitability of the change we seek. Change must come to Nigeria. If not today, then tomorrow.

Let’s go and vote!
Let’s go and win – to create a New Nigeria!
Dr Okey Ndubueze