To All Nigerians!

This message is to all Nigerians, Nigerians in the diaspora and Nigerian descendants! It doesn’t matter whether you reside in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia or any other part of the world, as long as you have a single drop of Nigerian blood, your country needs you now more than ever! We acknowledge and respect the views of those who prefer not to be labeled “Nigerian” because of its colonial implications, but still insist that this message is for you as long as your cultural ancestry can be traced to somewhere in that geographical space. Without malice or disrespect, therefore, “Nigeria” and “Nigerian” will be used throughout this article.

?As provocative as this may sound to some, the reality is that there are no coincidences in life. You were born Nigerian or are of Nigerian descent for a reason, regardless of your ethnic identity, geographic location or philosophical preferences. We therefore believe you have a responsibility to contribute to the stability of the country and the direction in which it evolves. This is not the time to sit on the fence or claim your involvement will take place only after the occurrence of some political, constitutional, geographical or structural transformation. While such changes may be critical, we cannot wait for their realization?before taking advantage of the opportunities, limited as they may be, to start moving forward. We are the catalysts for the transformation we seek!

Many of us have found comfort in other countries?and established fulfilling careers that continue to contribute to their growth and stability. Can we do the same for Nigeria? Absolutely, if we are equipped with two fundamental instruments, among others: accountable leadership and the creative opportunities that would be enabled by such leadership. The upcoming presidential election is a watershed moment and could be a turning point if only we realize how much power we, the Nigerian people, have to influence its outcome. More importantly, we should reconsider how much there is to gain from a stable and prosperous Nigeria. Here are some important statistics that may shed some light.

Nigeria is the most populous country on the continent of Africa and is richly endowed with natural resources, including but not limited to: crude oil, natural gas, coal, palm produce, tin, granite, iron ore, limestone, salt, clay, lead and bitumen. Nigeria is also rich in gold, barium sulfate, gypsum, gemstones, feldspar and arable lands. The most important resource that Nigeria possesses, however, is its human resource upon which other resources are dependent. Yet, unemployment rates are estimated at above 30% and the World Bank ranks the country as lower-middle income, a step above low.

Can you and I influence change? The answer is a resounding yes, especially as we anticipate the upcoming presidential election. In addition to other?strategies, we can and should participate in deciding who leads our country. Notwithstanding the historical inadequacies of our electoral system, our continued exploration of this system until we get it right remains a much better choice over the alternative possibility of deteriorating into anarchy or giving military despots the excuse they need to seize power.

Nigeria currently has eighteen official candidates vying for the office of president. Four are prominent and have constantly received principal media attention. Historical and political reality has shown that the eventual president will be elected from among these four candidates. The next section of this article?will therefore focus on them.

Atiku Abubakar

Born November 25, 1946, Atiku Abubakar, 75, is the presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He has?run unsuccessfully for President of Nigeria five times. This is his sixth attempt. Is Abubakar obsessed with becoming president because he is passionate about bringing progress to Nigeria? Or is his goal power at any cost? These are questions that the electorate should ask. Although he hasn’t been president, he was vice president twice, from 1999 to 2007. The office presented ample opportunities for him to demonstrate visionary and insightful leadership. Besides the proclamations of his supporters and campaign team, do Nigerians from a diverse and broad spectrum look back at his leadership and express excitement over any of his accomplishments?

Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu

Born March 29, 1952, Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu, 70, is the presidential candidate representing the All Progressives Congress (APC). He was Senator of Lagos West during the short-lived Third Republic from 1992 to 1993, and Governor of Lagos State for two terms, from 1999 to 2007. While some would argue that he accomplished much for the people of Lagos State, has his manifesto and campaign rhetoric attained a crosscutting appeal to Nigerians from diverse social, cultural and economic backgrounds? Again, the electorate should ask and reflect on this question.

Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso

Born October 21, 1956, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, 66, is representing the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the upcoming presidential election. He served as Governor of Kano State from 1999 to 2003 and 2011 to 2015. He was also Minister of Defence from 2003 to 2007 and served one term in the Senate in 2015 when he represented the Kano Central Senatorial District. He has evidently had the opportunity to showcase his leadership skills and win the hearts of Nigerians of different generations and socioeconomic backgrounds. What is his legacy when we revisit his achievements while holding these offices? Voters are obligated to ask and find answers to this question.

Peter Gregory Obi

Born July 19, 1961, Peter Gregory Obi, 61, is the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate. He served as Governor of Anambra State for three terms from 2006 to 2014 (March to November 2006, February to May 2007 and June 2007 to March 2014). As with Abubakar, Tinubu and Kwankwaso, the same question should be asked of Obi regarding his previous role as governor. What legacy did he establish and is he remembered by? To what extent did he establish?himself as a trustworthy and inspirational leader with an impact that cuts across diverse cultural, economic and generational groups? And on what platform is he building support for his presidency?

Abubakar, Tinubu and Obi are all cited as individuals who were first successful businessmen before they became politicians. This is probably all they have in common. All four candidates also share the common goal of aspiring to be Nigeria’s next president. However, one fact sets Obi apart from the other three candidates and that is the vast and outstanding support he is receiving from young voters within and well beyond the shores of Nigeria. Their reason for supporting Obi is not just based on his achievements as Governor of Anambra State, but because of the repeated efforts that were made by Nigeria’s political power brokers to prevent him from assuming and staying in office. Though he was victorious in 2003, he had to embark in legal battles when another contestant was declared the winner. Despite his legal victory and his assumption of office in 2006, that same year he was again removed from office, only to be reinstated the next year after another series of legal battles.

Citing his judicial victories, Obi’s young supporters insist that attempts to remove him were dishonest and swayed by devious intentions. His adversaries, they further argue, could only have been motivated by what they envisaged as a clamp down on the business-as-usual excesses that many Nigerian political elites are prone to. This is one of the key factors that energizes the unprecedented number of youth who support his candidacy—their belief that an Obi administration would curtail excessive waste and finally re-channel much-needed resources to productive use. They point to the financial stability of Anambra State under his administration as evidence of his prudent managerial style.

?Nigerian Youth Take their Stand

?Young people are visionary. Their?social media campaign?and vast “Obidient Movement” should not be taken for granted. Whether we agree with them or not, they clearly see Obi as the alternative to a culture of political depravity and highhandedness. They don’t only cite his governorship record as evidence but hold this record up against the reputation of his major challengers—Abubakar, Tinubu and Kwankwaso.

Every forward-thinking society invests in its youth because they understand that young people possess the creative?energy and drive required to stimulate economic growth and promote political stability. Nigerian youth are not the future; they are the present. Aware that preceding governments have largely ignored and marginalized them, it is not surprising that?for the first time in Nigeria’s history, the youth are coming out en masse and?investing their faith, fervor and finances in a presidential candidate.?They are finally standing up to society and demanding the respect, attention and visibility they rightfully deserve.?It is in our collective best interest to?listen and learn as they lead the way on our journey to political maturity and sustainable development.?

The more we listen, the more we will realize that Nigerian youth have come of age and care little about the shallow pronouncements often advanced as evidence of progress and good leadership. These are the clichéd articulations of old-fashioned politicians who continue to talk about Gross Domestic Product (GDP), foreign investment, growth in the banking industry, national unity and federalism even as inflation, unemployment and banditry wreak havoc across the country. While these politicians pander to outdated rhetoric and tout their ethnic identities, religious allegiances?and narcissistic displays of personal national and international awards, Nigeria’s youth are clamoring for strategies to increase jobs and improve infrastructure, healthcare, education, security/safety and public housing!

Nigeria’s youth will no longer tolerate ineptitude. They are blatantly and fearlessly stating that they are tired of fear-mongering and fed up with nepotism. They are demanding transparency, accountability and responsible governance. They are actively seeking savvy leaders who listen to the people, understand how the national economy works and are equipped to engage in national strategy and global diplomacy. They are also elevating integrity and are willing to take necessary action to support leaders who they believe embody this value. Their vision of responsible and discerning leadership can no longer be ignored or dismissed. Kudos to them?for taking charge and charting a way forward for Nigeria. The question is, where do the rest of us stand???

Written by Philip and Chinwe Effiong