Who Can Fix Nigeria?
Words Sarah Adama
62 years after its independence, Nigeria has the largest population in Africa and is deemed the poorest after India. That same generation still takes to the pulpit of the nation to ask for votes. They promise to deliver a ‘new,’ progressive Nigeria. They overpromise and underdeliver. They throw money at potential voters, and bags of rice. Comical.
Many would say that Nigeria was better under British rule 62 years ago; a reality that those born after 1960 would not have lived. Nigeria has progressed.. albeit downwards.
For many of us watching from the outside, we have seen both men and women claiming to be the next leader, with no track record.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primaries on Saturday night saw H.E Atiku Abubakar emerge as the party’s flag bearer. For those with interests in Nigeria, this is a battle between the North and the South of the country.
Every candidate promised they would offer themselves and they would ‘fix’ the problem, but nobody that says these things truly knows how to fix Nigeria. Who is willing, truly willing to offer themselves?
Just ask one aspirant, how do you plan to create wealth? That one question can cut out many years spent expecting promises and avoiding disappointment.
That said, Nigeria doesn’t lack money, it lacks leadership.
Nigeria is a nation very deeply divided along tribal and geographical lines.
What we saw was a unification of the North, to stand behind candidate Atiku Abubakar, whilst over 5 different southern leaders took to the stage with their different dreams for Nigeria.
Each vote for the successful candidate was guaranteed by a $50,000 payment, the runner-up governor paid $30,000 and other aspirants up to $10,000 per vote.
Here is another truth. You need money to vote for a political position in Nigeria. Those hoping to gain votes by appealing to voters' emotions should prepare to be disappointed.
Integrity doesn’t win political elections, money does.
Should this be the case? Maybe not. But money is what Nigeria needs. Integrity doesn’t win political elections, money does. The money creates wealth and economic empowerment for its citizens. Or rather, the leadership.
Political ideas without money are just good words. The question we eagerly want to hear is who can truly create jobs? Many people know the problem, but not many people know how to fix it. Yet, political speeches are dominated by a promise to fix Nigeria and everybody believes they can do it.
Who can do the job?
The state of Nigeria is this: many just want a government that can give its citizens electricity, good roads and the promise of life. Nigerians want to live in a country where kidnappings by the terrorist group Boko Haram are not the norm. Expectations are few.
That is failed leadership.
Even if the right candidates emerge, can the people be trusted to vote on logic and not emotion?
On the other hand, it’s nice to see women compete against the men who have ruled Nigeria for decades. But that’s just it… it’s nice.
In leadership, it is about who can do the job. Many years of culture, tribal loyalty and suffering cannot be reversed in a day. But Nigeria can be broken down and rebuilt.
Yes, one man can change Nigeria. The right man (which has nothing to do with gender), knows how to build, put together a powerful team and unify the common interests of the country.
What Nigeria needs is leaders that can pivot from selfish ambition to selfless ambition. The promises of new are a facade. There is no new economy until the old economy dies.