2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria.

 2023 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: A RACE FOR POWER AND INFLUENCE IN THE NIGERIA’S POLITICS.

The lion stakes his claim

To the leadership 

of the pack

But the antelopes remember the ferocious pounce of his paws

The hyena says the crown is made for him

But the Impalas

Shudder at his appetite... 

From ‘The Leader And The Led’ by Niyi Osundare.

 The Nigerian politicians are now engulfed in the preparation for the much awaited 2023 Presidential Election. Who will be the next occupant of Aso Rock, the seat of power? Who will be the next GCFR of the giant of Africa? Many well known and unknown Nigerians have declared interest. Everybody wants to be in position of power and authority. I want to be too. They have the right to do so, once they have the criteria of section 131 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

A good number of those that have declared interest are renowned and astute politicians. They had held or still holding one public office or the other .The likes of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Jagaban), he was once a senator from 1992-1993 and also a former governor of Lagos (1999-2007). Anyim Pius served as the Senate president of Nigeria (200-2003). Yahaya Bello and Nyesom Wike are both incumbent governors of Kogi and Rivers States respectively. Orji Uzor  Kalu is the current Chief Whip for the Red Chamber et cetera.  This set of aspirants is rich, influential, astute and experienced in the art of Nigerian politics. While many of the other aspirants are successful tycoons and media owners and personalities. They are vibrant, pristine, youthful and optimistic. But this people are naive in the art of Nigeria’s politics unlike the former who are much experienced and influential. By the way, everyone can contest once you are qualified according to the law.

 These aspirants are recruiting people to canvass for them whenever the electioneering commences. In the Nigeria politics of today where money has taken away the credibility and fairness of every election, I'm dead sure billions of naira will be spent by the stinking rich aspirants while millions will be spent by the less rich aspirants. Apart from money being spent, violence and thuggery will be employed. And the so-called lazy youths will be in handy for this. This is Nigeria politics. Since the independence (1960) till date violence, thuggery, arson, vote buying and electoral malpractices have been part and parcel of every election in Nigeria.

 

Image from Google.

The didactic message of this writing is deduced from the popular quote of Pope Alexander that says, ‘Politics is the madness of the many for the gain of the few’. These political aspirants are coming to employ the madness, fanaticism and rascality of the poor and despondent masses for their gain. Their motto will be ‘believe, obey and fight for our gain’. Some will be employed as canvassers, thugs, ballot-snatchers or propagandists just for a penny. Some vulnerable and gullible people will buy their idea, work for them madly and at the end of the day being paid a penny. And mind you, such people will be disposed of and despised at after the election. “For a loaf of bread a man shall be deceived” says the Holy Book.

 I’m not preaching political apathy. I’m not a fan of such idea. What I’m saying in essence is that every citizen of Nigeria should be prudent in working for these politicians. What they are after is their interest - to get to the position of power. Nothing more. The coming 2023 election will be free and fair and peaceful if every citizen of Nigeria understands that the madness, rascality, and fanaticism of the many are for the benefit of the few. Let us work towards a free and fair and peaceful election. Long live Nigeria!  

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