OUR ELECTORAL DECISIONS HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO IN NATIONAL BUILD-UP

Exactly this time 365 days ago, Nigerians made a conscious decision to elect leaders to steer the ship of the country for the next four (4) years. Hopes were high and expectations were many. A new Nigeria was to be birthed. But as usual, the election was marred with different anomalies such as snatching of Ballot, PVC racketeering, Card readers polarization among other hosts of fraudulent electoral malpractices.

Despite all these, those who were pronounced winners by the electoral umpire were administered with the oath of office in accordance to the Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Those who were aggrieved by the results proceeded to the Tribunal to seek Justice while others took the results with magnanimity taking solace in the fact that Leadership is about service and nothing more. Cases at the Tribunal are still lingering due to legal circumspection and delay. Some passed & others thrown away.

It is a well known fact in political sciences, that the electorate justifies leadership competence. The people we elect into power and authority is just a reflection of who we are as a people, and as a Nation. It is also an indication of the sanity in our decision making processes. A good leader must in addition to knowledge have temperance, will & unquestionable integrity. Looking back through the prism of activities & occurrences of the past 365 days, can we boldly say we are proud and satisfied by those electoral decisions? Has Nigeria moved from where we are to where we want to be? Have our Representatives represented us well and delivered the dividends of democracy as expected? These are the questions among many others begging for answer.

As we look forward to yet another electoral year in 2023, it is high time we; the electorate do away with sentiments such as tribe, ethnicity, religion, party & purchasing power that take us nowhere. We cannot have a different tomorrow if we do not approach things differently today. Leadership is very vital in any National Development.  Where we are is a reflection of our decision.

It is high time we chart a different course as regards politics & power. Our future shouldn't be traded for pecuniary gains. We have to impress it upon our Youths to desist from blind political loyalty and start asking questions that pertain to their future. Our market women should know that leadership is not party affairs but of the individual candidates. Things do not change until we change them. Parties don’t make men, men make parties. Let us look beyond the veil to bail ourselves from economic penury & political hopelessness that have so pervaded our society.

For us to have a greater 2023, let us confess ourselves to heaven, repent what is past, and avoid what is to come. Let us use this moment to scout for leaders with a difference. Leaders that are able, capable & accountable. Those are the kinds of leaders that will challenge the status quo, change our national narrative, & re-position our collective Destiny.  For us, we believe that Leadership is all about service with the fear of God.

As we do our reminiscences today, let us be of good cheers by toasting ourselves to the good life ahead. Nigeria will be great. All is well that ends well.

Abiodun 'Biodun Sanyaolu.