By Okechukwu Josiah
As Nigeria marches towards the 2023 election year, so many issues have started playing up that will form the bulk of campaign debates across the length and breadth of the nation.
One will recall that in 2015 issues like, insecurity and the need to build a strong economic base were major issues that formed the bulk of campaign debates between the two major political parties in Nigeria.
Though insecurity across the country was yet to reach the crescendo the country is presently experiencing, one will agree that the activities of Boko Haram was limited only to the North east and particularly it had its strong presence in Borno state.
Back then the economy was experiencing a drop, that saw inflation rate shot up and though there was significant cash flow in the hands of Nigerians but the purchasing power of the naira was nothing to write home about.
That is why the All Progressive Congress brought a message of breathing fresh air into the Nigerian system and Nigerians ran with the vision of a new Nigeria under president Muhammadu where a new approach will be taken to address the ailing economy, revamp the economy and of cause create employment for the teeming masses of unemployed youths.
The Buhari government came in and rather than experience some fresh air, it appeared that the administration had no concrete plan, because first it took the government six months or more to appoint ministers and when that particular hurdle was thought to have been scaled what Nigerian experienced was an abysmal disappointment, because the presidents lieutenant appeared clueless about what to do with the economy.
If the first tenure of the General was considered to have under-performed, Nigerians still looked with keen nostalgia towards the next four years, but that vision of seeing light at the end of the tunnel appears to be again showing signs that the tall dreams may not be achieved. Not with the increased activities of the Boko Haram; Fulani Herdsmen and bandits.
The entire situation has brought the country to a cross road and vital questions are being asked as to what does the country really need in a leadership that will take the mantle come 2023.
However, for the discerning mind that question is not too difficult to attempt, as Nigeria can see from the candidates that have played up as possible contenders for the presidency in the persons of the former Imo state governor, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha; former governor of Lagos state and APC national leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Current governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello all have records to dig into.
In the three candidates their performance in their various states are known and Nigerians can tell whose model will most address the perennial issues of insecurity, failing economy and massive unemployment that has over the years plagued the country.
Though two of the candidate clearly fits into the zoning arrangement, Nigerians can go further to take the responsibility of ensuring that who they will eventually vote into office is that person that has proven track record of having kept his state safe while he served in the capacity as governor and was able (by his ingenuity) to run and manage the economy of his state to the satisfaction of the indigenes devoid of liability in the aftermath of his exit from office.
Besides these considerations, the Next Nigerian president must possess the one quality of being a Bridge Builder, whose tentacles spreads the length and breadth of the country.
