User talk:Jamiepatrick

NIGERIA GENERAL ELECTION 2007 “WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR NIGERIANS.”

As Nigerians get close and closer for the 2007 general election, every lips in the most populated nation in Africa, rich in crude oil, minerals and natural resources talks politics up and down the country. Efforts are geared towards consolidating on the already enthroned democratic governance and sustenance of the ideals of the rule of law. The political scene has witnessed an alarming growing in the number of political parties formations and registrations, some of the political parties are: •	P.D.P - Peoples Democratic Party •	N.D.P - National Democratic Party •	A.C.D - Advanced Congress of Democrats •	A.N.P.P - All Nigerian Peoples Party •	A.D - Alliance for Democracy •	D.P.P - Democratic Peoples Party •	N.D.P - National Democratic Party •	A.P.G.A - All Progressives Grand Alliance •	A.P.L.P - All Peoples Liberation Party •	N.N.P.P - New Nigeria Peoples Party •	N.A.P – Nigeria Advance Party •	N.A.C – National Action Council •	N.C.P – National Conscience Party •	D.P.N - Democratic Party of Nigeria •	N.D – New Democrats •	P.A.C – Progressive Action Congress •	B.N.P.P – Better Nigeria Progressive Party

Within the registered parties, political aspirants are strategising by the day, leaving no stone unturned, seeking for the nomination for their party candidatures. Up and down the country the list of presidential and gubernatorial aspirants grows in geometrical proportions. The political arena has continued to witness the spoilers, the weak, the strong contenders, and the pretenders, also, awful lots of political manoeuvring, blackmails, partisansims, hurts, agonies, mockery, deceit, tricks, disappointment, opportunism, self-actualism and fulfilment of dreams. All those goes with the territory. Mostly, in the third world countries where democracy, rule of law and civil liberty are mere mockery, theoretical extremes, paperwork and an academic arguments. Those politicians campaigning for various exalted positions as the tenure of president Olusegun Obasanjo, draws to an end come 2007, the aspirants has advanced reasons claims and counter-claims why they think they are the best and the right candidate for the top job in the country and other various exalted positions in the country come 2007. In 1998 when president Obasanjo was released from prison he made his intentions known to Nigerians that he wants to go into politics to contribute to the development of his home state and the nation at large. As a colossus whom I respect, he declared his position marshal out his visions for Nigeria made necessary and wide consultations, build up political structures, identified issues, conducted research, build up political bridges and forged necessary alliances that is required to launch what turned out to be one of the most formidable campaign in the hallmark of Nigerian political history that cut across various groups, beliefs, creed, ethnicity, religion and geographical and Nigerians proudly voted and gave him their mandate to be their president and commander in chief. Looking back, president Obasanjo has made his mark in Nigerian political history. Therefore, he is prepared to leave office come 2007 with his shoulders high. In the eyes of many Nigerians he achieved, posterity will judge if he was a success or failure. But in my private opinion, he achieved a lot for Nigerians his tenure in office saw Nigeria as a debt free nation he paid all our international debts, he introduced economic and financial crimes commission (E.F.C.C), he reinforces National drug law enforcement agency (N.D.L.E.A) and National agency for food, drug administration and control. (N.A.F.D.A.C) all these agencies has earned an international recognitions and has helped in an unbelievable way in restoring Nigeria’s reputation internationally because of their good works in fighting ills and crimes in the Nigerian society. President Obasanjo has done well in sanitising the Nigerian society in no small measure in light of his contributions. Obasanjo did his best and to the best of his ability .Now Nigeria must move on and capitalise on his numerous worthwhile achievements, were he seem to have failed need to be put right by the would be president come 2007. With 2007 elections drawing closer there has been “conflicting opinions and questions which part, zone, region, of Nigeria will produce the next president.” Worst still” many Nigerians are agitating for a rotational presidency” All sort of issues have been raised by many Nigerians .I am dismayed at the so-called political elites, astute politicians, self-acclaimed political colossus, even the reputable academia with great academic excellence seems to have lost the plot on the way forward for Nigerian democratic governance. The big question is what hope and future holds for the common man in Nigeria “there are differences between reality and perceptions” is high time Nigerian politicians faced realities and get real and stop beating about the bush. Nigeria needs to move forward democratically and consolidate our democracy, practice democracy then reap democratic benefits. “The hope and future of Nigerians is not tied up to where the next president comes from either does rotational presidency seen as penance to the ordinary suffering Nigerians.” Frankly, whether the president comes from the north, south, east, west or south-south part of Nigeria as alleged by many isn’t the answer to rescue the masses from abject poverty Nigerians have been forced to go through in a country where there are abundant crude oil, minerals and natural resources. What a shame! The future and hope of the common man in Nigeria lies in the hand of God, prayers and in the hands of Nigerians. Nigerians should pray for a divine leadership, leaders that fear God to occupy the various top jobs and exalted positions. Leaders that has got the sense of right and wrong in them, conscience oriented leaders, leaders that are pro-democratic that understands the various challenges that faces Nigerians domestically, continentally and globally. Leaders that believes in equity and excellence but combined this with an obsessive commitment to the defense, promotion and sustenance of ideals of the rule of law, justice and self-determination. This commitment defines the true leader that Nigerian needs. Therefore, I urge Nigerians not to sell their votes, do not mortgage your conscience or compromise your believes. Nigerians should wisely exercise their franchise and go to the polls mindful of who among the candidates can really rescue Nigeria like they say once beaten twice shy. Nigeria has been fooled time and time again over the years by the so called political elites. Nigerians need leaders who are committed to entrenchment of the ideals of democracy and the up-liftment of the common man. Leaders that are down to earth with a serving heart and a deep sense of service and must love Nigeria and Nigerians passionately, and must be religious tolerance and mindful of the circular state Nigeria stands for. Nigerian leaders (Politicians) must frown upon injustice, bribery and corruption, embezzlement, tribalism, nepotism, patisanism, favouritism, godfatherism, nigerianfactorism, above the law statemanism, untouchables and whom do you know scenarios. Nigeria has witnessed and experienced an awful and untold hardship, neglect from the so called political elites. After being voted into power they hardly fulfilled all the presidential promises they pledged to Nigerians during their electioneering campaigns. With 2007 election drawing close Nigerians should be alert and understand that the future of Nigerians lies in the hands of Nigerians because they have to determine those to be voted into various exalted positions. Presently, many politicians are building structures, strategising by the day to wrest power, soliciting for votes, portraying themselves as Nigerian messiahs, campaigning with all sorts of resources leaving no stone unturned to actualise and fulfil their dreams and aspirations. With countless promises that never was, after clinching onto power never bothered the problems of Nigerians because Nigerians sold their votes while exercising their franchise for a peanut, and they mortgage their conscience. Now is a wake up call especially for the masses, the common man, and the market women, they exercise their franchise and cast their votes wisely for the sake of the unborn generations. There are awesome lots that true democracy brings to a nation. The hope and future of Nigerians would be positively lifted if true leaders (politicians) are given the mandate to pilot the affairs of the nation. Politicians that are pro democrats. In the developed countries were the tenet of democracy is observed, were the game called politics is played in the true sense of it, and were mandate is a true mandate, where the voices of the people are heard by the result of the ballot box, where the electorate determines who rules them. Example British politics is a case study of an organised society where justice, fairness and rule of law are practised. As 2007 election in Nigeria draws close, the future and hope for the unborn generations in Nigeria are at stake, if the true leaders (Politicians) are voted into public exalted positions Nigeria will be a fortress for Nigerians and will be economically empowered. Therefore, here is another chance for Nigerians to determine their fate, hope and future and even for the unborn generations. Nigerians deserves respect.

By Patrick Offor (United Kingdom)