One Way Nigeria Can Change

It's funny and sad, but truth also -if you do not know yet- that the Nigerian Electorate since 1999 has never been the decider of who governs. No, i'm not talking about vote casting and counting here, i'm talking about the actual decision on who to cast the vote for before you now talk about it counting and being counted.

Certain people, very few actually, take that decision for the majority of the people and then find a means to reset their subjets minds to agree and endorse at the polls. Every four years.

Don't forget, this short contribution is about "One Way Nigeria Can Change", not about elections. So we're on course. I just have to draw my point from the narration. Now, back to it, with illustration, this time!

In 2011, Nigerians of the all Northern and South Western regions, not mentioning the South South and East for reasons without prize, came out en-mass and voted for certain Goodluck Jonathan (Dr.), to be President of the Federal Republic. It seemed like the ethnic/religious differences in the Country that had unnecessarily bred untold hatred among Nigerians was gradually dieing; seeing majority of the people from all nooks and crannies rejoicing at his victory at the time even when he's from a 'minority' ethnic group, so called. Enough on that for now.

Bit more retro. The same scenario was witnessed when certain Olusegun Obasanjo (Gen.) and Umar Musa Yar'adua (Alh., late) ascended the same seat. People rejoiced and made merry which soon turned opposite, as always, as a result of... whatever! But that's not the topic here. So we move on.

In those elections that produced these people from differet Nigerian ethnicities and religions, many people, majority actually, voted against their ethnic/religious brothers and, or sisters as the case maybe, to make sure these ones ascended the Aso Rock rein. Even though we know it wasn't 'just' and 'only' the votes that worked in all these instances. I believe these past presidents got the higher number of vote in those elections, anyway. But that's still by the way.

Three examples to corroborate my earlier assertions: in 2011, a large number of northern Nigerians voted against Gen. Buhari and Mallam Ribadu, and westerners against Mr. Momodu, to push Dr. Jonathan up to be C-in-C. Back to 2007, the majority of easterners voted against Gen. Odumegwu Ojukwu and Dr. Uzo Kalu, the south southerners, against Prof. Pat Utomi and Evan. Chris Okotie, and the westerners against Lawrence Adedoyin and Olapade Agoro to elevate the late Alh. Musa Yar'Adua to that same position of C-in-C. Same happened back in 2003 in favour of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo. In that election, Ojukwu, from the east ran; Buhari, from the north ran, as well as many others from different ethnic and religious nationalities.

Now to my main point and crux of this op-ed: "irrespective of the differences between the diverse nationalities that make up the Nigerian umbrella Nation, something was employed by certain people who wanted certain people in the Presidency at these different times, to bring the majority of the Nigerian people across divides together to speak with one voice as to who they wanted to occuppy the highest office in the land".

"Thereto, my assertion and convinction is that whatever means --or, atleast, some of the means-- that was used to bring the majority of the people together to speak with one, and unified voice, in those electoral outings, across the Nation, can be used today, to bring the people together again for a common course that'll precipitate into lasting solutions to the many challenges of the Nigerian State".

That course i may not know. But i know there can be a course capable of the task. And i believe we'll know, when such arrives. Because it'll have certain undeniable characteristics that cannot be mistaken. And that cannot be percieved, in anyway, as divisive and sectional.

It remains to know, and see which Nigerian and Nigerians can stand up; with a Worthy Common Goal, strong enough to unify the people; and make all the sacrifices needed for such to happen in an altruistic manner and change, forever, the course of the Nigerian Nation.

That Nigerian can come from anywhere and any part. Maybe young, or old. Male or female. The truth being that today, Nigeria and Nigerians needs that Nigerian and Nigerians more than ever before. And maybe, more than ever will; for there to be a continued Nigeria.

And if that Nigerian and Nigerians do not arise fast enough, there may not be the Nigeria and Nigerians, in a little distant future, to need their altruistic heroism.

But with what i can 'feel' right now, --not anything that i know to be factual;-- that Nigerian and Nigerians are close to arival.

Let's get ready for them. As they arive with the 'One Way Nigeria Can Change' solution.