2027 Elections: Who Will Make Nigeria The Land Filled With Milk And Honey – Tinubu, Peter Obi, Sowore? -By Joseph Aliu

The current economic, sociopolitical, security and precarious position of the Nigerian state is a teller of the evil (bad choice of leaders) that has befallen Nigeria and a pointer of the gory days that lie ahead.

That who would make the Nigerian state a place of immense abundance, fertily and divine blessings, the one the Holy Bible describes as the Promised Land of Canaan in Exodus 3:8, is a question that seriously begs for an answer and the posed question is for well meaning Nigerians to reach a radical conclusion on.

At this juncture, we must ask ourselves certain questions.

Shall we continue to lie to ourselves and not just suffer in pains but also die from the pains of hunger, squalor, penury and abject poverty birthed by the depreciating economy of the Nigerian state, the insecurity hovering over the land and unchecked welfare?

Shall we continue to be blinded and our decisions, influenced by familia, tribal and ethnic sentiments and affiliations? As Jennifer Seymour Whitaker puts it in her book, “How can Africa Survive”, page 23, lines 29-31 “The problem is compounded by the prevailing economic culture, where ties to tribe and family still rule most economic exchange.”

Shall we continue to speak with diverse voices, orchestrated by carpetbaggers who worry about their self interest? When again shall we speak with one voice as a people and as a nation who are ready for the good and betterment of the country, wholly and in totality rejecting those who have done us more harm than good?

As it stands, the past may have well looked more promising than the present or the future. It was Chinua Achebe in his book, “Things Fall Apart” who looks back longingly to a time when kinship was strong and men spoke “with one voice” lamenting that now a man “curses the gods of his fathers and ancestors for his misfortunes and predicament”

Isn’t it set time to bar carpetbaggers whose administrations are marked by impunity, disregard for human lives, human rights and an open brazen attack on the justice system- following a dethronement of the rule of law, broad day light violation of the constitution with which they took oath of office and allegiance, even where the constitution has stated that it far above every human, it is supreme, it is the alpha and the omega as contained under Section 1(1), 1999 CFRN as Amended?

It is worrying and at some point confusing to underscore whether Nigerians are truly not tired of all of these shenanigans or they enjoy being toyed with.

Do Nigerians not want a leader who has the welfare and interest of the people at heart? A leader whose interest for the people has been forged in the fireplace of the advocacy for an egalitarian society.

Do Nigerians not desire a government that prioritizes their lives, human rights, and freedom? Where they do not have to worry about speaking their concerns and agitations in the public without fear of being arbitrarily picked and locked up behind strong iron bars

Do Nigerians not need a working health care system where medical personnels do not have to go on strike cause they are not being paid?, placing the lives of the people in a precarious state

Maybe Nigerians want a government that will invest public funds in private/family business, making a fool and mockery of the people. Just maybe.

Could it be that Nigerians want a leader that scampers from one political party to another in a dying lifelong quest of becoming a president?

Maybe Nigerians enjoy going to school and getting education on loan and having to pay later when they ordinarily should enjoy advanced affordable education.

I find that Nigerians may well be pleased with the broad day light massacre of their loved ones in their homes and place of worship and the very fact that they have to source for funds to pay as ransoms to kidnappers for the release of their kidnapped family members.

Nigerians must find their answer to the posed question from all of these. According to Kayode Seyi Toyo, “Half word is enough for the wise, while full word is short for the full”.

JOSEPH ALIU is a Lagos-Based Human Rights Lawyer, Social Crusader and Legal Analyst @OgunWatchNg and can be reached via 09131704196, 09085773212, aliujoseph085@gmail.com