Nigeria needs a leap forward and we will not get it by merely supporting an anti corruption crusader to become president. As we close in on election dates a lot of analyst feel that a mere change of guards will redeem our nation. Their logic is change the head and the rest of the body will be okay! How wrong can we get? Those who queue up behind one man and think that his election will save us from corruption, economic woes and terrorism are sadly expecting too much. The real saving grace is us. Change must begin with you and me. We have to agree to put certain things behind us. Our discussion is based heavily on all the weaknesses and bad points of individuals that represent different political interest. We sadly, are overlooking those things we ought to repair and are looking at each other’s flaws. Is the motley crowd of “progressives” really perfect? Do they not have the same traits as those they consistently accuse? What do they seek to do to change Nigeria? They talk about wresting power from in the centre and installing an anti corruption crusader. It really is not that simple. How are we sure that they will willingly leave if they are beaten at free and fair elections. We are not even sure we will have a free and fair election. The politicians are merely using the electorate to get to power and maintain control. They will use cash, brute force or different forms of blackmail and a majority of Nigerians would remain victims because of the hunger in the land. A lot people have already sold their votes at the delegate level. The main game plan of the parties is cash, cash and more cash. The quantum leap for Nigeria can only come when we seek a future that is planned strategically and implemented. We ought to know how we are going stop exporting crude and importing refined petroleum in the next two years. We ought to work on our electricity and stabilize in the next four years. We have to reorganize our health system and create a social security package for every true Nigerian. Right now our health care delivery is way below world standards. Our banking has to be truly ready to help fund MSMEs and not play lip service to it. Right now interest rates are the most discouraging factor of loans for MSMEs. As the Naira loses its value on the international market and certain goods become more expensive, our economists have to cut spending at the national level. We cannot continue to fund democracy as we have been, it is too expensive. Selling components of our electricity is not an achievement. What was done with the billions collected in those deals? Right now with a excess crude account that is floundering and a sovereign wealth fund that lacks the required drive of investment there is no plan being implemented for the future. The price of oil will go up next year. The government will do it after the election. The people of Nigeria will suffer because of the spend thrift attitude of the managers of our economy. Drastic measures have to be taken now.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 06:55:53 +0000
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