The great misconception about change – 2015 General ElectionsIve read in many quarters how some people clamor for change in governmentespecially at the helm of affairs.In less than two months we’ll be having a general election and as we all know, we have two major political parties slogging it out. One party is giving “power to the people” like recharge cards, the other; a seemingly strong andbitter rival sings the song of “change”But what truly is change? Change is the process of becoming different. It involves a shift from what currently exists; it could be geometric, arithmetic or a complete quantum leap. Since 1999to date we’ve experienced corruption at the highest level from power projects that swallowed billions of dollars, to agricultural shams, petroleum trust funds gone missing, electoral embarrassments, corrupt office holders e.t.c but we’ve never wanted change so desperately, why now?Infact, the major question I choose to ask is, what kind of change do we seek? Is it a positive change or negative one? A change from the status quo to a complete disregard for the rule of law? Nigerians must first know what they want because it determines what they get. We should remove emotions, anger and bigotry and face the issues on ground which is of growth, developmentand moving forward. Let the contestantstell us what they have to offer instead of chanting the slogans of continuity and/or change.If there is corruption, how do they intendtackling it, not only at the helm of affairs,but at the micro level such that every Nigerian becomes a proponent of order and rule of law, with honor and principle.If unemployment is the major challenge, then political office aspirants should systematically highlight their plans for gainful employment for the teeming population of Nigerian youths, not forgetting the room for entrepreneurshipschemes for the young graduates as well. How do they intend maximizing thepotentials and resources of Nigeria to bring about the infrastructural and human capital development we need and seek. How do they plan on diversifying the economy beyond what is currently on ground in terms of agriculture (Cassava export and rice production self-sufficiency of 60%), export of locally produced goods and raw materials, local content resurrection, support schemes for SME’s and other minor industries and emerging manufacturers of industrial goods and vehicles, sustenance or removal of the fuel and kerosene subsidy given the current price of crude oil at an all time low of almost $50 per barrel and the need for budget to match the needed recurrent and capital expenditures plus cutting down on government spending from the status quo to what is feasible and upright, including the big-bellied legislative arm of the Nigerian government. Their agenda on key issues should be clear and not the same old cliché of “The government has failed Nigerians, the government is corrupt ”, because that is not enough.So instead of ignorantly chanting Sai Buhari or GEJ till 2019, lets listen to what they have to offer, especially those who clamor for ChangeA baby was stolen and sold, and I heard someone on a particular social site saying “corruption must end, we need a change” and I couldn’t help but wonder how the leaders will effect a change thatwill stop such devilish vice; but then it occurred to me that Nigerian masses are infact more corrupt and irresponsible than the leaders we witch-hunt, but we expect them alone to change and automatically turn Nigeria into an utopia while we at the base continue our bickering without recourse.We are quick to blame, but constitute the greatest threat to the sanity of the nation. We shamelessly kill our brothers,rape our young ones, kidnap our fathers and mothers, and lately, turned our teenage daughters into blood thirsty devices and we turn around and blame the government. A government that is deeply overwhelmed by a problem we created, the problem of insecurity and terrorism. A challenge that will vanish like the Ebola virus did, if only we could all come together, putting aside our religious and political differences and say No more terrorism, No more deaths, and no more bombings.The fact that one is currently unemployed does not take away our sense of reason. We shouldn’t just blame the government, but also the private sector for not playing its part in covering the 60% of employment needs they claim to have in Nigeria. Favoritism and Man-know-Man is the new rule for employment in Nigeria both at the private and government levels and they are perpetrated by the masses, i.e you and I, and not the leaders in their various offices.The president and other political office holders will not write a good CV for us, or turn us into interview gurus from slumber-heads, or make us do well in written tests. So let us be reasonable in our needs and wants.Any political party that believes in change must clearly state the type of change they stand for, either positive change or negative change and must beready to walk the talk by rejecting over-aged and redundant political asylum seekers from other parties and instead present a completely new set of leaders to preach its good news of change.Finally, the responsibility of positive change rests with the masses because we make up the country, and not the leaders. Let’s not wait for the president to do for us what we can and should do for ourselves.“Be the change you want to see”- Mahatma Ghandi
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 17:16:50 +0000