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No Visible Alternative Leadership for 2007
– Nigerians in the Diaspora Declares
By By
Oyeyemi Olodo Esq. Director/Publisher
<oyeyemi@theintegritymagazineonline.co.uk>
It is quite easy to forgive Nigerians with no interest
in politics after one or two encounters with some Nigerian politicians. It
is nothing to do with their academic qualifications (though, there is no
certainty they actually obtain the qualification they claim to possess)
nor their personality, rather it’s something to do with their knowledge of
proper energetic politics that demonstrate true understanding of the
polity need and desires of electorates.
Whether you agree or not,
most Nigerians in the Diaspora have been exposed to a much more
intelligent political discussion and as a result, they can easily sense a
baseless political discussion by any of our political aspirants.
In an exclusive telephone
survey of Nigerians in the U.K, The Integrity Magazine asked if there are
any visible alternative leadership for 2007 and 83% of the participants’
responded “No” and when asked why they arrived at that conclusion, three
major reasons were given:
§
No research backed policy
proposal
§
Most visible political
aspirants have no convincing track-record
§
No clear strategy to
engage electorate
Whilst, there is clear
understanding that any Nigerian citizen can stand for the highest position
in the nation without any restriction as a result of their class, religion
or ethnicity. However, we must not be fooled to believe that, because
someone has ruled Nigeria before in one capacity or the other; or because
he/she is a professor is sensible enough to lead the “New Nigeria”. What
is important from the Nigeria Diaspora’s perspective is well-thought
policy that is visible and practical. Thus, when you hear a political
aspirant talking about, guaranteeing teachers that they will be the
highest paid workers, the question to be asked is simply: is that
emotional outburst or sensible policy proposal? Because, what budget is
that based on and what will have to suffer for teachers to get that
package, and what is the long term strategy for the unemployed graduates
in Nigeria.
As a political scientist
with years of experience in the public sector outside the shore of
Nigeria, I sometimes wonder if some of the Nigerian political aspirants
have political advisers or read the newspapers at all to fully understand
what electorates want from them. The U.K seems to be the new found home
for our political aspirants, who walk on the street of Peckham in London
to visit Nigerian businesses and hold talks at Nigeria restaurants.
Whilst, I have no problem with that strategy and will encourage more
involvement of Nigerians in the Diaspora. However, there are other
political-related initiatives that can be used, that will be more
effective than the use of restaurants associated with Nigerians. If I were
to be a political aspirant, before I use a place to announce my political
ambition. I will like to know how many times the enforcement agent have
visited the place; any possible links with drugs or EFCC wanted
politicians etc.
Even though, the date for
President Olusegun Obasanjo exits from Aso Rock is set for 29 May 2007.
Yet, I have not heard anything visible from the political aspirants about
the 2007 budget and what they would have done differently or even support
it. Politics is not always about opposition but also about acknowledging
good things and building upon them. No wonder, Pro-Obasanjo are calling
for third term or extension of the president’s exit of Aso Rock because
most of the political aspirants visible at the moment have nothing to
offer or ‘write home about’ yet it must be said that honouring the
constitution is the best way for Nigeria.
However, the political
aspirants cannot be completely blamed for their approach to engaging the
electorates in politics. Nigerian Press both at home and abroad (including
of course the pirates’ stations) also, need to improve the way they report
political issues as we approach May 2007. It is critical that the
questions directed at politicians are not half-baked elementary questions
as it seems to be the case presently.
The press needs to be more
strategic in questioning political aspirants to give the masses, the
opportunity to truly access future leaders.
Oyeyemi Olodo is the
Publisher of ‘The Integrity Magazine (UK)’ –
www.theintegritymagazine.org.uk | 
