[ThursdayRapAround] Presidential Race: Now An All-comers Contest

By Michael Ayotunde

The race for the 2023 general elections is gradually taking shape.

Interested parties, as we speak, are busy throwing their respective hats into the ring. It is now clear to every discerning mind that the race for Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, in particular, has become a race for all, that is, an all-comers affairs.

From those who barely know a bit of the myriads of challenges bedevilling the country, to the very set of people who have been part of the problems ab initio, interestingly, are not only showing interest, but are purchasing nomination forms to contest in the election.
Read Also:[ThursdayRapAround] Presidential Race: Now An All-comers Contest
Would it be safe to aver that the bar has been lowered, reason why people who couldn’t even salvage their respective states as governors; ministries as ministers etc, are comfortable to even dare to mention their intention to contest for the office of the President?

No doubt, Nigeria’s situation has provided the platform for all that we are seeing today – a nation where anything goes. Impunity has been enthroned in high places: we have seen Governors owing workers unpaid wages, bonuses; infrastructure in their respective states in comatose showing interest to rule Nigeria; the very people who have emptied treasury angling to come to power. Nigerians should of course not be surprised if those who were recently given presidential pardon also join in the 2023 race.

From all indications, too, past administrations have shown gross incapacity while on the saddle. They made vague, unfulfilled promises and got away with it. This invariably has emboldened every tom, dick and harry to believe they too can follow suit – following the threshold of promise and fail syndrome.

Barely 11 months to the expiration of General Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, the race for the presidency has assumed a fierce dimension as an army of presidential contenders rise up to wrestle power from him.

As the preparation hots up, governance is being made to suffer. Virtually all the gladiators, majority of who still occupy various positions have abandoned their official responsibilities in pursuit of political agenda.

It is definitely going to be an epic battle – because most of the political parties apparently will not have it easy to get the best out of the array of the contestants.

The big question however is – are all these being perfected to better the lot of Nigerians? With the benefit of hindsight, the answer is capital NO.

As long as this trend of inglorious politicking is allowed to continue, Nigeria stand a chance to gain nothing from it. It is self-serving, parochial in letter and spirit.

This is the more reason why Nigerians need to open their eyes wide and outrightly reject all these shylocks and sadists parading themselves as presidential hopefuls.

We also hope that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) be truly independent and in the process allow the votes to count.