Letters • Created January 17, 2015 04:00

Next month’s polls as national disgrace of sorts

One way or the other, we’ve found ourselves in a two-party system, headed by the candidature of retired General Muhammadu Buhari (APC) and President Goodluck Jonathan (PDP).I alone know what direction I’ll cast my vote come February 14th but I still feel Nigerians should have more of a choice. Are we saying only the two […]

Next month’s polls as national disgrace of sorts
Next month’s polls as national disgrace of sorts

One way or the other, we’ve found ourselves in a two-party system, headed by the candidature of retired General Muhammadu Buhari (APC) and President Goodluck Jonathan (PDP).
I alone know what direction I’ll cast my vote come February 14th but I still feel Nigerians should have more of a choice. Are we saying only the two aforementioned candidates are worthy of candidature? I certainly don’t think so, and that’s where my grouse lays. We should not claim true democracy.
This only points to the fact that we need a major political overhaul in this country, with a variety of bright, young candidates rearing to go, to fix our bruised-and-battered country and rescue our damaged image in the eye of the international community. But I guess I’m a bit late to the party, so to speak, as everything’s pretty much fait accompli.
Now, I’m not going to praise or bash Buhari and/or Jonathan in any way, as I stated earlier that I’m playing my cards close to my chest. All I want to say is Nigerians should vote wisely, so that the best man may truly win. We don’t have room for ethnic or religious sentiments at this point. If Buhari is the man, let’s do it. If Jonathan is the candidate, let’s do it, too. We should be careful, as we will lament a wrong choice till kingdom come.
I feel this, our reduction to a two-candidate race country, should join our ever-growing list of national shames, along with Chibok, corruption, electoral violence and the rest. However, it is left for the coming generation to capitalise on approaching change to build up a landscape where diversity and vibrancy has a place, so we can grow as a nation and as a people.
Umar wrote in from Bakura Estate, Kano, Kano State.

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