Nigeria: Underscoring past gains for a better future

As much as the reasons for pessimism abound, there are also reasons to remain cautiously optimistic for a better outcome of this grand democratic exercise. The caution is needed because any semblance of positive outcome largely depends on the level of sanity and care on the part of the politicians who can make or break […]

As much as the reasons for pessimism abound, there are also reasons to remain cautiously optimistic for a better outcome of this grand democratic exercise. The caution is needed because any semblance of positive outcome largely depends on the level of sanity and care on the part of the politicians who can make or break this socially, politically and economically charged national event.
The country is entering into this process with a high sense of economic triumph after being ranked as largest economy in the continent with its close to $500 Billion GDP. For a nation facing a plethora of complexities in terms of threatened national security, political divisions, widespread corruption and lack of social cohesion, this by far is a significant achievement that must be capitalised. Now Africans are tuned in to the debates on whether or not Nigeria is ready to assume continental leadership position. This is fundamentally a discussion point for Nigerian politicians who would have to question themselves, “are we ready for the challenges of leading by example?” The nation’s economic prowess is obviously no match to the already established social influence that Nigeria has achieved over the years as a result of its socio-cultural outfits in the fields of sport, music and Nollywood movies.
Even in the unlikely places like Ethiopia, where there is a serious language barrier because of its adamant closed-door policy to anything “foreign”, seeing people hobbling to get hold of Nigerian movies is heart-warming. This continent-wide soft power must be transformed by demonstrating the nation’s real determination and capacity to lead the continent out of poverty, political instability and democratic deficits.
The outcome of this election will undoubtedly cast its effects on the already flourishing economy one way or the other. The dividends of the 2014 fair, free and credible election in India have immediately impacted the economy that led to the rise of the country’s share market by 3.5% since the election. As a result, India has become one of the world’s strongest share markets this year and it is now Nigeria’s choice to move forward by underscoring what has been achieved in the economic sphere and prove to its people and the world that it can do better in the fields of democratic governance too.   
Apart from the economy, another ground for optimism is Nigeria’s youth that, at 50.5%, makes up its largest population. The youth has for long been made to shoulder the twin problems of unemployment and social exclusion. The event in March this year that saw 19 deaths of job-seekers when unprecedented number of applicants rushed to apply for government announced vacancies sums up the unemployment problems that Nigeria’s youth are facing.
The legal ground for youth involvement in politics already exists under Nigeria’s constitutional framework that permits youth membership to the highest legislative and executive organs of government. Mention could be made here to section 65(1)(a) and (b) of the Constitution that provide 35 and 30 years age requirement for membership to the Senate and the House of People’s Representatives, respectively; section 106(b) stipulating 30 years to be the age requirement for membership to the House of Assembly of States; and section 177 of the Constitution as amended that makes 35 years to be the age requirement for Governorship position of a State.
“Youth” in Nigeria being defined as a person within the age group of 15-35 years, these are key entry points to usefully promote the causes of the young generation. Leaving this section of the society behind is not only impossible as a matter of fact, it is also costly for the nation’s future. Those in power and those having influential say in Nigeria’s politics must look at the whole process of running a country like a ‘relay race, where the team is only as strong as its weakest runner.’ Disenchanting the youth, both women and men, only weakens the overall governing business no matter how strong the economy is being ranked.
When Ethiopia’s economy is ranked as one of the world’s fastest growing, one politician has wisely commented that it is like a state of interim health of a person with blood pressure who could one day experience a sudden death. Thus, a healthy economic growth must be inclusive, equitably distributed and democratically regulated and this 2015 election will serve as litmus test for the question of whether or not Nigeria has assumed the continent’s economic leadership in earnest.  
Garnering these positives with a resolve on the part of the political actors to do what is right will undoubtedly enable the nation to move forward. Nigeria’s continental supremacy in form and substance can only be achieved and sustained if economic power finds a match in the form of democratic maturity provable in, among other things, delivering free, fair and credible election that does not leave anyone behind. 
Fikre, an Ethiopian lawyer, can be reached on [email protected]