Nigerians should just go for the right candidate

It’s a new dawn in the political geography of our dear nation as the ruling party presidential candidate decided to go for ‘Muslim­­-Muslim’ ticket. Many political commentators opined that it is a wrong calculation because it will ignite religious disunity. I believe both the ruling party, the APC,  and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party have […]

It’s a new dawn in the political geography of our dear nation as the ruling party presidential candidate decided to go for ‘Muslim­­-Muslim’ ticket. Many political commentators opined that it is a wrong calculation because it will ignite religious disunity.

I believe both the ruling party, the APC,  and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party have no credible candidates that will salvage Nigeria from those too numerous to mention problems.

• Insecurity: ‘Kidnapping for ransom shows FG helpless’
• N10bn probe: Ijaw youths, ex-militants leaders warn senate over threat to Dikio

Nigeria is in a dire need of a courageous, patriotic person to serve as president because the country is plunged into chaos that is difficult to unravel by a septuagenarian.

As an indigene of Adamawa State and going by the politics of Nigeria today which revolves around regionalism, tribalism and nepotism, it’s easy to go for Atiku but being patriotic supersedes this.

Politics of religion, tribe and region made Nigerians not to see the bigger picture because northerners are busy jostling between having Atiku as president and making effort for a muslim-muslim ticket. The Igbo on the other hand, are head over toe with the candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, who they see as a messiah rather than a president. They made the political landscape even more boring with insults to anyone with a contrary opinion.

Our politics will not thrive unless every region, religion and ethnic group agrees to vote for competence, patriotism and above all anyone with good leadership qualities that would bring solace and tranquility back to our polity.

Peter Obi and Kwankwaso would have been a perfect duo that would bring the desired change and also bring back our lost unity in diversity even though many believed they are regional politicians that lack structures to win elections.

It’s without a doubt that Kwankwaso has written his name on the sands of time in Kano with lots of developmental projects to his credit. Obi, on the other hand, has shown his versatility during his campaign.             

Plunging into the depth of Nigerian politics requires a politician with a foresight that will bring to the table the solutions to the country’s disunity, recent killings in every nook and cranny of the nation and hardship that bedevilled its people.

Nigeria now needs, more than ever, a good leader who believes in the unity of the nation. The election will only come and go as usual but Nigeria and Nigerians will continue to wonder and ponder over their votes and choice of a leader for the next four years.

Let us vote for change and not for region or ethnicity.

Abubakar H. Julde wrote from Yola and can be reached via [email protected]