Like other popular political campaign straplines, the vocable
‘change’ was the most used phrase by political parties for their campaign
towards 2015 general elections. Though, it is a mantra adopted mainly by a
political party- the All progressive congress (APC). Notwithstanding, other
political parties adopted it to denote that a modification in government is
needed, except the people democratic party (PDP) which was then the ruling
party. Rhetorically, credit and accolades should be showered on that person who
brought the idea of employing such phrase as a campaign tool. The slogan definitely
made Nigerians believed that what they are yearning for has finally come.
Still and all, before the presidential election and its
aftermath, especially the euphoria of ousting an incumbent president beclouds
the important task that lies ahead, it is imperative that the full import of
this seismic and paradigm shift be appreciated by Nigerians. The time has now
come for Nigerians to hold politicians to their promises.
In line with this, what are the changes Nigerians expect from
those who promised them change? In the actual or real sense of it, it should be
noted that Nigerians are not just looking for a ‘replacement’ of government or
a change in political party; Nigerians are yearning for a change or
transformation in the entire ‘system’. This conceptually aroused a critical
question from the den of political analysts on the angle Nigerians voted- did
people actually voted for Buhari, APC or change? This question leaves me in
deep thought while the answer lies on individual conviction.
Exclusively, I voted for change. Change is all I voted for.
What then is the change I voted for? 16years ago, Nigeria became a fully
democratic state after many years of military rule but seems things have not
really change under the leadership of the people democratic party, a party controlling
the center since our democratic inception. From the security challenges,
corruption, impunity and near collapse of economy and infrastructure-indeed all
is not well.
The change I therefore crave for is a change in system. A
change in apparatus, composition, synthesis and structure. A change in organization,
logistics and mentality is what I yearn for. Allocating more percentage of our
budget to capital expenditure, instead of recurrent expenditure is change.
Prosecuting corrupt politicians who magically turned tax-payers money to their
personal spend is change. Equipping and stabilizing our military to meet world
standard and fight insurgency is change. Jobs for youth and a significant
reduction of poverty rate is change. Funding and dressing up our higher
institution to produce full-baked graduates and quality research is change.
Accountability and the ability of government to take responsibility for her
actions is change. In fact, turning what is bad to good, good to better and
better to best is the change I crave for. Anything short of the above means
that Nigeria is still in same circle, dancing to a tune in which its citizens know
the direction it comes from but do not know where it would take them to.
Consequently, I believe that the need to manage our
collective expectations in the face of change is predicated on the fact that
Nigeria needs to get back on track with the business of improving and
developing the lives of her citizen. A task that requires more urgent attention
now in the face of damning evidence of how badly the nation and its
institutions have failed in delivering efficient public services in the past 55
years of its existence.
Nevertheless, I am of the opinion that the best approach to
achieve this change we have been clamoring for is what we call “the blind man
and his yam”. If you have to pill the blind man’s yam, you must keep whistling
while you do so as a sign that you are not introducing the yam into your own
mouth. The darkest part of the night is just before dawn, hence I know we will
have to pass through some roadblocks and hurdles but believe me, no matter how
hard and difficult the situation is, there is always some hope and redemption,
and also there is a light at the end of every tunnel. The president has
promised us change, therefore we should stay tune, and pray not to suffer from
collective amnesia so that we can hold them accountable in a view to achieve
the change I and we crave for.
BY: OMOLAOYE SODIQ
