The Change I Crave For

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