NewsPoliticsRoad to 2023: Okagbue, University Don Harps on Issue Based Campaign

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As the build-up to the 2023 General Election intensifies, there are concerns that given the nature of politics and the tendency for politicians to grab power at all costs, some politicians might leave important issues and start appealing to emotions and unfounded sentiments. In a bid to impress voters, politicians might begin to stalk the embers of religious, tribal, and party sentiments, rather than face the question of leadership crisis squarely, so as to address the same in various components of Nigeria’s existence. In this regard, some Nigerians have responded to how political campaigns ahead of the 2023 General Elections must be conducted, in the best interest of the country’s citizens.

Prof. Biereenu-Nnabugwu, a Professor of Political Science at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, has said that it is absolutely imperative to hear from those who want to occupy public offices so that the people can access the state of their appreciation of the problem they are presenting themselves to solve. “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. It is what you have, you will give. People’s articulation cannot go beyond their understanding of reality, no matter how they pretend, at the end of the day, it is clear that one cannot cover up his obvious inabilities”, the Professor said. Commenting on the length of the electioneering campaign, he said that it gives enough time for the people to be able to evaluate those who want to serve them.

“The campaign time is long, but it’s enough time for people to be exposed…that’s why we are talking about the debate so that we are not taken by surprise. So I think there is a need for further engagement. People who say they want to lead the country or occupy any public office should be engaged so that we understand their understanding of reality, because, it is their understanding of reality that will manifest when they get into office.” Prof. Biereenu-Nnabugwu said.

On the quality of the campaign and democracy, Prof. Biereenu-Nnabugwu said that Nigeria has some fundamental issues to resolve first. “Every generation has its own challenges, we cannot jumpstart. We are still dealing with the fundamentals, we are still talking about nationhood, and the state is still in turmoil. So how do we move to a fully independent state in terms of thinking, and production? Every election is an opportunity to move closer to the desirable”, Prof. Biereenu-Nnabugwu said.

The puzzle however remains, can politicians be trusted to manifest in their personal dealings, the same standard of quality they so easily promise to voters? Perhaps, can the ambition to serve the public be the driving force behind all political aspirations? If it is about service to the people, maybe it might be easier for power seekers to play decently in their campaigns. Uzuegbuna Okagbue has reacted to this, against the backdrop of the 2023 General Election.

According to Okagbue, “How sane our political environment becomes depends largely on the quality of people who are players in our political environment. That’s why for me, the greatest challenge remains Nigeria’s inability to sanitize the process of recruiting candidates. If you recruit bad candidates, it will reflect in the campaign because they will run out of ideas and then become desperate.  Nigerian political parties must place a premium on a quality candidates for all elective positions. That’s where it all starts. If you don’t have quality candidates who can discuss problems and proffer solutions, then, what you have are mere desperate politicians who want power at all costs. In that instance, it is not about public good anymore.” Uzuegbuna Okagbue emphasized.

So far, out of the top four candidates, three have made some kind of tribal appeal to their ethnic groups, with resonating backlash on social media and other public spaces. Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, a global change maker, and policy expert has described Atiku’s comment pandering to ethnic politics while pretending to be a ‘bridge builder’, as disappointing. “I was very disappointed…all candidates in the 2023 Presidential Election must avoid ethnic or other divisive sentimental appeals”…, Moghalu said in his statement.

Apparently, issue-based discussions around Nigeria’s politics and governance is something that transcends the 2023 General Election.

 

Ebuka Onyekwelu (Staff Writer)
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