The next general election will be conducted in a few weeks and for citizens, this is the ticket to a more conducive standard of living.
Transport workers in Abuja are eager to commence electioneering and vote in a new government with the hope to lessen economic hardship.
At Zuba car park, Gwagwalada LGA, Abuja, drivers who spoke to WAP say they are optimistic that electing a new leader would reduce inflation, fuel scarcity and poverty.
For Umar Sani, a cab driver at the park, all that matters is that leaders are elected and new administrations are ushered in.
The 38-year-old said the economy is bound to progress as soon as there is a change in leadership.
According to him, the country’s inflation is bound to decrease as long as new leaders are elected, irrespective of who they are.
“No one can have it this bad. My prayer is that the lord grants us a good leader but any of the candidate elected will do better than Buhari.
“Any one elected as the new president will do better than Buhari, there will be a difference. The Buhari administration has been the worst.
“I had the worst experience in this administration and I look forward to the end of this regime,” he said.
Why good leadership matters
But Bayo Jamiu, a bus driver doesn’t agree with this. Bayo Jamiu is another who often plays the Abuja-Kano expressway in Abuja.
Nigeria is set to hold an election amidst a host of economic, environmental, and security challenges that spiraled over the last few years. These challenges make Bayo certain of the importance of a good leader.
The father of four who is also eager to have the election conducted said not all the candidates could make the country progressive.
Bayo decried the hike in fuel prices and how it has affected his business. He affirmed that he would be fully participating in the election as a way to usher in good leadership.
“Everywhere is tough, everything is difficult. Fuel scarcity is affecting work. I can barely afford to comfortably feed my children due to the high cost of things. I pray that the election is peacefully conducted and a good person is brought to power,” he said.
But a 37-year-old transport worker often addressed by his colleagues as Chike said he cannot expose himself to the risk of violent attacks at the polls.
Pointing out Nigeria’s history of violence and the new dynamics of the 2023 election, Chike said the process could easily become violent.
A new political dynamic
The 2023 elections will depart from some of the political dynamics that defined previous elections in the country according to observers of the Nigeria election.
For the first time since 2007, there will be no incumbent in the presidential election.
The emergence of Peter Obi – former Anambra state governor and presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP) – and Rabiu Kwankwaso – former Kano governor and presidential candidate for the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) – as viable third forces have excited many Nigerians.
If a third party draws sufficient support, a runoff presidential election could be a real possibility for the first time since the transition to democracy, adding complexity to the 2023 elections.
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