BY JANICE JOHNSON
February 2015 elections is around the corner. Another avenue for us to determine the future of Nigeria. The question however is, what criteria are Nigerians looking out for in the process of selecting the next leader?
According to a poll conducted via SMS by ‘For The Future Nigeria,’ FTF, a political action committee affiliated to the APC, and published by PREMIUM TIMES, in which thousands of Nigerians from the 36 states including Abuja and the Diaspora, voted in the exercise, the results showed that the combination of Gen. Buhari and Fashola was preferred above those of Mr. Buhari and the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha; Mr. Buhari and the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi; Kano State Governor, Rabi’u Kwankwaso and Mr. Fashola; and Rabi’u Kwankwaso and Mr. Amaechi.
However, few days ago, Former president Obasanjo was quoted to have said that political parties should not field a Muslim-Muslim ticket or a Christian-Christian ticket. He probably said that in a veiled response to suggestions of the Buhari-Fashola ticket. But should that really be an issue?
The problem with Nigerians is that, we put too much emphasis on tribe and religion. TFebruary 2015 is around the corner when we will be determining our fate and the future of our children again. The question about this coming election should be a choice between FAILURE and HOPE.he sooner Nigerians begin to recognise that no religious or ethnic group is born to rule this country of over 450 ethnic groups and more than 5 geopolitical areas, the better for us all. This attitude is what leads to the meteoric spiralling of crime, desperation, corruption, nepotism, bias and dishonesty.
Gone are the days when Nigeria was ruled by people from a particular ethnic group or religious group. This should never be, no matter the threats, agitations, kidnappings and killings. Nigerians need to rise above religion and ethnicity to deal with the current situation of the nation.
For me, I see nothing wrong with a Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian ticket. With the current state of the nation, where corruption and mediocrity is the order of the day, I believe that the only criteria Nigerian voters should be looking at in the forth-coming general elections, is incorruptible individuals who are competent and have a track record of accountability, not religion, ethnicity or whether somebody has shoes or not. We need people to change the current state of the nation and move the country forward.
POSER:
Wouldn’t you rather vote for a competent Muslim than an incompetent Christian or vice-versa? If it will take a Christian or Muslim, Man or Woman, Yoruba, Igbo, Efik, Hausa or any other tribe to move Nigeria forward, then so be it. The time for change is Now!
