Nigeria 2019: Where Are the Presidential Candidates?

Where are the Presidential Candidates running or planning to run for the 2019 Presidential Election? As of today, October 17, 2017, there is no Nigerian on record who has come forward to signify his or her interest in the Presidential race. And Nigerians should be concerned. This is a national crisis unfolding and the earlier it is confronted, the better for our democracy. 

Today, the very vocal and not so vocal commentators within the Nigerian Social Media scene are talking their heads out on trivialities, entertaining their fans and followers with bogus, unproductive insiders’ pieces of information planted by dubious political lackeys.

Have you ever taken the pain to ponder over whose children are occupying strategic and lucrative positions at CBN and NNPC? They are the children of PDP and APC power brokers and their political appointees. Therefore, you don't need to be reminded that there is no difference, ideologically speaking and credibility-wise, between APC and PDP. There is really no room for choice on the basis of ideological bent, party label or manifesto. In other words, the endless debate on where to cast the blames for all our woes is a futile engagement.

Consider for a moment that President Buhari won the last Presidential election riding on a Progressive wagon and populist talking points. But the moment he was sworn, his trusted lieutenants embarked on anti-Tinubu recruitment binds, making ways for Saraki and PDB lackeys to hijack a progressive mandate.

So, what do we do now? Simple. The focus should be on moving forward - searching for the right one, outside of the two gentlemen mentioned in the proceeding paragraphs. And that is the new challenge.  

So, if President Buhari is an ethnic or religious bigot, or not a Presidential material of the moment, and therefore unelectable as most of you have argued, then, prove it. Don't stop there, showcase your candidate who is ethnic cum religious neutral, and of sound mind and body. 

Personally, I am no longer rooting for President Buhari, because he has no control over his political party or over his trusted cabal. He is far cry from meeting the expectations of the people, especially, with regards to road transportation and movement of goods and services across the various states. Most disturbing is that he is seemingly in the wood on the question of taming the herdsmen and putting an end to the wanton killing of defenseless Nigerians all over the place. That alone is enough to disqualify any incumbent from contesting.

Though he is yet to make any pronouncement on his potential candidacy, he has remained the most visible, the most talked about candidate, and the man to beat in the primaries if he decided to run. Be that as it may, his number one battle right now is overcoming the lingering accusations of shady deals he allegedly participated in during the Obasanjo's Presidency. Allegation, standing alone, is not a disqualification. 

If Vice President Atiku is a thief, and therefore unelectable, again, as most of you have argued, the burden of proof is on you to prove his culpability with facts and figures. Disqualifying him is not enough; present your own candidate whose credibility is intact - better than Atiku's. That is the major task right now - the search for electable candidates. 

As I have stated elsewhere, I still firmly maintain that, with the exemption of Papa Awo, there is not another Nigerian political leader, living or dead that can boast of the craftsmanship of Mr. Atiku in statecraft.

On a final note, let's be realistic for a second on the state of our union and what the future beholds, to wit, if you think Nigeria is going to disintegrate between now and the next Presidential election, you are making a huge mistake. Therefore, do not overwhelm yourself with the talks and the demands for Restructuring and True Federalism. Get involved in the search for the next Papa Awo, Sir Bello, Zik, or Balewa. Please channel your energy, your writing or communication skills towards that goal - the search for a President we must trust.

As I sign off, I want to make the following declarations: Donald Duke is electable. Dr. Akinwumi Adesina is electable. Professor Jega is electable. Olisa Agbokoba (SAN) is electable. Governor Umar Ganduje Ph.D. is electable. Dr. Olu Agunloye is electable. Governor Peter Obi is electable. And last but not the least, Abubakar Umar is electable. Federal Character or Quota System did not play any role in my selection.