Nigeria’s political bigwigs have taken their formations and drawn their battle lines in readiness for 2007. The roll call does not hold too many surprises – old school fathers Babangida and Marwa, incumbent VP Abubakar Atiku, Abia State governor Kalu and the relentless pastor-turned-politician Rev. Chris Okotie.
Though none of these men is new to the political scene, any one familiar with the game “Spotting the Odd One” could easily tag Okotie “it.” While Babangida, Marwa, Atiku and Kalu all have service track records to boast of, the Reverend debuted in 2003, with a manifesto akin to that of Martin Luther King, and has nothing save his word for the Nigerian populace. Or does he?
His opponents argue that Rev. Okotie is “too young,” “politically inexperienced,” “unable to handle the vast resources of a nation” and “unknown beyond his South-South zone of origin”. Exactly what “too young” means is not very clear, the man in question being forty-four years old as of this writing. Neither have the parameters for assessing his ability to handle the nation’s resources been enumerated. The role of political experience is becoming a subject of debate. What do we judge experience to mean – time spent in office, or time spent in office solving the nation’s problems? Judging by the varied geo-political, ethnic and religious groups besieging his 37 Aromire Road, Ikeja office, the Reverend does seem to be gaining national attention, and indeed acceptance.
Regarding a choice of candidate, one could well argue that the devils we know are better than the reverends we don’t. However, Nigeria’s political terrain has been strewn with “known devils”, politically “experienced”, re-cycled and re-hashed, since Independence. One cannot help but wonder how all this experience has helped us in the past, or if it will help us any further in the present and future. Can we count on the “old and seasoned” to deliver this nation, or is it time for a new broom to sweep our country clean?
These are questions Nigerians need to ponder as they prepare for the polls in 2007. Our paradigms of the past have clearly not helped our nation forward. Popular opinion among the youths of this nation is that our country needs “new management,” new schools of thought, a fresh approach to governance. While revering our living ancestors who have brought us this far, it grows clearer by the day that they cannot help us much further. What with stalemates and face-offs, and open confrontations among themselves, the divided house has clearly reached its end.
Whether Reverend Okotie is a suitable presidential candidate or a solution to Nigeria’s problems is not the focus of this write-up. The point is that we desperately need a change in this country – a leadership change, a generational change, a paradigm shift and a new set of values. Are there any more reputable Nigerians who represent this change, bold enough to challenge the status quo and lead us to deliverance? If yes, it is my opinion that they be given a chance to do so. And while we wait for a new generation of leaders to emerge in this country, let us cast a glance at the man who predicted the political quagmire that we are in today. He sounded a warning in 2003. He is sounding it louder today. Would Reverend Okotie be a safe choice come 2007? Why not, if not, if I may ask?
Copyright 2005 Oma Edoja
Oma Edoja freelances from Ikeja, Lagos.
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2 comments:
oh please! get a life!
Morris
Ask Morris
Nice to read our own dear sister talking politics. Well said about Rev. Chris, but have you pondered over the other factors that determine ascention of the Nigerian Throne by a true Christian? We must not pretend as Christians that we have what it takes. I've known the Lord for over a decade and a half, I have been a political revolutionary for over 26 years. The political economy of this territory does not permit anybody with the label of the church to jump on that throne. Until the knowledge of the glory of the Lord takes over Nigeria as the waters covers the sea, we remain despised and ignored in the affairs of governance here. Sister, have you ever imagined an Elijah or Elisha without whose word and counsel the President and his/her cabinet canot take any major decision? Unless you want my dearly beloved Rev. Chris to be swallowed, then don't even wish him that throne for now. The cart cannot come b4 the horse. Revival must overtake this land FIRST, as in the time of Elijah/Elisha b4 we begin to determine or influnce who become the President.
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