As the upcoming election draws nigh, many Nigerians are filled with mixed emotions; fear – could another war be brewing, and hope- finally a saviour who will rescue the economy and give us a better country is coming. Many people have gone to religious homes, prayed, and fasted, taken to the streets to rally for their preferred candidate, and gone on social media to create awareness for their preferred choice but alas! Time will tell who will succeed the present government.
25th February 2023 is the date that has been declared for the presidential election of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigerians will, on that day, go to the poll and cast their votes to decide the fate of the next four, or as many always believe, eight years of the country. A new president to succeed Muhammadu Buhari will be elected after the polls.
A total of Eighteen candidates are jostling to become the leader of the biggest economy in Africa however, the top contenders include Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Bola Ahmed Tinubu representing the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Peter Obi is a “fresh face” as referred to by many. He is a successful businessman and hails from Anambra. He served his state as governor from 2006-2014. Many youths fervently support him and see him as a man of character and integrity. His supporters refer to themselves as OBIdients. Many however believe that he has no realistic chance of winning and so, voting for him is a waste.
Atiku Abubakar is the candidate of the main opposition party, PDP. He has contested a total of five times, all of which he lost and is seeking to finally win in this sixth trial. He is also a successful businessman who has had most of his years in the corridors of power. Many people see him as very corrupt, but he has denied all claims against him.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu of APC, who is referred to, by many, as the “Jagaban”- a word in the Yoruba language meaning Godfather or Don is a seventy-year-old man who has governed Lagos, Africa’s biggest economic capital. His supporters believe that he made Lagos the city it is today and believe that he will do the same in the national level. Although, many see him as a man battling with ill health and a very corrupt person. However, he has denied these allegations.
The current president, Muhammadu Buhari, has, in a bid to curb vote-buying, rolled out rebranded Two hundred, Five Hundred and One Thousand Naira notes and has given a deadline for the acceptance of the old Naira notes by banks (which has forced many to deposit all the cash saved for years in deposit banks). He has also instructed banks to shut down all forms of mobile banking from Thursday 23rd February 2023 – Sunday 26th February 2023. He expressed his sadness, seeing what Nigerians are going through; the difficulty to get cash, and has urged the nation to endure a little further.
In Nigeria however, the cash crisis is not the only problem, there is a high level of insecurity, economic downturn, fuel scarcity, poor infrastructure, lack of electricity and many more. Leaving Nigerians to wonder if things will ever get better, with every incoming government promising and never delivering.
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