In Unity and Faith, Nigerians Seek Peace and Progress in the Upcoming 2023 Election

In Unity and Faith,

Nigerians Seek Peace and Progress in the Upcoming 2023 Election

2023 will be a decisive year for the Nigerian people as well as the nations of the Niger Delta as a whole, as three candidates of note are running for president in Nigeria. As an American who is always curious about the fate of places beyond my borders, I am closely following the elections because Nigeria has an important role and influence on the continent’s politics. Two of the candidates are elderly seasoned candidates from the two established parties of Nigerian politics: Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party. A dark horse in the race, Peter Obi or the Labor Party and formerly the running mate to Abubakar in the 2019 elections is also running with a surge of interest from the Nigerian youth. However, these candidates are not without controversy, which doesn’t help Nigeria’s reputation regarding its corruption. That being said, this article aims to explore the importance of these elections for Nigeria’s future and not necessarily to evaluate the faults of the candidates. Let’s be honest– politics is never clean due to multiple conflicts of interest. In America, while we embrace the rule of law, there is still corruption embedded in certain aspects of American government, some even being made legitimate like lobbying. If we were to frame someone who should be best to take office from an outside point of view. Let’s look at the main ones. Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu are both elderly seasoned candidates representing the most established parties in Nigeria, the APC and the PDP. Atiku and Bola both have consistent controversies leveled against them such as Atiku funneling millions of dollars to his fourth wife in the United States. The transfer of this money enabled him to become owner of the American University of Nigeria, whose pricey tuition was more than what 99% of Nigerians can afford. In 2018, Alpha Beta, a consultancy owned by Bola Tinubu, was at the center of a 100 billion naira fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering scandal from a petition by its CEO and Managing Director, Dapo Apara. Fun fact, both Atiku and Bola are both in trouble with the law in the United States due to charges leveled against them involving corruption, like Tinubu’s American bank account linked with heroin dealing. Peter Obi of the budding Labor Party isn’t without his faults either. The famous Pandora papers that leaked the names of multiple world leaders and people of interest whose wealth was stored in tax havens around the world or through offshore companies. Obi was one of these people. There is also criticism that his Labor Party lacks the structure and foundation to be established in the Nigerian government. As for me, I still would support Obi over Tinubu and Abubakar for multiple reasons. Tinubu and Abubakar have been at the political game for a long time, and it would be hard to change their habits and ways such that they align with creating a viable future for Nigeria. Likewise, Obi is a younger candidate that has a promising vision for Nigeria, as consistently shown in his campaign for the 2023 election. With much at stake for them in this election, youth from all over Nigeria have aligned themselves with him. His supporters are even nicknamed the “Obi-dients.” Furthermore, there was the Million Man March for Peter Obi, where millions marched throughout the country to support Obi. Remember that corruption runs so deep in Nigerian politics and business that it is hard to get ahead without being clean. Based on my observation, Obi seems to be humble, and has something planned for the country as a whole rather than just only for his constituents. The Philippines is a prime example of what happens when a country’s people remain divided. As a son of an immigrant mother, I was raised in a different environment from where my mother came from, which was the Philippines. Like Nigeria, the Philippines with corruption in its politics all the time. Recently, the Philippine election this year resulted in the victory of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son of a former dictator who once ruled the country. Many in the Philippines fear a resurgence of his dark family legacy that Marcos Jr. would bring back to the country. He won because there was division and misinformation among people throughout the country fighting for their own agenda rather than for the future of the Philippines. Similarly, Nigeria is at a crossroads now. I have seen and heard of the reputation that Nigerians bear because of the abuse of those in power. My home country and Nigeria both share the dark legacy of colonialism in which Western powers ruled our homes. Wasn’t the point of these new nation-states about coming together to build a future together? There are Yoruba, the Hausa, the Igbo, and all the ethnic groups throughout the delta squabbling over what is perceived to be irreconcilable differences. However, what would those differences matter when poverty and violence still are what truly rules the country? What about for the future of the next generation? Or the next generation afterward? Can division or succession among Nigeria can resolve this? The legacy of the Nigerian Civil War and the outside powers that play puppeteers in that conflict. Nigerians are a hardworking people. When people believe in what they are doing, they can manifest many great things. Many Nigerians left the country to become successful doctors or businessmen in America and elsewhere. Why can’t this happen in Nigeria? To settle old scores? To get what’s yours? When everyone fights over the same thing, they get less than what they originally wanted. Nigerians can make their country clean. It’s possible. Don’t align with anyone who thinks the presidency is more about their turn as opposed to an actual office of civil service to address and enforce the needs of the people. Think about your kids or the generations afterward. This isn’t about who wins but working with the right people to get the nation on track. Many people leave the country to find opportunities elsewhere, but what happens when places like America are closed when you decide to leave. You need to make a difference for the country. Don’t stop with electing the right guy, but go work with your fellow Nigerians to build something.

I’ve always believed in selfdetermination, that the people of a nation can take their destiny into their hands. Whoever you vote for, it doesn’t stop there. Nigeria is the largest democratic country in Africa. Why look to a role model when you can be the role model? While Obi definitely has vision, it would be even greater if Nigeria has a whole generation that follows his example. The future of Nigeria will be decided by the Nigerian people. Time will tell what choice they will make.

Atiku-Abubakar

Bola-Tinubu Peter-Obi