Dr. Anthony Apeh AMEDU

 

From the antecedent of the current situation in Nigeria, it is clear that the nation seems not to have a focus; there is high inflation, a high rate of unemployment and there is hunger in the land and uncertainty about the future. The naira has reduced in value in the international market. With the agenda of renewed hope, many felt it would be better and hopes will be renewed but as of today, the situation of the country makes citizens miss previous governments that were tagged failed like President Muhammadu Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan.

With over 8 million votes, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was declared the winner of the 2023 Presidential Elections. But from the swearing-in day announcement of subsidy gone, to the flow of Naira, to the different levels of taxes, to electricity traffic hike have been the major highlights of making lives difficult for citizens.

On the other hand, there is a high cost of governance from the renovation of the official residence of the Nigerian Vice President for N15 billion, buying new cars for the lawmakers (NN57.6 billion), spending on pilgrimages (N90 billion) and buying of a presidential jet (N150 billion). Making it obvious that the government of the day seems insensitive to the plights of its citizens. 

Reading the book of Proverbs 29: 2 & 4, it says “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan. By justice, a king builds up the nation, but one who raises taxes tears it down.” Taking a deeper reflection on this page, it is very clear that Nigeria’s problem has been leadership because we have been groaning from one administration to another. The groaning level keeps increasing, the cost of living is getting tougher and Nigerians now doing everything possible to leave the country “JAPA”.

The young and educated citizens are ‘japaing’ every day and if everyone is allowed to leave, above 90% will leave the country. It can be said that indeed the righteous ones are not in leadership and that is why the only thing the government thinks of is increasing taxes. In pains and groaning in recent times there was ‘Occupy Nigeria’ in 2012, ‘ENDSARS’ in 2020 with the pains of the lives lost still very fresh in minds, and in 2024, it is ‘Endbadgovernance’ protest highlighting hunger in the land, and stating 12 points agenda which in an ideal situation should be what should be done without citizen protesting. When will these pains and hunger stop in Nigeria? When will this bad governance stop in Nigeria? When does this groaning stop in Nigeria? And when do we Nigerians rejoice?

Just as the book of Proverbs says when the righteous leads. So protesting will not end hunger or pain, these only can end when righteous ones are voted into power. Saying politics is a dirty game is the beginning of the nation’s problem. Politics is not dirty. Those who should be in politics and in leadership roles for the country to rejoice are people with qualities such as forbearance, modesty, straightforwardness, purity, truthfulness, self-restraint, austerity, renunciation, and non-attachment. If you agree with me, most of the leaders today lack these qualities, what we have are people who are just interested in what they take from the nation not what they can give to the nation. 

So for the righteous to take over leadership when voting leaders look for these qualities rather than looking for your town man or your family members. Don’t forget if it is good everyone enjoys it and if it is bad everyone cries just as the state of the nation today.

Reading 1st Samuel 16; Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. David is the last born and was not even ready for leadership as he properly felt his elder ones should lead but God chose him. Just like David, many of the youths claim they are not ready saying they don’t have what it takes. Therefore, the old keep ruling and turn the young into political tools for their benefit.

Going back in time, it is evident that youths have been the forerunners in many aspects of nation-building in Nigeria. This can be seen from the historical journey into the Nigerian state, which has established that the political participation of young people can be traced back to the 1930s, when Nnamdi Azikiwe established the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM). It was Azikiwe who also exposed the organisation to the concept of Pan-African awareness. Therefore, it is plausible to assert that young people were the driving force behind the establishment of the political parties that fought for the independence of the Nigerian state. For example, by the time Anthony Enahoro moved the motion for Nigeria's independence in 1953, which was finally approved in 1960 when he was only 29 years old, he had already served as a member of parliament. One could argue that the choice made by the British government to grant independence to Nigeria in 1960 was in great part caused by the pressure that was put on them by the youth political movements in existence then. Therefore, the founding of Nigeria can be attributed, at least in part, to the efforts of young people who were in their late 20s and early 30s at the time.

Looking at the Bible and the historical background of Nigeria, old people do not rule rather it is the young that rule, if David was chosen ahead of his brothers, why wait till you get old to make an impact in your locality, state, or Nigeria at large? Join or form a political party, contest in elective positions, and participate in national issues. You can also be chosen like David, don’t forget David was not prepared but God chose him. You are the new David and when chosen, the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power. So take it, it is yours, you can be the leader you want and the change can start with you.

Reading further, 1 Samuel 8:6-10 6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you, they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them, but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.” 10 Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king.”

The point of reflection from these passages, the choice of who becomes a president, a governor, a senator, or even a chairman solely relies on the citizens, especially in a democracy. When the election comes, the will of the people decides and in most cases God allows the people’s will just as he did when the Israelites demanded a king against his will. When voting, always remember it is your choice and the consequences of your decision you will face. President Goodluck Jonathan said in 2015, that it is your choice to vote but the consequences of your vote are not your choice.