The opposition has been fierce; Critics of the letter written to Nigerians by Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president, have inundated the media with rebuttals, laced generously with abuse, odium, and reminders of his own real and disputable past failures and missteps. The most venomous responses have come from the Presidency camps, which the letter described as disastrous and incompetent, as well as from the presidential candidates and parties it decried while supporting one of the candidates. The former leader, on the other hand, brought up important issues regarding the nation’s future that call for in-depth reflection despite the noise.
When Obasanjo published a “letter to Nigerians,” in which he addressed significant national issues, he sparked controversy. Many would argue that he is deserving of the criticism he has received due to his history, past partisanship, and roles in the decline of the federation. Obasanjo is, in fact, a part of Nigeria’s past; He can legitimately assert that he was a part of its modest successes, but he cannot avoid being held accountable for its enormous failures. His few, albeit commendable, accomplishments as president for two terms from 1999 to 2007 are overshadowed by the shaky foundation he established as the founding leader of the Fourth Republic, the unsavory precedents he established, and his anti-democratic disposition.
Additionally, voters may downplay his endorsement of a presidential candidate. That is his private right, which has no effect on the ballot and is not binding on any other voter. Nigerians are also familiar with his frequent sanctimonious sermons that are delivered without setting an example, as well as his constant embrace of the spotlight. But it would be wrong to ignore the important points he made about the current state of anomie, the leadership gap in Nigeria, the country’s future, and the challenge facing youth. His interventions in national life, despite speculation about their motivations, carry weight because he was twice head of state, the first time as military ruler.
Nigerians should not be distracted by Obasanjo’s partisanship or the rage of those who sought his endorsement but were turned down, and are now retaliating like wounded lions.
The letter contains significant considerations. He is right when he says that the 2023 elections are important and that making the right choice is important. In a representative democracy, regular elections are the only acceptable method for selecting leaders. The significance of voting based on scientific and rational considerations cannot be overstated in light of the country’s precarious state. Over the past 23 years, bad decisions have led to terrible leadership at all levels and pushed the nation toward failure.
Obasanjo’s account of the past seven and a half years under Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) as President, as a movement, “from the frying pan to the fire” and “hell on earth” are both extremely accurate. On Buhari’s watch, the cumulative failures of previous leaders, beginning with Obasanjo himself, have reached their zenith. Hunger and poverty are rampant: It is estimated that 63% of Nigerians, or 133 million people, are “multidimensionally poor.” “Nigeria ranks 103rd out of 121 countries on the 2022 Global Hunger Index, with a score of 27.3% rated as “serious.”
The degree of insecurity has reached the failed state. The siege is reflected in the recent attack on an Edo State train station that resulted in the kidnapping of 32 people. The National Security Tracker shows that 9,076 people were killed in violent incidents last year, and another 4,680 people were taken away. SMB Intelligence reported that kidnappers were paid N653.7 million as a ransom between July 2021 and June 2022; Over 500 incidents were recorded, 3,420 people were kidnapped, and 564 people were murdered by kidnappers. Nigeria had the highest kidnapping rates in the world, behind only Mexico and Venezuela, according to Hostage International.
Nigeria, ravaged by ferocious bandits, Fulani herdsmen/militants, Salafist Islamic groups, and shadowy gunmen in the South-East, was ranked sixth on the Global Terrorism Index 2022.
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Most importantly, Obasanjo’s plea to young people and the rest of the electorate to make the most of the opportunity presented by the elections in 2023 to reshape their future is consistent with the fundamental objectives of democracy as a vehicle for long-term growth, the difficulties of the present, and the long-term advocacy of many, including this newspaper.
Along with women, children, and the poor in rural areas, Nigerian youths have suffered badly from years of inept, corrupt, and visionless leadership. In the upcoming elections, they should take a strong position; Self-subversion involves complacency and voting boycott.
The African Development Bank reports that the youth unemployment rate is 42.5%, compared to 33.3% for the general population. The youth unemployment rate is expected to reach 57% this year, according to Trading Economics; According to UNESCO, 53.4% of young Nigerians were unemployed in 2020. In addition, the police harass them, leading to the deaths and dehumanization of some of them. Frustrated, many young people are emigrating legally and illegally, turning to domestic and international drugs, prostitution, and crime.
As a result, Obasanjo’s message to young people is still relevant: You hold the power to effect change. You control your own, my, and the futures of your grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Elections and politics are a game of numbers. Get up, stand up, and make your numbers count because you have the numbers.
All registered voters, including young people, should critically examine each candidate at every level, collect their permanent voter cards, consider their antecedents, character, plausible programs, and the company they keep, and then make informed decisions.
When a large number of citizens participate, democracy thrives. The culture of corruption, bad administration, deceit, insecurity, economic ruin, and disrespect for the rule of law that has characterized the country for the past 23 years cannot be sustained for much longer. That change can only be made by voters.