Ordinarily, the declaration of persons for the reverred position of the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, like other independent nations, should be a serious business for the serious minded individuals.
In the past, especially in the First and Second Republics, the quality of aspirants and candidates who would dare to put themselves forward for the plum jobs of Prime Minister and later President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, were men of ‘timber and calibre’.
Apologies to late Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe, (Former Nigeria’s Ambassador-at- large) in the First Republic.
Even the lesser regional Premiership position attracted only men of proven integrity and capability hence it was also reserved for persons who were seen as “demi-gods” in their own rights.
These include Premiers of the former four regions namely: Sir (Alhaji) Ahmadu Bello, Sarduana of Sokoto (North); Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara (East); Chief Obafemi Awolowo (West) and Sir Dennis Osadebe (Mid-West). They were respected and trusted.
A closer look at the Second Republic and the Presidential Candidates of the six prominent political parties which contested the 1979 General Elections showed that only men of substance threw their hats inside the ring. The faint-hearted did not join the race.
The six political parties and their candidates were:
- Great Nigerian People’s Party (GNPP)-Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri
- National Party of Nigeria (NPN)-Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shagari
- Nigeria Advance Party (NAP)-Dr. Tunji Braithwaite
- Nigerian People’s Party (NPP)-Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe
- People’s Redemption Party (PRP)-Mallam Aminu Kano
- Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN)-Chief Obafemi Awolowo
However, from the Third Republic, 1999 to date, alot of water has passed under the bridge with each election circle throwing up persons who are not even qualified to contest for the seat of State House of Assembly angling to contest the high office of the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This is how the post has been reduced to all comers affair especially since 2015 and 2019 General Elections when all manners of persons have come out to contest for the Office of the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
With no fewer than 18 registered political parties in Nigeria, thousands of persons made of the serious contenders and mere pretenders have had their names in the books as “Presidential Candidates”, at least in the register of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Many of these so-called “Presidential Candidates” did not spend one kobo in elections spending as they neither printed campaign materials nor paid for radio and television advertisement slots.
Worse, some of the “Presidential Candidates” never had manifestos or programme before they put themselves forward or vying for the Office of the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Perhaps, the allure of that high office in the land has blindfolded many who do not, in my personal view, possess the qualities required for such exalted post.
Today, many characters who have declared to contest for their political party’s Presidential Primary Election, may not have clear idea what the Office of the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria entails.
With due respect, some of the persons who have thrown their hats in the ring to contest their political party’s Presidential Primary Elections are people who have not done well in the present or past posts they have held at the state and national levels.
Typical of the Nigerian politicians, some of those people who are declaring or intending to declare to run for the highest office in the country are doing so for the nuisance value.
Else, how can someone who has not managed the small place he was given very well but wants to become the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Declarations by every Tom, Dick and Harry (not Comrade Harry Awurumibe) to run for the Office of the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, especially when some of them know deep inside their hearts that they are carry excess luggage which will not allow them to be accepted by majority of Nigerians in the polls smack of Greed and Lack of Understanding of the Mood of the Nation.
Let only Nigeria’s Best Materials in terms of Intellectual Capacity, Performance,
Economic Wizardry and Political Sagacity as well as a genuine Political Leader who will love Nigeria, its people, its culture and its heritage, and make a sincere effort to advance the whole country as his own to stop the spate of agitations by some sections of the country to separate from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This is what Nigerians want not some of those who have already declared to run.
Harry Awurumibe is an Abuja-based Public Affairs Analyst
