Why 2011, 2015 and Eventually 2019 General Election Are History Makers in Nigeria

However, in 2011 General Election, Nigerians voted a - then despised - party because of its candidate. That was historical. Former president, Goodluck Jonathan appealed to the struggles of a common man with his “I had no shoes” mantra. The publicity was by the people for the people. Nigerians voted on emotional grounds that a vote a Goodluck meant good luck for Nigerians. For once, in a long time, Nigerians including opposing parties voted with a united course, “good luck Nigeria”. Alas, four years down the line, a united Nigeria became divided major opposing parties. By 2014, All Progressive Congress (APC) had balanced our democracy as an opposing party against the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

For most Nigerians, our supposed “brother” on the seat of government may not take us to a promised Nigeria since he “had no shoes”. This was our first trial at being politically conscious as citizens. Hence, the search for a messiah began.2015 General Election was tension-driven. As much as Nigerians wanted a messiah, it was a case of the violent takes things, but by force. It was a tough historical election that Nigerians were actively involved in. We had learnt a bit of tactics needed to be political Nigerian citizens. However, politics played by politicians always differ. It’s like two people seeing different sides of a coin. The coalition party of APC made of three now-defunct parties became the chariot that brought in a “messiah”. All he preached and still preaches is the gospel of “change”. Under him, the country experienced an initial rat-and-cat chase of previous administration’s treasury looters, to dwindling economic status to derogatory recession, to incessant globetrotting, to a 100-days sick absence and many more. However, Boko Haram menace degenerated into Fulani Herdsmen killing and he spearheaded an anti-corruption squad to the continental level at AU, recently.

Now, Nigerians no longer believe in a messiah. Interestingly, we have become more experienced in politics. This is because politics affect all things in a country including the names a child bear. Remember, parents, named their children after certain president due to his attributes or just to honour him. This is 2018, a year shy the general election. A year, every citizen is a fortune teller, including the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo. Just like 2010 is to 2011 election and 2014 is to 2015 elections, 2018 has begun to take its role as a kingmaker in history.2019 General Election is void of ignorance from both sides of the coin as citizens and politician. PDP as an opposition party for the last four years is minimally recovering from the last election loss. APC as a ruling party has learnt that uneasy lays the head that wears the crown – to the amazement of both electorates and politicians.

Recently, there are words about the need for independent electoral candidates or a second coalition movement party to stand as a third force against existing parties or a call for a restructured six-regional Nigeria.It suffices to conclude that Nigerians have never before these last two elections, been actively involved in the affairs of government. The advantage of the internet and social media influence has contributed immensely to a conscious Nigerian. An average citizen wants to know what a candidate has to offer and how? Democracy, therefore strives on this basis, since it’s a government for, by and of the people. Thus, a Nigeria strived for is the Nigerians we are. This mantra may well, go a long way to determine Nigeria in 2019 and not just the elections.