Is the talk about 2023 not a distraction?
Against the increasing noise about 2023 general election when the newly inaugurated administration of Muhammadu Buhari is barely three months old, AYOMAH ESEROGHENE went to town to feel the pulse of Nigerians on the desirability or otherwise of the development. Below are the responses.
Mr. Desmond - Civil servant
It is not a distraction because we are not even getting any benefits from the present one, which makes us even more focused on the 2023 election hoping for the better. We are not even participating in any forum created by the government, so I don’t see what area the 2023 election is distracting us from. They should provide the necessary things needed for the masses. Create job opportunities, repair bad roads, create infrastructure for the local communities, most of all ensure security of lives and property, increase minimum wage for workers, ensure steady power supply. All these should be on ground. I think talking about it is indeed a propelling factor. The masses out there, especially the youth are really upset and disappointed. Everyone is just hoping on the next election, because the trust of the people on this present government was actually betrayed in so many ways. In every way, no job opportunities, bad roads, insecurity, they just fixed our lights today since it had a little spark last Sunday at Apapa where I live. It shouldn’t be so.
Powe Samuel - a student
It’s not a distraction because the masses have suffered a lot under the present administration; we are talking about the 2023 because we are hoping that the next administration will do better than the present one. 2023 is another election year and another opportunity to vote a new administration. It’s not easy to change a nation’s economy in four years, but the government should look into agriculture and technology and also look into giving the nation a stable power supply and low-income housing before the 2023 general election. They should realise that the masses are planning for 2023 election and to be honest with you, I don’t think it will really motivate them because the government doesn’t really care that much about the masses and their plans; they already know it’s their last term.
Mr. Ifeanyi - a technologist
My advice is simple; just forget about this government because the more you look, the less you see, and the more confused you will become. They should try as much as possible to earn the trust of the people, because they have lost it; this they can do by fulfilling some of their campaign promises. Talking about 2023, to a knowledgeable person, is a good propelling factor capable of convincing anybody to read the hand writing on the wall. But you know the kind of government we have… it simply means, the masses have lost faith in such a person and cannot just wait for 2023 election to kick the person out. Fidelis Espanyol - private-sector player Well, I don’t think it’s a distraction to us because of the way the present government has structured and led this country thus far. Don’t forget that they were in power before and it’s almost certain that the way their first tenure ended, it’s the same way it’s going to end. We all know what happened in the last general election that was held, so many brouhaha and we know it wasn’t free and fair because of the whole electoral malpractice that happened. So well, to the present government talking about 2023 may sound like a distraction because they are in power, but to us the masses, it’s not a distraction because we are only looking for a better life and what is good. I don’t think it’s going to be a distraction to me or the entire masses because everyone is looking for a better life and better government. If the government in power realises that the general public is already planning on 2023 general election, then they should know that they are doing something wrong, because if you are in power then they are already planning on how to get rid of you, that means you need to realise that you are not governing well, you need to go back to the drawing board and figure how to make the country a better place. Because we all know how our country is lacking in so many ways, in power, education, employment, to mention but a few. So, if they realise that the general masses are already thinking of 2023 general election, I think it should be a propelling factor that will motivate them to try to improve on their efforts- infrastructure, employment, steady power supply, etc. I believe that they can do all these if there is that will power. I mean Nigeria is a country that has so many natural resources but they are not being harnessed for the good of all. Again, the resources are not being put to proper use. So, I think, talking about 2023 should be a reminder that the Nigerian people are tired of what is going on and are eagerly waiting to take back their country. If those in government are thinking of 2023, then they are being selfish; they are just seeking for power and dominance. So, I don’t think, thinking of 2023 is the best way forward for those in government; we, the people are those who should be thinking about it now because of our unpleasant experiences.
Bobby Dan - businessman
It is not a distraction to the business world. I am a businessman. I deal on provisions. Most of the products I sell are produced here in Nigeria and my targets are the end users. As a business person I think ahead and read the mood of the country. So, it’s not a distraction towards the change in governance because things are not looking up in the country. We should begin now to think about the next election in terms of deploying technology and security during the exercise. The world has changed we cannot be operating as if we are still in the Stone Age. Today, we are debating over use of server or otherwise. It is by starting now to talk about it that we can correct all the lapses witnessed the last time.