As the general elections approach...

Tension is heightened. Verbal wars become more intense. Allegations fly all around. Accusations are thrown left, right, front and back. Different strategies are plotted. But the main focus is on the presidential elections; who's going to be the next man piloting the affairs of our beloved country, Nigeria. And there seems to be 2 major aspirants vying for that position - Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; Acting President from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and of course the military man General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) representing the All Progessives Congress. It is safe to say these 2 gentlemen have being in power one time or the other.

From the quotes by Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his political  aides making headlines in the newsfront, it shows that they feel threatened by General Muhammadu Buhari and APC in general. Wonder why that is? GMB lost out thrice in a row during the last 3 presidential elections to PDP's aspirants consecutively; GEJ being the victor in one case (2011 presidential elections). Power of incumbency favoured him then, perhaps it might this time.

General Muhammadu Buhari was once Head of State for a few years after a successful coup d'etat. Some recount his leadership as one of efficiency, open accountability and workable, masses-friendly political changes, while others see him as a religious extremist, claiming the movement for the full establishment of Shari'ah laws in the North was pioneered by GMB.

But one question that keeps bothering concerned Nigerians is who exactly is the much needed agent of change Nigeria direly needs? GMB supporters say his past actions speak loudly for him. GEJ supporters say he has what it takes to put things right in the country. But, these things that need to be set aright, who messed them up initially? GEJ strikes most Nigerians as a man without a mind of his own, either clueless or extremely impulsive. It is very glaring from the various manners he has handled previous issues of national interests. Take the Malabau Oil and Gas money controversy for instance. This alone speaks volume of how corruption has reached the peak and how long it has been since corrupt acts have been perpetuated by those in government. How about the 2010 World Cup incident? Everyone is aware of the Fuel subsidy hullabaloo that we used in ushering the year 2012. It was during Jonathan's administration that the Boko Haram insurgency became fullblown, the Chibok girls are still missing. Mama Peace's wailings didn't soften the hearts of Shekau and his men towards releasing the schoolgirls. The Shekau that the Nigerian Army has killed twice. Talk about a cat with nine lives. Lol. The only thing Jonathan's government has done that was openly accepted by an overwhelming majority of Nigerians was the passing of the anti-LGBT (Lesbians, Gays, Bi-sexuals, Transgenders) bill into law in January 2014. This is not to shade GEJ. Personally,  I think  GEJ has good inside him. He just happens to be surrounded by bad advisers who are twisting his head for their own selfish means.

All these said doesn't make GMB any saint. Some anti-GMB people claim he is a ruthless fundamentalist and is fond of using extreme measures to deal with issues especially those pertaining to corruption, citing the death penalty passed on 3 young men found guilty of drug trafficking  by GMB's government while he was head of state. They described such judgment as 'dictator-inclined'. The biggest anti-GMB people are those people under  Jonathan's government as they are aware that they'll be stripped of their immunity to laws should GMB come in.

The change isn't really in Buhari or Jonathan's hands. The change is in you. The indifference most Nigerians have towards how this country is ruled makes it easier for these politicians to do whatever they please with public money. The youths of nowadays are more interested in entertainment than in fighting towards having a peaceful and governable country to live in..  If only they showed a lot more interest in how the affairs of this country are managed. We sometimes forget that this Nigeria is ours, and that there is no duplicate on planet earth or outside it. Let's evoke positivity, peace, love and neighbourliness.  Instead of jumping over that piece of broken glass lying in the middle of the road, why not remove it and dispose it properly? The road is ours. Let the change begin from me, let it begin from you.

Remember to vote for the one you feel can bring about the change. Don't vote for them because they are brothers and sisters in religion, our share a common ethnicity. Vote based on the person's credibility and past actions. Vote wisely. Join me in praying for a violence-free electoral process and peaceful handing over (if need be).

From a Concerned Nigerian.