Barring all odds, the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the forthcoming general elections in 2023 will emerge.as the party conducts its primaries between May 30 and June 1.
The delegates have a choice to make amongst the 22 Presidential aspirants who have thrown their hats in the ring. They are men of timber and caliber! They are all political juggernauts qualified to aspire for the highest political position in the country. They are like the tag team of champions ready to wrest power among themselves. But, only one of them will put on the shoes soon to be vacated by President Muhammadu Buhari.
As a preamble, we can say here that APC, undoubtedly the ruling party in the largest black nation in the world and also the biggest economy in the whole of Africa, has a date with history.
Will the largest political party in Africa get it right again? Will they allow personal interest to destroy the little gains they have gathered in the last eight years by surrendering the mantle to the People’s Democratic Party, again? This is a choice which only the delegates will decide.
All the indices, right now, point to the fact that the ruling party still looks rooted in the grassroots and no amount of umbrellas can shake the foundation. But the fear is that Nigeria will soon witness the most intriguing and entertaining primary election ever conducted by the ruling party since the emergence of the 4th Republic in Nigeria.
In a nutshell, the destiny of over 200m people might be in the hands of a few delegates to determine in a few days away.
Dear delegates, this is not the time to behave like robot by acting the script of one Mr governor or Mr president when you have all the opportunity to evaluate the potentials of the candidates contesting for the primary election on the platform of APC all this while. This is the time for you to think outside the box and allow your conscience to rule you rather than the sweet aroma of crisp currencies This is the time not to mortgage your conscience. It is time to stand out as patriotic Nigerians.
I may wish to reminder you to take note of these vital criteria: Corporate and public knowledge of the economy with verifiable success stories, The choice must be charismatic and acceptable nationwide. Patriotism, national and international clout of all the candidates should be adequately scrutinized and also ensure that their choice is a detribalized personality.
Other things to look for include: humility, entrepreneurship knowledge, education and clear vision.
Our dear delegates, you have a date with history. It’s either you make a good choice in the interests of our nation or you take a decision that will hunt you for the rest of your lives. Nigerian electorates are more aware of their rights now more than in the past, So, you must take decision in line with popular opinion. Don’t take decision that the electorate will reject during the general elections or subject yourselves to public attacks by mob for taking a wrong decision on behalf of the electorate.
You should bear in mind that we are in multi-party democracy, so other parties especially your rival party, PDP can’t forget in a hurry how they were thrown out of Aso rock in the 2015 general elections. And they are waiting and watching the unfolding events inside the APC.
They made attempt to return to power at the centre in 2019 but their efforts didn’t yield any results. This time around, it’s going to be a battle royale! If by conspiracy and jealousy you allowed unpopular candidate to emerge as the presidential flag bearer of APC in 2023 general elections, then you would have committed unpardonable political blunders! This will give opportunity to your rival party to return to power again.
Be warned!
.Sola Olatunji is a Lagos-based business mogul and Chairman of the Ikale Heritage Development Association, IHDA