An election simply means the process leading to the selection and voting into political power of aspiring public office holders. In a democratic clime, election remains an indefatigable element of democracy and good governance.
In Nigeria, since the return of democracy and presidential system of govt in 1999, elections have remain salient activities which marks either the continuation of a public servant to complete his/her Constitutional allowed tenures or to usher in a new administration.
Each of the presidential elections in Nigeria (which are usually 4 years, 2 terms) from the 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 have unique historical antecedence and political significance to the development of our nascent democracy.
However, streamlining this article to the purpose of it's topic which aims to review the events leading to the build up and results of the 2015 presidential election.
The PDP led federal government with her leader in person of Goodluck Jonathan had won the 2011 polls in what Foreign observers described as purportedly free and fair and a old departure from the disgraceful 2007 elections. As usual, the expectations of the electorates was quite high on his govt as it ushered a new atmosphere of hope and better future in that President G.E.J was the first President with a P.hd, also the first leader from the south south region, a region which had long suffered marginalisation and exploitation, his perceived poor background and especially his popular lexicon" when I was young, I had no Shoes".
Events however began to turn otherwise for the administration which was marked by her unpopular and perceived anti-masses policies which included 2012 subsidy removal, stealing is not corruption speech, alleged high scale corruption which dented the administration image, poor handling of the chibok girls saga, strength of the Boko Haram activities and height of terrorism, role of opposition parties and civil organization, activities of the media in painting his administration poor and finally Nigeria poor foreign policy. With all these events playing out, the opposition parties merged together to form a formidable force in A.P.C and smartly played into the electorates minds through the use of propaganda and presenting General Buhari as a saint who had no corruption questions to answer, and who knows the solution to Nigeria challenges. The A.P.C manifoestoes also left Nigerians in awe. It was therefore no surprise that Nigerians marched out on March 2015 and voted in A.P.C in a highly and heated contested election.
Fast forward to 2018, the present administration has been adjudged to be toeing the line of the previous administration with her unpopular policies which includes increasing the price of fuel from #87 to #145, the recession that welcome the nation in 2016, late forming of it's cabinet, embracing some past corrupt leaders into the party and government, exposure of corrupt practices by members of the present administration, crisis of the national assembly and a host of others. It is presumed that the present mood of the citizens is that of anguish, regret and if elections were to hold today, it is likely the A.P.C govt may lose out.
The repetition of History in the context of this article connotes that the electorates out of desperation to oust out this administration should be careful in examining all the emerging aspirants and seeing that they have clean past records and most importantly how these aspirants intends to solve the various national challenges and malaise, and not just playing smart and utilising propaganda in riding to power. Which was the mistake of 2015 according to some quarters.
In conclusion, ahead of the 2019 presidential elections, Nigerians should be watchful and vigilant enough to avoid 'just voting anybody but Buhari' which was done in 2015. Whoever the electorates will choose to elect must first and foremost be a person with track record of excellence, performance and must also present a feasible roadmap in achieving national building.
OLAOLUWA EZEKIEL a Corp member writes from Urue Offong/Oruko L.g.a of Akwaibom State
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