“Most of the change we think we see in life is due to truths being in and out of favor”. - Robert Frost
With the conclusion of the 2015 general elections over a month ago, the
party with the change slogan will now occupy the central position -
becoming the country's new ruling party. With its slogan being change
and the many(in some instances unrealistic) promises made during the
electioneering period, not few Nigerian are expectant of change in every
ramification.
The expected change goes beyond mere words or change of party with
executive powers. The change expected is an all encompassing one which
should ordinarily be a departure from the old order. The old order in
this instance being corruption,impunity,lack of respect for the rule of
law,discarding of due process,abuse of both executive and legislative
powers and every other thing that hinders the development of democracy
in any country. Change is what Nigerians voted for, 'real' change is
what they ought to get, not excuses nor more promises.
In a continent where ousting an incumbent president seems like a task
that can never be accomplished, a people who found the 'courage' for
such an action deserve to get the best from the new set of people they
have entrusted their destinies to. Unlike some other countries on the
continent, the change in Nigeria happened without a revolution nor
protest but a 'smooth' process where an incumbent(to prevent the kind of
occurrences witnessed in Côte d'Ivoire and Kenya a some years ago,
when it appeared like incumbent presidents lost elections) conceded
victory to the winner even before the counting of votes were concluded.
Quite commendable!
Now that the change is here, the question many Nigerians are asking is,
will this new change bring with it better governance, seeing that a
precedence has been set? The answer to this question and many more will
be passed across within the next four years. As a matter of fact, I
believe the incoming administration has started realizing the enormity
of the expectations from those who voted it into power and with the
dwindling oil revenue, only time will tell how far this change will go
in transforming the lives of poor Nigerians and the country as a whole.
Personally, I do not expect so much from the incoming government. I am
of the opinion that the change in Nigeria is nothing but a mere slogan,
that has accomplished its aim and is gradually fading. With happenings
each new day, this believe is strengthened further that nothing
spectacular should be expected from these change agents. My pessimism
stems partly from the fact that in a democracy neither a president nor
governor has exclusive powers to take decisions and actions that can
effect any desired change. Democracy gives room for bargaining,horse
trading etc. This is were the challenge lies, no matter how good the
leader(going by the doctored stories being told without recourse to
history) is, the people around him will either contribute to his
successes or further cement his failures.
Looking at the architects of Nigeria's change, it is obvious that these
are the same people who have contributed in several ways to the present
woes of the nation. From former governors to senators, house of
representative members, former ministers, house of assembly members,
party officials, followers and even ex presidents etc. It is even on
record that most of the incoming governors on the platform of the former
opposition party were members of the new opposition party and that
their various decisions to quit the party were based on their annoyance
for being sidelined and has absolutely nothing to do with good
governance nor service to the people. Same goes for some other persons
elected into various offices on the platform of the new ruling party.
This being the case, it would be an exercise in futility to set the
standard too high for these ones, who know no other way of doing things
better. These set of persons are the problems of Nigeria and for as long
as we keep recycling them, change will always remain a slogan and will
bring no positive impact on the lives of Nigerians. Change will continue
to mean nothing until these generation of leaders who have continually
failed their people are faced out for good.
The incoming government is yet to be inaugurated but has already started
making excuses as to why they may not be able to perform the 'magic' it
initially promised. This to me is already a sign that Nigerians need to
lower their expectations in other to avoid unnecessary disappointments.
With the D day drawing closer, the incoming administration has suddenly
realized that falling oil prices will affect its performance in office;
the irony of the entire scenario is that oil prices were at an all time
low during the campaigns yet they still went ahead to make sweet
promises without also making proper contingency plans. It is also on
record that the president elect promised to stabilize oil prices once
elected. With the reality dawning on him that he posse no such ability,
the stories have started changing. Is this change dependable? Time will
tell.
The earlier the incoming government realizes that is has so much to do
and to prove within a very short period of time, the better for it and
its arrow heads. Nigerians are watching keenly and there will be
absolutely no room for excuses. Things are not the same around here
anymore!
As May 29th
approaches and for the next four years, the world waits to see what
manner of change will take place in Nigeria. It will also be confirmed
if those who chanted the change slogan meant it for good or if they did
so because they believe they will find favor before the incoming
government to keep lining their pockets with what is meant for the
development of the nation.
I hope the change in Nigeria is not going to be the kind Groucho Marx
referred to when he said “it isn't so much that hard times are coming;
the change observed is mostly soft times going”. The change in Nigeria
means a lot(I suppose) to those who believe in it and I hope they will
not be disappointed. Realistically, only time will tell what this change
really means to Nigeria.
Enenim Ubon is on twitter @EnenimUbon
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