Donald Duke: My Endorsement, My Wish

“Your cartoon will soon be out.” That was me to the latest entrant in the presidential race, the brilliant and handsome Mr. Donald Duke. Mr. Duke has just emerged as the presidential flagbearer for the PRP. The last man who carried that flag was my other brother, Kola Abiola, and today, my brother, who I hear loves afang like me, is the latest pusher of this dream.

Like everything Nigerian, people are wondering how and why.

The road seems closed. We have a mercurial giant in full strength, a disenchanted voting population, and a lacklustre democratic institution pushing a malaise-riddled process, so how will an idealist and visionary like Mr. Duke hope to make a dent?

Well, this is exactly why he is an idealist. Idealists do not see paved, smooth roads; they float with ideas seeking fertile minds to ingest. So far, Nigerians, riddled with poverty and all the challenges that make us Nigerians, have failed to open their mouths to ingest the ideas that should provide succour for them. The suffering has made us seek that loaf of bread that would satiate us momentarily, leaving us to hunger and thirst for the next meal, which is dutifully dropped on our parched tongues like thirst-driven maniacs suddenly stumbling on a mirage that they think is a God-blessed oasis.

I believe in Donald simply because I am a worse idealist and political purist. As I write, I see no road to the presidency for Donald, but miracles have happened and still can happen. Goliath was stoned down by a pellet. No harm in dreaming, pushing, standing and taking a stance, even if for history that we stood and said “enough” at this time, then you will see the major victory.

Let me wish Mr. Duke my full endorsement and that of the millions who are willing to work for a better Nigeria. Mr. Duke, stay focused, stay strong, and stay consistent. You never can tell my egbon, you just never can tell. What you owe us is an aggressive push, and leave the rest to fate and destiny. We just might laugh. Kai.