It is almost impossible to discern that Nigeria`s challenges can be digested in a matter of hours and solutions found. But that appears to be what town hall meetings are for as Nigeria hurtles towards general elections that will prove defining come next year.
Frontline Television Station Arise News recently began its presidential town hall series and it has so far brought on leading aspirants for the 2023 presidency to address Nigerians, issues that bother Nigerians and make their case on why they feel they are best suited for the task of governing Nigeria, a task which has defied generations of Nigerians for many years now.
For many of them who have made an appearance so far, the overwhelming focus of their submissions is on how to make Nigeria better and greater. Of course, talking about how to make Nigeria better than it is at the moment carries with it an implicit admission that all is not well with the country.
Any discussions on how to make Nigeria better at the moment means the country is in a parlous place and can surely do better than it is currently doing. There is some unanimity around the argument that Nigeria is struggling mightily at the moment.
But what exactly do the presidential hopefuls offer? For many Nigerians, the experience of politicians is of a breed rotten beyond redemption; of a class cursed with ineptitude, inertia and avarice. Thus, the mentality that has been shaped among Nigerians for many years now is that politics provide an opportunity for personal aggrandizement and little else.
Thus, for many politicians and those who aspire to be politicians, every opportunity to play politics is an opportunity to feather their nests.
There is very little doubt that Nigeria suffers from a crisis of confidence in public office and those who occupy them. This loss of confidence has long been the handiwork of the rampaging corruption and dysfunction that have eaten and continue to eat deeply into the fabric of the country for many years.
Thus, when those who stand to address Nigerians stand and presume to proffer the right solutions to the country`s myriad problems, can Nigerians trust that they know what they are talking about? Can Nigerians trust that they have the magic wand to wave away the country`s myriad problems?
This is highly doubtful as the challenges plaguing the country are many and would take many years of wholehearted commitment to fix.
So, beyond the wonderful ideas of those who want to occupy Aso Rock next year, does Nigeria really have people who have what it takes to make a difference? Since it appears that of all the people who are making a run for the country`s highest office, one shines brighter than others, are Nigerians willing to trust him? More pointedly, are Nigerians willing to give him their votes as well as create the environment he needs to thrive in order to rescue Nigeria?
Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@yahoo.com
