By Oghenefego Ofili
Nigeria will celebrate 20years of uninterrupted democratic leadership by 2019. This is an achievement and Nigerians must not take it for granted. The upcoming elections give the people an opportunity to decide who their leaders will be at all levels of governance. It is not news that the country has not really experienced any real change in the circle of leadership since her independence in 1960. Most of the names making the rounds in the political sphere today have been in the corridors of power in the last 58years.
In 1999 many military leaders who were at the helm of affairs dropped their uniforms to put on the democratic robe. One would say we were a young democracy and did not have other options at the time. Unfortunately 20years later, same excuse is still given as a reason for recycling the same group of people in political leadership. I believe the 2019 elections in Nigeria is a test of how serious the people are about development and sustainable growth of their nation.
There has been an injection of fresh blood into the political space; men and women who have articulated their vision and do not have any political baggage or skeletons in their cupboards. People who have proven themselves over the years to be competent, of impeccable character and are consistent believers in a better Nigeria.
Will Nigerians trust these ones with the destiny of their nation or will they go back to the recycled options?
