The Sovereign National Conference advocated by Nigerians across ethnic groups would have been a wiser approach to begin the difficult march toward eventual resolution of some of the Nigeria’s political, economic and social problems. However, since Nigeria is not ready to convey a serious and an honest National Conference, we should not be clamoring for a change from “established” leadership.

The leadership, which has been hijacked by top, retired military personnel with a huge wallet to defend it from any threat, which over many years has successfully managed to hold on to power without any real threat. If President Obasanjo could be President three times, what stops people like President Ibrahim Babangida or anyone else from enjoying the same privilege extended to Obasanjo. Because Obasanjo did not learn any lessons from his previous outings, as the Commander-in- Chief does not in it translates to mean that people like President Ibrahim Babangida would not be different second time around.

Nigeria is a country of constant work in progress. As we work harder to perfect our country so too we work to perfect ourselves to be better leaders and followers. Nigeria’s problems past or present were not caused by one person alone living or dead but by all both the leaders and followers alike.

In the next few months (if not now) Nigerians will be bombarded with political activities by those seriously presenting themselves for President of our great country, canvassing for our support to help elect them president and Commander-in-Chief. They are setting up campaign structures both at home and abroad.

Accidentally, I came across such an organization in the United States of America. The Nigeria Project group is a deep-rooted organization with enormous resources at their disposal.

The closer I look, the more I discovered that this Organization has Ibrahim Babangida’s signature written all over it. Its USA chairman is Dr. Lawrence Egbuchilam, a very reputable Medical Doctor and a long time Babangida protégé, whose personal and professional reputations are unquestionable. They have unlimited financial resources and membership is growing a thousand fold a week. The carefully chosen Zonal Directors of the organization says a lot about the superb and perfect internal structure of this movement. As I inquired further, I found out that this movement has taken deep root in all the states of Nigeria, the USA, and Europe. And I am yet to see a match to this political movement by other would-be candidates. If this movement is actually put together by or for President Babangida, one is tempted to conclude that Ibrahim Babangida is a step closer to becoming Nigeria’s next president in 2007. And this will make Babangida haters weep while his admirers sing praises.

Some people might argue that Babangida had his chances and should remain retired (stepped aside) and allow younger people a shot to the presidency. This is a very sound argument, but it should have started with Obasanjo, and how do we know that the younger generations are not as corrupt as all of us. In April 2001, I published an article in Nigeriaworld.com (http://nigeriaworld.com/letters/2001/apr/025.html) summarily explaining why Ibrahim Babangida should be given another chance to serve his country in a capacity he deemed necessary and able. In fairness, I am yet to see our brothers from Southwest condemning Obasanjo and his schizophrenic leadership and the embarrassing assassination of their Most Revered Leader Chief Bola Ige under Obasanjo’s watch and nothing happened, no real person arrested or imprisoned.

As Nigeria turns, we should not elect our leaders by where they come from but rather by the content of their character and ability to serve and to lead. Presidential quota should and must be a thing of the past for our country. All persons Easterner, Northerner, Southerner or Westerner who are interested in serving our country as president should be able to present himself/herself to Nigerian people. In this way Nigerians will have a clearer choice and make informed decision in electing their true leaders. And we will be able to minimize electoral irregularities.

As Nigeria turns, let us hope that the ongoing National Dialogue will produce the much awaited solution to Nigeria’s problems and help to redirect us to “doing good” for our country. Let us hope that the curse of those whom Nigeria injustice visited will be lifted by the outcome of this National Dialogue. Let us hope that this dialogue will help us to learn to love one another and to live side by side in peace and to shun hatred, to put the civil war behind us, to move on together as a people and that public service MEANS public service. In the beautiful 13th chapter of the first book of Corinthians, Paul wrote, “If I inherit the world but have not love, I am nothing” and “ If I give away all I have, but have not love, I am nothing.” He continued, “But when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away” (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).

As Nigeria turns, I endorse all those who have the gut to present themselves for elective offices in Nigeria, who genuinely want to serve our country, and those who dedicated their services in managing and organizing their campaigns – like The Nigeria Project, Inc., I say thank you for doing your civic duties.

Okechukwu E. Asia

USA

[email protected]

Real Beauty is My Aim - Mahatma Gandhi