By Michael Arinze

At this tide in our affairs as Nigerians, I arise in obedience to Nigeria’s call in the National Anthem to write to my fellow compatriots especially the youths on the stake and odds in the 2023 general elections. This has become pertinent knowing that we have barely one week to the day fate will smile or frown at us. Whichever route we choose, we must embrace the consequences for the next whopping eight years of our lives as citizens of Nigeria.

Let me set off with the disturbing paradox and absurd reality that Nigeria is unarguably one of the most blessed nations, so rich in human and natural resources yet so poor in mean productivity, growth and development. Day by day, the nation keep sinking, drifting and drowning with little or no ray, beam or beacon of hope on sight. This critical course calls for a deep concern and a pause to ponder.

Apparently, the umbilical cord of Nigeria’s capsize is intractably tied to the actions and inactions of the captains who steer her ship of Leadership. Statistics are in negative skew, indicators are red, rankings are poor and ratings are low, all reflecting the short supply of effective Leaders and quality policy makers in Nigeria. It is a state that has lost its effective ability to govern its populace which is a common characteristic of a failing state.

While all Nigerians are caught in this vortex, the brunt of this bad Leadership is more severely borne by the youths. Young men and women whose futures are threatened and whose dreams are shattered.

For how much longer shall the youths and the entire citizens continue to suffer the excruciating brutality of these failed Systems – Insecurity of life and Property, Crimes, ASUU Strike, unemployment and underemployment, illiteracy, abject poverty and misery, corruption and bribery, deprivation of International opportunities because of the image and perception of Nigeria abroad and the long litany of other crisis one suffers for simply being ‘guilty’ of the ‘offense’ of being a Nigerian.

Currently, Nigeria’s population stands at 217, 079, 601 according to “Worldometer,” as at August 25, 2022. With the youths accounting for 70 percent of the 217 million, which stands at a huge 151 million youths. This data reveals the great but untapped capacity that lies at the disposition of the youths to be the agent of change.

On 25th February 2023, our democratic regime greets us with a final chance to decide our fate and test our resolves as patriots. The choices are crystal clear; the choice to remain and sink deeper in this failing State OR the choice to be emancipated and redeemed. This is an ample opportunity to choose either perpetual servitude, abject poverty, lifelong suffering , suffocating hardships, soul-wrecking personal and societal crisis OR all-round development, freedom, opportunities, enabling environment to thrive, Peace, Progress, prosperity and unity. The Choice is not just for you. The choice is for over 217, 000, 000 Million suffering Nigerians, the choice is for our threatened future, the choice is for our children’s future which appears bleak and blur in the light of the current failing system. The choice is to save our motherland and purge backward Leaders.

While a section of the teeming youths understands that what is at stake in the coming election is ‘life and survival’, some other block populations of the youth by their actions and inactions have chosen to be mute or be on the fence about their future with an expectation that a magic wand will be waved to enthrone the desired change. No ! Leadership is not given, it is taken ! We must rise to take back our country or die in catastrophe.

Be mindful ! A token of financial inducement or gift of property to vote a particular candidate is not commensurate to your future and survival in the next 8 years. Be led by your conscience to vote for the right candidate.

No part of Nigeria is spared the indignity of bad Leadership. No religion, ethnic group or Political Party is an exception to the dire consequences of the ravaging havocs orchestrated by Nigeria’s failing system. Hence, we must all unite in purpose irrespective of our differences to rescue our nation from the firm grip of our common enemies – bad Leadership.

Life and Survival is what is at stake. Our lives are dependent on choices. The odds are too high. The nation is suffocating, the citizens are choking, your vote can change the tide, Let your VOTE save the day !