Nigeria is in the firm grip of another election-year fever. The tempo of the campaign is at its peak; promises are being delivered by political parties. But how far can these go to better the lot of the people, Olusegun Olanrewaju writes

In a matter of sixty-something days, Nigerians will be filing to the polling booths nationwide to elect new leaders in a general election. And the integrity with which they deliver on this sacred mandate, watchers say, will be determined by the level of information they are fed by the politicians begging for votes, as it were.

True to their sacred mandate, the 18 political parties in the queue to contest for power in the nation are now on the blocks, hoping to breast the tape of victory with their strategies, wits, tricks, and reach.

Of a lot of parties, four are clearly in the lead for the general election which kick-starts with the presidential election on February 25, 2023, in the country.

These are the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The parties are headed by Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso respectively, all well-known faces on the political turf.

APC’s Tinubu was a two-time governor of Nigeria’s former capital state and nation’s commercial nerve centre, Lagos.

Simply, but widely known by his first name, Atiku was a former top Customs officer and two-term vice president of the country.

Obi was a former top banker and two-time governor of Anambra State, while Kwankwaso is a veteran of the political appointment cadre, having variously served as a minister (defence), senator, two-time governor of one of the nation’s biggest and commercial states, Kano, as well as a board member of strategic statutory bodies, among others.

*Take-off

As expected, the battle starts from the podium, with carefully darted speeches and theatricals, and this time too, the politicians have been living up to expectation, with sugar-coated mouths, as some would say.

But amid the fanfare and delivery, some parties have been observed to be rather dull, to the extent that many are wondering about their eagerness to bag the crown.

In this league are parties like Omoyele Sowore’s African Action Congress (AAC), Kola Abiola’s Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), the African Development Congress (ADC), and Young Progressive Party (YPP), to mention a few.

Some critics also note, on a plane of close observance, that Kwankwaso’s party, the NNPP, even though ranked among the main leading, has rather been shy in pushing its campaign like the ‘biggest three’, APC, PDP, and LP.

*Expectations

Ahead of the present run of campaigns, there have been high expectations on what to expect on the field from politicians, their supporters, and programmes.

This is a result of the fact that, as Nigeria approaches the 2023 elections, there is widespread fear and apprehension about anti-social behaviours and criminality, including social unrest, which has increased in scale and frequency.

There was a general holdback that time was running out to secure elections in the world’s most populous Black nation, as well as that of the capability of the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to deliver on its capacity and honour.

The importance of the 2023 elections had also been successfully underscored by the influential American news magazine, Newsweek, which opined that the polls will be a giant stride toward consolidation in Nigeria.

*Election debates

From its perception of desirability or not, election debates have proliferated in the country.

Debates are meant to stimulate the elite to participate in elections.

Jide Ojo, a public affairs analyst, agrees with the International Growth Centre (IGC), a global research centre that the ‘culture of election debate’ is meant to ensure that well-functioning democratic structures and strong political governance are central to economic development.

According to records, the culture of election debate had been cultivated since 1999 and is being nurtured by the media and civil society organisations.

A coalition of broadcast organisations, civil society organisations, and professional groups, committed to the deepening of democracy in the country and the entrenching of an enduring democratic culture, The Nigeria Elections Debate Group, says it has been organising television debates since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

“Since then, the group has put together debates to enable the Nigerian electorate to have the opportunity to hear first-hand from aspiring presidential candidates, their intentions and aspirations through an equal opportunity platform,” it said.

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The NEDG also says it has since transformed into a broad-based non-partisan, non-profit making organisation with the primary mandate of organising and hosting live televised debates for all presidential, vice presidential, and governorship candidates in Nigeria.

Ahead of the 2023 general elections and before the official flag-off of the campaign on September 28, 2022, many associations such as the Nigerian Bar Association and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) had used the opportunity of their annual conventions to invite presidential candidates in the forthcoming general elections to come and talk to their members, and by extension, the Nigerian public.

Also, at the NBA Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos in August 2022, the presidential candidates of the PDP and LP, Atiku and Obi were present at the event. The vice-presidential candidate of the APC, Shettima, was also present to represent the presidential candidate of the party, Tinubu.

However, the downside of election debates soon became obvious at the NBA conference. While many of the participants hailed the LP candidates during their appearance on August 22, the dressing of Shettima became a needless distraction and issue, especially on social media.

Many knocked him for wearing an ill-fitted suit and canvas shoes, but he was defended by APC loyalists.

Also, on October 12, 2022, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, and Obi, attended ICAN’s conference in Abuja.

At the conference witnessed by other presidential candidates such as Accord Party’s Prof Christopher Imulomen, and Prof Peter Umeadi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Tinubu and Atiku were conspicuously absent, but the running mates of the PDP and NNPP candidates represented the duo.

Records also show that the first in the series of political debates ahead of the 2023 general elections took place on November 6, 2022.

Tagged, ‘Presidential Town Hall Meeting on Security and Economy,’ it was organised by Arise News Channel, in collaboration with Centre for Development and Democracy (CDD) and other partners, such as the Vanguard, Premium Times, Leadership, Daily Trust newspapers, and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Those who attended the meeting include Obi, Kwankwaso; PDP vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, who stood in for Atiku; and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Kola Abiola.

Tinubu’s repeated absence at debates has been drawing the ire of commentators. But his aide, Bayo Onanuga, said it was in line with the tendency that every party has the right to plot strategies to reach out to its target audience.

*Campaigns

Claims and counter-claims of strength and victory have been characteristic of preparations for the 2023 general elections.

For instance, former Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, was reported boasting, saying that the APC will win the 2023 general election.

Akpabio, who is also a former minister for Niger Delta Affairs, maintained that the APC has the competence, capacity, ability, and acceptance to win elections in Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State.

Ward campaigns have started in all the parties The APC says it is going to campaign in 361 wards in Katsina, the home state of President Buhari.

*Promises

In the words of Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Festus Keyamo, “Access to power helps people to assist the masses”.

APC presidential candidate vowed and has been busy spreading the message of a better deal for the Niger Delta and providing better educational opportunities for the Almajiri in the North.

Also, different political parties have been very busy selling their programmes to the public. The PDP’s mantra is ‘Rescue Nigeria’.

A chieftain of the party, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, at a solidarity rally in support of the PDP, said the 2023 general election provides an opportunity to rescue Nigeria from misrule.

In Offa, Kwara State, supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), including youths, stirred up the ancient town with a massive rally, amid shouts of assurance of victory.

*Choice between freedom and political servitude – NNPP

The NNPP said failed promises bring unmitigated hardship to the people calling for a choice between freedom and political servitude.

On the controversial subject of fuel subsidy, the NNPP flag bearer assured he would review it because it has become very corrupt.
Campaign promises often come straight and sharp.
The Atiku camp has been harping on ending banditry and reviving manufacturing, particularly in the Kaduna axis, “if I win en masse’.

The presidential candidate also said, “There is a need for powers and resources to be devolved to states and LGAs for them to effectively do their work”.

Atiku vowed to end insecurity, urging voters to vote for him, expressing the belief that Kaduna voters, among others “will give me the highest votes”.

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At a meeting with the northern coalition in Northern Nigeria’s former capital, Kaduna. APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, outlined his programme in a statement.

In Lagos, Atiku and Obi received a warm welcome on their campaign trails.

At their presidential rally at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, the duo based their campaigns on the “joblessness and insecurity which the Buhari-led administration has brought upon Nigeria.”

During a campaign, APC presidential candidate Tinubu took on his main challenger, Atiku.

He said the Wazirin Adamawa had outlived his relevance in the chase for the presidency.

Promising to run an all-inclusive government, Tinubu promised to unify people of all faiths.

Describing himself as “City Boy”, the former Lagos State governor, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, and venue of what was tagged ‘Mother of all Rallies State’, described Atiku as an “ungrateful politician who has outlived his relevance in the chase for the presidency”.

Tinubu urged the electorate to use their Permanent Voter Card (PVC) to ‘permanently retire’ Atiku in the February 2023 presidential poll and vote massively for APC “for progressive, socio-economic revolution, and all-inclusive governance in Nigeria.”

*Colours of the campaign

Crowds and supporters clad in different colours, with emblems of their party, party symbol, chanting solidarity songs in support of their candidates are common in campaigns and rallies.

So also are armed security personnel and first aid and emergency responders, who are often stationed at different strategic points for adequate protection of lives and property.

At one of the rallies, Tinubu addressed the crowd, saying, “I’m indeed very grateful to God Almighty, to all of you people, to the members of Buhari’s cabinet. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“This election will be about the broom revolution. You can’t kill me as you did kill others.”

He also stated that his supporters were ready to ‘retire’ Atiku politically in 2023, with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

In a high-wire jab, Tinubu, speaking partly in Yoruba, was quoted to have described Atiku as a ‘veteran aspirant who should go home and rest’.

His words, “I know one man, Atiku. He has been contesting since 1999. He has outlived his relevance in the chase for the presidency.
“He ran under PDP, under Action Congress, AC, we gave him the platform, but they repaid us with evil. Tell him to go and sit at home. Use your Permanent Voter Card, PVC, to retire him this time around in 2023. I’m back.”

*Atiku takes on APC

Meanwhile, Atiku took the time off the triangular verbal warfare involving the LP, to fire a board against the APC.

He said the PDP had taken the nation and her people adrift, “and would require a collective effort to recover Nigeria from them.”

Atiku noted that for Nigeria to be great, inclusive, and united, there is a need for purposeful leadership that can work through the process, in this case, himself.

His running mate, Okowa, also in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, boasted that the PDP would win next year’s presidential election in all the six states of the South-South, “because the zone is solidly PDP’s”.

At the same time, the leadership of the PDP condemned what it described as constant brazen attacks, threats, and negative labelling of the media by the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Organisation, saying their disposition had confirmed that they were fascist.

*Manifestos, parties, and presidential candidates

By definition, a manifesto has been defined as a published declaration of the intentions, and motives.

The UK parliament describes it as a publication issued by a political party before a general election.

It contains the set of policies that the party stands for and would wish to implement if elected to govern.

A manifesto is defined as a promise, an implied contract between the people and a political party or candidate presented to the voters on which basis their votes are sought!

Over the years, manifestos have been breached by political parties that issued the promises on which basis they were elected.

Examples abound. In 1999, the PDP) was accused of breaching its “Covenant With The People Of Nigeria,” which declared commitment to democracy and good governance; freedom, human rights, and human dignity; Justice, equity, and the rule of law, Integrity, and transparency in the conduct of public affairs, sustainable development; through sound education; basic health-care; abundant food production; rapid industrial growth; good housing; full employment; improved infrastructure; efficient transport; regular power supply and basic services.

For 16 years following, the PDP was accused of failing to honour its ‘covenant’ with Nigerians.

Frustrated by the ability of the PDP to deliver, Nigerians embraced the then opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and ensured its monumental victory in 2015, signalling the end of the PDP administration said to be characterised by corruption and impunity.

On its part, the APC, which was sold to Nigerians as a progressive, anti-corruption party has been accused of disappointing Nigerians.

“The APC has failed to keep to its manifesto of a better Nigeria as things have gotten worse in all sectors. Nigeria under APC, like the PDP before them has failed woefully in addressing the problem of corruption, as Nigeria remains a member of the infamous league of the world’s most corrupt countries as compiled by Transparency International (TI).

“Worse still, instead of the prosperity that APC promised in its manifesto in 2015, Nigeria is today the poverty capital of the world. In the case of APC Nigerians got the hint earlier on that the contract was not binding when shortly after their victory they began to deny making some of the promises in their manifesto. Today under their watch, inflation is close to 21 per cent.

The unemployment rate is 33 per cent. The naira is one of the worst performing currencies against the dollar in the world,” a report stated.

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*The LP

Obi has released a 48-page document branded ‘Our Pact with Nigeria’.

The document, from a review, contains ‘purposeful and participatory leadership’ for national rebirth based on Obi’s seven governance priorities:

The LP presidential candidate has promised to work towards securing Nigeria by ending banditry and insurgency; and uniting the nation, “to manage our diversity such that no one is left behind.”

The second action point is production-centred growth for food security and export; moving Nigeria from consumption to production.

The LP says it aims at restructuring the polity through effective legal and institutional reforms, fighting corruption, and enthroning the rule of law, as well as ensuring an all-inclusive and effective government.

The candidate seeks to Leapfrogging Nigeria from an oil-dependent economy to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) with massive investment in new technologies among others

He wants to engage the youth in human capital development that improves the quality of life of workers and families

The other revolves around foreign policy; “a robust one that restores Nigeria’s strategic relevance”.

*APC’s Tinubu

Tinubu’s manifesto is weaved around an 80-page document that contains multi-sectoral policy options tagged “Renewed Hope 2023 – Action Plan for a Better Nigeria, modelled after the ‘Change’ mantra of Abiola’s Hope ‘93

The former Lagos State governor has been speaking to prospective voters. He wants to prioritise national security, the economy, agriculture, power, oil and gas, transportation, and education when elected as Buhari’s successor after the 2023 election.

He also outlined policy options for healthcare, digital economy, women empowerment, judicial reform, federalism, decentralisation of power, and foreign policy.

*PDP’s Atiku

On the other hand, Atiku’s five-point agenda envisions tackling the current lingering insecurity to guarantee the safety and security of lives and property; building a dynamic economy for prosperity, restructuring the polity to foster unity and stability, as well as providing qualitative education.

Atiku has promised to restore Nigeria’s fractured unity, as well as rebuild the nation’s battered economy “back to the pre-2015 level, where the country was the strongest economy in Africa, with a GDP of $546.7 billion, as against the current GDP of $440 billion.”

NNPP’s Kwankwaso: ‘It’s restructuring, education, security

Kwankwaso has promised to make all entry examinations into tertiary institutions free for Nigerian citizens.

At the unveiling ceremony of the 152-page document entitled “My Pledges To You”, he promised to listen more and allow Nigerians to dictate the tune of his administration.

The former Kano State governor was the third among the four leading contenders for the presidential seat to officially present a blueprint on plans for governance if elected in coming polls.

He promises restructuring, and attention to education, with free entry examinations into tertiary institutions for citizens.

Berating the idea of education agencies generating revenue for the government, he said,

Kwankwaso also promised to recruit 750,000 personnel into the nation’s armed forces, to bring the total number to one million.

A former defence minister, he said the recruitment of the personnel would help address the nation’s security challenges.

As it is, Nigerians have a hard choice to make among the contending parties for power in 2023, observers say.