2019 Presidential Debate: Heart Of The Matter By Esther Akintola

The noise surrounding the recently concluded Presidential debate is so much that attention has shifted from the candidates who partook in it to those who were absent. While PMB claimed tiredness as his excuse for missing the debate, Atiku’s selfish agenda to attack his opponent failed hence the need to leave despite arriving at the venue to avoid being floored. Here, it is safe to say that both candidates do not take us seriously and are only following the trend laid down by their respective predecessors.
In 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011, the Presidential candidate of PDP didn’t show up for the debate while his opponent did but still won the elections. In 2015, tables turned and the Presidential candidate of APC didn’t show up while that of PDP did but APC won the elections. It seems to me that whoever misses a debate wins the election.

Despite the need to communicate their policies to the country again and answer questions, one decided to repeat the same thing he did in 2015 and the other who was aware of what this meant decided to leave. Unlike past years when just one candidate didn’t show up, this year has both candidates not showing up. We can only wait to see the outcome of this.

Does that mean other candidates who attended the debate don’t stand a chance to winning at all? The truth is yes. Although Oby Ezekwesili of ACPN, Fela Durotoye of ANN and Kingsley Moghalu of YPP have brilliant plans and policies that will lead Nigeria out of Egypt, the chances of any of them winning is slim. This is because, more power is concentrated in the hands of APC and PDP and have been largely hyped by even the media. It is interesting to know that the nation operates a multi-party system yet just two political parties succeeded in being the foremost.

In addition, these vibrant contestants are still unknown by both literates and illiterates. Recently, I had to sell some of these candidates to educated people but I wonder who is doing so to the unlearned. The woman frying bean cake somewhere doesn’t know who FD is but knows that PMB and Atiku are both vying for a post. She is aware of their track records and because she thinks no one else is going against them, she casts her vote for either of them or refuses to cast it.

Furthermore, in as much as the use of social media has been effective, nothing beats door to door campaigns or organized street rallies. As at the time of writing this, APC had already campaigned at Plateau, Kaduna, and other states while none of these young breeds have done so. One of the obvious reasons for this is lack of funds whereas APC and PDP have all and what it takes to organize rallies and even rent crowds. There are barely billboards of any of them. The streets around us still read, “Next Level” or “Atikulate”.


Also, failure of these candidates to form a coalition makes it even harder to win. Recently, INEC released a chart showing the population of those who registered for their PVCs and students were 20 million. This is good news, yes, but at the same time these youths are divided among themselves. A fraction is for Oby, another for Sowore and it goes on like that. That is, we do not really have 20m youths voting for one of these candidates. If a coalition had been formed, chances of winning would be very high.

Furthermore, to keep away PMB or Atiku from power is the same as eliminating everyone who represents what APC and PDP stands for- those in office and out of office, those benefitting from them as well as Institutions standing in favor of these persons. It is shutting Nigeria down and building her again on a clean foundation, uncovering dirts and purging her from the bell as well as convicting a lot of individuals. Our prisons would never contain all. It means that hopes of having an Igbo President in 2023 is uncertain since ethnic groups would no longer be considered but game changers only. Leaders, chieftains and other key members of APC and PDP would have to lose their status, power and authority.

Since the bad guys are more than the good guys, this would be impossible (now not later). It would only be possible if a larger portion of the populace decides to lend a hand to building this nation and not just these candidates. Until then, we can keep dancing to the tunes of APC and PDP.

What these guys can do after losing the election is to encourage members of their parties to contest for posts at all levels of government with emphasis placed on the Local government. Depending on how well they perform, the process of socialization becomes neutral and easier. They are no longer new to the people and begin to earn their trust. It is also a time to restructure the party and make sure that funds are made available. Waking to the same problems in 2023 only shows failure to learn a lesson. What they shouldn’t do is go to sleep and wait till four years before we hear of them.

Esther Akintola is a freelancer and tweets @EstherKintola