Nigerians need a unifier more than anything else right now as a result of the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led government’s misrule for the past seven and a half (7 1/2) years, and this is adequately represented by the Atiku/Okowa ticket.
My sincere motivations for the aforementioned are not fanciful.
For the first time in Nigerian history, we have two seasoned administrators and grassroots politicians running on the Peoples Democratic Party platform (PDP).
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of our Great Country – Nigeria, has been active in politics for over four decades, while his running mate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has risen through the ranks as a Local Government Chairman, Commissioner, Secretary to State Government, Senator, and now incumbent Governor Delta State.
The positive implications are that we will have a President who will not have to waste time, energy, and resources learning the workings of government in a democratic setting, as opposed to the current APC-led government, which took more than five (5) years to learn on the job and is still learning even at the twin-light of their administration.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of our Great Country – Nigeria, has been active in politics for over four decades, while his running mate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has risen through the ranks as a Local Government Chairman, Commissioner, Secretary to State Government, Senator, and now incumbent Governor Delta State.
The positive implications are that we will have a President who will not have to waste time, energy, and resources learning the workings of government in a democratic setting, as opposed to the current APC-led government, which took more than five (5) years to learn on the job and is still learning even at the twin-light of their administration.
Following is a breakdown:
SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA;
OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, CHIEF (1999–2007) (8 years)
(2) GOODLUCK JOHNSON 2010-2015(6 years) (6 years)
AREA OF NIGERIA’S NORTH;
ALHAJI MUSA YAR’ADUA (1)
2007-2010(2 years) (2 years).
(2) PRESIDENT MUDHARI (2015-2023)
According to the information above, the Northerners will complete ten (10) years on May 29, 2023; the Southerners have completed fourteen (14) years.
This blatantly assumes that the North has held the presidency for four fewer years than the South since the restoration of democratic rule on May 29, 1999.
As a result, the Atiku/Okowa ticket will eventually balance the power imbalance between the North and the South.
To be honest, the North will have completed ten (10) years, while the South has completed fourteen (14) years.
It is morally right, equitable, and just for Nigerians of all political stripes and tribes to support a Northerner as unifier for another four (4) years in order to balance the political distribution of power.
In addition, Nigeria has always been a secular country.
The APC ticket of Tinubu/Shettima, which does not protect the interests of Christians due to the same faith (Muslim-Muslim ticket) between the two ticket holders, is already a huge minus for the ruling Party-APC because it is a major slight on Christians and has generated deep resentment and condemnation across the political class, religious bodies, masses, country, and beyond.
In response to the criticism that Governor Okowa should not have accepted the PDP Vice Presidential position,
I want to sincerely state that His Excellency Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who I have known for a considerable amount of time, has never been overly ambitious, without fear of contradiction.
To put it another way, he only agreed to support His Excellency Atiku Abubakar after seeking the face of Almighty God and receiving DIVINE APPROVAL/GOAHEAD prior to agreeing to run.
The cost of commissioning projects in the state is enormous, and Governor Okowa, wisely, prefers to use such funds to do more tangible and quick-win projects.
Senator Ifeanyi Okowa finds the greatest joy in seeing the ultimate beneficiaries of his numerous sustainable projects spread across Delta State.
If the Delta State Governor decides to begin commissioning projects, it will take at least one (1) year to commission projects throughout Delta State.
In terms of infrastructure and human capital development, the state government has done relatively well.
Senator Okowa is a firm believer in Jeremy Bentham’s utilitarian principle, which holds that government is all about doing the most good for the greatest number of people.
That is, the Atiku/Okowa ticket is a square peg in a square hole, and with the duo in charge, Nigeria will be in good hands and ready to take her rightful place among the nations.
Let us band together to support Atiku/Okowa in 2023.
*Dr. Olisa, Chief Executive Officer, is an environmentalist, management consultant, and public affairs analyst.
