Thread by @Wizarab10

In a politically unstable clime like ours, banking on tomorrow is like staking your annual income on Arsenal to win the EPL. Nigeria is not like Sydney Sheldon's best seller, tomorrow may never come.

The extant national order has led to the rise of youths clamouring for power because they are convinced the old heads are either suffering from senescence or are just uninterested in National progress.

Prior to now, millennials were only focused on getting a degree and jobs to pay their bills but corruption has helped us stem the tide. They can hardly afford to pay the fees and the jobs are not available. The fall of the naira has put everyone at dis-ease.

62 years into independence, we haven't made a head way as a nation. It has been more convenient to blame Lord Lugard rather than come together to build this nation. The last 7 years has arguably been the worst era of leadership we have ever had.

It is one thing to vote in a bad leader for 4 years and another to convince yourself that the reward for failure is a second term. We have to do better. As a nation, we are divided across tribal, regional and religious lines but we have to learn to look beyond that for our good.

Like Barrack Obama said, if the people cannot trust their government to do that for which it exists - to protect them and promote their common welfare, then all else is lost and that is why the fight against corruption is one of the greatest fights of our time.

This lost hope can be seen in the mass exodus that has begun these last two years. People are tired. We are not even safe in our own country. How can you be safe when the State sends its military to open fire on civilians?

But this is time for a change - a time to usher in the change that you believe in. Even if you cross the ocean, Nigeria will not leave you. The country has to work for the good of us all. You'll head to the poll next year, remember that the change you believe in starts with you.

I do not belong to the school of thought that there are born leaders. I believe that only the test of fire make fine steel. Just as a good man is judged by his antecedents, a leader is judged likewise. You have seen the candidates, you know whom you don't deserve.

It was Karl Marx who said every few years, the oppressed are allowed to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them.

But it doesn't have to be so. Our democracy has been a charade - a government of liars by liars for liars.

I understand the clamour for power by youths, by women and by others but good leadership is not about identity politics. It is irrelevant that you are male or female, young or old - we just need people who are able and willing to do the job.

While you may not be able to contest, you are not any less relevant. Your voting power matter and this new dispensation is in your hands. I enjoin you to sensitize the masses about the importance of their vote. Push this thing like your life depends on it, because it does.

Whether you write articles, make tweets, host space, hold court in your community, go on outreaches, wave flags, make animations and skit, please make your voice heard and even more importantly, let your vote speak.

Like Reagan said, the price of freedom is high but we must never be unwilling to pay this price. Please pay the price of freedom by voting the change you believe in come 2023.

Thank You