The choice Nigerians face in 2019 Elections; 'Functioning multiparty democracy and economic growth or benevolence of a dictator

"In a state of almost permanent fear and terror, life as we know would grind to a halt"-Professor Richard Griffiths. "Freedom Is Development"- Amartya Sen. I have written a lot about Nigeria's Democracy And Its Crisis, Deliberate, Avoidable-'Bribe & Bullet'. A dysfunctional political system that promotes abuse of power, long overdue for overhauling. Never has the flaws of this political system been so prominent than in this dispensation which I described as 'Mistake of Destiny'. However, another opportunity  to effect the desired change is round the corner. Dictatorship is the biggest blockage to growth especially in ethnic diverse societies like Nigeria where the pull of ethnic identity is greater than national identity. Politics is about identity and allocation of resources so effective and efficient leadership is very essential. Dictators don't care about both 'functioning multiparty democracy and economic growth', they simply want to remain in power repressing civil liberties. The sad lessons of the 'Mistake of Destiny' is a constant reminder to avoid its re-occurrence. Studies have shown that 'democracy leads to increased social services like health care and education which lead to economic growth in the long-run', but what we have got in this dispensation is the opposite; violent repression of civil liberties, capabilities deprivation, division, discrimination, lack of democratic accountability, political bias and favouritism, insecurity, killings, politicisation of public policies, misplaced priorities, wastes, fear and terror, etc. The result is loss of  investments in key growth policies, persistence of poverty and stagnation. It is possible to defeat abuse of power and bad governance. The next election is a great opportunity to have a sound government that will deliver democratic dividends, a well-functioning democracy and economic development. We must vote for credible and competent leadership, people of expertise and experience rather than relying upon the benevolence of a dictator who does not care about ''both functioning multiparty democracy and economic growth''. The President says he will continue as "Baba go slow"until he retrieves every stolen money, losing sight of the big picture; economic and political restructuring of the country to encourage competition and reduce high incidence of corruption. This is mediaval. Unfortunately the President has failed to realise that 'low corruption is not a precursor to development', so sad he's not bothered about the wreck of the economy and total state failure, just power grips. This should be a huge cause for concern. Today its surely significant that economic performance and the desire for greater individual and political freedom remains of immense importance to the citizens come 2019 elections instead of repression and economic stagnation especially with gloomy global economic outlook and volatility in global oil prices.  Find out more soon , as we continue to provide ordinary people with alternative sources of information to enable them evaluate government successes and failures and make better choices. "The best response to lies is truth". Freedom is development. We must be willing to resist 'bribe and bullet' if we truly want to overthrow potential tyranny and replace it with proper democracy in which individual freedoms is guaranteed. Everyone pays a heavy price if tyranny wins. Dictatorship resists modernity and envision a world where people remained permanently in a primitive and uncivilised state to enable them impose their 'exploitative and oppressive agenda.' History can warn and it can also predict. Choose your leaders well, it's easy enough to get misled by propaganda, bribe and intimidation. Unfortunately we all end up as losers. History tells us that dictatorship is "distasteful, development trap" especially in ethnic diverse societies as the dictator concentrates on his own ethnic group and support base. History is a constant reminder. Everyone wins if we reject dictatorship/autocracy and vote for the right candidates who will guarantee human rights and freedom. People need freedom to pursue happiness.
Uche Okeke is a Social Entrepreneur, the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation-[Leadership, Empowerment, Advocacy & Development].

Ndigbo must embrace what is possible not a cruel future

"A restructured Nigeria will make 'without me you are going nowhere' narrative unattractive"-Uche Okeke

In changing times, people must not allow ruthless politicians to see them as 'useful idiots' to settle political scores. They say in life 'anyone can dream all they like about the opportunities they hope will come' but the reality is always different. We must not allow personal ambitions to lure us into a cruel future. Luring in people to live under tyranny is mediaval and must be resisted. Igbo President at this point in history seems a misplaced ambition given abundant evidence of political and economic risks the country faces. Confused politicians seeking personal gains must not be allowed to ruin our collective future since its obvious that they lack the capacity to break down the barriers of the monstrous political system that they seek to exploit. It's obvious that we are no stakeholders in the main political parties so this puts us in a very messy position to re-think pointless fantasies. Igbo president in a dysfunctional political system is not the answer to exploitation and social exclusion. GEJ Presidency is a constant reminder not to fall victims of vain promises by those who resist restructuring but suddenly realise that we can be a good statistics to consolidate their grips on power. A coalition that guarantees us the restructuring of the monstrous political structure is the only sure route instead of playing Russian Roulette with a very negligible probability of success. It's really very sad that politicians are simply driven by greed and personal gains instead of the big challenges of the majority they claim to represent. The only sensible way forward is to support #AtikulatedObi which has been the bold option until unnecessary controversy of the choice of Vice-Presidential candidate. Ndigbo must resist the danger of heading in a different direction given a new concensus on the need for restructuring for growth and stability. 2023 maybe round the corner what matters most is the peace and prosperity of the citizens that you seek to rule. The evidence of state failure is urgent reminder to think different about this 'long game'. We deserve better than this. Atiku may not be the best but everyone knows the reason for his emergence, so he has a moral duty to perform better.  Click on this link to read more: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/11/nigerias-atikulatedobi-is-solution-to.html

 Uche Okeke is the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation.