By Muyiwa Adetiba
It is no longer news that the PDP leadership has presented itself—and us by implication—with a ‘fait accompli’. It has endorsed unanimously, the candidature of the incumbent President. Now the choice is ours come 2015, to reject or accept the endorsement.

I have argued before that President Jonathan is not the worst President Nigeria has had. There have been efforts, some seedlings if you like, that could have germinated had they been planted on the right soil and given an enabling environment. But no matter. Four years, or is it six? have sped by.

Now is the time for the achievements of those years to be highlighted and embellished by the President’s men. Now is the time for the inadequacies of those years to be highlighted and embellished by the President’s opponents. Hopefully the next few months should be exciting as they indulge us with their mind games.

File photo: PDP Special National Convention: President Goodluck Jonathan addressing at 2013 PDP Special National Convention . Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

We the eligible voters should never forget that whatever they throw at each other is with us in mind. Their games, gimmicks and brickbats are meant to sway us. So this is one of the few times when we, the people, matter. We are not just statistics: we are live beings who can reject or endorse. Now, many factors should be examined in making our choice and encouraging others to align with that choice.

But before you decide, ask yourself some simple questions. I have listed ten here but they are by no means exclusive. 1) Is your life better in 2014 than it was in 2010? 2) Has the country been transformed as was promised four years ago? 3) Have the campaign promises been rigorously pursued and decisively addressed? 4) Is the country a better place to live in today than in 2010? Are you a better, more fulfilled Nigerian today? 5) Is the religious/ethnic harmony stronger or weaker in Nigeria today? 8) Can the incumbent be trusted to lead us to the next technological and industrial phase? 9) Is your future and that of your children safer with the status quo? 10) Finally, do you in fact, want a change?

If your heart tells you sincerely irrespective of religion and tribe that you are very comfortable answering the questions in the affirmative, then you should not only vote for Jonathan, you should convince as many people as possible to do so. After all, it is about you at the end of the day; your future, your wellbeing.

But if you have your doubts; if the future looks cloudy or uncertain for you then it is time to shine your eyes and look elsewhere. But where?  The main opposition party is about to pick its flag bearer. As things stand, it looks to be between Atiku and Buhari. Both have occupied Aso Rock in one form or another so they are known quantities. And that, to many, is a problem because there are no surprises. I read an article the other day on the internet on the achievements of Buhari when he was Head of State and Chairman of PTF.

Many also talk about his integrity and moral rectitude. Many people however, will remember several things about that period including his bias for a certain section of the country. But that is typical of many of our leaders. What I do hold against him however is the cancellation of the Metro Line project started and financed by the Jakande administration. It was either incompetence or it was a deliberate act to delay the growth of a particular section of the country. Either reason makes me uncomfortable.

Atiku seems to be more easily accepted in the South because of his affability. He is a politician’s politician. This means unfortunately, that things are not likely to fundamentally change in a country that needs surgical, radical changes. If ever Nigeria needed a true transformation, it is now. Besides, I really don’t know how many people are going to be excited by the entrance of these two perpetual presidential aspirants.

Their coming out brings a huge yawn and a disappointment in a party that claims to be progressive. The PDP Chairman said the other day that there has to be more to APC than insulting the President. I have to agree. APC has been as reactionary as PDP in the many things it has done so far. Those who desire a change are not after personnel only. They want a change in direction and policy.

If I were a Jonathan, I would be delighted to take on a Buhari or an Atiku. Both have enormous baggage. What I would fear would be a dark horse that would genuinely shake my stronghold in religion and age group.

But can APC think outside the box and bring a young man with fire for a meaningful change in his belly, love for Nigeria in his heart and concrete plans for achieving a new Nigeria in his head? A man of the digital age who is impatient with the anachronistic ways of doing things in Nigeria.

Simply put, we need an Obama to ignite our passion; to tell us Nigeria can still be great. We need a man who will stand shoulder to shoulder with the world leaders and command respect not only in erudition and intellect, but because he has taken care of the home front. A man who will say ‘yes we can’ and we will believe him.

Does such a man exist in the North and can APC find him? And while at it, a Northern Christian that is backed by Atiku and Buhari (especially Buhari) would be a truly progressive master stroke. It would not only satisfy the quest for a Northern President, it would shake the incumbent in his strong hold and capture the interest of many southerners especially in the South-East.

It would also, I dare say, make it possible for a man who has made his generation proud in many ways, a certain Fashola, to come to the centre. Now this is what I call a true change. It’s what I call a paradigm shift.