IT is amazing how Nigerians arrive at their decisions about how they would vote in the elections that are just weeks away. Neither the presidential nor the governorship candidates are saying why they want to be in office outside the trite line on change. The way things are going, it seems that the candidates are talking about change for themselves, not any of us, on whose behalf they claim they want to be in office.

What does change mean? Would new people in office be change? Would change imply we are going to see governments do things differently? Has any of the candidates indicated how he would be different from the people he is fighting to replace? Are those in office, seeking further terms, showing that they will do better from May 29? Do they need to wait until they win another term to commence changes they are promising? Would the changes we are promised make any difference?

These questions are important as the decisions are made. Candidates in the elections, at various levels, are essentially making their pitches on entitlement to power at this time. Some are leaning on constitutional provisions for another term. Zoning has seen some areas produce some contenders as their major qualification for office.

If a particular zone has produced a candidate for that office, it is now the turn of the other. It sounds like, “it is our turn to manage things; nobody should ask questions, for we were quiet when you ran affairs”. These are positions that are not expected to be contested. We are apportioning positions, we are calling the practice democracy and in 16 years, it has had dividends.

What are the issues in the elections? How would one party’s victory and not the other’s address insecurity, North-South divide, religious intolerance, regional poverty, citizenship, issues that are ripping the country apart? How willing are candidates to admit their roles in Nigeria’s appalling state? What are the bases of the electoral promises that are being made in the face of the collapse of oil prices? Is the quest for power so blinding that the contenders do not see challenges Nigeria faces?

The campaigns should start. Candidates should start telling Nigerians, in plain terms, what they intend to do and how the results would improve the lives of Nigerians. We have only weeks to assess the candidates.

Our country is in tension over sundry issues. The speed with which contestants in the elections change camps and deny their role in the despoliation of Nigeria should be a concern for voters next month.

Nigerians need to ask their aspiring leaders deep questions to aid their choices.