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Why Wouldn't I Vote For Change? By Abu Bilaal Abdulrazaq bn Bello bn Oare

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I graduated from the prestigious Ambrose Alli University in 2005 (approximately 10 years ago), and most of my school mates that graduated in the same year are yet to find gainful employment. I was moved with awe and pity when one of them who studied Business Administration and graduated with honours begged me to help him get even a security job in my place of work, just to make ends meet. The guy had tried out every other thing, other than stealing.

It's true that most of the problems on ground were not created by Goodluck Jonathan, rather he inherited them from past inept governments like his. But the fact is that he knew these problems beforehand as well as the overwhelming majority of Nigerians do, and he was elected to solve the problems, having presented himself as a capable hand.

However, since it has become manifest that he cannot deliver on that mandate, it's a moral obligation upon him to honourably step aside for someone else to help out. The Presidency is a job, not a chieftaincy title. Sentiments apart, Goodluck Jonathan simply cannot do the job.

As it is today, there's no better opportunity to opt for a better leadership than the coming election. The contest is clearly between GEJ and GMB. The good news is that they both have track records by which they can be assessed. While GEJ should actually be crucified for the little he has done and the much he has not done within the space of 6 years he's been in charge, GMB's record for barely 2 years and 8 months as the Head of State witnessed drastic changes in the moral, economic and social lives of Nigerians. In fact, GEJ cannot stand shoulder to shoulder with GMB in terms of record of performance. Those who are saddled with the responsibility of selling GEJ to the public have been having a pretty herculean task carrying out the ignominious assignment, as it is a lot easier to sell shit than to sell Jonathan on the record of his achievements.

Therefore, brothers and sisters in humanity, fellow countrymen, for the sake of accountable leadership, for the sake of ours and our children's future, and for the sake of good conscience, let's keep sentiments aside and vote for change. It's a moral duty/responsibility for which posterity will hold us accountable. Integrity has been so scarce amongst humanity, and more so amongst politicians. How lucky we are to have found this scarce commodity free of charge in General Muhammadu Buhari, who's had it as his hallmark throughout his public service. This chance must not be frittered away. This is a contest between integrity and moral bankruptcy... between superlative performance and mediocrity.... between truth and falsehood... and between light and darkness. The true definition of foolishness is to do the same thing repeatedly and expect a different result. We need a total overhaul. We need change. We need to change the way of governance, we need to change the attitude of the entire citizenry of our country, and we need to change the standard of living and quality of life of Nigerians. We can't always settle for the next best. We too deserve the very best and it's time to go for it.

In the words of Prophet Muhammad, as rendered in simple English, "a day under a just leader is better than sixty years of worship..." (Bayhaqi/Tabarani).

It's 7 days to the presidential election, and 70 days to the May 29 handover date. With Allah on our side, victory is certain.

I like to end by borrowing a slightly modified tweet from my dear brother, Dr. Perigrino Brimah:

#BabaWhenYouGetThere Pls launch the Nigerian manned mission to the moon. Before you send humans, experiment first with Femi Fani-Kayode, Doyin Okupe and Ayodele Fayose.

Abu Bilaal Abdulrazaq bn Bello bn Oare
Kaduna, Nigeria
[email protected]