The Presidential election in 2023 is less than two years away, and Nigerians are already debating how, what, why, and who they should chose to represent them at the national level. Every election, however, usually results in a change of administration, with new leaders being chosen in accordance with democratic values entrenched in the Nigerian constitution to take up the task of ensuring that the people benefit from the dividends of democracy.

In this regard, preparations are already underway for the succession of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, when his eight- year term ends in 2023. It is important to note that Nigeria is in desperate need of a leader who will have a positive impact on the country in all aspects, including insecurity, unemployment, a failing health- care system, infrastructure deficits, economic hardship, insurgency, and other unfathomable issues that have threatened Nigeria’ s corporate existence.

Indeed, several concerned organisations and well- intentioned Nigerians campaigning for good governance have stated that power should be transferred to the Southern area in order for equity and fairness to prevail once President Buhari’ s eight- year tenure ends in 2023. The Southern region, on the other hand, is endowed with a large number of political gladiators capable of propelling the country forward.

The question of who the cap fits comes to mind at this point, and looking at the political calculations of the Southern region, the West had ruled for eight years during the administration of ex- President Olusegun Obasanjo, and the South South— ex- President Goodluck Jonathan, who was unfortunately voted out for his second term bid to usher in the ruling APC led administration of President Muhammed Buhari. Clearly, the Eastern area has not put power to the test in terms of the presidency, and many people in the East desire an Igbo president in 2023.

Having stated that, the former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu, who is the APC chieftain and national leader, is the only person in the Southern area who is well known as a suitable candidate for the APC ticket. People have expressed interest in supporting his quest to succeed President Buhari, and he has been spotted at practically all public gatherings. The only stumbling block is that several Nigerians are worried about his health and age.

However, during a recent interview with Arise TV on his visit to Lagos State to launch the Lagos- Ibadan rail line project, President Buhari made it clear that deciding who becomes President is purely the responsibility of the party and not within his ability as an individual. He also stated that no one in Lagos would be able to decide what the party should do in terms of zoning.

It is arguable that Tinubu will not get the APC ticket for the 2023 election, and that power would revert to the North, which has the majority of APC-ruled states. That is why, if the APC denies Tinubu the ticket for the 2023 election, I believe these three things would occur in the South West.

First, if Tinubu is denied the option to run for President, it is clear that he will defect to another political party that recognizes his ability to bring about the much- needed change in the country. The truth is that Tinubu may join any party he wants, not just the People’ s Democratic Party, which is the country’ s current primary opposition party. He may, however, decide to start a new party or resurrect the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which was united with other political organizations to form the APC during the run- up to the 2015 presidential election.

Second, the Oduduwa Republic agitation in the South West would gather such traction that many politicians, including Lagos’ Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, may be forced to support the agitators. As things stand, many prominent Yoruba leaders have distanced themselves from the separatist agenda in the South West, which is being led by self- proclaimed Yoruba activist Sunday Ademoye, also known as Sunday Igboho, who rose to prominence after dislodging killer Fulani herdsmen in Oyo State’ s Ibarapa community.

Third, if the PDP’ s political calculations are correct, they may be able to take power in the upcoming election. This might be accomplished by electing a popular candidate from the North or South West to the presidency.

In light of all of this, it is critical for us as Nigerians to avoid making the same mistakes we have in the past. Let us support a candidate who would liberate the country and a political party that will exacerbate Nigeria’ s problems. We need to wake up to the fact that Nigeria is all we have, and we must do everything in our power to maintain our international standing.

EKEMONYE CHISOM JESSICA