Nigeria, like other countries around the world, has been around for over 3,000 years. However, no one actually knows what the country’s first name is. According to some sources, the Royal Niger Company surrendered the lands it inhabited after the scramble and partitioning of Africa by European countries to the British government for £865,000. In 1914, Lord Lugard had the opportunity to merge the two protectorates, and his wife coined the name “Nigeria” from “Niger Area.” From archives to oral histories from the people who witnessed various socioeconomic and political growth stages of the country since 1914, seeking and occupying political positions with the intention of governing others have always been approached using a variety principles and strategies.
Nigeria have had four republics. Between 1963 and 1966, the first republic existed. It had a second republic from 1979 to 1983, and a third republic from 1993 to 1993, which dissolved that year. Nigerians saw various political tactics from politicians in all of these republics, while civil society organizations, public affairs experts, and social commentators campaigned for better ways to institutionalize governance and democratic ideals. Political parties, politicians, and their followers have all used a variety of political tricks since the fourth republic began in 1999. The production of artificial moral panics has been engulfed in engagement with people and stakeholders, increasing political tension in the hopes of deceiving the public or influencing their decision-making process ahead of general elections.
As soon as a general election is completed, politicians who participated in and are currently engaged in the fourth republic begin to express interest in contesting for seats. No politician, according to our analyst, waits until the last minute to implement his or her strategy and methods. Nigerian politicians, according to our analysis, participate in unrelated activities such as forming foundations, associations, and groups with the goal of ensuring their party’s and public approval, as well as emergence as candidates for their political parties.
“I am consulting…”, “I have been told to run,” “He or she should run,” and “I am eminently qualified for the position” were not part of the pre-election or campaign political gimmick phrases during the last republics (1963-1993), according to our analysis. Our analyst concludes that the current crop of politicians or aspirants for the presidential and governorship positions are uttering phrases based on the proposition that human beings always want their existence to be known in terms of showing that they are responsible and understand the meaning of life, after several days of deconstructing the phrases in the context of various political propositions and assumptions by great political scientists and philosophers.
In the history of pre-general election elections, 2022 is the year in which Nigerians and international communities witness sporadic explorations of free will, self-determination, and the search for relevance by politicians from various political parties for expressing interest in the presidency ahead of the 2023 general elections. This, according to our expert, could be linked to the major political parties’ proposed zoning policy. Members of the All Progressives Congress and the People’s Democratic Party have expressed interest in the job, both those who have a political structure that cuts across regions and those who do not.
Politicians who have expressed interest include Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Nyesom Wike, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, Bukola Saraki, Godwin Emefiele, Dele Momodu, Yahaya Bello, Aminu Tambuwal, Kingsley Moghalu, Sam Ohuabunwa, Ibikunle Amosun, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso Some have held positions of power at the local, state, and national levels, while others continue to rule states or represent their constituents.
Having so many candidates before primary election indicates a favourable electoral climate for the presidential election. At the very least, it would allow voters to select the best candidate. However, expressing interest solely because I was advised to run and he or she should run is not in the best interests of the country. It implies that the aspirants are unaware of what it takes to emerge from the standpoint of essence, enlightening citizens and foreign communities about why the country should elect them as its next presidents. They chose to indicate interest because they were told to run or because some groups thought they were qualified for the role. “Existence precedes essence” for them, according to Sartre.
