2023 And Our National Evolution…

This is a point in our National evolution that evokes a lot of critical questions that cannot be answered by casual excitement of deprived people. Our needs may appear similar, yet, we are not agreed on how best it can be met or resolved.

There is a question of equity that looks like “an arrogant sense of entitlement” by a people with a convoluted definition of Nationhood. To be or not to be is strictly an issue the intelligentsia within the region must first resolve. Only this will determine if the alliance proposed is mutually benefitting or driven by the convenience of the time.

There is, on the other hand, the question of unrestrictive ambition to have a hold on power as though the very oxygen within the region is connected to the political cylinder. This is a concern the region would need to address irrespective of the tyranny of numbers that makes it near impossible to downplay their claim to political indispensability.

There is the question of political astuteness, a conscious effort at building and forging alliances even at personal costs. This one is now fraught by questions with unclear answers. Relationships matter in political calculations. While it may appear too personal in this scenario that one’s only claim to power is as a reward for astuteness, it is still valid to leave room for reward in any sphere. This is one sure way to encourage political long suffering and ideological stability amongst budding politicians. After all, it all borders on character when one hops from party to party seeking opportunism.

May 2023 provide more lessons as we strive towards democratic consolidation.

— Mazi Ejimofor Opara writes from Awka, Anambra State.