As the 2019 general elections in Nigeria draw closer, various parties and coalitions have been formed, and candidates presented, amidst the drama of party defections. As the candidates hit the campaign trail, Nigerians have been divided over the bid by the incumbent President for a second term, with many dissatisfied with the performance of his administration.
But while many have expressed their readiness to vote out President Muhammadu Buhari, the question is, do they know who they want as their next President? What qualities are Nigerians, especially Christians, looking for in their next President? And what is God saying?
For some, all they want is to see a man or woman that has the interest of the people as their priority and they would happily vote for them. While some look out for experience in governance others still have a list of criteria they consider key to successfully leading a nation such as Nigeria.
“Someone with wisdom and who shows compassion towards his people, and who is also corruption-free, is a good deal,” said a woman who identified herself simply as Mrs. Soneye, adding that she was tired of the old-generation politicians and would love a young person that has experience.
For Dr. Azuka Onyia, all she wants is a businessman or woman who has actually run a company, either as an owner or an employee. She believes that the economy and country as a whole need someone who has had managerial experience especially in the area of finance; someone who has experienced failure and still turned it into a success story. She believes that it takes strength of will and passion to start, maintain and run a business, especially a successful one.
“Inasmuch as the president of Nigeria should be a political strategist, an intelligent negotiator and avid economist, he must above all be passionate about the citizens; who will fight for opportunities to be created for young people to thrive, either as entrepreneurs or whatever field of their choice,” said K. C. Eze, who also believes the next President must be one who promotes godly values.
A pastor and political analyst, Ugonna Emechebe, likened a political leader to a minister of the gospel. He said, “As a Minister of the Gospel, I have come to realize that most of the people that are pulled to a pastor and to the messages he preaches, do not come because they think the man is anointed of God. No matter how anointed a man of God is, he is still a man, and most people will not follow him because of the anointing they think he has.
“But nobody can resist a truly honest man. When he leads, people automatically follow. Honesty is what pulls people to men of God. Once people know – or even think – that a leader is honest, something inside of them wants to be led, even if to a certain degree, by the influence of that leader.”
For Pastor Emechebe, the saying that “As goes the church, so goes the society” aptly captures the Nigerian situation, which greatest challenge today is poor leadership. “If the church reduces the standard set by God in choosing a leader, then what chance does the society have?” he asked, citing Deuteronomy 17:14-20, where God gave the children of Israel guidelines for choosing leaders.
“First of all,” he said, “we must choose a man that has been chosen by God and the only way to know this is by praying and then allowing the hand of God influence our conscience in making a decision. This should not be based on a particular tribe or denomination of church.
“Finally, as the scripture says, he (the next President of Nigeria) must not multiply horses unto himself.” Horses, he explained, signify strong weapons of warfare in the ancient times and so he believes that the leader who we must choose must not multiply ammunition and military might just for himself. “If he is to provide any kind of security, it must be for the safety of the citizens and not just for his personal protection.”
Following years of misrule by successive administrations in Nigeria, both military and civilian, Nigerians may have become wiser and now anticipate a leader that is accountable, has integrity and cares about the welfare of the people.
But one thing to remember as voters head to the polls in February 2019 is that the emergence of the President that the citizens truly desire will largely depend on the choice they make come next year. And since no one can determine who would make a better president, it is safe to rely on God and pray to Him to determine who emerges as Nigeria’s next leader.