2019: Sowore, The Mafias And Other ‘Political Nobodies’

The Longman Dictionary describes ‘a nobody’ as someone who is not important and has no influence.

Over the years, those who have emerged leaders have done so by having ‘god-fathers’ who either impose or ensure that their candidates become elected into the positions of their choice.

However, those who do not have such fathers, are popularly described by Nigerians as ‘political nobodies; these persons have no political importance or authority.

In July 2017, the Nigerian Senate passed the much-anticipated Not Too Young To Run bill, which seeks age reduction for elective offices in the country.

The bill means Nigerian youths can contest for president at the age of 35 and governor or senator at the age of 30.

The passing of the bill into law has seen those in the likes of Omoyele Sowore, Kanu Nwankwo, Fela Durotoye amongst others declare their intentions to run for the Presidency.

Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, who declared for president in Lagos, recently, promised that if elected to power, his emergence will bring a new dawn for Nigerians.

He further pledged that he would permanently put an end to godfatherism, cabals and mafias.

He said: “I am coming from New York and I have just arrived Nigeria to lead a movement to change power in the country. Some of the movement members are probably the people you saw outside. I am here to undertake a series of rallies, town hall meetings and others across Nigeria.

“It is over for the old people, it is over for the cabals, it is over for the mafias that have been running Nigeria down. That is what I am here to do and this is going to go on till 2019 and there is no going back,” he said shortly after arriving the Murtala Muhamemd International Airport (MMIA), Lagos from New York where he resides.

Speaking with journalists, the activist said that he will rule Nigeria better than President Muhammadu Buhari even if he were to be asleep.

He said, “I have been doing activism for over 30 years, I have never done anything less than a national politics. So, there is no less position. The position that is most important to Nigerians today is the position of the president. I am more than qualified. I told you many times, I can run Nigeria better than President Muhammadu Buhari even in my sleep.

“There is no need going to become a local government chairman, counselor or a Senator when I can run the country as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. What else do you want me to tell you?”

Meanwhile, one of Nigeria’s leading motivational speakers with a clientele base ranging from tier one banks to some of the country’s leading oil companies, Fela Durotoye, has also declared his presidential intention.

“I do aspire to serve my nation and I believe that to be able to do the most that I can, it will require that we have the kind of leadership for the nation that I believe I can offer in terms of priority of vision, in terms of a set of clear values that can bring about the kind of behaviour and culture of a new Nigeria.

“More importantly, in terms of the fact that I am someone who has spent the most of my life helping others build their businesses, find their careers, and I don’t know if there is any other platform that will enable me to serve the people as the presidency. So, I am grateful to Nigerians for their encouragement, and if my party, ANN gives me the nomination, I will be honoured to serve my people as president,” he had said.

Similarly, two-time African Player of the Year, Nwankwo Kanu, declared his intention to run for Presidency in 2019.

Declaring his intentions, the popular footballer said: “The last 18 years of leadership has witnessed a decline in all critical sectors of life in Nigeria, plus general insecurity in the land.

“I’ll do all it takes to wrestle corruption which has become blatant and widespread. The rest of the world looks at Nigeria as the home of corruption.

“If I get your mandate, I promise to do things differently and restore honor and integrity to public service by keeping the best and attracting the best.

“George Weah’s victory in Liberia is a pointer that this dream is very realistic with you all on my side.”

Some Nigerians are of the opinion that these presidential aspirants, who have no political background, experience or god-fathers, have no chance at clinching the presidential seat, describing their aspirations as farce.

However, others have their fingers crossed, hoping that one of these “fresh bloods” emerge as Nigeria’s next president. Time, as they say, will tell!