Of 2023 and the campaign strategy

As the presidential election draws nearer, the mind of the candidates eyeing a particular seat will be at the top. The anxiety of not wanting to lose the election will have, speculatively, pitched a tent in their various hearts which can only be satisfied by the spirit of optimism. Refusal to be phlegmatic may end in high blood pressure. Contesting an election is not a mere game especially when one is strenuously struggling to attain the most revered political seat in the country.

The public campaign has kicked off as stipulated, the dust of the National Peace Accord signing ahead of the forthcoming 2023 presidential election held in Abuja is partly settled as issues were raised as the result of the absence of Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the flagbearer of All Progressives Congress, APC, ably represented by his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima. Among presidential candidates in attendance were Omoyele Sowore, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar.

Campaign strategies and political permutations or mathematics will be ringing non-stop in the heads of the contenders. In this wise, campaign of calumny or libelous campaign may spring out and may result in chaos that can possibly end in disruption of tranquility and the wellbeing of the people in the community or the nation at large.

The days of the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari are numbered. He will, by now, be packing his loads out of the Aso yvilla as he has less than six months in office. Indubitably, power is ephemeral. Will the ruling party retain power? Yes or no? The 2023 election will proffers an answer to this.

The trick most of the candidates will deploy is the promise to end the present menace of security, economic downturn, tribalism, favouritism, and lingering industrial strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities which the innocent masses are grappling with, which will not be fulfilled.

According to the interview the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, the former governor of Oyo state, High Chief Adewolu Ladoja granted BBC News Yòrúbá, in his discussion, ventured into mentioning the promise made by Buhari during his campaign in 2015 that he would use his capacity and knowledge as a retired military man to quench the flame of insecurity and terrorism in the country. The question asked by High Chief Ladoja is: How then is the security situation now? In my view, the answer to the question is, it is just deteriorating on daily basis.

It will be painful, if at this present time we are still cajoled by pseudo-promises which we all know will only be breached if they later mount the saddle.

Let us exercise our franchise independently. Our thumbs and the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) are the major instruments to be used in determining our preferred candidate. Power has been bequeathed to the masses as a result of the electronic electioneering process. My fellow Nigerians, be wise and never be tricked.

Olayode Inaolaji,

Ogbomoso, Oyo state.

[email protected]