October 28, 2014 was a turning point in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. It was the day that marked the euphoric declaration of Kwankwaso’s presidential interest and the day that suggests a final end of PDP tunnel as further manifested by Hon. Tambuwal’s strategic defection to the ranks of progressives. Hundreds of thousands compatriots gathered on that day at old parade ground Abuja to voice out desperate and collective aspiration for change. The assemblage of deterministic, mindful and progressive Nigerians had expressed on that day the legitimate concern over the bleak future of the country. The rates and degrees of insecurity, youth unemployment, poverty, energy deficiency and extent of mutual mistrust amongst ethnic nationalities are enough justifications for the progressives’ yearning for positive change. It was no coincidence that the whole nation congregated in unison to support Kwankwaso’s bid to take over the mantle of leadership of the country.
Given his laudable achievements as Kano State Governor and wealth of administrative and political experiences, Nigerians are convinced that Kwankwaso has the capacity and determination to not only win elections but also reposition the country to a positively sound end. He too had proven by his speech and affirmative disposition, to the massive gathering, that he was and is still the right man at the right time when our health sector is in comatose, educational sector in confused state, insecurity at its highest rate, politics of tribalism, religious sentiment and parochialism at its threatening mode and the international image of the country is increasingly debase. The progressives are counting on Kwankwaso being the right man to transform Nigeria the way he transformed Kano. Yes he must!
Again, the socially excluded segments of the population from among the unemployed youth, women, physically challenged, mentally derailed, widows, sick, the poor and over 700,000 Internally Displaced Persons are in desperate need of a Kwankwaso as president to change their lives and attract sustainable economic development the way he deed to their likes in Kano as a governor. Yes he must!!
The experts in educational sector are desirous for Kwankwaso to reactivate their spirit and revamp their productivity the way he did to education in Kano. Yes he must!!! The professionals on security and medicine are in need of a president with knowhow and commitment to digitalize their profession, revive their motivation and inject technology into their domain, by his speech and action Kwankwaso has proven to do just that. Yes he must!!!!
Nigeria is among the ten richest countries in terms of natural resources at the same time the country is among the ten most poorest countries of the world in terms of living standards of its people – Nigerians are artificially denied of quality health, sound education, employment, sustainable electricity, potable water, good roads and other basic needs while in Zimbabwe even the dead enjoy 24hours supply of electricity in their grave yards, what an irony!- from Katsina to Osun is a whole gold belt, half of Northern Nigeria is sitting on massive gas reserve, the Kukawa oil deposits, Enugu coal and bitumen, Kogi iron ore, Nasarawa, diamond, oil deposits of the South-west, and huge agricultural potentialities abound. Yet we import foodstuff and refined petroleum including water, juice and tomato. The key to reversing all these paradoxes is predicated on the leadership ability to judicially harness the massive human and natural resources, stamp out corruption, greed, and by promising and demonstrating the capacity to do all these, Kwankwaso’s declaration is TIMELY.
Dr. Sani Lawal Malumfashi,
Kano
