PMB'S SECOND-TERM BID: YOU TOO YOU.

The news of PMB’s expression of interest to run for a second term has raised quite a stir in our scene. Honestly, I wonder why. Maybe people had believed his quest for “one term only” proclamation during his campaign days. So their dismay is understandable.

Come to think of it, how many campaign proclamations have PMB lived up to? How many has he denied? How many has he been silent on? How many has he done exactly its opposite? Well, unfulfilled campaign promises is not my topic for today.

Really, is there any political office holder whose office allows for multiple terms that has not aspired to exhaust the terms? Is there?
PMB’s proponents are thanking him for offering to continue to bear the course of our nation on his (fragile) shoulder. They are thanking him for offering to “come again”(again), so he can continue with all his good works. On the other hand, his opponents are doing what they know how to do best, and that is to wail.  But PMB has done nothing wrong, at least not by declaring interest in a second term. Technically, the constitution allows that. Who wouldn’t (want to) take the advantage. But there are other things our constitution allows also. Two of which are; the right of every citizen to vote and be voted for. So you see, PMB and other elected officials do not enjoy any exclusive right in regards to contesting elections. You too can. Everyone can. We all can via for elections, unless of course you are underage, insane, have been convicted in the past or you have never attempted Senior School Certificate Examination.

I think I will take these one by one.

If you are >45 years old and you have an eye for the Presidency, I advice that you join the #nottooyoungtorun# gang and make it a reality. It’s needless asking if our dear PMB is up to 45 years of age. For one, he celebrated his 75th birthday recently. So you see, in the age regard, he is overqualified. Maybe he is qualified past optimal.

We hardly evaluate the mental status of our election contenders. As long as they are not raging mad nor working naked in the street, they are good to go, mental wise at least. It does not matter whether they can make good initiative, good judgement. Whether they have good interpersonal relationship, high emotional intelligence,  good comprehension and recall. Or whether they understand the psychology of a multicultural, multireligious population like ours. Like I already said, as long as you they are not walking naked in the street, they are good to good. And of, our PMB checks out in that regard.

Well, regarding the history of a criminal record. No matter the number of accusations, counter accusations and allegations detractors may bring up just to ruin you, just keep calm, that would not disqualify you. As long as you were never convicted, particularly within our shores, you are still good to go. Your international criminal history does not count.

The day I first learned of the minimal educational qualification for elective offices, I was shocked. You don’t need to have a Ph.d or even any degree at all. Just show proof of having a Senior School Certificate Examination certificate. I assure you,you don't even need to have five credits which must include English and Maths like is required for University admission. A statement of result can even suffice in the event that you are unable to find the main certificate. Maybe you may need a legion of Senior Advocates to argue it out in the Court if people make a lot noise about it. Afterall there are not degrees on “How to be a (good) President”, so its not like there is any degree that particularly equips you on how to serve us best. That makes skipping the whole degree thing understandable. Of course, our dear PMB meets that requirement, maybe the most minimal of it, but shaa he qualifies. And so do many others.

  If you don’t have a godfather, fear not, having a god father is not a criteria to stand or win an elections. You mustn’t be a billionaire contest for elections, most billionaires usually don’t even bother. They have already hit their gold, so its needless coming for our common wealth. 

Moreover, our Goodluck Jonathan appealed to us because he confessed to not having shoes one time. Even our dear PMB said he was so broke that he even had to borrow more to buy Nomination Form. So being broke can even be an added advantage, as many electorates can relate. 

You see, anyone can declare their intentions to run or rerun for elections, it’s within their right. Just about anyone can contest elections, but winning it doesn’t lie in one person’s hands, thankfully.  It’s in the hands of all the populace. So if you are not brave enough to contend with PMB, you can decide to vote him or not, at least that requires less bravery. Nothing much is required. The age bracket for eligibility is far reduced and the past criminal record thing does not apply. Also, make sure you do not appear raving man on that day, so you do not scare the electoral officers and the other electorates. Need I say that you must be a Nigerian?

So if you love PMB enough to want him to be our President again, you have the right to make it happen.  And if you dislike him with equal or even more passion, you can still do something about it. Do you have a Permanent Voter’s Card(PVC)?If you don’t, nothing spoil. You can still get one.

 You only have only vote, so use it wisely. Get information and vote based on them. Fact-based information,  not propaganda and not lofty promises without no visible framework on how to achieve them.

Winning a re-run should be easier than winning for the first time. They say one good turn deserves another. Peoples’ work speaks for them. Good for PMB, his proponents are already reeling out all the good things he has done with just about three years in office. Although not everyone share the same enthusiasm. Many of his campaign promises have remained matched with actions.  Maybe he will make new promises, but would they be kept? Would what happened to the 1 dollar=1naira promise and promise of fighting and ending corruption not still happen to the new promises?

Anyway, whatever it takes to sway the voters, say or do it.  That shows how committed you are to serving the country. Just like PMB has shown so much commitment. A commitment that has remained,  both in sickness and in health, in his days of youth and now in his ripe old age. That shows passion for leadership. The kind of passion found in most African leaders. The kind of passion Obasanjo had that he tried to make moves for a third term. The kind of passion Mugabe had that he remained in office for so long. The kind of passion Gaddafi had that he had to be killed in the streets by his own people out of heated emotions for his prolonged stay in office. It’s important for a leader to know when the show is over and then take a bow when the ovation is loudest. They can save the populace the effort of voting them out.