Wind of Change Indeed

Indeed, from all indications, a Wind of change has started blowing across the country for real.

When the All Progressives Congress (APC) proclaimed Change as its focus and slogan, not a few people were of the view that it was the usual mouthing of slogans by politicians without any commitment to its real essence.

On not  a few occasions, spokespersons of the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had rubbished the party over the slogan claiming that there was nothing to be changed but the personalities in the APC themselves.

However, since the historic Presidential election of March 28, it appears the change being clamoured for is already being ushered into the country.

With the victory, by a large margin of the APC Presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the wind of change started to blow when in a rare show of statesmanship, incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan conceded victory even before the final results were announced.

For the first time in the history of Nigeria, a sitting president lost election and called the President-elect to congratulate him over his victory. That singular action by President Jonathan brought Nigeria back from the precipice thus ensuring the achievement of change.

As if that is not enough, in Oyo State, the APC made another history when the incumbent governor, Senator Isiaka Ajimobi broke the jinx of a second term in the state. In the political history of the state, no elected leader has ever won an election for the second term in office. Even heavyweights like late Chief Bola Ige, Lam Adesina, Adebayo Alao-Akala- all lost in their second term bid.

Another area where the wind of change came is in Kaduna State where former FCT Minister, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai won election and defeated the incumbent governor, Ramalan Yero.

This is the first time since the 23 June 1981 impeachment of a progressive governor, Alhaji Balarabe Musa that another progressive governor is coming into government. Besides, Yero, who is the PDP candidate conceded defeat and congratulated El-Rufai, an APC candidate over his victory, even before the final results were announced.

Besides Kaduna, in relatively conservative states in the north, like Katsina, Sokoto, Niger, etc, the wind of change has swept the progressive force into power for the first time in the history of the north regarded as the home of conservatives.

With this hopeful start, the APC cannot but ensure the continuation of good things into the country with the wind of change as to do otherwise may be interpreted as a false start and would be disastrous for the country if it reverts back to the old order of doing things.

Let the wind of change blow in every area of Nigeria especially corruption. This will usher in a new lease of life into the country.

There is however a glimmer of hope that this wind of change will not lead to one-party dictatorship especially with the mass defections of the leading party’s chieftains to the rave of the moment, the APC. Obviously, if this happens, it might be threat to real democratic tenets.

The wind of change must allow and tolerate a virile opposition, which will enable our democracy to thrive and be strengthened against any undemocratic elements.