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IT’S less than three months to the magic year 2015 when the general elections will hold. And if all works well with the 2011 prediction of John Campbell of United States, it is the year the country will eventually disintegrate. If it does not, too bad for what most Nigerians will like to describe as an uninformed weather man’s forecast, never to be believed.

But so far, the country has exhibited all the symptoms of a failed state – chaos and kidnapping in the South, insurgency in the North, general insecurity and poverty in all parts of the country, dilapidated infrastructure crying for rehabilitation,  unemployment, dying manufacturing sector, disenchanted and disillusioned populace and so on. Yes, a failed state waiting to be rescued by good leadership, but Nigeria is most likely not going to disintegrate. No, not with all the hopes of 7 percent growth of the economy and the ever increasing GDP, said to be the largest in black Africa. The politicians are not likely to allow Nigeria to go to pieces, not with the easy to share oil money still flowing into the coffers of the country. Never mind all the grandstanding, the real Nigerian politician will do everything possible to pull the country back from the brink with the help of a compliant and docile population.  Yes, there is hope for the magic year 2015 amidst all the disillusionment and uncertainty.

However, one thing that is certain to happen in the much awaited make or mar year is the general elections. The election fever has already gripped the nation especially the politicians who are the worst hit. That is why the airwaves are agog with scintillating advertorials from different pressure groups masquerading to have the best interest of Nigeria at heart going by the messages the send. The federal cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan was infected with the virulent fever which made seven ministers to resign in one fell swoop to pick up the gauntlet and dive into the political fray in their respective states.

No doubt, some of them are already horned in politics and politicking. Some of them are political neophytes without structure but they have high hopes of success hoping to tap on the goodwill of sponsors also known as godfathers who are solidly on ground in the states. That is why they willingly sacrificed their safe jobs for the unchartered waters of politics. They have gone to fight to get the governorship tickets in their respective states and if mother luck smiles on them they could emerge as winners in the 2015 general elections. If they fail, your guess is as good as mine. But what are their chances of succeeding? What are the challenges they are likely to face? The answer to these questions is encapsulated in our cover story for this week entitled: “Hurdles Before Ministers Turned Governorship Aspirants”, ably written by Olu Ojewale, our general editor. It is interesting. Enjoy it.

Maureen Chigbo

Editor

mechigbo@yahoo.com

— Oct. 27, 2014 @ 01:00 GMT

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