By FOLA OJO

I have been confronted many times over the years to abandon my hope for the anticipated greatness of our nation, Nigeria. Unfortunately, many of the cyanide cynics are a mix of the dejected at the rungs of the ladder and those who are benefiting bigly from the system. They insist that our hope for a greater Nigeria is a pipedream, a false reality, a mirage; and a ticking time-bomb waiting to detonate. Many of them also say to us that our nation is a zoological kingdom, its inhabiting subjects and their many reigning kings are animals in human skins.

I know I’m not in a shuttle between naivety and foolishness. I know my hopes aren’t driven high because I have never held a political position or benefitted a dime from Nigerian politicians and politics. I know it is true that today Nigeria is an island of wealth surrounded by seas of poverty. I know the country may seem to be morphing into an ocean of failure and disappointment because of Incorporated Ignorance and Incompetence in government. But Nigeria will be great. Nigeria will be a success. Nigeria will become the cynosure for the world and omphalos of all-round good news. I believe this. And it will not be because one man or woman is president; it will be because God of heavens has signed it, and the Host of heaven has sealed it. So shall it be. Selah.

Elections at all levels are coming soon in Nigeria. They function as snapshots of politicians’ popularity and performance in a particular season. In this treatise, I want to focus on elections taking place at the state level. They reveal how well a governor’s leadership, policies, and public image resonate with voters at this moment in time. Nigeria's greatness is inevitable when most of its states consistently make meaningful progress. The nation's strength is built on the success of its constituent states. When states improve governance, infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, and economic opportunities, their collective progress strengthens the nation. A stronger majority of states translates into a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria. With the significant increase in revenues allocated to states under President Tinubu's administration, state governments have greater financial resources than before. There is now less justification for persistent underperformance because states now have more resources. Let’s check out the testaments of few Governors slugging it out in the election battlefield in this season.

The election hurricane is making landfall in my home State of Osun a week from today. Ademola Adeleke is the Governor. I just watched a video of one of his many campaigns where the Chief Security officer of the state was crying that he’s been stifled, harangued and harassed by the center. He claims that his monthly disbursement from Abuja is being withheld by powers that be. Demola is cocksure, they want to railroad him out of power and force him to open a Dance and Choreography School when he’s out of power. Who’s right and who’s wrong? Politicians will drive you nuts if you try to camp with anyone of them based on emotion. You must dig up the facts. The best thing a man who doesn’t want to die before his time ought to do is to keep an arm’s length from politicians no matter how sweet their talks taste. But this Governor’s performances in the last four years have bolstered my hope that Nigeria’s greatness is signed and sealed. Adeleke has been a blessing to my hometown of Imesi-Ile; a town long neglected by many Governors in the past. And unfortunately, a few of them are Ijeshas. But now my hometown has attracted the attention of a dancing and performing Governor. My people are voting for this governor next week. If I were in Nigeria, I’ll do same unapologetically. And we will only be showing gratitude to this Governor for remembering us when others never did. Adeleke has built roads in the most unbelievable spots in my hometown. I heard he has done the same in many towns and villages in the State. If all Governors can do in their territories what this guy has done in Osun, who will doubt that Nigeria’s greatness is signed and sealed?

Governor Alex Otti in Abia State will also be seeking reelection next year. The Labor party candidate is noted for aggressive infrastructure renewal, fiscal discipline, education reform, and improved security. As governor, he completed 414 road projects covering over 800 km, with 82 more roads (200km) nearing completion. Otti reduced Abia’s debt burden by over 70%, from ₦191bn (2023) to about ₦60bn (2025). He is ranked among Nigeria’s top states in fiscal sustainability and transparency. If Governors in their geopolitical spaces will work as hard and deliver for the people, who will doubt that the Greatness of Nigeria is signed and sealed?

Although Dr Babagana Zulum is not running in this election having used up all his terms as Governor, he has been voted “Best Performing Governor in Nigeria under Infrastructure Competitiveness”. He is recorded to have completed over 1,195 developmental projects in five years, including 238 new projects in the first year of his second term. Zulum built 104 new schools, rehabilitated 2,931 classrooms, and delivered 88 science laboratories. He also constructed Borno’s second flyover, multiple dual carriage roads, and pedestrian bridges and delivered major road networks and housing estates (500unit and 72unit estates). There are other Governors in Nigeria that space will not allow me to mention in this treatise.

There is no questioning the possibility of a great and successful Nigeria when most of its states consistently make meaningful progress. A nation's strength is built on the success of its constituent states. Increased revenues flowing into Nigerian states under President Tinubu is commendable, but the focus should increasingly be on how effectively these additional resources are managed and translated into tangible improvements in the lives of the people. We must not ignore the idea of watching out for prudent management, accountability, and measurable results. Because states now have more resources; the expectation is greater performance. The era of excuses should give way to the era of performance. I still believe that Nigeria’s greatness is signed and sealed.

Hoping for Nigeria’s best days costs me nothing. It’s a gift from God. Those who are making the country unlivable for others; the cabals and cults of destruction and corruption tormenting and terrorizing the hungry and the needy daily through avarice will not leave this world alive. I continue to hope. It costs me nothing. It’s a gift from the Giver of gifts. If there is a curse over Nigeria; it is breaking soon! The yokes on the necks of my people will be destroyed. And it will be very soon.

Nigeria will be great. Nigeria will be a success story. Nigeria will shock many and become the cynosure of the world. I believe this, and we can see signs. And it will not be because one man or woman is president, or than one man or woman is Governor. But it will be because God of heavens has signed it, and the Host of heaven has sealed it. So shall it be.

•Fola Ojo tweets @Folaojotweet

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