Image: Usman posing with his goods in the market. Photo: Kola Alhassan
By Kola Alhassan
It is that time of the year again when elections dominate discourse in the nation. The young and old are not left out in debating and engaging in permutations as regards those who would take the baton of power. Interestingly, the primaries have come and gone. Presidential candidates for each of the political parties have emerged from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to Labour Party(LP), among others.
This reporter went round Onigbongbo Market in Maryland, Lagos, to engage traders on the kind of leader they want.
Kingsley Uwakwe Alu, who sells foodstuff in the market said they were fed up with slogans. He seeks a leader who would make the masses enjoy dividends of democracy.
“Change”, “Next Level”; the situation of the country is beyond slogans. We have witnessed this present administration and both rich and poor are crying; they are feeling the heat.
The kind of leader we need is someone who would make the common man enjoy. Look at our currency; it lacks value, compared to other currencies. We want a leader who knows about the economy and can fix it. A leader that will make our economy to be good,” he said.
Kenneth Udeme who sells electronics said: “We need a leader who has the fear of God; it is sad that most of our leaders are after their own interests and pocket; maybe they do not want masses to exist again or they want to transfer us to another place. They do not care. The country is bad; no money, no market. We want a leader that can make the life of citizens better, a leader who will have a significant impact. Youths are unemployed despite having certificates; even those of selling hardly make profit. I do not know what we can do.”
Usman Abubakar, a carrot and cabbage seller said: “We want a leader who will be good to the masses. One who will move the country forward.We pray to God to give us a leader who has the interest of people at heart.
According to Uche Friday, a grocery shop owner, youths should move the country forward instead sticking with old politicians.
” We need youths as leaders. From age 25- 35, they will work. We do not need old men as leaders.Things are not right in the country. Graduates turned to Okada riders, yet they are disturbing them. We do not need those who are old and wealthy. What do they want again? We need those who would remember the youths,” he noted.
A mini provision shop owner who identified himself as Isiaka agrees with Friday. He said: “We need a youthful leader who would address the needs of all classes of citizens.”
For another trader who identified himself as Garuba, a leader who would show concern to the people.
“We need a leader who will show concern to the people.Look at this Okada ban, the riders are affected, they cannot feed their families anymore. If they are caught, their Okada will be seized and destroyed. It is sad,” he said.
An elderly man who craved anonymity said: “We need a leader who would put things right, who would make the economy better. We pray for God to direct us to choose the leader who is best for Nigeria.”
Fantastic write-up.
This writer has done well to engage people at the grassroots. We just hope a leader who would have sound economic policies would come on board to work not just to be blowing grammar.
Good job.
We need sensitive and result-oriented leaders.
Nice story.