All-INCLUSIVE POLITICS: ISSUES ARISING

Nigeria as an independent country and republic is obviously seen, witnessed and known as a multicultural, multi-ethnic and multi religious country with different political affiliations. Every qualified Nigerian in terms of age and different levels of education background is entitled to aspire to any political leadership or offices as expressly stated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The constitutional document which guide the rules, regulations, governance, ordinances and all other constitutional matters was put in place to be a guiding document of governance in Nigeria and should be followed and respected.

Politics is all about economic, political and socio economic interests. From available historical and political records, African countries' politics have been seen and witnessed to be largely ethnic based politics with different political interests and ideologies.

People vote based on either political, ethnicity and religious affiliations. Nigeria as a country is a complex, diverse, sophisticated and large country of people both reside in mainland, riverine and island geographical locations.

Generally, Nigerians are industrious, enterprising and resilient.

I am of the opinion that in subsequent general elections in African countries, voting should be based on accountability, honesty, ability, capacity, political sagacity, competency and excellent track records of tested and proven political leadership and not based on sentiments of religion, political and ethnic affiliations.

The rule of law must be allowed to prevail in any post elections period. Political aspirants must be subjected to rigorous debates on their political ideologies, programmes and manifestoes which must be thoroughly screened and seen to be people-friendly programmes and policies.

Competency and political experience of putting the African economies on the global map and landscape of business and competitiveness is what we need in the African political landscape.

I believe that African countries' politics can definitely be a role model for other developing and underdeveloped countries to emulate.

We can research comprehensively into the political leadership ideologies of nations that have evolved from underdeveloped countries to politically developed countries.

The roles of African economists, political scientists and the philosophers are imperative in making African countries' economic and political ideologies an interesting and acceptable model in the committee of nations.

Our economic and political leadership ideologies must be in consonance with the present realities of African challenges to proffer lasting solutions to African economic and political leadership challenges.

Therefore, I am recommending an all inclusive round-table engagement, in-depth and extensive discussions by African economists, political scientists, philosophers, historians, sociologists, educationists and other relevant professionals to elaborate and put forward acceptable lasting solutions to African economic and political challenges.

Africa will definitely be greater again. African countries can rise again and become a trailblazer in all aspects of human knowledge.

Mr Simeon Okoro is both an economist and educationist. He earned a B.Sc Economics (Education). He is a commentator on public affairs.