It's time for Nigeria to stand up and be counted

LAGOS: Nigeria goes to the polls tomorrow, either to give incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan another term or elect retired General Muhammadu Buhari.

There are many other candidates, but the contest is largely between the two.

The elections, initially scheduled for last month were postponed because of fears of terror attacks from the Boko Haram militia group that has taken control of most of the Northern Nigeria.

Concerted efforts by some West African countries appear to have reduced the threat of Boko Haram launching attacks at polling stations.

Elections in most African countries are characterised by claims of foul play and sadly, violence.

But it is gratifying to note that the leading candidates in Nigeria's elections, Mr Jonathan of the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr Buhari of the All Peoples Congress are committed to peaceful elections.

Frankly speaking, Nigeria has for long punched below its weight. With a GDP of $521.8 billion and a population of 173.6 million, Nigeria is Africa's biggest economy. Every one out of four black people is a Nigerian. Nigerian cement tycoon Aliko Dangote is still the richest black man on earth.

It has an unmatched human resource capacity and should ideally be playing in the big league. Yet it is not.

The trouble with Nigeria, said Chinua Achebe, is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.

Because of corruption and mismanagement, there is little to show for the country's huge oil resources estimated production is 1.9 million barrels per day. Unless the country's resources are managed well to create jobs and wealth for the millions of Nigerians who leave university every year, Nigeria will continue to lag behind.

Africa looks up to Nigeria to lead the way in correcting the negative image of a underdeveloped and a continent prone to violence and chronic disease.

The people of Nigeria deserve the chance to decide who between Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammad Buhari will lead them. That chance will to show the world that something good can come out of Africa. That will count when the losers accept and the winners show magnanimity.