A Bittersweet Goodbye, by Hakeem Baba-Ahmed

An African proverb aptly reminds us that the earth is not ours to inherit from our ancestors, but rather a loan from our children, emphasizing our responsibility to preserve it for future generations.

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As I pen what is likely to be my final column, I am reminded of the numerous times I have requested to take a break from writing, only to return without question, a testament to the respect afforded to columnists by newspapers.

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I would like to express my gratitude to the management and owners of the newspapers that have provided me with a platform to share my thoughts, as well as to the readers who have followed my work, including those who have critiqued me, helping me grow as a writer.

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Just three days ago, the Peoples Redemption Party, to which I belong, held its Convention, where I was elected as the National Chairman, tasked with leading the party through the challenges facing our democratic system.

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The PRP, with a history spanning over 70 years, is the longest surviving party in Nigeria, founded on the ideology of emancipating the poor from the grip of the powerful and wealthy, a principle that has remained unchanged to this day.

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The party's founding fathers, including the brilliant and courageous Malam Aminu Kano, were driven by a desire to challenge the status quo and bring about change, rather than seeking power or wealth, which has always set the PRP apart from other parties.

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Despite being perceived as radical and stubborn in its defense of its principles, the PRP boasts a large proportion of young members, who are given opportunities to stand for elective offices and contribute to the party's growth, showcasing a commitment to real change.

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Our party, founded by Nigerians from the North, is not a regional party, as evident from the diverse group of delegates who attended our Convention, hailing from states such as Rivers, Plateau, Lagos, Adamawa, Kebbi, and Borno, among others.

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The Convention took place a day after the APC's event, which was marked by a display of power and ambition that offended the values of Nigerians and Africans, highlighting the stark contrast between the two parties.

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The APC's Convention, attended by a President, his wife, 32 Governors, and numerous officials, was a stark reminder of the problems plaguing Nigerian democracy, with thousands of citizens being teargassed and shoved away while the party's leaders sat comfortably, already confident of their victory in the 2027 elections.

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As Nigerians watched the APC's Convention, many wondered if the state of insecurity, lack of electric power, and other pressing issues were of any concern to the party's leaders, who seemed more focused on maintaining their grip on power.

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The PRP, on the other hand, has a clear vision for Nigeria, one where the democratic system is restored, and power is given back to the people, rather than politicians, with leaders who are honest and accountable to the citizens.

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We envision a Nigeria where the young have a bright future, crime and violence are punished, corruption is treated as a serious offense, and state institutions function as intended, with religion being a fundamental value that promotes justice and freedom.

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Our goal is to rebuild Nigeria into a nation of equals, where faith or ethnic identity is not a liability, and basic infrastructure is a right, not a political commodity, a vision that we believe can be achieved through collective effort.

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The PRP recognizes that it cannot achieve this alone and is committed to working with individuals, groups, and parties to build a momentum that will bring about change and defeat politicians who are more interested in amassing wealth than serving the people.

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We are aware that this will not be an easy task, given the deployment of vital institutions against opponents, but we believe that it is time for all Nigerians to step up and join us in our quest to fix the country.

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Nigeria can be fixed, and it must be fixed, with 2027 being the year when we say 'No' to weak and corrupt leaders, and we invite all those who share our vision to join us.

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Once again, I would like to thank my readers for their support, and as I bid farewell, I remain hopeful that our collective efforts will bring about a brighter future for Nigeria.