The reset button, By Wole Olaoye

Nigeria stands at a critical juncture, needing a fundamental reset to escape its cycle of dysfunction and unlock its vast potential, argues Wole Olaoye. He invokes Lao Tzu's wisdom, stating, "The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones," suggesting that significant change requires incremental steps.

Olaoye contrasts the present with the past, recalling the "War Against Indiscipline" (WAI) campaign of 1985, which enforced basic civic duties. He recounts an anecdote of a landlord fined for urinating in a drain, highlighting a past era of stricter enforcement. Today, he laments, such behavior on public infrastructure like the Third Mainland Bridge would likely go unpunished, reflecting a broader societal relapse into disorderliness.

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The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.

With election campaigns looming, politicians are poised to "hawk a commodity called hope," promising change across various political platforms. Olaoye criticizes the current 4+4 presidential term structure, deeming it a "swindle." He argues that politicians spend too much time campaigning for a second term, leaving only a fraction of their tenure for actual governance.

To foster genuine progress, Olaoye advocates for amending the constitution to implement a single, six-year presidential term. This, he believes, would compel presidents to concentrate on governance from day one, knowing they have only one opportunity to make a lasting impact. He asserts that without such a reset, Nigeria risks continuing its pattern of blundering from one regime to the next, regardless of who wins the election.

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You are under arrest for urinating in public. What do you mean? Am I not urinating in the drain? Sir, respect yourself! The drain is for rainwater, not your urine. Is urine not made of water? What kind of harassment is this? Sir, you have contravened the fifth pillar of the War Against Indiscipline (WAI). You will have to follow me to the mobile court down the street…