Writing under the subtitle, “State Resuscitation and Recovery”, Achebe suggests that “the Nigerian solution” will come in stages. “First wehave to nurture and strengthen our democratic institutions – and strive for the freest and fairest elections possible. That will place the true candidates of the people in office,” he writes. This process, he proffers, can lead to a thriving free press and strong justice system, with checks and balances and corruption-curbing laws naturally finding a footing. He adds: “A new patriotic consciousness has to be developed… based on an awareness of the responsibility of leaders to the led… and disseminated by civil society, schools and intellectuals. It is from this kind of environment that a leader, humbled by the trust placed upon him by the people, will emerge, willing to use the power given to him for the good of the people.”
.... “The last general election in Nigeria was not perfect, but overall it was an improvement over past travesties that were passed off as elections in Nigeria. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, and his team should be allowed to build upon the gains of that exercise for the good of the nation.”
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/achebe-and-the-future-of-nigeria/128885/

When the oracle speaks, the wise listens. Achebe in his latest book, made some far-reaching suggestions on how to make the crawling giant at 52- Nigeria- stand, walk and take its rightful position in the comity of GREAT nations. Coincidently, his suggestions are not very different from my thinking all these while. The Nigerian problems require gradual and incremential solution. No magic wand, no short cut. We tried short cuts in the past thru several military coups, all which took us backwards several decades. Just imagine how much progress we would have made if the first republic politicians were allowed to carry on, make their mistakes and learn from it. Just imagine how much progress we would have made if we had kept faith with democracy since independence till date, however imperfect it is. Just imagine how far we would have made progress as a country if the second republic was allowed to endure. Just imagine. The recent progress we have made in our electoral system is massive because it has far-reaching implications for governance as a whole. Unfortunately this progress is not celebrated because some persons are reluctant to give credit to this current govt. Anyway, we must painstakely, PATIENTLY and jointly build Nigeria to GREATNESS