Today, Nigeria stands on a precipice. Behind us is a history that can push us, irrevocably, over the brink. Yet, we are writers. If we bring anything collectively to society, it must be the imagination and the inspiration to bridge impossible gulfs. Today, we must plumb our history, not to evoke despair, but to inspire resolve. Today, we call on Nigerians to hold hands across the trenches of our deep divisions and, somehow, find the resolution to dream again. Let us, as ordinary Nigerians, reject the ethnic fictions that local despots have used to colonise this country over the past five decades.

Let us dream a simple dream made fantastic by our present circumstances. Let us dream of a Nigeria that works, that evokes pride, and that inspires faith. Let us dream of a Nigeria of servant-leaders and sacrificial statesmen, a Nigeria which calls the best characteristics out of ordinary men and women. Let us call on that capacity for renewal to bring opportunity out of this crisis.

Let us recreate the excitement – and the possibilities – with which we approached the Independence Day of 1960. In 50 years, the resources and destiny of this great country have been hijacked by private carpetbaggers and adventurers. Let us take back the sanctity of our polls. Let us rejuvenate the recall process. Let us police our resources, our leadership. We must liberate Nigeria anew. Today, we must take back our country.

As writers, the past and the future are fertile fields for the work of our imagination. Today, in this love-letter to our nation, we call on all Nigerians to take authorship of our nation's next 50 years. Our destiny is in our own hands. Shall we write into it a bigger civil war? Another half-century of mediocrity and international disgrace? Then we need do nothing.

But if we, the people of Nigeria, must write an inspirational epic of a humbled nation on her knees, who, breaking free of bondage, soars into the keep of eagles, we must begin by demanding only the best of our leaders. In the days and months to come, we the people must find our voice, our votes, and our true values. And we must make them count.

Thank you.

Chuma Nwokolo, Abdul Mahmud, Afam Akeh, Helon Habila, Paul Onovoh, Chika Unigwe, Jude Dibia, Okey Ndibe, Chilo Zona Eze, EC Osondu, Tade Ipadeola, Unoma Azuah, Shola Adenekan, Amatoritsero Ede, Lola Shoneyin, Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, Ikhide Ikheloa, Uche Peter Umez, Nnorom Azuonye, Richard Mammah, Chike Ofili, Obiwu, Uche Nduka, Ogaga Ifowodo, Richard Ugbede Ali, Maik Nwosu, Akin Adesokan, Obi Nwakanma, Kachi A. Ozumba, Odili Ujubuonu, Emman Shehu, Ibrahim Sheme, Tanure Ojaide, Emmanuel Iduma, Sylva Nze Ifedigbo, Sarah Manyika, Ogo Ogbata, Kola Tubosun, Damilola Ajayi, Tolu Ogunlesi, Toyin Adewale-Gabriel.