“Who Wants To Be President?” board game unveiled in Lagos

Hearing “Who Wants To Be President?” some people may think that one is referring to the presidential aspirants from different political parties aiming to contest for the presidential election in February 2015.

As an electorate, have you ever wondered how the process of vying for that top political position is done? It is on this note that a new board game that teaches every adult the political strategy was unveiled.

The educative, interesting, fun-filled and all round entertaining piece was launched on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the Freedom Park, Lagos.

Known as “Who Wants To Be President?” the game in which the players go through all the processes aspiring political leaders go through with the ultimate aim of winning elections was an eye opener to some of the players who were taught how to play it at the launch.

A four-man-player comprising three men and a lady, using their playing cards, began by taking the first step of seeking party nominations, campaigning in the 36 states of Nigeria, cajoling for votes, negotiating for the best deals, strategizing, spying on opponents, disrupting the plans of the opposition, countering their moves and so on. (All these strategies were done on the board).

The game ends when one of the players presents the card calling for “Instant Elections” or one of the players reaches the end. Only players who have won votes in 21 states would be eligible to have his “votes” counted. The player with the most “votes” win and is declared president.

 “Who Wants To Be President?” was developed by Charles Igwe, the widower of the late producer and writer, Amaka Igwe, in 1993.

Igwe said the game was created primarily as a form of family entertainment and to educate as many Nigerians as possible on the intrigues, strategies and politics of running for and winning elections.

 “I wanted to bring the good old days when families would sit around one another and have fun playing a board game,” Mr. Igwe said.

“These days, kids prefer to be on their electronic games all day. This is a game everyone can enjoy together.

“I also hope that more Nigerians will understand their roles in picking and voting for leaders. The game mimics all the drama and backdoor deals that go on in the political space and by seeing them through this game, I hope Nigerians will be better informed about their country and about the politics that surrounds them.”

The game delivers the experience of participating in and contesting elections, the thrill of winning and losing, and the challenge of trying again. Persons of ages 8 and above can play the game. It can be played by two to six players, which can be individuals, groups, communities or teams.

In addition, the Chief Executive Officer, Aeclipse Games also said that the game would be available in major stores nationwide, with a digital version in the works, adding that he hopes that it would be an educational tool for people who are interested in politics as a subject or hope to run for elections.

“This is my contribution to Nigeria. I hope Nigeria is better for it,” he added.

There were many personalities present at the media briefing and launch of the board game including the Managing Director, Kravex Gaming Limited; Terae Onyeje, Acting Managing Director; Mr. Emeka Anaba and Company Secretary; Mr. Kelechukwu Nwankwo both of Usosa Communications Limited, popular Nollywood actor Uche Odoputa an entertainment consultant; Scott Igbene, among others.