In recent times, the world has seen the impact of young and first time voters in crucial election seasons. In 2008, Barack Obama swept both the popular and electoral college vote in the United States to become the first African American President riding to victory on the back of young voters. Earlier this year, Narendra Modi, a former tea seller turned politician, accomplished a similar feat becoming Prime Minister of India, by giving his social media campaign more attention than any other Indian politician in history again, by connecting with young and first time voters.

As a conglomerate of professionals from various countries and professional bodies, the Dynamic Nigerian Professionals in the Diaspora (DNPD) wishes to see the course of Nigeria changed, so that we can begin to attain the sort of developmental strides that we see in our surrogate places of residence abroad.

Because of this, we strongly believe that for Nigeria to become a nation that can march squarely into the future, we need young, brave and inspiring leadership. Such leadership, after much consultation with our stakeholders, has been duly embodied in the form of the current Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal; the Senator representing Kwara Central in the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, and; the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi.

In the following paragraphs, we will explain why each of these men represent the change that we wish to see in our country, and why their prior performance as public servants, portends their future achievements if they are ever to achieve the highest office in the land.

Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Representatives - North East

Aminu Tambuwal made headlines late last year when he bravely asserted that President Goodluck Jonathan's body language encouraged the spread of corruption in the country. Known as a political progressive that has often worked across party lines to achieve results, Tambuwal's emergence as the Speaker of the House of Representatives that pitted him against his own parties' handpicked candidate, served as the beginning of many of the conflicts that he has had with the Presidency.

Since assuming office in 2011, the Speaker has worked tirelessly to ensure that the House of Representatives, being the most representative arm of Nigeria's bicameral legislature, is duly respected in the Nigerian psyche by often pushing for the investigation of corrupt practices in the various branches of government.

So far, Tambuwal's penchant for the establishment of best practices, has placed him squarely on the map of many young people as one of the young, vibrant and influentialchangemakers that we would like to see enter the race for the Nigerian Presidency.

Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Senator, Kwara - North Central

The Senator representing Kwara Central, Abubakar Bukola Saraki is known in many circles as the undisputed political leader of his home state, Kwara. Despite his defection from the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) citing irreconcilable political ideological differences, Senator Saraki still amasses a devoted political and social following stemming from his ability to serve as a power broker and problem solver in political circles, while being an influential politician-of-the people, for the people.

During his eight years as Governor of Kwara State, Senator Saraki contributed greatly to the restructuring of Kwara by diversifying its once stagnant economy by focusing on developing the agricultural sector, while promoting healthy competition in the business sector, and better accountability in governance. His executive accomplishments and political pedigree amongst his peers, during his time as the governor, led to him being elected as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

After leaving office in 2011, Saraki a medical doctor by training was elected to serve the Kwara Central constituency. Since then, he has achieved several noteworthy feats like being recognized as the first legislator to call the attention of the public to the federal government's reversal of the petroleum subsidy which led to the world-renown Occupy Nigeria protests, and a turnaround on the subsidy removal by the Federal Government. In addition to this, Saraki is also known for his intervention in Save Bagega to lobby the Federal Government to save the lives of thousands of Zamfara children who were at risk of losing their lives to lead poison.

As the field for the 2015 race gradually thickens, given his experience and performance throughout his time in public office, and also his close ties to the North, South and other parts of Nigeria the DNPD would like to see politicians like Dr. Saraki enter the race to reclaim the heart of Nigeria and steer the nation down more favorable roads.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, Governor, Lagos State South West

Babatunde Fashola's governorship of Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, is the stuff of modern legend. In 2012, he broke into near-global consciousness when a viral picture of him cautioning an erring and saluting military officer made waves on social media. Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora also began to also take notice of Fashola, when the then-Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), in an effort to recapture the South West, sold the electorate on what many called The Fashola Dream' meaning that if elected, the ACN governors would transform their states in a manner cognizant to what Fashola was doing in Lagos at the time.

Since then, Fashola has been commended nationally for his visionary leadership, and the great strides that his administration has made in agriculture, public transportation, education, rural transformation and physical planning.

Many people believe that if the APC turned to a politician with a recent track record of performance like Fashola, they could easily sweep many of the more progressive states in the country come 2015.

Rotimi Amaechi, Governor, Rivers State South South

Rotimi Amaechi, the youngest serving governor, and the poster-boy for amassing the full force of the wrath of the federal government under the Jonathan Presidency, has exemplified courageous leadership throughout his time in office. Stemming from an alleged political disagreement with the first lady, that has degenerated into an all-out free-for-all in Rivers State, Amaechi has consistently called attention to many of the improprieties and inconsistencies of the Jonathan presidency, while at the same time transforming his state into one of Nigeria's most lively tourist attractions.

Amaechi currently serves as the Chairman and factional head of the NGF, taking office after Bukola Saraki, the former Governor of Lagos State. In his position as such, he has been known to wield enormous influence when speaking on issues as many believes that as the Chair of the NGF, his voice carries the weight and backing of the organization.

Amaechi's aspiration to attain the seat of the Vice-Presidency come 2015, is a known secret. However, many believe that he could provide the perfect counter to President Jonathan in the South South geopolitical region come election time, if he were to contest for the number one seat, instead of the number two seat that he is often linked to.