Nigeria Decides: We Must Get It Right

Raymond Oise-Oghaede

As we approach the zero hour to the 2019 Presidential Elections, I want to crave the indulgence of the electorates to use this medium once again to prick our conscience and put us on red alert towards ensuring that `WE GET IT RIGHT on Saturday 16th. I know that you must have been inundated with a lot of write ups and even some electioneering jargons; but, this one is a different ball game because it is not about a particular party/candidate or another; it is all about `us`. Yes, this write-up is all about us as a people and as a country. It is all about our now and the future that we are going to bestow to upcoming generations. Our nationalists sacrificed so much for the country to attain independence and for us to be united despite the tribal and religious, economic, and social differences.

Today, a lot of things have gone wrong and I am so certain that wherever those `icons of our democracy` may be resting now; they will obviously not be happy with the situation of things in the country.

It is very disheartening that despite the huge and unquantified sacrifices made to reclaim and sustain our democracy (from the military); our people are still not showing any signs of `deliberate attempt to making it better`.

On daily basis some of our leaders and politicians are pushing the country to a state of anarchy as a result of their selfish and inordinate ambitions. Worst still, our elites that ought to decipher the impending and imminent dangers and do everything within their powers to advise against and avert it; are ironically the people that are `applauding same as great achievements`.

By their actions and inactions, we have turned ourselves to laughing stocks in the comity of nations. Unfortunately, if things are allowed to continue unabated; it will not be impossible in the coming years if our doctorate degree holders and even professors are subjected to `series of test and screenings to verify their mental and logical reasonings before they are considered to teach in `primary or elementary schools abroad (and even in some African countries). If this is so, then the fate of millions of our first/masters degree holders can be better imagined.

As a result of the above, it is not surprising that in a nation of `millions of elites`; the citizenry and international communities are still uncomfortable with the ways and manners that election processes are being handled in the country. Recent past elections have given credence to the fact that we are still ages behind. So sad is it that we are still finding it difficult to achieve the principle of one man, one vote. It is incomprehensible that despite all the noise about the making of 12th of June as the country`s Democracy Day; we are still not making any deliberate and meaningful efforts towards replicating its key indices of freeness, fairness and credibleness. By now international observers are supposed to be coming to `learn from us` how to conduct `free, fair and credible elections`; but, that is not yet the case. So, rather than doing everything possible to ensuring that `we get it right` and change their perceptions about our system; we are dragging our already battered image in the mud by our irrational and undesirable insinuations and statements of threats. However, all hope is not lost because some of us have risen above board of being blinded by `personal and inordinate interests that have made most of our elites and activists to exchange their senses of reasoning, intellectual brilliance and acumen for childish stupidity. We will not fold our hands and watch `these self serving elements to continue to hinder our collective progress by their `caged and crooked dispositions`. Thus, the perfect `TIME IS NOW ` for us to hold the bull by the horns and do the needful for our country.

Therefore, it is very important to let it sink into our heads and run in our veins that this country belongs to all of us. This country is not owned by the people in government or the ruling party or any other persons or parties for that matter. So, we should not just sit down and keep our fingers crossed while watching them to send us to early graves. The fact that some people are actively involved in politics than some of us does not mean that we should surrender ourselves and destinies to them to be manipulated for their selfish interests. In as much as it is their right to aspire to any political office; it is equally our rights to determine who should rule us. Thus, they can only decide to aspire; but, they should never be allowed to decide to lord it over us. It is unfortunate that majority of card carrying members of these political parties are just members on paper. Their membership is inconsequential because it is the `privileged few` that takes all decisions that affect their lives. Their `aspirations as free citizens of this country are tied to the apron strings of some super human leaders`; so where is the democracy that you professing? Most of these floor members regularly attend meetings in anticipation of getting their share of `mobilization funds` during campaigns and elections. Some are given `food stuffs` worth less than N2,000 as their `dividends of democracy`; while some others are given token amount (that is not up to what their children are using on daily basis to buy data to download immoral audios and videos) to be used to sustain themselves for the next four years. Some will buy JAMB and WAEC forms for less than one thousand students and share household equipments that is worth less than 5% out of several millions of naira that are collected as Constituency and Security Votes while their `GULLIBLE FOLLOWERS AND SUPPORTERS` will be hailing `THEM` for their `BENEVOLENCE`. As the Yoruba adage says “owo Abu ni won fin se Abu l`alejo“ which translates to “it is Abu`s money that is used for entertaining him“. It is so disheartening that they are using a minuscle of what should have been used for our collective wellbeing to deceive and blind us while they expend the balance for `only God knows what`.

Furthermore, it is high time you come to realize that most of these politicians are out to satisfy themselves; and, that is the more reason why they find it difficult to relinquish power after they have tasted its `sweetness`. Do not be carried away by all the nonexistent qualities you bestowed on them; experience have proved that they are `the same`. No man or woman can claim that he/she loves this country more than the country itself. Therefore, in any situation where the country`s Constitution is no longer respected; then, the fundamental human rights and well being of the citizenry cannot be guaranteed. If this be the case; what then is the essence of democracy? It is so sad that in a country of well over 200 million people, we cannot conveniently and comfortably assemble just 1 (one) million elites that are capable of leading us to the promise land; if not, what is all this senseless talk about `IT IS ONLY THIS MAN OR THAT MAN OR WOMAN THAT CAN DO IT` in this present day Nigeria? In fact, the `senselessness and madness` have attained another dangerous dimension with `some people` saying `it will be the turn of `THIS PERSON` or `THAT PERSON` in 2023`. It is the highest level of foolhardiness and gullibility that such permutations are being envisaged in a country of abundant hard working and intelligent human resources. This situation should be a source of concern to every responsible citizens of this country because it belongs to all of `us` and not some of them.

Consequent upon the aforementioned, and in order to emancipate ourselves from this mental and political slavery; this is the time that `WE MUST GET IT RIGHT`. We need to prove to the politicians and our leaders that we have decided to take our future and destinies in our hands. We must say ENOUGH OF ELECTORAL VIOLENCE; ENOUGH OF RIGGING AND OTHER MALPRACTICES; ENOUGH OF INTIMIDATIONS; ENOUGH OF DEVILISH MANIPULATIONS OF THE PEOPLE; ENOUGH OF FEEDING OF THE PEOPLE WITH CRUMBS INSTEAD OF MAKING THEM SELF RELIANT ;ENOUGH OF TRIBAL AND RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATIONS; ENOUGH OF EXCUSES; ENOUGH OF INSECURITY; ENOUGH OF HUNGER AND POVERTY; ENOUGH OF DECIETS; ENOUGH OF ABUSE OF FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS; ENOUGH OF CLAMPDOWN ON RULE OF LAW; ENOUGH OF CONSTANT INTERRUPTION OF ACADEMIC CALENDERS; AND, ENOUGH OF THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY to mention but a few.

We are therefore calling on INEC and all security operatives to ensure that they discharge their duties professionally and without fear or favour. You must join hands with the citizenry to ensure that the principle of `one man, one vote` is strictly adhered.

To all International Observers and Monitoring Teams; please `say it as you see it` so that the people`s will must prevail. I wish you all the best and safe monitoring.
Thanks.

Raymond Oise-Oghaede, a Public Policy Analyst/Commentator writes from Suru-lere, Lagos.