Election is a formal group decision making process whereby an individual chooses a particular candidate that will hold a particular office for a set number of years. Election is the means through which the offices of executive, legislature and judiciary, are filled both at the federal and state levels.
The power to vote or not to vote during elections is in the hands of the adult citizens. The decision made by those who are eligible to vote goes a long way to determine how the nation or state will be governed. In Nigeria, those that participate in the voting process are usually few. The citizens can cue to collect their voter’s card whenever it is tied to their bank account but only few will turn out to vote with same when the time comes for them to go out and vote.
The common Nigerians have many excuses and reasons why they will not vote but are the first to die in the hands of terrorists like boko haram, Fulani herdsmen, etc.; they are the ones who fill the hospital beds because of water borne diseases or diseases caused by dirty environment; etc. Some of their excuses for not voting are: If you vote them into power, they will not keep their promises; whether I vote or not, I will still suffer to put food on my table; Are they the ones feeding me? Etc. Flimsy reasons from the most affected Nigerians that will never take us anywhere. Yet, these are the people that have the power to shape Nigeria. Meanwhile, the Fulani herdsmen and other enemies of Nigeria will leave their cattle and their other engagements on the day of election to go and vote for those who will protect their cannibalistic desires. True Nigerians need to grow up.
Nigerians need political education. We need to create a strong political awareness in Nigeria to sensitize Nigerians on the right attitude to vote. If we must change Nigeria, then well meaning Nigerians should embark on personal and group #RightAttitudeToVoteCampaign to sensitive the political illiterates in Nigeria. We will all die one day if we continue to keep quiet. This is not a matter of God forbid because our God is also the God of all those who have lost their lives to Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen, those whose deaths are caused by economic hardship and environmental pollution.
God cannot come down from heaven and do for us what He has given us the sense and wisdom to do for our own good. If our employer in our offices or those higher than us gives us job to do, we use our brain to figure out how to do it in order to make them happy; or do we go back to disturb them at every move for them to tell us how to do the job they have given us to do. No, we dare not, if we do, then we are not relevant, and should be replaced. But in our case with God, we not only disturb Him to teach us how to live the life He has entrusted to us, which He gladly does by His daily guidance, but we also disturb Him every now and again to do that job for us. It is high time we stop disturbing God except for help and guidance. It is time we go ahead and chose a good leader using our votes and power as citizens instead of just praying and crying to God every time for good leadership. It is time to do our own part as humans, by so doing; we will enjoy God’s benefit and blessings.
Media workers; TV and Radio stations, Journalists and bloggers have a role to play in making sure that the people are well sensitized to vote right. They should make sure they educate the public before the campaign starts to make sure that the people are well equipped to overcome the negative spirit of politics that possesses people during the elections. Users of social media like face book, Twitter, Instagram, etc should endeavour to circulate or share every blog or post that will educate people on the right attitude to vote. We have to change Nigeria. People need to be enlightened and empowered before the elections. This is not the time to collect any change from the politicians because that chicken change never lasts for a day or month as the case may be. This is not the time for TV and Radio stations to campaign for their favourites because after the campaign and elections, when workers will be owed salaries, it will affect all. We need to stop trading our birthright for a meal of porridge.
God has given us common sense. There are three people we cannot lie to and they are; God, ourselves and the devil. We cannot deceive God and we cannot deceive ourselves. Devil on the other hand knows those who are his and those who are not. Those who we know that can serve as good leaders and can handle executive, legislative and judiciary offices live among us. Majority of them, if not all shy away from Nigerian politics because they cannot contend with the gorillas, baboons, etc that occupy political offices.
We have the mandate to judge correctly and identify these men of integrity and intellectuals among us without fear or favour, and without religious or tribal sentiments. Not because they have favoured us individually but because their leadership will favour the masses generally. This will be a matured step to freedom for Nigerians. When we identify these ones, we should pressure them to contest and we should go ahead to support them by organizing a massive campaign for them without looking at the benefits, and then, going all out to vote for them when the time comes. By so doing, we will be voting out the gorillas, baboons, etc. and voting in those who are humans.
Another four years is too much time to live in fear and pain. Every blood that has been shed in Nigeria shows the irresponsibility of both Nigerian leaders and those Nigerians who have refused to do the right thing during elections. Should we fold our hands again and watch them spill more blood. Let us do that which we are supposed to do as humans and leave the rest for God. Who knows whose turn it will be, to be slaughtered if we refuse to use our weapon, which is our voter’s card. The time to act is now!
Written by Olive Chinyere Amajuoyi
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