There have been quite a lot of social media campaigns or let's say hype (if you may) about the upcoming election. If you find yourself in one of those heated threads and see the way people are talking about this election, you will think the election is happening today.
For the record, I'm talking about Nigeria's presidential election and this election will take place sometime next year. We are told it will happen on Saturday, 25th February 2023, but I know this country too well. History has taught us that anything can happen and even a presidential election can be postponed just because... 🙂
Any idea of what we will expect in this election?
Perhaps a 'free and fair election'?
Hmmm... There have been quite a lot of conversations about running a free and fair election in our next presidential election. It's a hot topic that has led to some interesting arguments.
Nigerians in general would love to experience a 'free and fair election'... Whatever that means.
But, we have a modus during our election where there is always a very high rate of political apathy until people see that there are financial benefits on the line.
Even if a 'saviour' has come to the rescue and that saviour does not have the funds to pay people in exchange for a vote, many people will snub the saviour and vote for any other Okeke, Musa or Ade that has cash at hand.
Can you imagine that scenario?
It is something I have witnessed times without numbers.
People usually say 'when in Rome...', but we are not in Rome. We are here in Nigeria. And when in Nigeria, the idea of a free and fair election' is something that is mostly seen in textbooks.
I've had the opportunity to work with a cohort of Politicians as a Media officer for one of the core political parties in South Eastern part of Nigeria. One of the things you will notice by being around these people is that they also know what people want from them.
It is usually the money. They are aware that once they are splashing their cash during political rallies and sending bags of rice and other goodies to people that wave the flag of their political parties, they will stand more chances of getting more people to stand in line and support them.
Election days itself are usually like what goes on in the Crypto P2P trading section.
Firstly, we have the voters on one side with their voter's card and they designate themselves as sellers. Yeah, they want to sell that vote of theirs and they are waiting for the highest bidder.
Secondly, we have representatives of political parties on the other side of it. They have the cash. Loads of it and they are ready to buy the vote of anyone that is willing to vote for the political party they represent.
If you doubt any of these, feel free to ask around. Nigerians in the know will open up. That's one of the shameful things that has been part of our electoral process in this country. It's not the least and surely not the highest corrupt practice we get to see during elections.
As the next presidential election is forthcoming, a very interesting argument is coming up about the chances of seeing more vote buying and selling.
Will it happen again or can we say we've learned enough lessons so far?
One of the discussions I joined over the weekend was about the next election and how to get the Youth actively involved in it. It was very nice to see a lot of our youths speak with so much logic and common sense.
I for one, know that words and action do not always tally for many people, but if the majority of Nigerians genuinely want to make a change to the vote buying and selling we see during elections, it will be a good step towards improving the effectiveness of our electoral process.
Considering how the country is moving, will I advise anyone to go out there during the election and cast their vote?
If I'm being honest with you, I don't have an answer to that. I can still recall the life-threatening things I witnessed during the gubernatorial election I got involved with in Anambra State and an ordinary local government election I witnessed in Plateau State. My life was hanging on a pendulum.
The idea of coming out on election days to cast your vote is a big decision that comes with some advantages and disadvantages. You need to think it through especially in a place where there is high level of insecurity.
If you don't want to vote, don't allow anyone to talk you into getting involved. But if you genuinely want to be involved, here is a message for you 👇
We have an opportunity to do what we can in the next election to let the world know that we (the citizens) are entirely, unilaterally and aggressively ready to change the trajectory of how elections have been done in recent years.
If you must vote, give that vote to whoever you see as the right person. Evaluate the candidates by your lofty standards and vote genuinely.
GoodLuck mates.
Thanks For Not Missing Any Full-stop Or Comma
Thumbnail Image from pexels