A New Nigeria of Our Dream
Without doubt, we are into the final lap of what must be the most hotly contested general election in our nation’s history. To many, the match is between the incumbent government, the People Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition coalition, All Progressive Congress (APC). To some the choice is between Gen.Muhammadu Buhari and Dr. Goodluck Ebere Jonathan.
But I want to say that this election is not about PDP or APC. Why? For usually in any contest, the winner is the one with the better skills, strategy, funds and even luck. But in an election, the winner or loser is decided not by the contending parties but by the voters. For in a democracy, we, the people literally, have the power to decide who wins or loses. This election is really about us, the voters, being able to exercise our democratic right in a free and fair election.
Going beyond our right, it is also our duty as responsible citizens to vote. Choosing not to vote is like a family member w that chooses not to take out the trash in the house but then complained about the stench. We lose our right to complain about the state of affairs when we choose not to vote when we can.
It doesn’t matter if you are the Senator or a labourer, rich or poor, young or old, male or female, as long as you are a Nigerian above 18 years, with no criminal record and are of sound mind, you have one vote each. That is the beauty of democracy. In this way, in a functioning democracy, this system ensures that the rights of the masses are protected and the rich and powerful cannot exploit the system to their advantage. A friend once said, “Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.” There is truth in that observation. Perhaps, we are where we are as a nation because we have given the keys of power to the same group for the past 16 years. We need to remind them who are the real boss in a democracy. We want to hold our government accountable, be it PDP or APC.
In any general elections, we are voting for a government that would carry us into the next four years of their term. But on February 14,2015, we have a viable alternative government. The choice for us is clear, we either vote for more of the same or vote for change. If we are dissatisfied with the way our country has been managed and believe that things should be better, then this is our chance to vote for change. We are not voting for our own comfort but for all our children. But before we make our choice, it is imperative that we find out for ourselves the vision of the future. American journalist, Tony Snow said, “Voting is a right best exercised by people who have taken time to learn about the issues. So the choice is for us to make, save the future generation or be part of a failed generation. Even the incumbent president has admitted the fact that his own generation has failed.
The result of PDP’s political hegemony over the past 15 years is that the ills confronting us are Corruption, abuse of power, violations of human rights, racial discrimination and intimidation are part and parcel of life in Nigeria. Is PDP capable of reform? The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men. If we don’t use our vote to bring about systemic change, I fear that our children one day, in desperation, will have to spill their blood on the streets to bring about that change.
