Elections and Valentines

February 2015 is a month like no other in Nigeria’s history. February 14th which has been dedicated to lovers as an unofficial public holiday for the celebration of love, was announced by INEC to be one of the most important days in Nigeria’s history, the presidential elections. After years of military rule and recycled military leaders under the name of democracy, Nigerians have finally begun to understand what it means to be a democratic society. The freedom of information (FOI) act has empowered Nigerians to become bold and ask the much needed questions to ensure our leaders are held accountable. No other time has the free flow of information been this fluid than during the campaigns for the upcoming elections (which are now scheduled to hold in March 2015).

For years Nigerians have cried for a change in the way the affairs of this country has been handled by its leaders. 4years ago we had the second free and fair elections in the Nation’s history since June 12th 1993 where MKO Abiola won and was denied the right to rule by the then military administration. 4years ago all Nigerians –northerners and southerners – rallied behind a man from a minority tribe because for once, hope was stirred and dreams of a better nation seemed within reach. 4years after, a host of voters are left disillusioned by the failures and short comings of an administration they had high hopes for and now clamor for the safety of military experience which they believe will bring an end to all the nation’s woes. Though it’s painful to see how easily forgotten the good done by the present administration has become in relation to its short comings, it is a positive thing to see Nigerians standing up for their rights and saying ‘no more politics with human lives’ and ‘we want true, exemplary leadership’.

Another sad development is the aggression and lack of tolerance for the views of others. Facts stated are now assumed to be propaganda by the opposition. Questions that should prove the strength of the foundations of integrity or give clarity as to the intentions of running candidates are now assumed as attacks on personalities. People no longer read manifestoes of not just the parties but of the individuals; neither are they objective and open minded to read between the lines of the promises being dangled in front of us all. Sentiments, religious fears and outright bias runs wild on our social media. Friends have stopped speaking because of opinion differences and enemies have formed alliances to foster a unified agenda. But I ask how long will these last? It is important for us to know that the problems of our Nation are not a one man affair. No one person or political party has the solutions to all our problems. We can’t fold our hands and point fingers at those we elect to solve all our problems and make our dreams come true. We all have a part to play. Corruption isn’t just stealing; it is the self-serving nature in us all that drives us to put our agendas before the greater good of others. Unemployment isn’t just a Nigerian thing, it’s a global affair; even with over 257,000 jobs created in the US last year, their unemployment rate is still unchanged at 5.7% while in one European country, unemployed youths have been encouraged to move back in with their parents to reduce the debt in the mortgage/housing sector. The lists of global challenges which are now at our doorstep are too many to name.

In the spirit of Valentine I implore my fellow countrymen to practice restraint and show tolerance for one another. No politician is worth the blood of anyone. Someone once told me, politics is a game of popularity and democracy isn’t a perfect system because the people may not always be right in their majority opinion. The mainstream parties are both playing dirty right now but I believe we are not yet a two party nation, if you don’t like the choices before you; there are 12 other candidates to cast your votes for. It is your civic duty to cast your vote; if you truly love this nation, you won’t make plans to not participate in these elections slated for March 28th (Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives) & April 11 (Governorship and state House of Assembly) 2015. I choose to believe that it was no coincidence that the day of love was initially chosen to contain a period known for violence. Let’s say no to violence, let’s vote and not fight. Get your voters card (PVC) and show your love for your nation.

Let brotherly love be shared among us even if the results of the elections do not go our way. We all want the same thing, a better Nigeria. So let us show love for one another by contributing our quota to National development. Happy Valentines’ day and may our elections be peaceful.