Daniel Okwufulueze|24 July 2017
Lagos LG elections, like other previous elections we've had in our country, prove we're still not ready as a people for a democratic society where leaders emerge from the ballots unaided by any form of manipulation or thuggery. The elections prove that massive voter education is needed in Nigeria. And this education should come first before anyone goes to the polls. That way, a Nigerian voter will know the power he wields by virtue of his PVC. He'll know his PVC isn't a once-in-four-years money card but a card that he can use to shape his future and that of his descendants unborn.
On the Lagos LG elections, I watched with pity for my country as fellow Nigerians, young men, turned themselves into thugs for a meagre day's wage. Stories poured in of politicians sharing noodles for votes elsewhere. The fact that the decisions made at the polls, however poor, will live with us for 4 solid years meant nothing to the people voting for money and noodles. My people were interested in the instant gratification corrupt politicians offered. They seemed ready to eat all they can now, and go through hard living conditions for 4 years. To know that it was young people behaving this way made it all the more perplexing.
We are young and energetic, our powers will wane someday and we'll retire. What future are we going to retire to? What are we preparing for ourselves and our children? Why waste the energies of youth by being thugs for politicians who own dual citizenships and will leave Nigeria to us after they've milked our nation dry and kept us in unpayable debt? If my questions don't mean anything yet, ask "where are the children of these politicians?" Is it really true that sound education cannot be found in Nigeria? If yes, why? Is it really true that quality healthcare cannot be found in our country? If yes, why? The answer shouldn't be far from the politician who shared noodles for votes.
We have a democracy we aren't intellectually prepared for, and corrupt politicians are using this fact against us. We don't know exactly why we vote. We have no idea how we're governed or how a people should be governed, and we don't seem to care. We've been told that the reason for our backwardness as a nation is because "na Naija we dey." Some Nigerians have even accepted that the country will never succeed. I mean what would anyone make of a people that collect 500 NGN or noodles to vote in a criminal that will ruin their lives for 4 years?
I still believe that there's hope for Nigeria, there's hope for my country. Many young Nigerians also share this hope and they've been working hard to contribute the little or much they can to educate and inform their compatriots about government and governance. This is highly commendable! May these young leaders never give up on our dream of a better Nigeria in our lifetime. Eventually, we'll achieve the mass-awareness we need to reclaim our country from heartless and wicked politicians.
Nigeria Shall Succeed!
Daniel Okwufulueze
Writes from Lagos.
