Do What's Right (Part One)

The time for the general elections in Nigeria is upon us again and while the candidates are busy jostling around Nigeria trying to clinch their different parties' tickets for the different offices, another theme is being discussed amongst the populace, and it's that of voter's apathy. The level of voter apathy in Nigeria is quite alarming, we all know that. Over the years, there have been measures to try and eradicate or reduce it and for good reasons. Some believe that our electoral system is easy to manipulate and rig due to the high level of voter apathy which is seen in our nonchalance towards education and our lack of demand for election transparency and integrity.

But if we are being honest, it is understandable. The level of voter apathy we see today did not happen overnight. It mostly stems from the loss of faith in our electoral system and practices which results from constant electoral manipulation and malpractice. This has turned people's belief that their electoral choices matter.

I'm happy to see that we are actively trying to deal with that problem of voter apathy today. This new drive to deal with it is a part of a much larger drive to take back the electoral process from the fraudulent and malicious elements that have now become the major players in a process that is supposed to be decided by the people for the people. It's even more pleasing to know that at the forefront of this drive are Nigerian youths who are tired of their futures being wasted away, used as bargaining chips by two different sets of self-serving old men who think they are all and mighty. 

This is a telltale sign of how much dissatisfaction there is in the streets of Nigeria. The usual practice of recycling the political establishment as corrupt as it is, for a lack of a better choice seems to be something Nigerians are getting tired of. It seems we are now ready as a nation to demand good governance from the public servants we put into office, only for them to start plundering the resources of their masters and lording it over their masters.

Youths are volunteering to help out with the voter registration process. I wanted to volunteer today, but that all took a different turn. It was kind of a good turn, but that's a story for another day. The voter's registration would be ending in a few days even though the elections are still more than 8months away.

This is to enable the electoral body to clear all the backlog and provide the cards before the elections. I'm sure they would have done it way before then and they will likely reopen it, but why gamble it? If you haven't registered, I strongly advise you do so, cos if you don't choose who you want to preside over your future for the next four years, you have no right to complain about the outcome whatsoever. Do what's right for our country, your family, yourself, your children and their unborn children, by getting your PVC and coming out to choose the right leaders when the time comes.

Thanks for reading..