23 Years After: What Has Become Of Our Democracy?

One day holiday is enough to ease the stress of many days. In Nigeria, today is a national public holiday, declared in remembrance of the fairest general elections ever conducted in the nation, in 1992. Unfortunately, the election was annulled. The supposed winner of the elections, late Chief M.K.O Abiola's supporters had taken to the street to jubilate his victory at the polls. 

That was the excuse of the military government that held sway in the country to arrest M.K.O Abiola and detained him. The chief later died in detention. It was a sad period in Nigeria. 

Before the electioneering period, long ago, M.K.O Abiola was known for being a philanthropist, a sports enthusiast, who had even single-handedly sponsored the Nigerian football team to a world championship. 

Abiola was a successful businessman. He raised many youths out of poverty. One of such people is the Chairman of Ovation magazine. 

Today, as we celebrate National Democracy Day, our minds flashback to those times when we had great hope for our nation. The hope for a progressive nation may not be as bright as it was in the early 90s but all hope is not lost. 

June 12 Celebration Parade

The military gathered at the Eagle Square as usual to celebrate. 

People have over time said that the country has stressed her citizens beyond bounds. Aside from inflation being on the rise, insecurity being the order of the day, life expectancy has also reduced drastically.

As the soldiers queued up to celebrate June 12 as democracy day, the channels news station reported that three soldiers fainted on the track. That spells a lot for us. 

Express Your Franchise With Conscience

The first time I expressed my franchise by voting, I did not vote for a popular contestant. The reason is not far fetched. Before the elections, I watched the debate between all candidates and saw what each one of the candidates had in mind for our nation. It was also easy to detect which of them had no plans at all for the nation. 

Unfortunately, the one who does not have plans won the elections. It was so saddening. Our democracy is a growing one and it hopefully will get there someday. The change has already started after twenty-three years. 

The time we have used so far as a democratic nation isn't much enough to lose hope. The likes of the USA have had almost three hundred years of democracy and are still counting. This is the reason they have come this far and have matured through the process. 

Talking about the use of your personal Permanent Voters's Card (PVC),  the tradition has been that people stay back when Election Day comes. The fear of what becomes of them, the security of the voters is a big issue with us. Hence, rather than go to the polling unit, an average Nigerian youth will take to the football pitch or stay indoors to watch the process on television or movies. 

Truth is that only those who refuse to express their franchise are the more reasons why there could be electoral malpractice. 

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Your Vote Counts

Gone are the days when we are clouded with the lies that our sites do not count. Every eligible vote does count. 

Politicians, being who they are, would buy over every unclaimed voters' card at the office of the electoral body from corrupt officials. This is what they end up using to rig elections. 

I am using this medium to encourage all citizens of nations around the world on this great platform to ensure to vote during elections. 

Political apathy has robbed our nation of good leadership. 

To express your concern for the nation, only through franchise that concern can be done. 

The debate is already on. I would like you to watch very keenly so you know who to vote for during the elections. 

Social media rants are on the hike. We have made our views on the subject but can we boldly say that we are ready to make Nigeria great again with our votes?

 Nigeria is in your hands.

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First posted Here