For Nigerians, some thoughts on today’s election

While I’m shocked, and sometimes even disappointed, with the campaign styles of the two major political parties, it doesn’t mean I have lost faith in the process. There’s always the calm, sure-footed leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be thankful for, if nothing else. But the major players […]

While I’m shocked, and sometimes even disappointed, with the campaign styles of the two major political parties, it doesn’t mean I have lost faith in the process. There’s always the calm, sure-footed leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be thankful for, if nothing else. But the major players (and I don’t mean the presidential candidates: more on them later) are currently, more than ever, fighting very dirty. Videos, audio clips, newspaper ads, banners, social media blitzes, and more are all deployed, and often with practically radioactive levels of fallout.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have a long, storied history known to even the most apolitical Nigerian, so it’s no surprise that they’re currently at daggers-drawn and a lot of figurative blood is being spilled in the name of campaigns. The extent goes as far as personal attacks, with some even getting as petty as invoking the question of ‘Who’s candidate is more handsome?’ (I’m not joking). From the party chairman, to its spokesman, all the way down to party leaders in state levels, and even some governors (El-Rufai, I’m looking at you), all have engaged in nasty, ‘rofo-rofo’ fights that are as needless as they are childish.

Speaking of childishness, it’s obvious that what is lacking the most on the political landscape of our great country, is that greatest of all traits for leaders to have: Maturity. Before I proceed, I must add that the APC and PDP have very compelling presidential candidates, who actually made me pause for days before I decided on my final choice. That said, the problems with both parties, are every other level other than the presidential. From their chairmen, down to the rabid-to-cliché-level followers, often mislabelled as ‘faithfuls’ as opposed to the actual ‘fanaticals’.

What the wrong-practicing ‘politicians’ need to know, and what us sane Nigerians need to etch on our minds, is that we need to practice issues-based politics, the type which will see us move forwards as a people. We need politicians who will get into office as clean as possible, and who will work for the good of the people, and honourably. And as for supporters, we should all pause and think, if violence and nastiness is really the best way to go about it. I actually feel, deep down inside, that the dirty politicians actually see how we allow ourselves to be used, and that gingers them to demand – and get – nastiness from us.

Now, what we stand to gain from peaceful elections, and clean politicking, is very simple: peace. And isn’t that what every decent human being wants, and should strive to get? Think about it: Jobs, hospitals, schools, roads and other infrastructure, and much more, can only be truly achieved by honourable leaders who keep their campaign promises, based on honour (that word again). If I’m mentioning honour more than I should, it’s simply because it’s the trait which is most lacking in Nigeria, chiefly in politicians. But I’m heading back into a point I made earlier, so let me return to course.

In the past, I agree, political activity was still nasty, if not nastier than currently practiced. But that does not mean we cannot rise above, shed that scaly skin of toxic politics, and chart a way to our collective futures. Maybe a way which we can jolt ourselves to reality, is by thinking, about our children, and their children, and so on, and how we need this nation to work so that their lives will matter. I, personally, like every decent mother-to-be, am worried about the way things are today: Security, employment, and other issues too numerous to mention, are all things we need to sort out for the next generation. Simply put? We have no time for violence, hate speech, pettiness, and hollow politics. We need to unite, and fix our country, and we need to do it now.

President Buhari’s administration is a mixed bag of successes and failures, but with obvious strides made in many key sectors and important areas. Atiku Abubakar’s push to be elected is admirable, given the massive political baggage he carries on his shoulders. The audacity of both men to reach for the highest office in the land is most admirable, given their ages. But that’s not the issue, as youthful candidates have not offered anything better, unfortunately. Don’t even get me started on the colossal disappointment that was Oby Ezekwesili, or the two candidates in the persons of Kingsley Moghalu and Omoyele Sowore (at a point I actually mulled both of them, before their campaigns proved to be as acrimonious as the next odious politician’s).

Like I said earlier, I struggled with making a choice between the two major candidates, and I eventually concluded, and that was after much soul-searching. It is that deep introspection that I’m asking of fellow Nigerian voters today, in choosing the people who will lead us. It is the same thing I am asking of us come next week when we vote in (or out) governors. I strongly believe that if we tell ourselves the truth, we will ultimately make the right choice. And what is that choice? One that will lead us with honour. May the best man (for all of us Nigerians) win. Because then, we Nigerians will be the ultimate winners.

Lola-Maliki wrote in from Lekki Phase I, Lagos State.