In defence of democracy
One may sometimes wonder why things continue to fall apart for Nigeria since the return of democracy in 1999.Why is a government meant for the people (the majority) catering for the needs of the few (the minority)? Why is nearly half of the population living in extreme poverty in spite of the surplus wealth of […]
One may sometimes wonder why things continue to fall apart for Nigeria since the return of democracy in 1999.Why is a government meant for the people (the majority) catering for the needs of the few (the minority)? Why is nearly half of the population living in extreme poverty in spite of the surplus wealth of the nation? Why is unemployment still looming large…?
Here is the questions that need to be asked and answered, again. Have we discovered leaders with “the will, the ability and vision” as we cast our vote in few hours’ time? Well, time will tell.
Presently, the political climate of the country is at its climax. Candidates have officially concluded their campaign programmes. INEC is set to conduct the much awaited 2019 general elections. The media are ready to perform the watchdog role as expected. And more importantly, the 84 million electorates across the 36 states and FCT are ready to decide who will represent their interest in government for the next four years.
Undoubtedly, this election will be a defining moments for the country. It will determine the future of the giant of Africa. Nevertheless we have reasons to be hopeful and confident that it will usher in leaders with the will, ability and vision to make Nigeria an haven of opportunities for all its citizens regardless of social or economic status ,creed, ethnicity or what have you.
We need not worry or fear as long as we know that Nigeria’s problems are too vague and vast to be viewed through the dark lenses of ignorance and too complex for us to move away from it through the wheels of gut feelings. As we head to the polls on Saturday, let us remember that our problems can only be surmounted if our actions are not rooted in “criminal complacency, intellectual indolence and superficiality” as Chief Obafemi Awolowo captured it in a press conference marking the launch of his book “The Strategy and Tactics of the People’s Republic of Nigeria” in 1970.
The democratic system in operation have given us (the masses) an important role of selecting leaders so that the political class including the power-drunk among them become impotent to manage public affairs like a private one.We should therefore not misuse this huge responsibility and opportunity that comes once every four years.
If our capacity to make rational and right choices is why we adopt democracy and conduct elections, let now be the time for the will of the people and real sociatal demand to prevail over any selfish interest. Let now be the time we will vote based on a reasoned analysis of ideas, options and choices. Let this 2019 general election put us in the threshold of prosperity. Let’s vote wisely! God bless Nigeria!
Abdulquadri Toyeeb, Ilorin, Kwara State