Take a look around you – what do you see? You see discord, misery and confusion, tribes, individuals pitted against one another and those committing abominations that cause desolation instead of living in peace and enjoying the good things of life.
Boko Haram’s four-year-old insurgency has pitted neighbour against neighbour, cost more than 4,000 lives, displaced close to half a million, destroyed hundreds of schools and government buildings and devastated an already ravaged economy in the North East. Well, the government is winning so far and that is a good omen.
The queues at filling stations are getting longer by the day in the country and it does not look like the situation will be addressed very soon. Now, nobody has offered any reasonable explanation to what has happened to our fuel. Does it mean that Nigerians do not have a reason to smile? From all indications, it looks like some people believe we should not have a taste of good life. Ehen! I also heard that electricity tariff has been/will be slashed by fifty percent. Please, let me know if it is true. Okay?
We have also heard a lot about our Naira being devaluated. But, who devalued the Naira in the first place? And, what is anybody doing to restore the value of the Naira? Yet, in the mix of all these, people are threatening to kill, destroy and tear Nigeria apart if their supported candidates loose in the much awaited presidential election. Truth is, people want power – the power in our PVCs. The power we can choose not to give – they badly need it.
A cursory gaze at social, political, cultural and religious actors in the Nigerian stage paints man as a wolf in human skin. A reason responsible for these maladies is the insatiable and selfish hunger for power, status and money. It is true that everybody desires and deserves a good life accompanied by money, clothing, cars and other beautiful things we need. But, the length a typical 9ja man could go to acquire these is fearsome.
This entire rancor, distrusts and suspicions throughout the country are because of our perception of the idea of good living and the methods we employ in the quest for happiness and contentment. Indeed we all want food, clothing, shelter and the luxuries of life. These desires are natural – almost the birthright of all human beings.
In the mix of all these, what does a Nigeria need? We are desperately in need of leaders, good leaders who are willing to put the needs of the people first before their own and take responsibility for their actions. Good leaders who will lead by example – a unifier who will take responsibility for the welfare of the people, someone who will not cower in the face of darin responsibilities nor leave his conscience behind when making tough decisions that may not be popular but necessary. We need leaders who will inspire citizens into action by showing their capabilities, leaders who will develop their visions and encourage the country to unite and work together. We need a leader that can inspire and encourage citizens to act responsibly and of course it will be a collaborative effort to achieve this.
Interestingly or uninterestingly enough, both candidates of the PDP and APC are not new timers in the game of leading the country. How much have they achieved? How much have they contributed? How many faces have they put smiles on? How much prestige have they brought to Nigeria? Where does Nigeria stand internationally? Can the ordinary Nigerian man have food on his table? Is there portable drinking water? Question and more questions!
They want our votes; they want to lead or rule again. They have come with the same stories; same lies (in my innocent estimation) – filling our heads with hegemonic ideologies. They call themselves saviours and vilify opponents openly without same. Question is: do they deserve our votes? Do they worth our thump prints on the ballot space beside their names during election? Is GEJ worth my vote? Is GMB worth my vote?
Honestly, I will rather lean back on my cushion (if I have any), sip some coffee – no, weather’s hot; a bottle of chill coke will do. I will rather stay home on 28th March than go under the hot sun to vote anybody who does not deserve my vote.
Hey! Pump your brakes! This isn’t an attempt to breed political apathy among Nigerians. I am just trying to advice us – let’s vote wisely. Do not vote for whosoever does not deserve your vote. If he does not worth your vote, don’t vote him. Period! My friend Musa will say: Feriod!
Jagila Jarafu is a 300 level student of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.