In a recent Letter to the Editor on the apathy towards elections by Nigerians, having observed the wide range between registered and accredited voters released, it is realised that we have a long way to go in this democracy which is popularly viewed as governance by the people directly or through elected representatives but without mincing words, we need to grab the bull by the horn. Are we really a democratic government? Are the citizens really part of the decision?
When we follow elections, we hear stories of mass manipulations that are obvious to the citizens and observers but then after the elections, we start making decisions based on that manipulated result. Southerners voted X, Easterners voted Y, Northerners voted Z becomes the topic of discussion which in turn raises tension among citizens. As at now, the best election so far though not violence free but very credible in this state of democracy is that of Oyo State. Out on the street, you can hear and see the atmosphere of relief and excitement that the votes really counted.
It is quite different from an election where a supposedly announced presidential poll winner and the counterparts in the vote buying regions did not even sprout any natural excitement among the electorate.
There were allegations of altered figures at collation centres, ballot papers snatching and thumb printing by selected party faithful and the most populous, vote buying – a show of decadence of the state of our government and leaders where no matter what your conscience wants, out of bastardised national cake sharing, which only favours the selfish politicians and those who play along with them, you go along with whatever comes up.
Lack of money springs up as a reason to accept bribe and vote for whoever the unrepentant self seeking representatives want. Back up videos to serve as the iota of truth of gross manipulations were all over the place yet Nigerians resolved to taking it all in as if four years is just four days and the recess would be over soon.
What would be done about the voting when who the masses want does not necessarily become who wins, a development that invented the new cliché, “Inconclusive” to the already troubled waters. Then, the masses begin to lament that I voted party Y but party X wins. One starts to wonder who really voted those who won. In Nigeria, electoral credibility is tested, annoyingly this has been the battle for years. The people’s decision is only for the polls: suggestive. Because the masses want someone does not mean such wins. Most elections are now wishes and the results do not even count. Looking at the electoral system in Nigeria, it is realised that elections even though monitored totally, where there’s a fallout in the decisions of the electoral commission against the people’s choice, there is no action.
The reality of every fault and lack of integrity from any poll is not just coming to visit for a few days, it’s for four years of sticking to that result. In all of these, our choice to follow electoral processes and get satisfied starts from when as citizens we do not settle for the popular stance, “let them choose whoever they want, the government must favour me is my prayer”
Favour Boluwade,
Ibadan.
and then