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‘We Should Continue To Ensure That It Is One Man One Vote In Future Election’
A couple of years ago, Nigerians were voted the happiest people on the planet earth. But today, when you look around Nigeria, you find that there is nothing to smile about. Never a cheering piece of news.
Going through any Nigerian newspaper, nowadays, you always have the feelings that you are reading the country’s obituary. The economy, politics, education, religion or even football that used to provide avenue for escapism in the past, all leave sour taste in your mouth.
Let us look at some headlines in The Punch of Wednesday, January 27, 2010 as samples: “Dipo Dina: Another tale of mystery murder” (page 58), “Yar’ Adua divides Senate” (Pagel); “Police arrest prophet for allegedly killing two children” (Page 5); “Reports from Anambra disturbing” (Page. 9); “18 killed in measles epidemic in Bayelsa” (Page 10); “Naval helicopter crashes in Rivers, four dead body recovered” (Page 10); “Mass failure in public exams, a national disaster” (page 10); “Violence and impunity in Ogun” (Page 14) “Eagles not good” (Page 25) “Bonus crisis hits Eagles”. (Page 78). All this and more in just one edition of one single newspaper. Simply depressing, isn’t it? And to think that The Punch, in all fairness, cannot be ranked among the newspapers that thrive on sensationalism.
As one author rightly observed, “There’s nothing good to be heard in the country, or if there is, they will not let you have it.” Another adds that we should stop hoping otherwise we will die fasting. By the day, one gets convinced that the nation Nigeria is cursed. The dejection and frustration is such that one cannot but weep for posterity.
But we should stop weeping because we have cried for too long. Let us think about how to solve the problem. In fact, it is time to act. The solution to our current situation lies with the populace. The evil people responsible for our predicament are the so-called leaders, and there is no hope or signs that they will turn righteous overnight. We must make them change by showing our objection. Let us toe the path of the Wole Soyinkas, the Gani Fawehimis and the Tai Solarins. Let us march on them now because we are no more than a mere lodger in our own house.
The youth, especially, should take up this challenge since the future belongs to them. “We are not building a country for our children,” laments The Chairman, Business and Rules Committee of the House of Representatives, Ita Enang.
“I know I could be sanctioned for this... but the truth must be told” (The Guardian, Friday, October 2, 2009, page 5). The youth are, at least, 50 percent of the population. It was Miguel Cervantes who said that, “there is a remedy for everything, except death.” The oppressors only understand the language of resistance.
However, we should not hope for a change through kidnapping or through the guns like the recent Niger Delta case. Rather, we should choose a more intelligent route. For instance, apart from taking to the streets, we should resist the temptation of selling our votes during elections and like Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the Edo State Governor, canvasses, we should fight to ensure that it is one man, one vote at all elections.
Though it is not going to be a piece of cake because change, they say, is not made without inconvenience but, “He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils.” Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
Goddy Rolands,
Obiogba-Igbanke,
Edo State.
Courtesy: The Nigerian Observer
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