"Nigerian politicians have the appetite of an elephant and the memory of a mice." - Chidi Amuta, 2017.
Though we are still 382 days away from 2023, yet Nigerian politicians still believe it is very close around the corner. Thus, subtle campaigns and "politrickings" must begin.
What worries me most is actually not the politicians. It our our emotions. Our inability to reason. We can now see the direction our country is heading to by mare observing closely the viral emotion patterns on social media platforms today.
Since, no social media can stand Facebook in terms of active users, most of our emotions hold us sway in this platform. Sadly, it also explains how we think, how we are likely going to make irrational choices and decisions.
For every content created on Facebook, whether, pictures, videos, articles, location, event or blog, a user can either respond through the following: like icon, funny icon, sad icon, angry icon, shock icon or comment below.
Issues critical to national unity, development or capable of turning the country into chaos are welcome by viral emotions subjective to the region the problem is evolving from. For instance, some from the Northern region are most likely going to respond to blogs of IPOB distorting peace in South-East with the funny icon.
While those from the East are mostly likely going to respond with problems of bandits and kidnapping the North with a happy icon or funny icon. This clearly shows part of us are happy when part of us are in pain!
Digging down a bit dipper, down the comments section. You are most likely going to be welcome with emotions, sentiments, insults, religious bigots, tribalism among others. Nobody wants criticism. Somehow, we must all be correct simultaneously. Our political party is the best. Yours are actually corrupt. Join PDP for salvation. No, you have to join APC to make garden of Eden. Etc....
Well, those fail to learn from history are doom to repeat the past. I wanted writing this piece for a very long time, I was procrasting to make it a bit technical by quoting some incidences in the past and current statistics.
However, I came to the conclusion that the truth is not further from those who think deeply. Who see clearly with their eyes. What seems to be the past has somehow found its way to the present with us again!
The fundamental factor that led to the collapse of PDP 16 years of rule in Nigeria was insecurity, especially Boko Haram operations in North East. And the then state of the economy, removal of fuel subsidy among others.
The opposition party took these facts and underscore the former President Dr. GoodLuck Ebele Jonathan. He was criticised. Labelled as impotent leader. Incompetent. Lack focus. And corrupt. Therefore, Nigerians must vote him out by all means necessary.
This strategy worked. In fact, it set a legacy in Africa. Never in the history of Nigeria has an incumbent President been defeated in general elections. It, however happened in 2015. We saw it. It set a benchmark for other African countries to emulate.
Just 382 days away from 2023, we have again found ourselves at the center of the same vicious circle: Insecurity. Economic hardship. Fuel subsidy removal. And even more: Banditry. Kidnapping. Inflation and Unemployment.
Just like in the past, outrageous call for the removal of the current leadership in favour of, a supposed Saint, Messiah or human angel who is likely going to solve all these problems for us. Somehow, the opposition party always have the magic bullet.
We are back at the centre of the circle of 2015. The opposition party are clearly capitalising on the socioeconomic malady, civic unrest and insecurity in the land to underscore the ruling party just like destiny had it the current ruling party did to underscore the incumbent opposition party in the past.
How do we now break out of this vicious circle is my concern? Whereever people talk about the future and past, pragmatic people most always settle for the future. Although, looking back to history, ad a backward glancing eye will enable us to learn from our past mistakes, it should never a prison we must live in.
We must not lose guard and lose our focus from the facts that 2023 is around the corner. Just like the politicians are very much aware, we must equally be vigilant.
We should not vote for candidates on the fact that they belong to this party or that. We must break free from the "We vs Them Dynamic" politicians create. It is a tool to divide and rule us.
In searching for who to vote, competency, truth, human feelings and credibility should be our barometer. We must interrogate carefully whatever campaign promises these people are making. How are they going to fund their projects? How realistic is their manifesto. Otherwise, we will only get empty promises in disguise.
Importantly, we must reflect on our own character. What are we doing to help this country over come its challenges in person? In our own primary places, what are doing? We must never lose faith in the Almighty God. We must see ourselves as one nation. One Nigeria. Not about North, South ,West or East.
Nobody have the last word in wisdom: I stand to be corrected.
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