Photo credit: Aljazeera
Nigeria’s presidential election raised quite some dust!
First, some prefer to support anyone from their ethnic group. I don’t ascribe to that. If an unsuitable person comes from my area and looks up to me for support, he must have got another think coming.
Second, ideally, I would have voted for a candidate my conscience believed was the right one. In the Nigerian situation, however, my reason for supporting PObi is basically hinged on the spirit of justice, Fairplay and positive change.
Justice because since the end of the needless civil war, I don’t remember anyone from the Southeast winning the presidency in Nigeria. Yet, General Gowon said, “no victor no vanquished.”
I believe that’s one of the causes of division in Nigeria.
Positive change because I wouldn’t have voted for a candidate who happens to be a part of Nigerians’ suffering and who had promised to continue with the present morass.
Neither would I have voted for someone whose past superior doesn’t have anything good to say about him.
Forget about age. If someone is a senior and I find them to be good, I would have gladly and dutifully voted them in. I used the word “good” which I realize is subjective because I’m talking about my conscience, not OUR conscience!
Peter Obi is definitely not the greatest thing since the discovery of slice bread. But among the contenders, he appears to be the most qualified to me.
Now, coming to whoever wins the election, my support for them is based on whether or not they address the injustices of the past. Injustices like lack of provision of the most basic of amenities, tackling corruption and insecurity.
If they could do these minor things, I pledge my “featherweight” support to them. However, if they conveniently choose not to, then we would be singing, “Up to your tents o Israel.”
I have said this because I believe my vote or in my absence my voice matters!
“A people will always deserve its ruling elite.” – Joseph de Maistre
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