Bidwell Nsofor
The altercations, verbal punches and counter attacks by newspaper free readers in my neighborhood have continued to excite me beyond measure. Believe it or not, these are great actors who operate from their open newspaper stand theatre located close to me. They are ordinary people whose thoughts attract unusual interest. Every morning as a tradition, I go to this stand to buy my two major Nigerian newspapers, before zooming off to meet other scheduled appointments. Recently, fate being propitious, made it possible for me to arrive at the stand when a member threw caution into the fire. In a mock ignorance, he thundered out in a careless voice: Nigerians, will the 2019 elections still hold? His voice, very loud, pierced the sharp bracing air and caused no small stir. It was indeed like a bombshell, and of course, the reactions by other members were spontaneous.
Will the 2019 elections still hold? My thoughts quickly went into a whirl. But much later, when my ideas on the planned elections began to undergo some kind of radical transformation, I then fixed my eyes on the chief speaker. I took a good view of him from my car, and unless my vision deceived me, he looked like the same dwarfish, potbellied regular member who is generously cantankerous. Freedom of speech, you may say. But then, there is more to his rather explosive but important question. A proverb says: Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire cometh it is a tree of life. Having spent years in the wilderness, when will this desire of Nigerians come?
Presently, there are ominous dark clouds in the country’s political firmament, which make the question, Will 2019 elections still hold, seem justified. Even when not a prophet, soothsayer, diviner or stargazer, the unprecedented events, maneuverings, desperation and un-strategic strategies employed by the political class, make political observers conclude that there might be no election in 2019. And if ever the polls will hold, several unfolding disturbing events, in their uncontrolled quick succession tend to lead towards looming violence, lawlessness and perhaps unending litigations that may truncate the electoral process, unless all the active participants condescend to fulfil the wishes of the people.
In reality, however, there are burning issues that require urgent attention. And when not nipped in the bud, will make PVC holders cast doubts on the possibility of a 2019 poll, especially as in Nigeria today leadership in any form had become suspect. It has now become a case of unbridled corruption and arrogance of power. Renting of political thugs and buying of votes are no longer done in secret. Unfortunately, we have not yet known how to do away with fire brigade actions, same as the bedeviling African time. All these factors have their adverse effects upon our elections. Therefore, anyone who is terribly dejected with the slow pace of progress or development in our country should not be blamed. Like the Olympic Games, World Cup and the African Cup of Nations that are either reflected in the global sporting calendar or the continental sporting calendar, Nigerian elections are national events that are constitutionally held every four years. And so, last minute preparations should be seen to be counterproductive. Today, as ASUU is on strike, thousands of Nigerian students are either at home, roaming the streets, or may have joined bad gangs.
Under normal circumstances, some of the students and their teachers in ASUU are expected to perform one role or the other during the elections. On the minimum wage issue, labour and the government are still flexing their huge muscles. Niger Deltans in the creeks, IPOBs on the land, Afenifere in the West, Arewa in the North. Everyone is spitting fire. The dragons, pythons, crocodiles and all other cruel animals are rehearsing their new dance steps. The number one man in the judiciary is going through what looks like public shame and disgrace. Now, if the elections will hold as planned, how would court cases arising from the polls be speedily handled, when the handlers are grieving over the treatment meted to their “Oga” at the top.
At last, there is now a new IG, after so much hullaballo. Incessant killings, Boko Haram, herdsmen and farmers are some lingering problems also demanding urgent attention. In some quarters, god-fatherism and selective justice are fingered as being responsible for the kid glove treatment given to some suspected culprits. Carpet-crossing from one political party to the other, with so much ease has also become the order of the day. Imagine, when curious Nigerians in their teeming millions waited patiently for a crucial Presidential Debate, where two juggernaut flag bearers of two mega political parties were expected to participate, and through their participation present in a pointblank and in stimulating fashion, their party’s manifestoes, but, surprisingly and disappointedly, the debate only held without the participation of the two big presidential candidates, thereby leaving Nigerians with mere graphic messages on miniature billboards and drab campaign jingles.
Many Nigerians are deeply pained today because corruption and illegal dealings have only enjoyed lip service as soon as a politician crosses over to a party that has the yam and the knife. So far, the 2019 Election campaigns have been pallid, because they lack the usual enthusiasm and excitement associated with typical Nigerian major elections. Instead of unravelling issues-oriented party manifestoes, if any, campaigners are diverting the attention of the electorate by using sarcasm to hurt the feelings of their opponents. Perhaps, unknown to them, Nigerians are looking for a state of bliss, not chaos or war. If the elections finally hold, Nigerians will be looking for modest and mild-mannered leaders, without a trace of self-importance. Leaders who understand that prosperity lies in labour, not through any crooked expressway.
In every election, apart from the state of readiness of the electoral body, security of lives and property should be given priority attention. The fallout from Ekiti and other state elections held some time ago really gave out the taste of the pudding. Even when visibly enraged, contestants who didn’t receive the barest justice, had to refrain their feelings due to envisaged intimidation and harassment. The only saving grace now, if the elections will still hold, is the big arm of the Lord, who has always pulled Nigerians out from the abyss of ignorance. Righteousness, they say; exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. God bless Nigeria!
Nsofor writes from Abuja
Note: This article was sent before the suspension of ASUU strike and the postponement of the February 16 polls.