Nigerian Nexus: Hope or Horror

Since independence Nigeria has suffered ravaging and regression at the hands of successive regimes. The government of the first republic was overthrown by the military plunging the country into a spiral of political mismanagement, acculturated corruption and tribal conflict. With the end of military rule the second republic was bedevilled by excess and corruption. Another military coup led to a period of tyranny and widespread fraudulence by military leadership. A much anticipated transition to civilian rule finally occurred and the third republic has been a catalogue economic and social failings by one government after another. 

The 2023 elections in Nigeria will represent yet another opportunity to halt the damage and division visited upon the country by past and present political and military leadership. It will not see the reversal of all harm done by the sheer scale of the corruption, indifference and incompetence that has marked national government to date. The capacity for leaders to work solely for themselves or not at all has been breathtaking. Thanks to the their singularly unpatriotic and sterling apathetic efforts what was once a thriving nation with great potential is now performing at below any standard baseline in almost all aspects of social mobility. The country is not even close to being in a position to achieve any of its Sustainable Development Goals. 

Nigeria’s economy, political system, law enforcement and internal security are currently in a mess. The current government has floundered and watched things get progressively worse. Unfortunately the current crop of politicians are unlikely to have the will or integrity to get to grips with addressing all these problems. Peter Obi of the Labour Party of Nigeria is the one notable presidential candidate who is not completely tainted by the stench of ineptitude and corruption, however there are questions about the people he has surrounding him and his methods. Whether he will get the chance to prove his mettle remains to be seen. 

In February Nigerians will have the opportunity to take a stand and send a message or deal a decisive blow against corrupt and self serving politicians. Whether that opportunity is seized or not may say all there needs to be said about the prospects of Nigeria as a country and a credible nation. 

5 Reasons to Vote

A cousin of mine expressed his frustration with the state of Nigerian politics by questioning the reason for voting. He feels politicians are not there for the people and do not offer any real public service. I can see where he's coming from given the rampant corruption in public office and the absolute greed and superficiality of legislators. He seemed to think that politicians in other countries are a lot more conscientious and work harder in the public interest. 

There are a world of reasons why any eligible person should vote. I am going to explore five of them in this post

1. Choosing a government (be it the right one or the wrong one) is a duty that every citizen must undertake. Government in its true essence represents the will and power of the people. Even though this has been subverted in modern times striving to achieve it is a never ending quest. 

2. You can strive for equality and justice but it cannot be realised unless championed by a governments and lawmakers. If you don't select the the best available you can't expect those that are there to bring about a better world. 

3. Even if there are no ideal or suitable candidates in ones view, voting against the worst candidate is both a statement and act of opposition.

4. Fixing society must be done on many levels - a thought, a view, an act, a protest, or a vote. If you need to be in it to win it then casting a vote is the way you get in. 

5. Improving society is dependent on people understanding what it means to be moral and just. Good civic behaviour needs to be modelled. Not voting suggests a cynicism and lack of belief that doesn't promote the idea that it is possible to improve the world. Voting is one of the key behaviours that suggest a willingness to change things for the better and the conviction that a better world is within reach. Casting ones vote us the very essence of setting a good example. 

Voting may not always give us the government we desire but it is a declaration about the kind of government we don't want. And it is an effort towards realising what we believe good government should be.