The nation ushered in the year 2015 with great expectations, because it means so much to the nation's democracy in the sense that the much anticipated general elections will be held in few weeks time.Elections make a fundamental contribution to democratic governance because the decision is made directly by the entire body of qualified citizens. Elections enable voters to select leaders and to hold them accountable for their performance in office. Electing a leader of one's choice is a duty of any well-meaning Nigerian. Since 1999 the nation has been practicing uninterrupted democracy but I can
boldly say we have been having bad leaders at the saddle of affairs, leaders who would promise heavy and earth while seeking offices but would end up doing nothing meaningful while in office other than the using the offices to enrich themselves.
In my study of Nigeria's democracy, the system has weakened the masses, the people no longer know their rights, the present democratic setting has made the masses to celebrate their rights as privileges. In reality, democracy is a government designed to give power to the people, a government designed to give proper accountability to the people, a government designed to make the leaders serve the people but the case is different in Nigeria, the system has been hijacked by some people who are benefiting from the system and are hell bent on the status quo to remain.
I call on all Nigerians to say No to them. Elections offer the people the leverage to elect the leaders of their choice into elective offices, and this time around I implore the people to use their leverage properly and effectively in voting people who have the interest of nation and the interest of the people in their hearts.
The time has come for us to carefully evaluate and examine the candidates vying for elections, we must do away with the era of voting for political parties but we must vote for personalities of the
candidates. The task begins with the collection of permanent voter's card(PVC), we must ensure that we all collect our PVC so as to be able to vote the leader of our choice. Also, we must do away with the habit of selling our PVC as we have had some cases in the past. Sale of PVC is tantamount to sale of one's future and right because our votes is our future. As a nation, we are facing numerous challenges in all the sectors of the economy and it is high time we got it right as a nation, it begins with our votes, we must vote people who are capable of championing the fight against the challenges bedeviling our land ranging from power instability, corruption, poor infrastructure and insecurity.
candidates. The task begins with the collection of permanent voter's card(PVC), we must ensure that we all collect our PVC so as to be able to vote the leader of our choice. Also, we must do away with the habit of selling our PVC as we have had some cases in the past. Sale of PVC is tantamount to sale of one's future and right because our votes is our future. As a nation, we are facing numerous challenges in all the sectors of the economy and it is high time we got it right as a nation, it begins with our votes, we must vote people who are capable of championing the fight against the challenges bedeviling our land ranging from power instability, corruption, poor infrastructure and insecurity.
Also, we must do away with our usual ethnic and religious politics in the forthcoming election, we must not act 'clannishly' in our decision. I call on all Nigerians to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner during the general elections and also stand by their votes to ensure that our votes count. We must ensure one man, one vote and one woman, one vote.
Again, we must do away with violence during and after the elections, we must avoid another occurrence of the wild wild west in 1965 which eventually led to the take over of government by the military officers through coup. It is our civic duty to safeguard our democracy. I have been longing for a functional Nigeria where the system can work effectively, I hope for a democracy where the wish of the people will reign supreme in the hearts of our leaders, a Nigeria that promotes fairness and equality for all and sundry, a Nigeria where the people will know their fundamental human rights, a Nigeria where the leaders will see themselves as mere servants to the people, a Nigeria that is devoid of corruption, a Nigeria where everybody can sleep with his or her two eyes closed, a Nigeria without poverty.
I truly believe it can be achieved but it begins with you and I. This is not the time to be indifferent to this clarion call, every eligible voter must vote, through our votes we can re-write the history of our nation. We can effect the revolution we have been clamoring for through our votes. This is a wake up call to all Nigerians.
Again, we must do away with violence during and after the elections, we must avoid another occurrence of the wild wild west in 1965 which eventually led to the take over of government by the military officers through coup. It is our civic duty to safeguard our democracy. I have been longing for a functional Nigeria where the system can work effectively, I hope for a democracy where the wish of the people will reign supreme in the hearts of our leaders, a Nigeria that promotes fairness and equality for all and sundry, a Nigeria where the people will know their fundamental human rights, a Nigeria where the leaders will see themselves as mere servants to the people, a Nigeria that is devoid of corruption, a Nigeria where everybody can sleep with his or her two eyes closed, a Nigeria without poverty.
I truly believe it can be achieved but it begins with you and I. This is not the time to be indifferent to this clarion call, every eligible voter must vote, through our votes we can re-write the history of our nation. We can effect the revolution we have been clamoring for through our votes. This is a wake up call to all Nigerians.
I believe in Nigeria, we can do it together.
Long live our democracy!
Long live Nigeria.
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