The day was 7th of July 1998, A day that would live in infamy forever. It was the Day Nigeria lost one of its greatest sons. Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola popularly known as MKO Abiola. This year marks a milestone in the honouring and remembrance of the legacy of this great man, from the new democracy day on June 12th to the renaming of the Abuja Stadium in his Honour. But this year also indicated that maybe we have all forgotten too quickly what the man laid down his life for.
The last election marked the lowest voter turnout in the history of Nigerian elections over 50 million (over 60%) Nigerians who had gone through the process and stress of getting a PVC quite simply didn’t turn up to vote. It makes me ponder if and why we have so quickly forgotten the sacrifices of those before us. MKO Abiola died defending the tenets of democracy but yet many of us would let the legacy of such a man go to waste.
We can all agree there is something very wrong with this country from the insecurity that kills thousands every year to the economic stagnation that stifles economic growth and private enterprise.
How did this happen?
Who's to blame?
Well certainly there are those more responsible than others but truth be told if you belong to the group of people who didn’t vote in the last election then you need only look into a mirror.
I know why you did it though. We have somehow bought into the lie that was sold to us that;
Democracy is easy, Democracy is convenient and it works automatically so we the citizens don’t need to do anything. So instead we sit back and complain about our country, our leaders pretty much everything else certain that we would do better if given the opportunity. This delusion of grandeur is at the centre of our problems.
The fact is that anyone of us with any sibilance of intelligence understands that ‘Democracy can only be maintained through active participation of the public’. If you are reading, then I would argue that on some level you recognise this truth. A functional and productive democracy like everything else in life worth having requires you to pay a price. That price primarily has to be paid once every four years. Now, of course, there is much more required of us as an active citizen but let’s just start with the basics.
Now i can almost hear some people thinking Vote for What!?
"They" have already chosen the winner!”
“The country isn’t going to get better so why try “
“Meh oh boy your blood dey hot because you just got back, this is Naija O!”
I for one am glad that our “Heroes past” didn’t share these view or else we would be much worse than we are ( Yep I just used a part of the Nation Anthem to make a point, its that deep)
I am not in denial of the situation on ground though, like a great joke I heard goes;
Politician: INEC Chairman are you ready for the elections?
INEC Chairman: Yes, sir everything is ready. Even the results.
But the truth is there are some levels of rigging that you just quite simply cannot get away with! Either way even if there is only a small chance that your vote will change things. Isn’t it worth the try? Considering what price, we pay for a lack of change and what huge rewards we stand to gain, Again isn’t it worth trying?
Silence and political apathy is the main problem with this country, in many ways it makes most of us silent partners in International Thief Thief Incorporated (ITT Inc). Except unlike the more prominent members of this corporation, most of us don’t actually cash out. Instead, we are forced to deal with the repercussion of the actions of those who do.
The fact that we all still have to plan our routes carefully when we leave home, the fact that the families have to decide between feeding the children and sending them to a good school, or that the concept of social security is an absurdity to us shows how far we truly are from what is possible. I mean for God’s sake look at Ghana! If only we knew when we were shouting ‘Ghana must go’ we would have followed them back to their county.
Why then are so many of use apathetic? My guess is we were afraid, tired and frustrated with the lack of change. Who wouldn't be? Purposefully frustrating electoral procedures, the fear of electoral violence. There was a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt our reason and rob us of common sense. But let’s be real here even if it takes 5 days to get a PVC and another 2 days to vote in the end is that too much of a sacrifice? Considering you would have to do this only once every 4 years, that means you have to sacrifice 7 days out 1461 days. I mean i have been through to process and can tell it is hellish but it didn't take 7days. When you consider the positive impact change could make in our lives, it is definitely worth it.
I leave you with this remember that both Jesus Christ and The Prophet Mohammed PBUH are revered in part today because they refused to stay silent when faced with a corrupt world. It is important we don’t forget that, no one is saying start a revolution all this country needs is that we open our eyes and engage in the effort to build a better nation because no 1 man can do it for us.
All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.
Comments