Harold D. Lasswell, a political scientist cum communication theorist, conceptualided “politics” as who gets what, when, and how. The game of politics is about to be played in Nigeria. Who will triumph? The 2023 presidential election is fast approaching. The aspirants are working tirelessly to assume the mantle. By 2023, they will know their fate.
According to the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, one of the fundamental human rights being enjoyed by the citizens is the “right to vote and be voted for”. This is the only power the masses can use to opt-out or opt-in a political party from/into government.
To express the least, between 2015 and 2019, the rope and the hen are of no comfort — “Ara kò ro okùn, ara ko ro adìre”. However, no good thing has come out of this government. We voted President Muhammadu Buhari in our quest for change, not conscious of the type of change whether for good or the opposite.
During the campaign of the last presidential election, promises were made but it is hapless they are unfulfilled. The overzealous political merchants are a bunch of promise breachers, they are of the sole aim of adding feathers to their nest. Free education, payment of stipends/pennies to unemployed youths, undergraduates, etc are enough exhibits of the promises yet to be fulfilled. They bamboozled our horizon.
They can’t be castigated, no sane individual will venture into a business and pray for loss. They all cross the luggage of corruption on their neck.
In my view, maladministration of the Buhari government has put a stain on the immaculate linen of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In another dimension, this incumbent government laid blocks on the foundation erected by erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan. Between 2011 and 2015, the havocs wreaked and the travail inflicted on citizens are enormous. This may be a contributory factor that led to the downfall of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 presidential election.
At this juncture, my candid piece of advice to my fellow Nigerians is if truly we are unsatisfied by the government of tyrants, ethnic bigots, religious fanatics, etc, let’s utilise our Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) cum our thumbs to bring-in the government that will be sensitive to the voices and feelings of the masses.
We should not be overwhelmed by the pennies they always distribute during the election period. We are now wise, the last mistake should not repeat itself. May God guide us to the right path. Three years of travail looks like many years. If you hear “we will enhance change” from the mouth of the aspirants, confidently ask which change — for good or for bad.
Olayode Inaolaji,
Ogbomoso, Oyo state.
