The 2019 presidential, national assembly, governorship and state houses of assembly elections begin today. And from the look of things generally, the tendency of selling and buying a vote is very high. As a student of economics, I learnt that sometimes supply creates its own demands in the exchange of goods and services. But in the case of electoral vote-buying, demands create its supply. In other word, politicians are looking for the vote (conscience) to buy, and as a result of that, both employed and unemployed hungry Nigerians offer to sell their votes (consciences) because there is a demand for it.
Our vote is our rights, which is exercise through our conscience. It is important to note that the buyer in this case, first of all, appealed to our conscience to make us believed that they are out for our good, and trying to do everything possible to conform us to their pattern, and before we know it.
Left for me, I will say, don’t sell your vote. But I realised that we are not the same. Again, the majority of Nigerians are poor and there is hunger ravaging the land across the 36 states of the federation. No thanks to Nigerian politicians, from the president, governors, senators, House of reps members, and down to the local government chairmen and councillors, who make sure that our people are poor before the election’s period so they can accept peanut from them in exchange for their votes.
Electorate, since I can’t decide for you, I can advise you to consider some factors if you must sell your votes since it is a forfeiture of some of your fundamental human rights, and future benefits that will guarantee good lifespan. It is also important to note that it will be an exchange for your future socio-economic life, which includes employment, security, good healthcare, education, light, water, food, transportation, etc.
First, calculate the cost of your house rent for the next four years; calculate the cost of providing your personal security for the next four years; calculate your medical bills and that of your families for the next four years. Also calculate the cost of your education and that of your children, if there is any, for the next four years. Don’t forget to calculate the cost of fueling your generator and maintenance for the next four years because you may not have public light. Remember also to calculate the cost of water that you and your household will be using for the next four years, including drinking water, cooking, washing and flushing. The most important of all your calculation is the cost of your feeding and that of your household for the next four years. Don’t forget to add the cost of your toiletries, and transportation cost because you must move around and they will no government to provide all these for you.
The summation of all the costs will determine the worth of your vote, and with these, you have a good business deal. Any politician that is able and willing to pay the sum should be given the opportunity to buy. But anything less of these, DON’T SELL YOUR VOTE. Your vote is your power, and also your voice; therefore, you must protect your vote.
Omale Omachi Samuel, Abuja
