VOTERS & DEVOUT

(My treatise on Nigerian politics)

As the saying goes, ‘’the intelligence of the creature known as a crowd, is the square root of the number of people in it’’. By extension, the brains behind a hundred people clamouring for something is usually not more than 10 people. These words find an echo in today’s political climate. A close parallel would be a country like Nigeria with an estimated population of 170 million. The square root of that figure is 13,038 approximately. Thus, it suffices to say the intelligence or influence on voting behaviour in Nigeria is about 13,038 people. One may equally say the actual number of VOTERS in Nigeria with a mind of their own is 13,038 people, the rest are DEVOUT.

A devout is devoted to religion or the fulfilment of religious obligations and is characterized by religious devotion or piety. People seem to have gone ecclesiastical with the forthcoming elections, it’s still one God and various belief systems last I checked. Assuredly, there’d always be a religious undertone in Nigeria’s political affairs, but without discounting any political undertones or undermining the role one’s faith/religion plays in such decisions as voting a candidate into office, I believe there are a host of things to be considered.

What makes a man are his beliefs and they’re born out of his social, spiritual, physical, psychological and moral needs and orientation. Socially because his environment matters, especially since it constitutes over 50% of the man’s character. Spiritually regarding his faith and religion, he demands respect for both his choices and methods. In a dual religious domain like Nigeria, one cannot simply overlook the common belief in one God of both sects. As opposed to fighting for dominance or imposing one religion on the other, we can find a common ground to co-exist, needless to point out it’s only under such circumstances Nigeria can thrive. His physical need largely depends on the country's economic situation, whilst his psychological need or orientation affords him the mental balance or ability to function as a normal citizen. His moral orientation affects his family first, his surroundings, i.e., his society, then the nation. All these needs are tied one to the other and should be taken into consideration before choosing a political leader.

It’s rather unfortunate the face is not a mind display; none can tell from merely looking at candidates who will perform. Time and time again, we resort to vain and unfulfilled promises of electoral campaigns. Historically, these politicians widely broadened the gap between the rich and poor, only seeking to enrich themselves and their families to the detriment of an entire nation. I dare say I didn’t see any candidates worthy of my vote after Olusegun Obasanjo left power in 2007 and still don’t see one now. ‘’Choose the lesser of two evils’’, benighted nationals easily exploited are fond of saying, quite like choosing an easier route to their demise. By testament the works of Donald Duke and Godswill Akpabio stood out as governors; an honourable mention would be Babatunde Raji Fashola. Eyes wide shut I would vote either of those on any bill regardless of their political parties or religious orientation. They showed us Nigeria is governable contrary to popular opinion.

Devout are devout socialists who fervently believe in or advocate an ideology or position with earnest and devout wishes for their success. They are of a hope sincere but unlikely to be fulfilled. Everyone is clamouring for change without defining the change. Since change is the keyword in this election, let’s discuss change for a minute. Change is to make something different. It could also mean altering a future course. Haven’t there been changes in Nigeria since 1960? Just that things went from bad to worse and worse. Consequently, it’s important to note that change could either be for good or bad. The government of the day inherits all the blame. Am I the only one cognizant of the fact Nigeria has been on a downward spiral since her independence or at least since I learnt to count ABC/123?

There’s never been a downward review in the price of any commodities, only upward reviews. It’s a change however you look at it. The only time we’ve seen a downward review in the price of PMS is due to an ongoing campaign, in any case, the price cut was coerced by the #OccupyNigeria protests. I dare say whoever takes the mantle of leadership next would suffer more blame than the present-day Goodluck Jonathan-led government until we realize it’s not solely up to this government, the next one, or the reassigning of job roles to save Nigeria. If you don’t give any thought to Nigeria’s welfare with each passing day, you’re a part of the problem. Everywhere I turn people are talking about their sole interests regarding the outcome of this election and who would protect it best, none pausing to think about the overall interest of Nigeria and her citizens.

The biggest problem of change is human beings and the ‘’protect own interest’’ mentality. They couldn’t care less if it serves the larger populace or not. This is why people will hardly ever make genuine sacrifices to better this nation and that’s just what we need, leaders who would place the needs of this great nation above theirs. Also, there’s something known as change management. It is not enough to merely prescribe change and expect it to happen. That’s like the wish of a devout socialist. For change to be effective, everything from processes, systems, structures and job roles must be impacted. The only change we see in this aspect is job roles. The processes, systems and structures remain the same, hence it’s a matter of time before the pressure consumes the new staff.

Change management is applying processes, tools and techniques to manage the people side of change to achieve a required outcome. A key factor in Nigeria’s situation. The problem is the cabal behind the scenes controlling these processes, systems and structures; they’re the same ones who created them in the first place. Flipping job roles might not cut it. If you set out to find those caught up in the system in the recent past, you may be shocked to know some of them had good intentions, then of course the bad ones. A lot of good people were fired from their jobs based on allegations. Outside the system, no one sees what transpires. A few bad eggs can choose to play the fall guy and take Nigerians for a ride to protect their political cabal. This could mean serving jail time; in the end, such individuals are settled in ways unknown to the public. This is a system that makes it easy for good people to not only be set up but distastefully slandered in the newspapers thanks to gonzo journalism, the system and the cabal. Nigeria must overhaul this system and rid it of those who created it and are still very much alive enforcing it or change would remain a dream for the wishful minds.

We are at an advantage if we come together and fight. We have seen them at their worst following the national unrest caused by the boko haram sect whom I believe are being controlled by the same system; they on the other hand are yet to see what we are capable of. ?If VOTERS with an organized system of thought rallied to the course, the Cabal would be displaced even with their resources and DEVOUT allegiance. I often ask myself “They are ready to kill, but are we ready to die?” Glory and Gore go hand in hand. It may take a revolution for Nigeria to see her glory days again. We’ve been paraded as people who are happy in every situation; people who will not stand up for their rights and what is right; a people who tolerate nonsense, whilst the real problem is our selfishness and love for life won’t let us die for the greater good of this country. If those Americans aboard the 9/11 flight headed for the white house were Nigerians, they would have sworn silence and pleaded with the terrorists to drop them off mid-air. Haven’t we done the same? The Boko haram sect doesn’t live in bushes, some people know their whereabouts but who would tell? Perhaps for fear of being mentioned as an informant or death. If they could walk into a police station and tear apart an entire police force, what more can civilians do? It is perhaps gratifying to cast the blame on the government, but they have not undermined us any more than we’ve undermined ourselves. ‘’Governance is a collective effort’’.

In truth, the Nigerian government has failed its people, and the Nigerian police force as well. Part of the problem is the lavish lifestyle politicians lead and continue to live. Leaders who are supposed to lead by example. Public servants shouldn’t drive the best cars, live in the best houses or send their children abroad to get educated especially when they haven’t fixed the education system in their home country, unless they have other known sources of income that afford them such luxurious lifestyle. Sadly, most of them can’t afford these things before they come into power. What then are citizens to think? Why would anyone volunteer to die for such a government? A little sleep, a little slumber. Nigeria better wake up or our foretold dissolution is imminent. Then America would take great pleasure in predicting our disintegration by 2015.

‘’Human behaviour flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge – Plato’’. Voters know who, what and why. A devout on the other hand is moved by emotion and desire which at best is selfish and nepotistic. My problem with devout or people who swing with the pendulum is their high tendency for betrayal. If we continue to encourage people who vacillate between conflicting opinions in this country, there’d be none left to carry on the legacy that once was if ever. The days are gone when we thought the future belonged to children. The future belongs to those who know where they belong. Families have lost values; society breeds more mediocre-minded children with little or no cultural identity. How does anyone expect them to lead in the future? The treatise aims not to cite past occurrences and point fingers at our leaders past and present, but to enlighten us.

Come 14th February 2015, before casting your votes, question your motivation as a voter or devout. I have made up my mind never to vote for a candidate whose name starts with “B”. Isn’t this the beauty of being an actual voter? I get to choose who I want after a careful and thorough consideration of the available facts, having considered the greater good of the nation rather than joining a bandwagon of devout clamouring for change. My decision has little to do with religion and everything to do with national interest. I refuse to accept that we cannot find people worthy of leading this nation other than a man who had ruled it before, with intentions to exert vengeance on his political enemies much to the impairment and disservice of this nation. Nigeria is too great to be a tool for revenge in the hands of one man. First was Olusegun Obasanjo who I never supported in his presidency, now one of his derivatives. Besides, isn’t there an age limit to who should rule Nigeria? I never imagined while I sang along to the elementary school song “We Are the Leaders of Tomorrow”, that the future meant is not until I turn 70.

As a child, I heard my grandparents complain about Nigeria’s situation, my parents after them and now my generation seems to think things were much better back then. We complain as though we’ve reached a crescendo; the next generation may argue that we were better off (God forbid). I hope to see things turn around for the best in Nigeria. Sadly, this hasn’t been the case since her independence. I recall this same Buhari ruled Nigeria before and ask myself what he intends to do differently.

Nigerians have suddenly forgotten how some of ‘’the dictator’s henchmen’’ took to the streets violently burning churches and individual homes, destroying public properties and government infrastructures after he failed woefully in the last elections. Muhammadu Buhari sat aside quietly and watched as all that transpired, now he’s promising to bring an end to the Boko haram insurgence. If he had a solution all along and chose to let the situation put the present government in a bad light just to use it as his campaign stronghold, I’d be dumber than an average aboki to vote him into office. It goes to show he doesn’t have Nigeria’s interest at heart, the same country he’s been vying nonstop to lead again. As the Igbo proverb goes ‘’Onwe otu isi bee akwa onye nwuru anwu, odi ka ima ihe gburu ya’’, which translates to ‘’there’s a way you cry over a dead person, it would appear as though you know what killed the person’’. What is this undying passion to rule Nigeria again? What did he forsake in Asorock that he so badly wants to retrieve? Perhaps he didn’t take enough the first time and wants to go back for more. Take all you want but spare us the hope of a possible future where Nigeria is the best and safest place to raise our children, one where every child’s dream of becoming a future leader is achievable.

As an unaffiliated voter, I would much rather cast my vote for a nonpartisan politician (independent candidate). I recall seeing a Tony Blair interview on China Central TV whilst promoting his book titled ‘’A Journey’’, a memoir of his tenure as British prime minister where he admitted to never truly knowing what the poor masses suffered until he resigned and had a chance to dwell amongst them. There’s a significant gap between the rich and poor in Nigeria, so when there’s a massive outcry for change and the masses tie their votes to it blaming the interim government for all their woes, I wonder if they plan to vote for someone amongst them to be their next president. Still, they cast their votes for the same candidates from high society with no real knowledge of their actual needs, trials and tribulations. Where is the change therein?

Dear Nigerians, I urge you all to think things through before casting your votes and if after the elections any of these contestants emerge as the winner in or against your will, to put your faith in God and offer your best to Nigeria. Though people may stand in the way of a man’s will, the will of God for Nigeria must prevail.

? OBINNA ORJI

(2014)