Like most Anambarians, non Anambra indigenes and residents, I spent most part of yesterday following the reports of polls via the internet. As usual, anticipated and highly expected, there were several skemishes. Despite all these, a new lesson was learnt on why our electoral system and programme are perenially problematic. It is the complacency of the voters.
Yesterday was the day when gladiators of Abuja and Anambra politics tried to outwit and outsmart one another in what seemed like a do-or-die affair. Names like Prince Arthur Eze were copiously reverberating across most news reports as a result of his notoriety at what Nigerian 'politicians' are good at- rigging.
I'm not surprised that the PDP stalwarts deployed every artillery in their arsenal of weapons to rally around the founder of Soludoeconomics, neither was I disappointed that INEC's voters' registers bore names of late eminent Nigerians like Fela and Bola Ige, it is Iwu's way of paying glowing tributes, and INEC's role at ensuring that ballot papers of those who were disenfranchised of their fundamental human right were thumb printed for the candidate of their choice. Believe me, there is a compehensive and all encompassing voters' register, you can only on days apart from the day of election. It's part of the fault proof plan!
What is the however disheartening is the complacency of Anambarians who were intimidated either by the big grammar and charts of Soludo, or by the blood red eyes of political thugs. One after another, we hear stories of hoodlums distrupted electoral process, carting or snatching away ballot boxes to be snuffed with thumb printed ballot papers of those whose names weren't on the voters' list, while voters look on.
In times past, I thought only we the Yorubas feared trouble, compelling us to stay at peace when things are breaking into pieces, Anambarians had shown that the siddon look attitude is a national phenomenon that permeate all ethnic groups. United, in fear, we stand!
This makes me wonder why are Nigerians afraid to defend their votes, standing arms akimbo or running helter sketter when they ought to stand against the insignant fraction that wants to jeopardize the collective destiny of all?
Is it the weapons that are brandished by the disgruntled elements, or their blood shot eyes? Is it the deep baritone voice or Yokosuna thick biceps muscles? Or is it our inate tendency to flee at any sign of trouble knowing that there is nobody to watch your back? Many questions.
Going by the Anambra elections, it becomes evident that a million and one Wole Shoyinka and the likes cannot empower the voters, voters must empower themselves!
To ensure good attitude at Nigerian polls, everyone should be able to defend themselves with sticks, stones, matchets, daggers and licensed guns and armlets. One of the reasons why America will continually have free and fair elections is not the technology or democracy, it is right of citizens to carry guns.
Imagine having 20 voters legally armed with guns, no amount of money and talk can convince thugs to snatch boxes knowing that anybody can take aim.
In whatever form, Nigerians should rise up to defend their votes and not be intimidated by those working for people intending to serve the state. This is the mistake made by Anambarians in yesterday's elections which has helped us to better understand the problem with our democracy- Nigerians are weak!
Martin Luther King Jnr led hundreds of thousands on major streets campaigning for racial equality. If he had feared gunshots like Nigerians do, he wouldn't have led the campaign, American blacks wouldn't have been liberated, and who is Obama to even think of being the President?
It is time we redefined our democracy as government of the people, by the people, for the people, and defended by the people. Until then, qualitative leadership will continue to elude us as we will entrapped in our usual vicious cycle, just like Anambarians, for the next four years.
http://pauladepoju.blogspot.com/2010/02/anambra-elections-eye-opener-on-our.html
quest for solution
said:
profet
said:
7 lives
said:
7 lives
said:
MICHAEL IJERE
said:
insight
said:
Godson Ehiabhi Ogbebor
said:
FADUMIYE ADEYINKA
said:
I'm not surprised that the PDP stalwarts deployed every artillery in their arsenal of weapons to rally around the founder of Soludoeconomics, neither was I disappointed that INEC's voters' registers bore names of late eminent Nigerians like Fela and Bola Ige, it is Iwu's way of paying glowing tributes, and INEC's role at ensuring that ballot papers of those who were disenfranchised of their fundamental human right were thumb printed for the candidate of their choice. Believe me, there is a compehensive and all encompassing voters' register, you can only on days apart from the day of election. It's part of the fault proof plan!
What is the however disheartening is the complacency of Anambarians who were intimidated either by the big grammar and charts of Soludo, or by the blood red eyes of political thugs. One after another, we hear stories of hoodlums distrupted electoral process, carting or snatching away ballot boxes to be snuffed with thumb printed ballot papers of those whose names weren't on the voters' list, while voters look on.
In times past, I thought only we the Yorubas feared trouble, compelling us to stay at peace when things are breaking into pieces, Anambarians had shown that the siddon look attitude is a national phenomenon that permeate all ethnic groups. United, in fear, we stand!
This makes me wonder why are Nigerians afraid to defend their votes, standing arms akimbo or running helter sketter when they ought to stand against the insignant fraction that wants to jeopardize the collective destiny of all?
Is it the weapons that are brandished by the disgruntled elements, or their blood shot eyes? Is it the deep baritone voice or Yokosuna thick biceps muscles? Or is it our inate tendency to flee at any sign of trouble knowing that there is nobody to watch your back? Many questions.
Going by the Anambra elections, it becomes evident that a million and one Wole Shoyinka and the likes cannot empower the voters, voters must empower themselves!
To ensure good attitude at Nigerian polls, everyone should be able to defend themselves with sticks, stones, matchets, daggers and licensed guns and armlets. One of the reasons why America will continually have free and fair elections is not the technology or democracy, it is right of citizens to carry guns.
Imagine having 20 voters legally armed with guns, no amount of money and talk can convince thugs to snatch boxes knowing that anybody can take aim.
In whatever form, Nigerians should rise up to defend their votes and not be intimidated by those working for people intending to serve the state. This is the mistake made by Anambarians in yesterday's elections which has helped us to better understand the problem with our democracy- Nigerians are weak!
Martin Luther King Jnr led hundreds of thousands on major streets campaigning for racial equality. If he had feared gunshots like Nigerians do, he wouldn't have led the campaign, American blacks wouldn't have been liberated, and who is Obama to even think of being the President?
It is time we redefined our democracy as government of the people, by the people, for the people, and defended by the people. Until then, qualitative leadership will continue to elude us as we will entrapped in our usual vicious cycle, just like Anambarians, for the next four years.
http://pauladepoju.blogspot.com/2010/02/anambra-elections-eye-opener-on-our.html
Comments (8)
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quest for solution
said:
 |
... I do not see any sense in this article. Morever, Nigeria is not there yet where it should be legal for citizens to own personal weapons. |
profet
said:
 |
... As the words goes we the young ones will dream dreams and the old ones should use the visions to work an age such as ours. I think for the facts that we have the happiness of human at heart, I saw it coming for P. Obi and it happened and what I forsaw about INEC. So, I believed our elders and people are using useful information nowadays. God bless Anambra, a state near to my state, Imo. |
7 lives
said:
 |
... Sahara admin, i am your fan for making available this site, but you are wrong on this one. Enough people, enough Igbos have died on the arms of the nigerian police and army. Why would you want them to present themselves to be killed again. Tell me, what purpose does this article serve. When non violence thought of Mahathma Ghandi have been internationally extolled, why do you want my people to to be violent against an institution that is basically their enemy. Those policemen are all from Hausa and Yoruba and they would shoot. You know now, they have been shooting. Please dont encourage my people to go and get killed. Instead let PDP come to power, nigeria is not whort dying for. |
7 lives
said:
|
... The writer is trying to lay blames on Anambrarians right? For not toeing the line of violence? This article has nothing to offer. How can you encourage people to toe the line of violence, with the presence of those 33,000 police men working for PDP. Men we have tried it before, all nigerians turned against us and killed us. remember the biafran war. Police is a Federal institutions and they would not hesitate to kill you there with instruction from Abuja. Go to Jos and see them killing my people, and you want them to come out and present themselves to be killed. YOU SUCK! IN FACT U MAKE ME SICK. What did your your people do in Ekiti to have alloewd collation to take place in a police station. PRAISE US WHEN WE DO WELL, DONT FIND FAULT THAT IS NOT FROM THE PEOPLE. Any fault in yesterdays election was imposed from ABUJA- SIMPLE |
MICHAEL IJERE
said:
 |
... PETER OBI DID NOT WIN THAT ELECTION..THIS IS DEFINITELY A CONSPIRACY TO DELAY THE PROGRESS AND EMANCIPATION OF ANAMBRA STATE, OBI ON ELECTION DAY NEVER HAD THE POPULARITY TO WIN AND HE KNEW THIS, THE IDEA OF HIS CHOICE WAS TO CONVENIENTLY AVOID SOLUDO AND NGIGE WHO WILL BRING REAL PROGRESS, WE ARE NOT FOOLED....THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES!!! |
insight
said:
 |
... I respect your observation about people's attitude but do not agree with your suggestion. At least not until a few things have been put in place. Nigerians are smart enough to know that if enough work is not done in the background to give their protests and revolt a chance, they are very likely to lose. I think the thing the average Nigerian hates the most is to be a fool. As mentioned in an earlier comment, we should, for example, have a law in place that authorises people to carry arms before you can ask people to step out for votes carrying arms. We should come up with a strategy that will give our people a fighting chance of succeeding and not blame them when they can clearly read the writing on the wall and refuse to waste their lives or efforts. |
Godson Ehiabhi Ogbebor
said:
 |
... Dear Writer,there is no similarity between the America of the 60s and the Nigeria of today because there is no law in place that allows a Nigerian to defend himself with arms. I do not believe that the political class we have now in the country, who has always benefited from fraudulent elections through the intimidation of unarmed citizens will promote and approve a law that will give every Nigerian the right to defend him or herself with a weapon when ever his or her right is being defranchised. |
FADUMIYE ADEYINKA
said:
 |
... I subscribe to the writer's opinion due to the fact that Anambra state gubernatorial election held yesterday was peaceful & undemocratic due to the fact that over 60% of eligible voters were denied the opportunity to exercise their civic right as Nigerians.But with the recent update of election results rolling in from Akwa the Anambra state capital where the final collation is ongoing there were indications that professor Murice Iwu might disappoint Nigerians and prove to us that his commission is poised towards the conduct of free & fair credible election in the nearest future.But if the out-come of this election should go aganist the wishes of the PDP government they might force INEC to obey the ruling of federal high court in Lagos which ordered the commission to postpone the election which the electoral umpire defiance the court |
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