For some days after Valentine, we did not see Sule Taribo Olowolayemo a.k.a Baba More-money. So, all the boys on Voter’s street in Lekki Phase 1 thought he was attending to political campaign activities. However, news came to us a week after Valentine that Mr More-money had been captured by unknown persons. The link to a Youtube video showing how Mr More-money was confessing under unclear duress had been flying around the internet. So, we gathered at our favourite football viewing centre to see the video on someone’s laptop.

In the 35-minute video, More-money read out some notes containing all the ills that he has ever done. He read the notes loudly and behaved as if someone was forcing him to do so. Yet, he appeared alone on the screen, in a yellow boxer’s brief against the background of a hotel room. Then the words, “I will even record her nakedness in the hotel room and play it for you boys when I return” were scrolled as a footnote at the end of the video, just before fade-out. All the boys were amazed and confused. But after thinking for some time, I told them, “Ramota is not who we thought she was. There is something about this video that looks FBI or CIA-ish and there is something about Ramota that suggests too much confidence.” Yet, this part-fiction account of Ramota Arsenal-fan Alatasuesue and Sule Taribo Olowolayemo a.k.a Baba More-money should teach us something.

Now that INEC has published the elections timetable for 2015, it is clear that, if things go as planned, Nigerians will have a chance to vote for their preferred Presidential and National Assembly candidates on February 14, 2015 (St. Valentine’s Day next year). Therefore, it is important for every well-meaning Nigerian to prepare to exercise their right to vote and decide the future of our country again that day. Though there have been mixed reactions from various politicians regarding the composition of the timetable, the most important thing for the citizenry is to have an election that is absolutely free, obviously fair and without feuds.

As a people that have bravely survived the troubles of a fledgling democracy, Nigerians must accept the call to citizen responsibility and exhibit the highest level of patriotism. We must show that in the face of impossible odds, people who love this country more than St. Valentine’s Day can change it.

We, the Voter’s Street boys, later heard that Mr More-money had been under the watch of various international money-laundering control authorities for some years. But his Juju powers had been confusing the Oyinbo men. Therefore, they hired Ramota who had used ICT tools to capture and retransmit her dealings with Mr More-money and released him out of pity for his wife and children. Unfortunately, More-money was trying to escape to Australia via one of his private jets when international aviation authorities re-apprehended him in UK. He was eventually arraigned before a court outside the country and sent to a 21st century prison.

Perhaps, Nigerians should be reminded that no politician who is yet to prove himself is worthy of massive support. This is because many of them have multiple entry visas to foreign countries and acquired accommodation over there. For such leaders, our nation is simply a business centre or place of occupation.

As the Valentine’s Day of 2015 approaches, some unwarranted gifts and Naira-drunk Ghana-must-go bags will start moving around the country. If you are a business person, some notes may even fall into your hands through campaign incentives. Accept the fees of the service that you provide to campaigners and keep your head straight. If there are no strings attached, accept gifts from aspirants because all government money is actually meant for all the people. But in all of your dealings, let integrity shine through. If necessary, be teetotal because of the infectious drunkenness of looted funds that would entice you. Transfer none of your rights to corruption to salvage the future of Nigerians who are not as informed and privileged as you are. Do what your heart testifies to you as the right thing.

Don’t just sit at home and complain about our challenges –please, do your part. Don’t start wondering if your votes will count –please, have some faith. Don’t be the reason why we cannot choose leaders that can be held accountable –just believe that you are doing something for your country. Go and acquire your voter’s card, it was your money that was used to make it. If there is something you do not understand about your electoral rights, don’t be ashamed or shy; just ask somebody to tell you and confirm the information from someone else.

If you want direct voter’s information from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) itself, visit www.inecnigeria.org/?page_id=68 on your device and read through.