Don’t misunderstand the title; it’s only a prediction of what may be the state of affairs after the much talked about and anticipated 2015 general elections. Are you among those who are optimistic about a better Nigeria after 2015 elections? Good! Your optimism may just pay off. But then again nothing concrete can ever be achieved by mere wishing or better still by mere good hopes or optimism. Such concrete things have to be deliberately, strategically and in this case honestly worked for. So if anyone comes with a negative or contrary opinion, perhaps such a person may have a foresight to the future and should be allowed to lay facts bare on the table.
In very recent times ardent political observers have noticed how the quest for power in Nigeria has provided room for two political parties to be much more dominant than several others- PDP and APC. This seems to have left other political parties merely hoping to get attention just on the ballot paper on which their names and logos will appear on the election days. So gradually becoming a two-party state may be a welcome idea however it may be a worse bargain than we had earlier thought.
The consequence of two political parties holding sway as in the case of Nigeria can be grave. How can one explain the fact that a political party which has been in power for sixteen (16) years and has garnered for itself widespread disapproval suddenly decides to cajole the people towards entrusting them with four more years to conclude their “programmes”? How can one also explain the fact that the primary reason why the opposition really exists is to criticize the incumbent and capitalize on the most salient security shortfall as its major manifesto?
The campaign rallies of these two dominant political parties have been watched with keen interest and they’re nothing short of flagrant display of wealth and arrogance. Nothing indicates a concrete understanding of issues and dedicated interest in solving them. Furthermore and most importantly is the attitude of their supporters who end up enjoying some “on the spot dividends of democracy” and dancing all through these
political campaigns and rallies. As supporters we should be more concerned with what these aspirants will do when eventually elected. We should also understand that because the number of non-aspirants far out-number those of the aspirants, the latter constitute the real custodians of power and can decide whom to give it to, therefore should be meticulous when making this decision. It is also imperative to state very clearly that political parties should not be misunderstood and taken as charity or humanitarian organizations because of course these politicians will eventually desire to get back what they have “invested” and the “profit” accrued over time.
It is also important to realize that because no person can stay in a position forever, it becomes worrisome that those who seek to replace them may follow suit. Hence, corruption and a reign of misplaced priorities in perpetuity. If all these portray the current state of affairs with just weeks to these crucial decision making time in the history of this country, how then can we be sure of things being better from May 29th 2015?
Views Expressed are Solely Author’s.
