Overheating Of The Polity By Political Aspirants

ADDRESSING THE UNBEARABLE OVERHEATING OF THE POLITY BY NIGERIAN POLITICAL ASPIRANTS

 

Greetings brethren! It’s preposterous to ask how was, or how you spent your weekend, because apparently, your countenances or physiognomies are a tangible proof that you had a splendid week break. Notwithstanding, there’s need to ask, even when we are aware of the answer to the question. In other words, there’s absolutely no harm in asking.

Honestly, little did I know that virtually everywhere in Nigeria is currently faced with same slogan until I recently embarked on a trip to Delta State, Isele-Ukwu to be precise. Few days ago, Saturday September 6 precisely, I alongside members of my household was in the said locality for a traditional wedding ceremony. On my way to the place, every nook and cranny was loaded with unquantifiable bill boards, posters, banners, wall stickers, and what have you; all in the name of ‘political aspiration’.

Having noticed the aforementioned scenario, I was compelled to ask myself some certain questions. One of the questions was: how could someone indicate the position he/she is aspiring-for on the bill board, prior to the anticipated lift or declaration of campaign era by the INEC? The most devastating aspect of the anomaly is that most of them, if not all, end up writing ‘Vote for Mr A for Governor’ or as the case may be. What impunity!

The case is similar in all the states in the federation that are awaiting elections come 2015 or thereabouts. Considering the ongoing abuse or violation of electoral laws, even a-day old child would be subjected to a mood of thorough and frank meditation. And unequivocally, the kid in question might end-up exclaiming that Nigeria is indeed suffering from ‘Paranoia’. But, God forbid!

The abnormality doesn’t even stop at mounting bill boards and other campaign materials; it has transcended to other crazy and ridiculous practices such as antagonism, enmity, inconsequential rivalry, social derailment during occasions, childish media utterances, just to mention but a few, thereby leading to overheating of our innocent and noble polity. It’s really absurd. Let’s ride on!

Frankly the last time I checked, Nigeria in her entirety was regarded by all and sundry as one of the funniest countries the world over. Why wouldn’t she be seen as a very funny nation when those tagged as role-models have started acting like ‘role-cowards’? It is really disheartening to see one to whom writing meant so much suddenly becomes blind. In the same vein, it’s quite appalling to see a musical giant becoming dumb or physically challenged.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) really need to do something drastic towards addressing this absurdity or madness before it leads to something cruel and inhumane. The INEC, which remains the only legitimate ‘Spy’ to all political aspirants in Nigeria, ought to as a matter of urgency wake up from its slumber in respect to these ongoing unacceptable melodramas taking place on our polity almost on a daily basis.

The INEC is expected to enact a strict and severe bye-law that would help to checkmate or contain this odd. If any bill board or poster is mounted/pasted on the roadside by any aspirant, the write-ups or the written words on it must be plain; therefore mustn’t contain any fowl or campaign language. Also, a formidable team comprising trustworthy and illustrious individuals should be set-up to monitor any gathering/occasion irrespective of its nature or the activity of all the aspirants, to ensure that utterances regarding campaign are not dished out during the occasion by any aspirant or his/her supporter. Thus, any social, cultural, political, or religious ceremony occurring anywhere is meant to be duly spied by the team.

In regard to the above suggestion or proposal, I’m using this medium to appeal to INEC to ensure that any one (aspirant) regardless of his/her political position, who by any means violates the stipulated regulation, is sanctioned as well as suspended from any future political aspiration/tussle till further notice.  

I’m also using this avenue to plead with these so-called aspirants to endeavour to play politics with absolute maturity. Politics is a game meant for mature minds, thus, shouldn’t be abused by those who are yet to comprehend the game. I’m of the view that, it’s the immature minds that invariably see it (politics) as a dirty game.

The truth of the matter is that, politics is never a ‘dirty game’; rather, it remains the sweetest game on earth because it is the only game that requires thorough meditation, consultation, planning coupled with proper implementation of ideas and strategies, if the person in question really wants to embrace victory at the polls. Think about it!

 

FRED DOC NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com