ShortStory I Decisive Decision

DECISIVE DECISION

      “CDC…!” Chief Adelakun exclaimed excitedly.

      “Innovation!!” the members of the gathering chorused in a very high voice.

      “CDC…!” He reiterated.

        Chief Dele Adelakun who was rightly standing on a podium was a seasoned entrepreneur turned politician. He actually ventured into politics owing to his extreme passion for humanity; he was undoubtedly an ardent and well-known humanist and philanthropist.

         Due to his distinguished nomenclature, he was unanimously elected as the flag-bearer of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) by the majority of the party’s membership during its primary election to contest for the chairmanship position of Ojeiran Local Government Area (LGA), one of the most popular LGAs found in one of the states situated in the South-Western region of Nigeria.

         Right on that podium, he was observing one of his electioneering campaign tours as organized by the revered party (CDC).

         CDC was obviously a well-respected and leading political platform among the five major parties eligible for the awaited LG polls. So far since inception, the party had been known for producing respectable and notable individuals as its flag-bearers for any political post across the country.

         It suffices to say that every citizen of Ojeiran LGA alongside other LGAs in the state was looking up to the party as regards the aforementioned LG election, which was barely two weeks ahead.

        “Innovation…!!” the gathering responded accordingly in a more passionate tone.

        The campaign was taking place in one of the ancient public primary schools in the LGA on the 13^th of November 2002 at about some minutes past eleven in the morning. The arena was densely occupied with the party’s flag of blue, white and yellow colours coupled with the picture of a palm-frond, which signified its logo, inscribed on it.

        “We already know why we are here.” Chief Adelakun proceeded. “Therefore, there’s no need for any introduction or preliminaries.”

        “Yes oooh!” The crowd concurred.

       “I don’t have much to say because I am a man of few words.” he said. “But I can assure you that we are ready to bring total innovation to this LGA, just as the party’s slogan signifies.”

       “We believe you.” majority exclaimed in appreciation.

       “But it’s noteworthy that this cannot be actualized without proper accountability,” he asserted, paused. “Hence, accountability remains my watchword.”

        “Chairman – Chairman – Chairman…!” The audience chanted continuously in anticipation.

          He signalled them to calm down using his arms. “I am a banker.” he rode on. “In other words, there is nothing one would teach me regarding finances or budgetary.”

         The frontiers amidst the intimidating crowd nodded in comprehension and agreement.

         Chief Adelakun, a huge and light-complexioned man in his late forties, who was clad in a dark-blue caftan, a native cap made of the same material and black plain shoes, was an astute freelance banking professional. He had B.Sc in Banking and Finance from the famous Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria coupled with other numerous advanced professional honours in Finance and Business.

        “Before I conclude,” the flag-bearer said. “I must let you know that Education and Health would be my priority.”

       “We dey your side ooh!” They chorused in vernacular.

       “Just look at our school,” he lamented, pointing at the dilapidated structure of the primary school being used as the campaign venue. “It is nothing to write home about.”

        The members of the gathering frowned, shook their heads in disappointment.

        “The most annoying part is that,” he continued. “Most of these forgotten schools are the alma-mater of most stakeholders in the society.”

         The speech proceeded for over forty minutes. It was indeed a holistic address. In the long run, the LG party boss, Chief Dapo Olabiyi rounded off the long-lasted talk. The audience were finally showered with light refreshments as well as souvenirs such as hand fans and portable form of the party’s flag prior to their departure.

          In two weeks’ time, on Saturday, November 30, 2002 precisely, the election successfully held as scheduled and Chief Dele Adelakun of the CDC emerged victoriously as the Chairman-Elect of Ojeiran LGA. Three weeks after, on Friday, 20^th December 2002 precisely, he was sworn in along with his Deputy, Barr. Gbenga Olusola.

         According to the state’s law, every Executive Chairman was meant to spend three years in office. To people’s greatest surprise, Chief Adelakun’s 3-year tenure was something to reckon with contrary to his predecessor’s style of leadership.

         Ab initio, he took every of his campaign promises to include adequate education, good and affordable health care, and standard road network, among others, very seriously that he was embarrassed with fathomless eulogies by every dick and harry in the locality, even in absentia.

         Among all, he rejuvenated the strength of his party (CDC) as far as the council was concerned that at intervals, the overall leadership of the party would organize revelry just to celebrate him.

        To be continued, please.

FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH)- Owerri

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frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador

Opinion II Imo Women And Their Ongoing 2018 August Meeting

IMO WOMEN AND THEIR ONGOING 2018 AUGUST MEETING

         

The last time I checked, the 2018 episode of the famous and revered August Meeting annually observed by the womenfolk had already begun. As the name implies, the yearly ritual, which seems peculiar to the Igbo race – particular Imo State – is meant to invariably take place in August.  

          

It suffices to say that Imo women are currently observing the August Meeting in their respective communities of origin. Women in various religious bodies, especially the Catholic dominion, equally commemorate the event in a more unique and resounding pattern to the delight of their fellow congregants.

          

Regarding that of the church, the members of the men folk are usually required to collectively rally round their wives as long as the meeting lasts, towards showcasing their unanimous support.

          

It’s noteworthy that various amazing events are always showcased by the women throughout the gathering. They usually use the occasion to discuss issues on how they could help the men folk to build their respective societies.  

          

This piece is informed by the compelling need to conscientize these golden women on what is primarily expected of their persons while they meet as well as the need for them to variously stick to the rudimentary objectives that necessitated the institution of the August Meeting. Hence, they must be sensitized to concentrate solely on the subject matter.

         

The August Meeting was basically instituted to help in the promotion of unity of purpose among the womenfolk in their respective jurisdictions. It was understood that the anticipated unity would enable the women in their numbers to assist the male counterparts in issues bordering on societal uplift. According to the founders, there was need for the women to acknowledge that they could not be kept in abeyance while discussing most societal matters.

          

Years after the August Meeting was founded, the supposed commendable gathering was abused when some of the women saw it as an avenue to showcase their material worth, thereby intimidating their fellow women who could not afford such possessions.

         

The stipulated abuse was apparently at the expense of the husbands of those who could be described as less-privileged, material wise. In the long run, owing to such uncalled practice, competition ensued among the women who were expected to work as a team.

         

Such kind of rivalry as the one specified above, among others, resulted to a colossal setback as regards the goal of the August Meeting commemoration. Hence, the progress of the event was halted by the bad omen.

         

Thereafter, the more rational ones who thought it wise to reinvigorate the lofty initiative, decided to make amends by implementing some policies that could make their members act like a family instead of people from diverse backgrounds. One of the remarkable rules is the present culture that ensures that every member of the confraternity wears uniform clothes.

         

Ever since the decorum was restored, there have been series of societal projects embarked upon by the womenfolk in their respective localities, though a few of them is still hell bent toward acting as odd members amid their colleagues.

         

Whatever the case might be, there is indeed a strong need to let this group of wives, and of course mothers, acknowledge that they are bound to stick to the extant rules and regulations as they observe the ongoing 2018 August Meeting in their various towns or clans, as the case may be.

           

First, our lovely women must have this meeting as one indivisible family. They must note that they would stand to achieve nothing if they gather with diverse interests. It’s then needless to say that they must possess only one voice so that they can deliberate on any issue at hand without experiencing fracas amongst themselves as it is often witnessed in most Houses of Assembly.

          

The women need to understand the basic need of their immediate societies, and not that of where they reside. It’s not anymore news that women residing in different states across the country, and even beyond, converge on their communities of origin on an annual basis for the August Meeting anniversary.

          

So, as they converge, they ought not to have in their mindsets the need of the locality where they are based. Rather, what ought to be of discourse is the need of the hosting locality and nothing more.

          

Another pertinent matter that requires to be discussed among these revered women is an issue concerning their various homes. Ab initio, a woman has been regarded as the manager of the home; needless to assert that she is ostensibly in charge of the day-to-day management of the home affairs such as the child’s upbringing, cookery, home maintenance, and so on.

          

In view of this, they must deliberate on issues that would help to curb the ongoing social decadence among our young ones. They must understand that a child’s education starts from the home, thus need to extensively discuss the better way they would henceforth be paying more reasonable attention to their wards rather than the present trend where more time is allocated to their trades or offices to the detriment of the children’s future.

          

So, this year’s August Meeting ought to serve as a wake-up call among the women in regard to their home responsibilities. It is, therefore, inconsequential to remind them that the forum shouldn’t be used as a political platform or what have you.

           

All in all, inasmuch as I wish our women a joyous 2018 August Meeting celebration, my candid take remains that they should use this occasion to proffer remedies to matters presently affecting every facet of their respective immediate societies, because we can’t afford to move aback at such a time like this. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador

Opinion I When Electors Rape Elections (II)

WHEN ELECTORS RAPE ELECTIONS (II)

          

Democracy is arguably characterized by the people. It’s equally worth noting that election is peculiar to democracy. In other words, any democratic system is required to embrace an electoral process.

         

In elections, the voters or electors are presented with alternatives that they can choose among a number of proposals designed to settle an issue of public concern. Hence, in such an exercise, electors are expected to act as kingmakers. Elections are apparently central to the existence stability and development of democracy.

         

On December 28, 1978, the leaders of the then Nigeria’s five political parties issued a unanimous pledge to the nation, to keep election free and fair. The leaders in question promised that their leadership to the country would curb excesses in speech and behaviour by their party members.

          

They further stated that they would restrain their members from engaging in political thuggery and ensure that nothing was done to disrupt the peace of any community where election is to be conducted or upset the unity of the nationhood. Above all, they disclosed that they would accept the verdict of the electorate in the elections which they would help to make peaceful, free and fair.

          

Recalling the recent Nigerian electioneering eras, even the blind could attest that several things are no longer at ease as against what it used to be. The assertion that things have fallen apart is not unconnected with the fact that practices to include but not limited to thuggery, election rigging and vote buying are now the key attributes of most elections. It becomes pathetic when realized that the supposed kingmakers (electors) are the primary cause of the ongoing unfortunate situation.

         

If the above perception is anything to go by, then a sane person would wonder the reason a ‘kingmaker’ would partake in any act targeted at rigging a scheduled election let alone indulging in such dirty act as thuggery. It’s more baffling to acknowledge that those electors – particularly the youth – who sell their birthright would stand to gain nothing, not even reasonable cash.

         

Even those who would not want to associate themselves with activities that could lead to election rigging would prefer to act like mere onlookers as long as the election lasts. Funnily enough, most of them would be present at the polling unit just to engage in frivolous interactions like issues bordering on sports, emotional relationship or what have you, and not to cast their votes. When scrutinized further, you would observe that majority could not even boast of voter’s card.

          

Owing to the acknowledgement that electors are ostensibly the kingmakers, the constitution of most countries across the globe, which Nigeria’s isn’t exceptional, captioned a clause that relates to ‘Vote of no-confidence’. The aforementioned term is a constitutional matter that empowers the electorate, or the governed, to recall any elected officer if found wanting or culpable.

          

In such case, the concerned electors are required to act as a body by collectively endorsing a written document, stating that they no longer have confidence in a particular elected official thus ordering him/her to return home. This tool shows that the electors are meant to be in charge, both in the pre and post– election eras.

         

It is as well worthy of note that the teeming Nigerian electors have equally abused such a lofty democratic tool. They are often marred by apathy when expected to act as one indivisible body, thereby allowing themselves to be cajoled into a state of mockery by the elected officers who they have chosen to worship.

         

The primary consignment of a lawmaker is to air the collective view of his constituents in the Assembly. It suffices to say that there is no tangible reason a legislator who does not have a befitting constituency office would not be recalled by his/her constituents.

         

It is not anymore news that most of the present lawmakers cannot boast of a constituency office in their various constituencies let alone observing ‘Constituency briefing’ as a priority. Some don’t even know the ward chairmen of their respective political parties; they are invariably interested in acquiring such information when elections are by the corner. Worse still, the affected electors would claim ignorance of the injury they have incurred in the process.

         

This trending unwarranted and mind-boggling attitude of most Nigerian electors has continued to rape the god-sent democracy. The gravity of the unending rape is arguably colossal than we could think of.     
         

It is, therefore, needless to state that rebranding the Nigeria’s electoral system is indeed long overdue. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) needs to start taking some pertinent actions as regards the country’s electioneering activities. It ought to be willing and ready to sanction any political party caught in any anti-election acts, especially while a certain election is being awaited.

          

Above all, there’s a compelling need to carry out an all-inclusive sensitization among these individuals known as the electorate before the worst is witnessed.

         

It is equally high time the governments at all levels introduced voter’s education into our various schools’ curriculum. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movemen

_________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador