The outcome of vote buying that allegedly characterized the primary elections across the country is embarrassing and gradually becoming a bane in the democratic structure of this country. Many competent aspirants were forced to withdraw citing unfair treatment. The complacent nature of delegates practically connotes the loss of vision and the possibilities of good governance in Nigeria.
Every sane Nigerian needs to be perplexed by rampant monetization of the polity and democratic process. Temerity displayed by Nigerians for exchanging the future of this nation at this terrific state of disarray in the history of Nigeria is worrisome. This is coming when the security challenge is heightened. Bandits and terrorist are on rampage. ASSU is on strike. The escalating price of commodities is devastating. The Economy is sinking into a catastrophic state as the Dollar keeps challenging the purchasing value of the Naira.
The political class refuse to be disused despite the unpalatable state of the country, but went on their chosen course to bastardize the process by openly trading the political system of the country on the platter of cash. They all opted for money to prove their undemocratic state of mind. None was even finicky about the whole mess. The implication of this obstreperous act is that it is slowly snatching voting power from the hands of the electorates. It is as well creating a platform for looters, criminal and rascals to buy their way into power because of their financial muscles and not competence. What a perverse way of life.
It is a native knowledge that democracy is the government of the people for the people and by the people. This connotes that, democracy is a people driven system which is subject to the choice of the masses without any coercion, manipulation and subverting the process. This dastard act were demonstrated with the full consciousness of electoral act as amended 2022 Act in 12 which clearly stipulates that vote buying or any financial inducement is a crime. Yet the act has received a national recognition and the peregrination of traversing on this path that is glaringly heading to doom.
Such purported financial inducement of delegates is highly embarrassing and criminal in nature. Unfortunately the national Assembly should bury their selves in shame for creating an Act that has removed powers and self-regulations from political parties just to make it a controversial Act that could be twisted by eloquence, unbridled desires for power as it has manifested itself in the party polls.
In Adamawa State, where vote buying was as well very pronounced, some of the aspirants who were literally not favored by the monetization of vote shamelessly came back in search of their money. Some of the delegates were tailed to their homes. This is a clear indication that they have already disconnected themselves with the public and simply veering for elective position to reinforce their financial reserve with public funds. Simple logic will tell you that, if one will spend what his complete remuneration package cannot settle it one should understand that they are going for a wild and aggressive amassing of the nation wealth.
This has totally traversed beyond the conceptual meaning of government of the people, and degenerating to something close to, if not a Landlord and a tenant relationship. Nigerians have already lost the moral right to challenge any abnormalities that awaits the victory of those enemies of the state. None of those delegates are left with the effrontery to question their actions or inactions.
With the way money has taken the center state in the party primary, the same if not the worse should be expected in the general elections. The just concluded Ekiti governorship is not free from the same allegation. What is expected by Nigerians is not get drenched into believing that the rich own the country and the sole responsibilities to determine who arrive at what position. That myopic mind of allowing ourselves to be flung apart with the idea of money politics against uttermost pursue of a thriving and sustaining democracy where everybody will have a say in governance should be decisively dealt with before the 2023 general elections.
Let’s show some glib and forethought that “one day a son of nobody will become somebody. Former president Goodluck Jonathan has already shattered those bars of iron and became the president of this country without a multi-billion naira background. Nigerians made his dream came true. Collectively Nigerians can make it again with the power of the ballot. Some people are of the opinion that we should expect the worst from the next administration, because the delegates sold their rights and conscience which is presupposed to be undemocratic. Nigerians should not allow that to occur in the general elections. So help us God.
Livingstone B. Kazwala
PIONEER NEWS 