I was about to type that maybe before we throw around words like “decide”, “change”, “hope”, “freedom”, “progress”, and such, as people who spend a lot of their time together in this geographic location called Nigeria, we need to think about whether we know their meaning and understand how to apply them in and for situations.
Immediately though, I realised that, ironic as it may seem, we know. We know what we’re doing and what we’re saying at each point in time. We just make sure it suits us first or solely.
I maintain a certain distance from politics in Nigeria. Now, we can debate about my reasons or the implications of my stance, and you may win or you may not, or we may all learn a few things. But, I’m what some acquaintances and I like to call a ‘serious person’, and so far to me, our politics are a dangerous travesty.
Also, if we knew better – if we KNEW – we would all be, one, ashamed and, two, moved to actually make real, fundamental decisions that change the way we think about and apply concepts like hope and freedom, when it comes to our welfare and future as citizens.
A brief history?
As a country, we’ve endured the campaigns, and parades, and quasi-debates for months in preparation for today, February 16, 2019. Although by this, I don’t mean everyone was planning to vote. I wasn’t. There are also kids who are too young to vote, and elderly and disabled people who were not particularly considered. So, come back to us later.
What I mean is, by virtue of this upcoming supposedly pivotal, momentous event, the socioeconomic life of the entire country was put on a schedule we all had to plan around.
National youth corps members were automatically drafted as electoral officials. My colleague was part of a three-day rally this week after which she practically fell ill.
Companies and professionals made and moved plans around. Parents made extra plans and cancelled some others to ensure their family was set for this weekend. Public figures engineered rallies and mini-campaigns. Business people and traders worked their books harder and secured their goods. Events and event planners are probably having the toughest February.
Real Nigerians are affected. Perhaps most of which actually cared too!
Thus, it’s a rather tough sell to me that there was no other day than today to decide that today is not a good day for the elections. I mean, we had a “careful review” and decided only today that the operational plan (hahaha, “plan”) we had was not solid enough to ensure “free, fair, and credible elections”?
MILLIONS were ready to vote. For different reasons, but still… To decide? For change? Hope? Freedom? Progress?
We use these words to bamboozle, incite, and confuse, and deceive. Because we want to continue to suppress people, take away their voices, and wear out the very fabric of their civic power.
To break them just enough, so when a rotten oligarchic bunch of us shuffle ourselves every other few years and present you with the same situation, you’re like, “Oh, well, if it’s between the devil and the [whatever] I choose….”
Jokes??? JOKES? Are we cracking actual fucking jokes??? Because, if we take today into account, I’m inclined to agree.
Is there a different way to approach this matter that is our country’s matter? Can we explore it? What are we doing? The tired tropes, the lethargic progressiveness, the blatant disregard… Why is this always the foundation of what is supposed to be a collective, life-altering decision?
Plus, why are there technically always only two candidates to choose from at each level every four years? And it’s the same guys! Then look at how they treat us! In the end, are they who we really are?
Nigeria does not decide anything, because Nigeria is obviously a few people who get to do whatever the hell they want without fear or even the thought of impact or repercussions.
But then, us… Do we even know who we are?
I guess if someone signed off, we wouldn’t be here.
Great write up Bella, have known you to be a prolific writer. Weldon.
The ONLY Lycan and superhero I know… Thanks, man. You’re very kind. I’m glad you liked it too.